Spas and hot tubs
An initial inspection will be carried out to ensure that your spa has a cover that meets the functional requirements and performance criteria of Building Code clause F9. If it does, it will only need to be inspected every three years.
If you don’t have a compliant cover, then you can either:
- Put a barrier around the pool. If you choose to barrier it, then the inspections every three years will apply.
- Empty the pool until either a compliant cover or barrier is installed.
Inspections
If you have a spa or small heated pool (less than 5m2) and it meets the conditions below, then the three-yearly mandatory inspections won’t apply to it and you’ll be responsible for compliance going forward. We’ll need to sign it off though, so if our records show that you’re a spa or small heated pool owner, or you have a new spa installed, please advise council and we will arrange an inspection. An inspection fee is applicable and can be found under Residential pool fencing in our building fees and charges.
Lockable lids
Spa pools can use lockable lids as a barrier if:
- the pool has walls at least 760 mm high which can’t be climbed
and there are no climbable objects within 760mm of the pool wall. - the water surface area is 5 square metres or less.
A safety cover must have signage indicating its child safety features, and must be able to:
- restrict entry of children under five years of age when closed
- withstand a foreseeable load
- be easily returned to the closed position.