1. Swish Automation Ltd Pool Access Safety Systems Overcoming common Myth and Legend Facts surrounding residential pool compliance and the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act especially in regard to the prevention of child drowning!

2. Pool Access Safety Systems
Presentation includes:
Current pool compliance legislation
Supervision – the first rule of water safety!
Swish Pool Access Safety Systems
Conclusion – the client’s next step…
Swish Automation Ltd
Swish /
P.O. Box 51526, Pakuranga, Auckland

3. Pool Access Safety Systems New Zealand swimming pool legislation
A practical guide:
The Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 is retrospective and requires all home swimming pools and spas to be fenced, thereby preventing unauthorised child access, especially by children aged 6 years and under, which is its primary objective…
Judge Randerson, in October 2004 determined the ‘immediate pool area’ can be accessed from the house and include; a landscaped area for a BBQ, table and chairs, including seating and sun bathing areas associated with water-based activities… He also suggested “a council and its officers must exercise a degree of common sense in the application of FoSPA…”
This resulted in the development and subsequent publishing in November 2006 of the New Zealand Standard (NZS ) which formalised the ‘Randerson Determination’ by providing a standard for ‘acceptable alternative solutions’ for the granting of ‘exemptions’ to the then common TA interpretation of the Act, which demanded the ring-fencing of a residential swimming pool or spa…

4. Pool Access Safety Systems Compliance conclusions
Since April 2005, Swish systems have been accepted by TAs nationwide with all installations completed since that date being approved as pool compliant under the exemption schedule of FoSPA…
Also, Swish Systems meet and/or exceed the requirements of the NZ Standard NZS clauses and/or 3.7 and/or 4.4, which provides the swimming pool and spa owner an element of future-proofing for pool compliance in the current environment…
Swish have been advised by Hon Maurice Williamson formally (in letters dated 10/02 & 16/03/2011), that it is intended the New Zealand Standard will be incorporated into FoSPA either late this year or early in 2012, the review being delayed because of the Christchurch earthquake…
> Swish have also been invited to participate in any review of both FoSPA and NZS8500 as may be deemed necessary…

5. Pool Access Safety Systems A new look at pool safety solutions
A Swish-sponsored pool safety brochure, provided in a multifunctional format for print, mail brochure, website and formats
Information has been provided for easy comprehension, interest and readability
Information includes:
Child supervision definition
Pool supervision guidelines
Fencing guidelines & diagrams
CPR instructions
Reference to Watersafe Auckland website for further information

6. Pool Access Safety Systems Drowning Facts – An Inconvenient Truth
Between 1994 and 2003: 111 child drownings between the age of years, An average of 11 deaths a year! Plus, a further 373 child hospitalisations between the age of as a result of submersion injury, many resulting in permanent brain damage.
75% plus of these child victims had been left with little or no adequate adult supervision around water hazards, including the home pool! Also 42% of these 'incidents' involved the residential swimming pool making it the single most common location for child drownings despite pool compliance to FoSPA, nationally advised as in excess of 75%…
All these swimming pool drownings occurred when the child was legitimately on the property but allowed unsupervised access to the pool. Hence, the Swish focus on a clear definition of “child supervision around all water hazards including the home swimming pool and spa…”

7. Pool Access Safety Systems Definitions for Child Supervision
Supervision of children around all water hazards including the home swimming pool and spa consists of 3 easy-to-remember principles:
Children up to 5 years and all non-swimmers
Parent or guardian must be in the water, holding or staying within arm’s reach of the child…
Children from 6 to 10 years
Parent or guardian must be at the water’s edge and have constant eye contact with the child…
Children from 11 to 15 years
Parent or guardian must be personally responsible and supervise the child’s activities in and around the water…
All pool owners must appoint at least one dedicated lifeguard for water safety whenever their pool is in use… It is recommended that all supervising adults should be proficient with CPR for children…

8. Pool Access Safety Systems are designed and manufactured in New Zealand to meet the requirements of both, the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act and the NZ standard NZS

9. Pool Access Safety Systems Slide Door Access Solutions
A: Swish SelfClose can be concealed horizontally in the top door rail of architectural joinery. Standard residential joinery requires vertical mounting of the closer concealed in a duct which is fitted to the door rear frame. B: Swish SelfLatch is operable from both sides of the door and is fitted at or above 1500mm from floor level to comply with all Fencing Act 1987 regulations. Swish SelfLatch and SelfClose Systems meet the requirements of NZ Standard NZS clause and 3.7 and 4.6

10. Pool Access Safety Systems Hinge Door Access Solutions
Swish Hinged Door Closers and TopLatch can be installed into all commercial and residential door profiles. Swish use superior hydraulic systems either surface mounted or concealed in the door top rail, to ensure self-closing from all open door angles. A: Swish TopLatch is operable from both sides of the door, at or above 1500mm from the floor level to comply with regulations. Swish Hinged Door SelfClose and TopLatch meet the requirements of the NZ Standard NZS clause and 3.7 and 4.6

11. Pool Access Safety Systems Bi-Fold Door Access Solutions
A: To enable a bi-fold door system to comply, the hinged door must be hung from a door mullion and therefore, not be part of the bi-folding door set, which enables it to be opened, closed and latched independently.
B: Swish TopLatch is operable from both sides of the door, at or above 1500mm from the floor level to comply with regulations. A special TopLatch for the bi-fold leaf only operates from inside as the bi-fold panels cannot used until after the hinged leaf has been opened B: An accepted alternative solution is the installation of a DoorMinder alarm, to provide an extra level of safety, to meet the requirements of NZS clauses and 3.7 and 4.6

12. Pool Access Safety Systems DoorMinder SelfLatch/Alarm Solutions
The Swish DoorMinder SelfLatch/Alarm system is concealed in the door frame, with the SelfLatch located at 1500mm above the internal floor level. Should an adult enter the pool area by releasing the SelfLatch and leave the door open for a maximum of 10 seconds, the alarm sounds at 85 decibels, alerting the adult to their mistake (before a child can exit into the pool area un-observed) thereby causing the adult to immediately close the door... Should a child (described as six years and under) manage to release the SelfLatch and operate the door, within 10 seconds the alarm sounds, alerting adults to an unauthorised entry into the pool area. This encourages the adult to take immediate remedial action, recovering the child and closing the door.
The DoorMinder SelfLatch/Alarm System meets NZS by exceeding the requirements of clause 2.3.2(f) while meeting the intent of clauses 3.7 and 4.6

13. Pool Access Safety Systems Conclusion
> Swish recommends to all its potential clients that they contact their local Territorial Authority to obtain pre-approval for the use of Swish Pool Access Safety Systems for pool compliance at their property…
> Every Swish quotation carries the same advice, requesting the client to obtain Territorial Authority approval prior to confirming their order for the Swish system quoted…
> Swish now also advise clients who complain about “their councils lack of common sense in the matter of pool compliance,” they should apply to the Department of Building & Housing for a ‘determination approving the use of Swish Pool Access Safety Systems meeting NZS for pool compliance…’