📘 ACT Pool Safety & Certification Glossary
Whether you're booking a pool inspection, fixing your fencing, or navigating a compliance report — industry jargon can be confusing.
This glossary breaks down the terms used in ACT pool inspections and barrier certification. It's written for homeowners, landlords, builders, and agents who want clarity — without the legalese.
If you're not sure what a barrier height means, how NCZ zones work, or why your gate latch failed reinspection, this list is for you.
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🔒 Barrier & Access Terms
Barrier: A structure (fence, gate, wall) designed to restrict pool access.
Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ): The 900mm zone on either side of the fence that must be free of climbable objects.
Climbable Object: Anything (like chairs, pots, toys) that helps a child scale the fence.
Foothold / Handhold: Gaps, rails, or ledges usable for climbing.
Horizontal Rails: Horizontal fence bars — must meet spacing rules.
Vertical Gaps: Must not exceed 100mm.
Barrier Height: Minimum 1200mm — measured from finished ground level.
📄 Certification & Inspection Terms
Certificate of Compliance: Issued when your pool or spa passes inspection.
Form 23: Legal document name for the Certificate of Compliance
Re-inspection: Required if your pool barrier fails the first check.
Non-Compliance Notice: Issued when your barrier does not meet standards.
Compliance Period: The timeframe (e.g. 30 days) to fix non-compliant issues.
Inspection Checklist: A list inspectors use — and you can too.
Inspection Fee: Paid for each inspection or reinspection.
Inspection Report: Document showing what passed and what didn't.
Certification Validity: Most certs expire after 3 years.
Booking Link: Where you schedule your official inspection.
🧰 Maintenance & Equipment Terms
CPR Signage: Must be visible, legible, and in regulation format.
Pool Cover: Must not replace fencing — and may impact compliance.
Fence Repair: Common after fail — includes gaps, latch fixes, post replacements.
Gate Maintenance: Critical — many fails involve loose or sticky hinges.
Vegetation Management: Trees, vines, and pots can all breach NCZ zones.
Surface Maintenance: Soil erosion often creates under-fence gaps.
Spa Certification: Same rules as pools — including NCZ, signage, and access.
Equipment Storage: Loose items near fence lines are a top fail reason.
Latch Positioning: Must be 1500mm high or shielded appropriately.
🏛️ Regulatory & Legal Terms
AS1926.1: The Australian Standard for pool barrier safety.
Building Code of Australia (BCA): Sets broad building safety requirements.
ACT Pool Legislation: Specific local rules enforced in Canberra.
Penalty Notice: Issued if pool isn’t certified and the home is sold or leased.
Appeal Process: You can challenge inspection outcomes.
Compliance Deadline: Must fix issues before you sell, lease, or rebook.
Regulatory Reform: Pool rules changed significantly in May 2024.
📍 Still Confused? We Can Help
Pool safety isn’t meant to be confusing — but the language often is.
If you’ve received an inspection report, are unsure what needs fixing, or just want to avoid fines before you sell or lease:
Let’s get your property safe, compliant, and stress-free — jargon-free.