What to Look Out For When Designing Your Pool Fence

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In collaboration with Garnett Certifications

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Designing a pool fence isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about safety, planning, compliance and long-term integration with your home. Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, or landscaper, there are critical elements to look out for that can make or break the success of a pool fence installation.

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At Glazed Co., we partner with certifiers like Garnett Certifications to ensure each project meets both Australian Standards and the high expectations of families and design professionals alike.

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Here’s what to consider — and the solutions that ensure your pool fence is compliant, practical and visually seamless.

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Start with a Strong Foundation

A compliant and long-lasting pool fence starts with the foundation. Inadequate footings or incorrect surface preparation is one of the most common causes of failed inspections — and can compromise the structural integrity of the entire fence.Whether you're installing glass, aluminium, or custom steel fencing, it’s essential to plan for what lies beneath.

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• Concrete slabs must be a minimum of 100mm thick, level, and steel-reinforced to support core-drilled fixings. Adequate structure will help withstand imposed loads, thermal expansion, and movement over time.
  
• In areas where sections of the fence run across grass or soil — such as between a main slab and boundary fence, or on narrow returns — a continuous reinforced concrete footing is required to support the entire run of fencing. This footing allows for secure anchoring of multiple spigots or posts, ensuring long-term stability. This footing will also work as a 2 part solution ensuring that there is a solid structure which cannot be dug out to the underside of your fence to ensure that there are no gaps > 100mm in your pool barrier. A typical specification is 300mm wide x 200mm deep, but actual sizing will vary depending on soil conditions, wind exposure and fence length.
  
• For aluminium fencing, vertical posts can be concreted directly into individual post holes, making this system ideal for soft areas, sloped ground, or zones around pool equipment where flexibility is needed.

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These requirements follow the structural intent of AS 1926.1:2012 – Swimming Pool Safety – Part 1: Safety Barriers for Swimming Pools, and are consistent with the National Construction Code (NCC) provisions for ancillary structures. NSW Fair Trading also confirms that all pool barrier elements must be constructed to withstand foreseeable environmental loads and maintain safety over time.

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Footings should always be designed and installed before final surface finishes are laid. At Glazed Co., we work with builders and landscapers during the planning phase to ensure footing layout, alignment, and levels integrate seamlessly into the broader backyard design.For more detail on structural integration, see our blog:

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First thing to consider when choosing a glass pool fence →

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Electrical Safety Near the Pool

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Where any metallic component of your pool fence is located within 1.25 metres (1250mm) of the pool edge, it falls under the electrical equipotential bonding requirements set out in AS/NZS 3000:2018 – Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules).Under Clause 5.6.2.6 of this standard:

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• Conductive materials (like stainless steel spigots, posts, aluminium or steel fencing) within the specified bonding zone may need to be earthed by a licensed electrician to reduce electric shock risk.
  
• This is especially important when fencing is adjacent to metallic structures, conductive pool equipment, or outdoor power sources.

Glazed Co.’s solution: We offer non-conductive, polymer-coated spigots, which meet insulation requirements and help prevent the need for earthing under AS/NZS 3000:2018. These are ideal for installations near electrical equipment or within bonding zones around water.

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Keeping Your Fence Compliant

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• Minimum fence height of 1200mm from finished ground level
  
• A Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ) of 900mm on the approach side of the fence (no climbable objects within this area)
  
• Maximum gap of 100mm between vertical elements or beneath the fence
  
• Gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open away from the pool area, with latches installed at a minimum of 1500mm above ground level
  

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We liaise with private certifiers, including Garnett Certifications, to ensure each fence we install meets these requirements — and passes inspection.To explore this in more detail, read our blog:

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Understanding Non-Climbable Zones Around the Pool Area →

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Navigating Slopes, Walls, and Raised Areas

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If your pool area includes slopes, retaining walls, or raised sections, it’s important to plan the fence layout and fixing method carefully to maintain both safety and compliance.Side-mounted options we offer include:‍

• Smart spigots: A clean solution for fixing glass to the vertical face of a concrete wall, step, or slab edge. These require a minimum of 150 concrete thickness.
  
• Standoff spigots: Precision-adjustable fittings that make it easier to level glass on uneven surfaces — ideal for walls or raised slab transitions.

