Frequently Asked Questions

Q1:   Do I need to erect a pool fence before I can fill my pool?

Yes. You cannot by law fill your pool until a pool fence as been erected and certified by a qualified Certifier or your Local Council.

Q2:   Can my pool gate open inwards towards the pool?

No. All pool gates must open outwards away from the water and must self close within 3 seconds to meet the Australian Standards.

Q3:   Will my Aluminium Pool fence rust?

No. All our products are manufactured from aluminium. Aluminium is a light weight metal that is resistant to outdoor conditions.

Q4:   Do you have a range of colours?

Yes we have an extensive range of colours. However if you require a colour that is not within the standard colour charts an extra cost maybe incurred.

Q5:   Do you supply and install?

Yes we supply and install. When we supply only, we require your measurements to be forward to us. We always recommend you install your posts first then measure the distance between your posts. We can then manufacture you panels exactly to your requirements. We can also install your fence/gate/infill panels etc taking the guess work out of "WILL IT FIT?"

Q6:   Can I be assured of professional tradesman?

The Fence Depot is licensed with the Building Services Authority (BSA) and a full member of HIA. We do not employ sub contractors. All our work is carried out by our fully trained staff to ensure a professional job.

Q7:   At what stage should I arrange for a free consultation/quotation?

In order to maintain the highest quality it is extremely important to get it right the first time. A free consultation/quotation in the early stages of basic construction will enable us to explain fixing details. We have to take into consideration: application of waterproof membrane, tiling, concrete, timber support, core drilling and concrete rebates. Waiting until everything is completed often requires lifting newly laid tiles (risking damage), penetration of waterproofing membranes and makes installation far more difficult and costly.

Q8:   Is it hard to keep the glass clean?

All products placed in an external environment require some form of cleaning & maintenance. Treating the glass with a wax such as those found in car wash detergents not only help keep your glass clean but also reduce the amount of times the glass needs to be cleaned. The glass can be cleaned with a bucket of hot soapy water (using a car wash detergent with a wax additive) and a soft bristled broom, hosed off and left to dry.

Q9:   What is the standard height of a balustrade?

Minimum height as stated in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) is 1000mm (1.0 metres) from the finished floor level on the balcony, terrace or landing and 865mm (0.865 metres) from any stair nose. At The Fence Depot we utilise the latest in laser level technology to take all measurements and generally make all balustrading 1020 - 1050mm to guarantee compliance and ensure that you balustrading conforms with this standard.

Q10:  What is the standard height of Pool Fencing and is making the fence            higher safer?

The Minimum height for any pool fence is 1200mm from any ground surface. Any horizontal surfaces or protrusions within a 1200mm (1.2 metres) radius from the top of the fence greater than 10mm (half the size of a 5 cent piece) can constitute a foot hold therefore requiring removal of the protrusion or additional height in the fence to compensate. Under normal circumstances increasing the height of the pool fence can increase the safety aspect of your pool fencing but in reality the standard was developed with a 5 year old child in mind and no matter what height the pool fence is, older children will get over the fence if they want to and pool safety education for older children would be a better option.

Q11:  Which is better; stainless steel or powder coated?

Although stainless steel has a luxurious and elegant appeal, it is more suited to an internal application where it can not be affected by the elements. All stainless steel products installed in an external application will tarnish over time and require some form of cleaning or maintenance. This surface rust, also known as Tea-Staining, does not affect the structural adequacy of the product used and tends to be accelerated in certain conditions such as coastal regions. Powder Coating on the other hand has over time and through newer technologies become a far better alternative for an external application. Standard Powder Coating finishes now come standard with a 7 year manufacturers warranty and in some cases can be procured with 15 - 25 year warranties. Powder Coating comes in many colours and can be cleaned very easily with a mild detergent in the same fashion as cleaning a car. Detergents with a wax additive such as car wash detergents can not only protect the painted surface but also help to keep the painted surface and glass cleaner for longer.

Q12:  Can you use 6mm Glass in semi frameless pool fencing?

In our opinion, No! Glass pool fencing has to comply with the requirement of AS1926 and although this standard does not reference the glass standard AS1288 it is in our opinion an oversight. Pool Fencing in general is covered under the Building Act 1993 which incorporates the Building Code of Australia (BCA) which references the glass standard AS1288 - Glass in buildings so therefore all fencing including Pool fencing is required to comply with the glass standard therefore making 6mm glass inadequate for use in a semi-frameless application unless of course posts spacing are reduced to 590mm apart, not exactly providing the appearance that most people expect from their glass pool fence.