Everyone has always dreamt of a house or a mansion with an in-built pool to relax & enjoy the summers. The Victorian Building Authority has laid out a few rules & regulations to maintain records & ensure safety of people that are going to use that pool.

To start off, Hire a building professional.

It is advised to hire a builder registered in an appropriate category or class to do the work.

You can choose to be an owner-builder; however, you will need to apply for a certificate of consent from the VBA for work over $16,000.

Get an authorized building permit,

A building permit is mandatory before installing a pool, spa or safety barrier unless the work is exempt. You will need to appoint a registered building surveyor (private or municipal) to issue the building permit.

You may also need a planning permit or other permit. You should check with your council about any relevant local laws that may apply.

Important things while applying for Building Permit,

The building permit application must include detailed drawings and specifications of the proposed pool, spa, safety barrier and water recirculation and filtration systems.

These must show how the design complies with the relevant standards, including AS1926

Part 1 (Safety barriers for swimming pools)

Part 2 (Location of safety barriers for swimming pools)

Part 3 (Water recirculation systems).

The building permit application must list the building practitioners who prepared documents for the permit.

Start Off Early to finish on time,

Building work on new pools, spas and safety barriers must start within 12 months of the date the building permit was issued. After building work starts, it must be completed within six months, or if other work is being carried out at the same time on the property, within the period for completion of that other work.

In case of non-completion of the pool,

an extension to the permit period can be sought through the relevant building surveyor. On an important note, the extension is at the building surveyor’s discretion.

If the construction has been stopped halfway & you are in no mood to resume or continue to build it. It is important to notify the council & VBA, that the work has been terminated.

What to do If the permit lapses,

building work must not continue, it needs to be stopped immediately.

If you wish to continue with construction, you may seek a new building permit from the same building surveyor.

Some important things that you can keep in mind while building a new pool. With the holiday season coming in, Blue Water Pool inspection is available at your service to get your previously built pools certified.

For your previously built pools,

We are your experts for pool and spa inspection Services in Victoria

Our accredited pool inspector is there to guide you at every step and ensure total transparency. Not only do we provide the compliance certificate but we also provide a detailed assessment report as well as the pictures. When it comes to the safety of the people, we assess every minute detail and ensure a total safe and sound fencing and barriers for the pools. Even in the case of being non-compliant we will provide you with an in-detail report and pictures to help you know what needs to be done for the re-inspection