What is the Safeguarding of Swimming Pools By-Law about?
What is the Safeguarding of Swimming Pools By-Law about?
The By-Law is being proposed to regulate the access of swimming pools to avoid unsafe and risky swimming pools, for the safety of members of the public. The By-laws are designed to provide for measures for the safe guarding of private swimming pools. These measures will be in addition to the provisions in the National Building
Regulations under the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977 (“the National Building Regulations”).
The By-laws are designed to work as follows:
(1) The owner of any premises with a private swimming pool thereon must inform the Council of the existence of the pool within 90 days after the promulgation of the By-laws.
(2) The owner of any premises with a private swimming pool thereon that is built after the promulgation of the By-Laws must inform the Council of the existence of the pool before it is filled with water.
(3) After 2 years after promulgation of the By-laws no person may have a private swimming pool unless he/she has a permit issued by the Council in which the pool is registered.
(4) The Council can only issue a permit for a swimming pool if it complies with the provisions of the By-laws.
Outdoor Pools
(1) When a private outdoor swimming pool is in existence on premises or when an outdoor swimming pool is built within a period of 90 days after the promulgation of the By-laws the pool must within 2 years from the promulgation of these by-laws be protected by an enclosure which complies with the By-laws.
(2) When a private outdoor swimming pool is built 90 days after promulgation of the By-laws, the pool must be protected by an enclosure which complies with the Bylaws before such pool is filled with water.
(3) The enclosure mentioned in paragraphs (e) and (f) must -
(a) be a wall or fence that complies with SABS 0400-1990 as mentioned in Part D of the National Building Regulations; or
(b) be an enclosure that complies with requirements as described in the by-laws.
Indoor Pools
(1) Every indoor swimming pool must be fitted with a floor glide system of which the floor has to be suitable for light pedestrian traffic.
(2) Every indoor swimming pool must be secured with the floor glide system or be fitted with a floating pool alarm device, at all times during which the pool is not in use.
(3) Where a swimming pool fence has been installed before these By-laws, and is determined by the Council to provide adequate safety, it shall be deemed to comply with the By-laws.
(4) If any pool is not protected as required by the By-laws, the Council may by notice in writing require the owner to comply with the By-laws within a reasonable period of not less than 7 days as stated in the notice.
(5) Any person who contravenes these By-laws is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months.
Please click on the following link to view the petition and to sign.
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