Top rail requirement on elevated areas: Where there’s a fall of over 1 metre to the ground below, you may need to include a top rail or additional fall protection. This is outlined under the National Construction Code (NCC) Volume Two, Part 3.9.2, which states that a barrier must be installed to prevent falls from any retaining wall or platform with a drop exceeding 1 metre.The rail, or equivalent compliant solution, must be:

• Required for 1-4 metre fall (falls over 4 metres will require SGP laminated glasssafety glass)
  
• Non-climbable in construction
  
• Structurally fixed to withstand imposed loads

This is often required in poolside areas built on sloping blocks, where a section of the fence aligns with a drop to the garden or surrounding surface.

‍Planning tip: Let us assess your retaining wall or raised slab during the design phase. We can recommend the most appropriate fixing method and confirm whether additional protection (like a handrail or blade panel) is needed based on the site's fall height.We coordinate closely with builders, engineers, and certifiers to ensure side-mounted systems not only look great but are installed to meet Australian Standards from every angle.

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Choosing the Right Glass Installation Method

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Every site is different, which is why we offer a range of glass mounting options to suit your space and structural needs:

• Core-drilled spigots: Installed into reinforced concrete, this is a widely used and secure method offering strength and a floating appearance.
  
• Base-plated spigots: Ideal for use on decking or waterproofed surfaces, these are surface-mounted with neat cover plates to maintain a refined finish.
  
• Stand-off fixings: Used when mounting glass to the vertical face of stairs or retaining walls. Suitable when wall thickness allows for secure anchoring.
  
• Smart spigots: Designed for quick levelling and fine adjustment, smart spigots are ideal for sites where precise alignment is required or where slabs are slightly uneven.
  
• Channel-fixed: Glass panels are recessed into a continuous concrete channel, creating a seamless, low-profile finish. This is one of the cleanest architectural options, commonly used in premium builds.
  
• Non-conductive spigots: Recommended for areas within 1.25m of the pool edge or near electrical equipment, these polymer-coated fittings offer extra safety and may eliminate the need for earthing under AS/NZS 3000:2018.

All of our glass systems are designed and installed to meet Australian Standards and are engineered for durability and compliance.

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Finding the Right Look for Your Space

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At Glazed Co., we understand that every project is different — and not every backyard suits frameless glass. That’s why we offer a full suite of pool and boundary fencing options to match your site, design intent, and functional needs.

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Frameless Glass Fencing

‍Made with 12mm toughened safety glass and 2205 marine-grade stainless steel hardware. Ideal for clean, uninterrupted views and modern landscaping.

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Aluminium Slat Fencing & Gates

‍A practical and stylish solution for privacy screening, side access gates or soft/uneven ground areas. Fully customisable and available in a wide range of powder-coated colours.

‍Explore aluminium slats

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3D Blade Fencing

‍An architectural alternative to traditional vertical pool fencing. Designed with depth and shadow, 3D blades add form and function to modern backyards.

‍Explore 3D blade fencing

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Composite Fence Cladding

‍Our composite range is tailored for boundary fencing, bringing a premium finishing touch to outdoor areas. With timber-look warmth, UV stability and low maintenance, it elevates the look of the entire backyard.

‍Explore composite fencing

Custom Fabricated Steel Fencing

‍Fabricated in-house for a tailored fit, our steel fencing solutions are perfect for stepped blocks, heritage details, or where site-specific functionality is required. Powder-coated in your preferred finish with welded precision.

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You can view examples of all fencing types in our project showcase:

‍Visit our Fencing Design Gallery →

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Let our team guide you to the best fencing solution for your home — one that balances privacy, safety, compliance, and aesthetics.

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Getting It Signed Off

Glazed Co. fences are installed with compliance in mind. We support your certifier with accurate details on fixing methods, latch heights, and structural mounting. We also provide documentation if required for final inspection and council sign-off. Our team is trained in both the technical standards and the practical needs of families and trades working across Sydney and greater NSW.

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In Summary

Designing a pool fence is more than just a design decision — it’s a legal requirement and safety investment. At Glazed Co., we combine technical accuracy, premium materials, and industry insight to deliver compliant, long-lasting, and visually stunning fencing solutions. We proudly service Sydney and surrounding New South Wales regions, providing Australian Standards-compliant fencing for high-end residential builds, landscaping projects, and family backyards.

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Explore the possibilities with Glazed Co. today. Please get in touch with us to discuss your project with our team.

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