The Australian Consumer Association is calling for mandatory standards in the retail and manufacture of swimming pool fences after spot checks in Wollongong and Sydney found that five out of 16 fences failed to meet the benchmark for strength and rigidity.
Choice's findings come as Queensland yesterday prepared to introduce tougher pool safety laws following 18 child drownings in domestic pools in the state over the past three years.
The NSW Minister for Local Government Barbara Perry said a detailed review of the Swimming Pools Act was underway, with results expected to be released later this year.
Choice spokesman Christopher Zinn said most councils required pool owners to install fences that met the Australian standard but there was no mandatory standard applied to the manufacture and retail of fences.
Choice tested 16 fences from eight companies, including Dunn and Farrugia in Albion Park and Our Town Fencing on Oak Flats, which both earned a "pass".
All 16 fences met tests for strength and passed dimensional standards, meaning they were high enough and the gaps between their bars were not too wide and had no climbing footholds.
However five of the fences failed the "strength and rigidity" test, which checks whether the vertical bars are rigid enough to stop being forced open to a point that would allow a small child to pass through.
Choice also found that steel fencing was better than aluminium and that loop top fences were safer than flat top ones.
Former Illawarra Olympian Ron McKeon, who owns the McKeon Swim School, said he was shocked to learn there was no mandatory standards.
"I would have thought there would have been (mandatory standards) and I would say most people would assume the same," Mr McKeon said.
"We need to be ticking as many boxes as we can to ensure that we are protecting the infants and toddlers and protecting the assumption of what people believe are Australian standards."
EDITORIALG ap in pool laws - Page 50
Email a friend