Buildings in Pool Area
QLD swimming pool regulations impose restrictions on buildings in pool areas. The only types of structures that are permitted within a pool barrier are a patio, verandah, deck, balcony, or the like (of any class having at least one side permanently open) or Class 5 – 10 buildings. Other than structures meeting these classifications there must be a compliant pool barrier between the building and the pool.
Access cannot be provided to the pool area through a building (of any class). A door must not be used, even if it is child resisitant.
The Building Code of Australia provides the definitions for the different classes of buildings. They are as follows:
Class 1: one or more buildings which in association constitute-
(1) Class 1a – a single dwelling being-
(i) A detached house; or
(ii) one of a group of two or more attached dwellings, each being a building, separated by a fire-resisting wall, including a row house, terrace house, town house or villa unit; or
(2) Class 1b- a boarding house, guest house, hostel or the like
(i) with a total area of all floors not exceeding 300m squared measured over the enclosing walls of Class 1b; and
(ii) in which not more than 12 persons would ordinarily be resident.
Which is not located above or below another dwelling or another class of building other than a private garage.
Class 2: a building containing 2 or more sole-occupancy units each being a separate dwelling.
Class 3: a residential building, other than a building of Class lor 2, which is a commonplace of long term or transient living for a number of unrelated persons, including-
(a) a boarding house, guest house, hostel, lodging-house or backpackers accommodation; or
(b) a residential part of a hotel or motel; or
(c) a residential part of a school; or
(d) accommodation for the aged, children, or people with disabilities; or
(e) a residential part of a healthcare building which accommodates members of staff; or
(f) a residential part of a detention centre.
Class 4: a dwelling in a building that is Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 if it is the only dwelling in the building.
Class 5: an office building used for professional or commercial purposes, excluding buildings of Class 6,7,8, or 9.
Class 6: a shop or other building for the sale of goods by retail or the supply of services direct to the public, including-
Class 7: a building which is-
(a) Class 7a – a carpark; or
(b) Class 7b – for storage, or display of goods or produce for sale by wholesale
Class 8: a laboratory, or a building in which a handicraft or process for the production, assembling, altering, repairing, packing, finishing or cleaning of goods or produce is carried out for trade, sale, or gain.
Class 9: a building of a public nature-
(a) Class 9a – a healthcare building including those parts of the building set aside as a laboratory; or
(b) Class 9b – an assembly building, including a trade workshop, laboratory or the like in a primary or secondary school, but excluding any other parts of the building that are of another Class; or
(c) Class 9c – an aged care building.
(b) Class 9b – an assembly building, including a trade workshop, laboratory or the like in a primary or secondary school, but excluding any other parts of the building that are of another Class; or
(c) Class 9c – an aged care building.
Class 10: a non-habitable building or structure –
(a) Class 10a – a non-habitable building being a private garage, carport, shed, or the like; or
(b) Class 10b – a structure bring a fence, mast, antenna, retaining or free-standing wall, swimming pool, or the like.
(b) Class 10b – a structure bring a fence, mast, antenna, retaining or free-standing wall, swimming pool, or the like.