Building and Energy has published its draft Building Amendment Regulations 2022 which are aimed at improving, clarifying and updating requirements for private swimming pools and safety barriers.
This follows a regulatory review in response to recommendations made by Ombudsman Western Australia on ways to prevent or reduce deaths of children by drowning.
In a statement, Building and Energy said the Building Amendment Regulations made a number of reforms to the swimming pool and safety barrier requirements.
It said this included amending the definition of ‘private swimming pool’ to put beyond doubt that spa-baths were excluded from the regulatory requirements, and modifying the building standards to provide an alternative compliance pathway for boundary barriers.
Also introduced were mandatory re-inspections of non-compliant safety barriers and an increase in the prescribed maximum annual safety barrier inspection charge to ensure it was more cost-reflective.
Local Governments will now be required to provide data annually to Building and Energy on the progress of their four-yearly inspection programs.
“Building and Energy is seeking feedback on the operation of the draft Building Amendment Regulations 2022, which are open for public consultation until 25 October,” Building and Energy said.
“An explanatory statement has been prepared to assist the reader to understand the policy intent of relevant regulations and to provide feedback on their operation,” it said.
The Building and Energy’s 15-page explanatory statement can be accessed at this PS News link.
