Post and Rail Construction.

For fences constructed of palings, galvanized steel, fibre cement (fibro), aluminium or similar profiled or flat wall materials, the significant dimensions are as follows:

i) The rails, if located on the outside of the fencing, are to be not less than 900mm apart measured between the top surfaces of the rails.

ii) The top surface of the lower rail is to be at least 1.1m form the top of the fencing.

The effect of these similar requirements in (c), (d) and (e) below is that there should be a height of at least 900mm clear of any potential handholds or footholds, and that any footholds at the bottom of this clear distance should be at least 1.1 m from the top of the fencing.

Picket fences must also meet these requirements if pickets are spaced more than 10 mm apart or the rails are on the outside. In any event, pickets must not be spaced more than 100 mm apart.

b) Perforated materials, wire mesh or fabric fences. For fences of this type, the significant dimensions are as follows:

i) Material with openings up to 12mm, pool fencing must be a minimum of 1.2m in height.

ii) Material with openings between 12mm - 50mm the fence must be a minimum of 2.4m in height.

iii) Material with openings greater than 50mm nominal shall not be used.

In order to meet the requirements of the standard, it will generally be necessary for the material to be firmly fastened top and bottom; and tightly strung.

c) Fabricated metal fences. For fences fabricated from small section steel aluminium or other suitable metals, the significant dimensions are as follows:

i) Vertical members are to be spaced not more than 100mm apart.

ii) Horizontal members are to be placed a minimum of 900mm apart vertically.

Where there are two or more horizontal members, the 900mm measurement is made from the top surface of the highest member to the top surface of the lowest upper member.

iii) The top surface of the lower group of the horizontals is to be at least 1.1m below the top of the fencing.

d) Infill plain fences. For fences constructed of glass fibre reinforced plastics, reinforced glass, timber, plywood, exterior grades of hardboard or other shed products in framed ledge or panel construction, the significant dimensions are as follows:

i) Any potential climbing holds are to be at least 900mm apart vertically.

ii) The lower of any climbing holds between which the vertical distance of 900mm is measured is to be at least 1.1m below a height of 1.2m is not to exceed 100mm.

iii) The width of any openings below a height of 1.2m is not to exceed 100mm.

In addition, it will be necessary to ensure that sheet material is sufficiently rigid and adequately fixed to its frame.

e) Brickwork or masonry fences. For fences constructed of bricks, blocks or masonry, the significant dimensions are as follows:

i) Any projections, indentations or combination of these having a depth greater than 10mm are to be spaced at least 900mm apart vertically.

ii) The lower of any such projections or indentations is to be at lest 1.1m below the top of the fencing.

Natural features such as rock faces that form part of the fence would be acceptable provided that they meet the requirements of the standard.

f) Brushwood Fences. For fences constructed of woven brushwood, the significant requirements are as follows:

i) Brushwood must be tightly packed so that it will meet the requirements in Clause 3.2.

ii) Wires on the outside of the fence must be interwoven brushwood, in order not to provide a foothold for young children.

It may also be necessary to provide some sort of capping on the top of the fence to prevent birds from picking at the brushwood twigs.

g) Retaining Walls. Where a vertical or near vertical retaining wall not less than 1.2m high supports the pool and the surface of the wall complies with Clause 2.5, a fence complying with this standard is not required on top of the wall. A Fence which will prevent people from falling off the retaining wall should, however, be installed on top of the wall.