Electrical: Earthing & Pools

Since 1^st January 2019 it has been a legal requirement to earth conductive metal fences and pool fence spigots within 1.25 metres of the pool. This applies to any metal object within this reach zone including spigots, ladders, diving boards, slides, and aluminium fences.

Why? Whilst another of our Blogs talks about pool fencing compliance, there is very little pool owner awareness of the legal requirement to earth fittings and fixtures that are within arm’s reach – defined as 1.25m from the pool’s edge.

Australian Electrical Standard AS/NZS3000:2018 (Clause 5.6.2.6.5) Equipotential Bonding (earth bonding) requires that conductive fittings attached to the pool and anything within arm’s reach of the pool edge (1.25m per clause 1.4.16) such as conductive fences, must be bonded.

Earthing a pool involves connecting a conductive material to the ground for protective measures and improved electrical safety.

The conductors must be appropriately designed and constructed. It also requires corrosion and mechanical resistant protection and, lastly, must be tested following Australian Standards.

Any conductive metal greater than 100mm in any dimension within 1.25m of the pool edge must be earthed.

If you have a concrete in-ground swimming pool then the steel reinforcement in the concrete must also be earthed.

Whilst pool compliance inspectors will certify pool fencing compliance, they cannot certify electrical compliance to AS/NZ3000. Only a licensed electrician can provide this certification.

Therefore, for any pool where the spigots, fence or any metal component is within 1.25m of the pool’s edge will require both a pool certifier’s certificate as well as an electrician’s certificate of compliance.

Q&A

Do spigots have to be earthed? If there are metal spigots and they are within 1.25m of the pool’s edge, “yes” they must be earthed by a licensed electrician.  This means engaging an electrician before the pool is installed so that conduit and cabling can be located underground around the perimeter of the pool to allow earthing of the spigots at the time of their installation.

If your spigots are more than 1.25m from the pool’s edge, then “no” you do not need to earth them.

Are the alternatives? “Yes.” There are now approved CFG Composite spigots that do not require earthing as they are not metal and are not conductive (tested up to 1,000 Volts) and comply with AS1926 Pool Fencing but are exempt from AS/NZS3000 wiring rules.

Does my aluminium fence need earthing?  If it is within 1.25m of the pool’s edge, then “yes” the fencing must form a continuous bond and be earthed. There are however different requirements and design for earthing between spigots and fencing, so engaging an electrician early in the design process is important and more cost effective.

Is there really much risk of electrocution? The risk is very slight. Nevertheless, it is the law and must be complied with. Further, during the decade of the 1990’s, 60 people in Australia died from swimming pool electrocution.  The safety measure introduced in 2019 through AS/NZS3000 are designed to ensure that in the very rare event of an electrical mishap occurring, that someone in a pool who reaches out and touches a metal object will not suffer an electrical shock. Whilst the chances of receiving a fatal shock are extremely rare, it is possible to be jolted enough to suffer cardiac shock and potentially drown in the pool.

Solution:

At the design stage, ensure wherever possible that pool fencing (glass and aluminium) is located more than 1.25m away from the pool’s edge.

Where this is not possible, using CFG Composite spigots for glass installation will be the most cost effective solution. If you want metal spigots, you must engage an electrician to earth bond these.

If an aluminium fence is within the 1.25m reach zone, you have no alternative than to engage the services of a qualified electrician to earth the fence and issue a compliance certificate.

Ensure that any fittings such as metal pool ladders or slides are earthed. Alternatively, using non-metal options to exempt you from the AS/NZS3000 requirements.

Although unlikely, any pool pump cover which falls within the 1.25m reach zone would need to be earthed by a qualified electrician. Hence, design is a critical element of any pool installation.

NOTE: This is general guidance of the intent of the AS/NZS3000;2018 Wiring Rules. State regulators may have variances to this advice. You are strongly advised to engage and seek professional advice with a qualified Licensed Electrical Contractor.