Episode 14: Chris Samartzis - The New Pool and Spa Regulations

CEO of SPASA VIC, CHRIS SAMARTZIS JOINS US TO EXPLAIN IN DETAIL THE NEW POOL AND SPA REGULATIONS COMING TO VICTORIA ON 1ST JUNE 2020.

THERE HAVE BEEN 27 DEATHS IN PRIVATE POOLS AND SPAS SINCE 2000, WITH AT LEAST 20 OF THOSE DEATHS FROM POOLS THAT DIDN’T HAVE THE REQUIRED SAFETY BARRIER. 12 OF THEM WERE CHILDREN WHO DID NOT RESIDE AT THE PROPERTY, AND AT LEAST ONE, THE CHILD WAS NOT KNOWN TO THE OWNERS. NEW POOL AND SPA REGULATIONS HAVE HIT VICTORIA AND COME INTO EFFECT ON JUNE 1, 2020. THERE ARE A FEW THINGS WE NEED TO DO BEFORE THIS DEADLINE AND WE HAVE CHRIS SAMARTZIS FROM THE SWIMMING POOL AND SPA ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA (OR SPASA VIC), HERE TODAY TO TELL US WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

CHRIS SAMARTZIS IS THE CEO OF SPASAVIC – THE SWIMMING POOL AND SPA ASSOCATION OF VICTORIA – THE PEAK BODY REPRESENTING POOL AND SPA BUILDERS, RETAILERS, SUPPLIERS AND ANY BUSINESS ASSOCIATED WITH THE POOL AND SPA INDUSTRY – WELCOME CHRIS.

• WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SPASA FOR VICTORIANS?
• WHAT ARE THE NEW POOL AND SPA REGULATIONS THAT WILL HIT OUR HOMES ON JUNE 1^ST, 2020?
• HOW DOES THAT EFFECT EXISTING POOL AND SPA OWNERS?
• HOW DOES IT EFFECT THOSE LOOKING TO PUT IN A NEW POOL OR SPA?
• DOES A BARRIER NEED TO BE INSTALLED WHILE BUILDING A NEW POOL OR SPA?
• CLINTON FROM CHELSEA WANTS TO KNOW IF HE HAS TO PUT UP A FENCE WHEN HE PUTS UP A BLOW UP POOL THAT HE BRINGS OUT EACH SUMMER? SOMETIMES HE LEAVES HIS BUNNINGS SHELL POOL OUT FOR HIS DOG TO STAY COOL ON HOT DAYS, DOES HE NEED A FENCE FOR THAT? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY DATES POOL AND SPA OWNERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF TO BE COMPLIANT WITH THE NEW REGULATIONS?
• THE BIG QUESTION: HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST US?
• WILL IT EFFECT OUR RATES IN FUTURE YEARS, KNOWING THAT OUR POOL IS REGISTERED WITH THE COUNCIL?
• WHAT IS CONSIDERED A PROPER BARRIER? WALLS, POOL COVERS, TEMPORARY BARRIERS, DOORS, WINDOWS?
• SARAH FROM HASTINGS WANTS TO KNOW WHY AREN’T BARRIERS REQUIRED FOR OTHER TYPES OF WATER AREAS, LIKE PONDS, FOUNTAINS, DAMS, ETC, BUT ALSO PUBLIC WATERWAYS, ESPECIALLY IN SOME OF THE NEW ESTATES? AREN’T THEY JUST AS PROBLEMATIC FOR DROWNINGS?
• WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DECIDE TO FILL IN OUR POOL OR SELL OUR SPA, WHEN DO WE NEED TO TELL THE COUNCIL THAT THE POOL OR SPA IS NO LONGER AT THE PROPERTY?
• IS THERE ANYTHING WE SHOULD BE WARY OF, IN REGARDS TO POOL BUILDERS, TYPES OF BARRIERS, LANDSCAPING, ETC THAT COULD COMPROMISE THE POOL’S SAFETY?