Knockdown rebuild with a pool: protecting the pool fence

Demolition and heavy machinery are hard on a pool fence. Plan for it before the first truck arrives.

Why a knockdown rebuild puts the pool fence at risk

Excavators, trucks and scaffolding work close to the pool in a knockdown rebuild. A glass panel that is knocked, or a hinge that is bent, can leave the barrier non-compliant even if nothing looks broken. The QBCC says glass panels should be reinforced and show no signs of fracture, so any chip or crack is worth checking.

Decide early: keep the fence, protect it, or replace it

• Keep and protect: cover the panels and fence off the area so machinery cannot reach it.
• Remove for the works: if the barrier has to come out, you need a temporary barrier. The QBCC says temporary fences are for up to 3 months and need inspection and approval, so ask your certifier or the QBCC how that applies to you.
• Replace afterwards: if the pool surround or levels change, a new fence may suit the finished ground better than the old one. See frameless vs semi-frameless.

After the build: levels, height and the certificate

Finished ground level can change after a rebuild, and the QBCC measures the 1200mm minimum fence height from finished ground level, with a gap under the barrier of 100mm or less. Re-measure along the whole fence, and see the glass pool fence requirements. If you plan to sell or lease afterwards, a pool safety certificate is needed.

Talk to your builder about the pool

Tell the builder about the pool at the start, and ask who is responsible for protecting the fence during works. CKS Projects, an Illawarra builder of knockdown rebuilds, is one example of a builder that handles demolition and rebuilds in NSW, where pool rules differ from Queensland, so check the rules where you are building.

Common questions