Airbnbs, Fences, and Flow Rates — Yes, You’re Doing It Wrong.

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Mondays Down Under – Understanding Pool & Spa Standards in Australia & New Zealand

This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee and Shane dive into a topic that every pool and spa professional thinks they understand—until they don’t: standards, regulations, and the rules that actually govern your work on both sides of the Tasman.

From fencing laws to suction entrapment prevention, from dangerous goods handling to new fiberglass standards, this episode breaks down exactly what service technicians, retail pros, and builders need to know to stay compliant, stay safe, and avoid being on the wrong side of an inspector—or worse, an accident.

What Lee & Shane Cover This Episode:

• Why even Airbnbs and bed-and-breakfast pools count as commercial pools in most regions
• The most commonly used Australian standard: AS 1926 (safety barriers, location, and recirculation systems)
• How New Zealand’s rules differ—and where they mirror Australia
• The growing crackdown on inflatable, portable, and pop-up pools in New Zealand
• Real-world stories of councils interpreting rules their own way
• The often-ignored but critical AS 1926.3 standard: suction fittings, skimmer boxes, and entrapment prevention
• Suction cover flow-rate differences between brands like Waterco and Spa Electrics—and how choosing the wrong replacement can create a hazard
• Why every technician needs to match pump selection to compliant flow-rate limits
• Old but still referenced: the private pool water quality standard AS 3633 and its upcoming rewrite
• Where water quality rules actually come from (hint: your state health guidelines)
• Dangerous goods standards including:
  • AS 3780 – storage and handling of corrosive substances
  • AS/NZS 3833 – mixed classes of dangerous goods (recently updated to 2024)
• Additional niche standards builders and installers should know:
  • AS/NZS 1477 – PVC pressure pipes & fittings
  • AS 3634 – solar heating systems
  • AS 5348 – pool covers
• The massive update to the fiberglass pool installation standard:
  • Former AS/NZS 1838:1994 → now AS/NZS 1839:2025
• Why SPASA is currently seeking industry feedback for the new concrete pool standard under development

The Big Message:

If you work on a pool—service, retail, install, or build—you need to know the standards that govern your work. They protect your customer, and they protect you.

Links & Mentions:

• SPASA contact for contributing to the new concrete pool standard: [e-mail]
  
  
• Check your state health guidelines for water-quality requirements
• Remember: Commercial pool rules apply to Airbnb, holiday rentals, and any property where someone is paying to stay—whether the pool is big, small, or inflatable.

Have a Question for Lee & Shane?

Send your suggestions, questions, or episode ideas to:
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Thanks for listening to Mondays Down Under! Stay safe, stay compliant, and stay curious.
 We’ll catch you next week!

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