Many of our customers are surprised to learn that their pool fence may need to be earthed by an electrician.
The reason this regulation exists is that there is a chance a person can be electrocuted if there is electrical current in the pool water and they then touch a metal object, such as a pool fence.
Pool fences and support structures situated closer than 1250 mm to swimming pools may require connection of an equipotential bond (earthing). Equipotential bonding joins together all the conductive parts in and near the pool, such as the steel reinforcing in the shell and handrails, and connects them to an earthing point.
This greatly reduces the risk of electric shock should an electrical fault occur. The installation of an equipotential bond should only be performed by a licensed electrical contractor.
For aluminium pool fences the job of earthing them fence is alot simpler as the fence usually only needs to be earthed at one point because the structure is continuous and connected. With glass pool fences it is necessary to earth at every fence panel or spigot because the structures are not continuously connected to eachother.
This requirement is not always highlighted by a pool fence installer as they do not require electrical clearance to gain a pool safety certificate. If you are considering installing a pool fence you should contact an electrician or your local council for pool fencing requirements and compliance information.