Hose Reels Near Pool Fences
A garden hose reel is a practical feature around many homes. It makes watering gardens, washing down pool areas and cleaning outdoor spaces much easier.
However, if a hose reel is installed too close to a pool fence, it may create a climbable object that affects pool safety compliance.
During Pool Safety Inspections, hose reels are regularly assessed because they can provide both a foothold and a handhold for a young child attempting to climb over a pool barrier.
Why Can a Hose Reel Be a Problem?
Queensland pool safety legislation requires every compliant pool barrier to have a non-climbable zone (NCZ).
This area is designed to prevent children from using nearby objects to gain access to the pool.
Generally, the non-climbable zone extends:
- 900mm outside the pool fence.
- 300mm inside the pool fence.
A wall-mounted or freestanding hose reel positioned within this zone may create an unintended climbing aid.
It Is Not Just the Hose Reel
Other related items can also create compliance issues, including:
- Garden hoses wrapped around taps.
- Portable hose carts.
- Wall-mounted hose brackets.
- Irrigation equipment.
- Water filters.
- Cleaning equipment stored beside the fence.
The overall assessment considers whether these items could reasonably assist a child in climbing the barrier.
Common Compliance Issues
During inspections we regularly find:
- Hose reels mounted directly beside pool gates.
- Large retractable hose reels fixed to walls within the non-climbable zone.
- Portable hose carts stored against the fence.
- Long hoses left hanging over fence rails.
- Garden equipment stored beside the barrier.
These situations are often created for convenience, without realising they may affect compliance.
How Can the Problem Be Fixed?
Fortunately, hose reel compliance issues are usually straightforward to resolve.
Possible solutions include:
- Relocating the hose reel outside the non-climbable zone.
- Moving portable hose carts to another storage location.
- Installing the hose reel on a different wall.
- Removing unnecessary equipment from beside the fence.
The most appropriate solution will depend on the layout of the property.
Planning Ahead
If you are installing a new hose reel:
- Consider its location before drilling into walls.
- Keep it well clear of the pool barrier.
- Avoid mounting it beside gates.
- Think about future access and maintenance.
A few minutes of planning can prevent unnecessary compliance issues later.
Regular Property Checks
As part of your routine maintenance, walk around the outside of your pool barrier and ask yourself:
- Has any garden equipment been stored beside the fence?
- Is the hose reel now within climbing distance?
- Has landscaping changed the area?
- Could a child use anything nearby to gain extra height?
These simple checks can make a significant difference when your Pool Safety Inspection is due.
From the Inspector
Hose reels are another item that homeowners rarely think about until an inspection.
Most people install them where they are most convenient for watering the garden or washing the pool area. Unfortunately, convenience isn’t always compatible with pool safety compliance.
Fortunately, relocating a hose reel is usually one of the simplest compliance issues to rectify, and doing so can eliminate a potential climb hazard immediately.
Why Choose Pool Compliance Gold Coast?
Pool Compliance Gold Coast provides professional Pool Safety Inspections for:
- Homeowners
- Property Sellers
- Landlords
- Property Managers
- Real Estate Agencies
- Body Corporate Managers
We proudly service:
- Helensvale
- Hope Island
- Paradise Point
- Runaway Bay
- Biggera Waters
- Parkwood
- Ashmore
- Benowa
- Carrara
- Clear Island Waters
- Robina
- Varsity Lakes
- Broadbeach Waters
- Mermaid Waters
- Burleigh Waters
and all surrounding Gold Coast suburbs.
Our inspections are practical, thorough and designed to identify climb hazards before they become compliance issues.
Related Articles
- Garden Taps Near Pool Fences
- Pot Plants Near Your Pool Fence
- Outdoor Furniture Near Your Pool Fence
- Preparing Your Pool for Inspection – A Simple Checklist
Contact Pool Compliance Gold Coast
Pool Compliance Gold Coast
Licensed Pool Safety Inspector
✔ Pool Safety Inspections
✔ Pool Safety Certificates
✔ Rental Property Pool Safety Inspections
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✉ info@poolcompliancegoldcoast.com.au
🌐 www.poolcompliancegoldcoast.com.au
If you’re unsure whether a hose reel, garden equipment or other outdoor fixtures may affect your pool safety compliance, contact Pool Compliance Gold Coast today. We’ll inspect your pool barrier, identify any climb hazards and help you achieve your Pool Safety Certificate quickly and professionally.
