The rules, explained like you're standing at the fence.
A pool fence keeps toddlers out of the water. A balustrade keeps people from falling off an edge. They are tested differently, so the parts are different. The glass must be safety glass with a stamp in the corner, and the fence gets checked by an inspector before anyone swims.
| Standard | What it covers | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| AS 1926.1 Pool safety barriers | Height, gaps, climbable zones, gates and latches for pool fences. | 1200mm high, gaps under 100mm, 900mm clear zone, gates that self-close and self-latch. |
| QDC MP 3.4 Queensland pool safety standard | How Queensland applies the pool barrier rules, and the pool safety certificate system. | In QLD, a licensed pool safety inspector issues a certificate. You need one to sell or lease. |
| AS/NZS 2208 Safety glazing | How safety glass must behave when it breaks, and how it is marked. | Every panel carries a permanent mark. No mark, no certificate. |
| AS 1288 Glass in buildings | Choosing glass type and thickness for the job and the load. | Decides whether a balustrade needs 12mm, 15mm or laminated glass. |
| AS/NZS 1170.1 Structural loads | The push and lean loads a barrier must resist. | Why balustrade spigots are heavier than pool spigots. |
| National Construction Code Barriers to prevent falls | When a barrier is required and how high it must be. | Falls of 1m or more need a barrier at least 1000mm high, with openings a 125mm sphere can't pass. |
Install guide, gap and height checklist, glass marking details, and the hardware test reports for the parts in your kit. Ask for any report before you buy and we send it.
Toughened glass can, rarely, shatter without warning because of tiny impurities. Heat soaking cuts that risk sharply. We recommend it on any balustrade where a broken panel means a fall.
General guidance only. Rules differ between states and councils, and your certifier or inspector has the final say. Questions? Call 0422 046 895.