What is a Non-Climb Zone? It is an area adjacent to a pool fence or barrier that need to be maintained free of climbable objects to allow the pool barrier (fence) to be effective in preventing children under the age of five from gaining access to the pool area and avoid a potential pool drowning.
Defined in the standards: A
non-climbable zone (NCZ)
is a
zone on a barrier and in the space adjacent to a barrier, running the full length of a barrier including a pool gate, that is intended to restrict climbing of the barrier by young children.
I am going to start with Australian Standards: AS 1926.1-1986 and AS 1926.1-1993 combined as they are both very similar in design.
The 1986 and 1993 standard refer to a 1200mm arch as a clear span that is to be obtained to the outside or approach side of the barrier system.
As shown here with the highlighted red colour as the clear span as described in both pool safety standards. The clear span is something that pool owners can control their property, however it can be difficult to obtain and maintain on neighbouring sides if the clear span is a requirement on the boundary side of the fence.
The clear span is on the outside or approach side of the barrier, if it is a boundary fence then the requirement to be maintained on your neighboring properties.
The standards require the outside or the approach side of the safety barriers to be free of climbable objects. Sometimes this takes some creative solutions to achieve the clear span requirements.
The clear span can also be affected by changes in ground level, also remember non-climbable objects are acceptable and can be positioned in the clear span.
Ok, the next one to contend with is the AS 1926.1-2007 Standard.
This standard defines and refers to internal and boundary barrier/s.
The 2007 standard refers to Non-Climb Zone’s as a 900mm clear span (Non-Climb Zone) that is obtained to the outside or approach side of the internal barrier.
The non-climbable zone (NCZ) may be located anywhere on the vertical face of the barrier.
In this zone the distance between any hand and foot hold shall be not less than 900 mm. The distant difference here is that the Non-Climb Zone is applicable to the area above the top section above the outside of the internal barrier.
Once again non-climbable objects are allowed in the Non-Climbable Zone.
The 2007 standard also refers to Non-Climb Zone’s as a 900mm clear span (Non-Climb Zone) that is obtained to the top internal section of the external barrier as shown.
This diagram is showing the Non-Climb Zone shaded green to the inside of the external barrier. This standard makes it easier to achieve and maintain the Non-Climb Zone as they are positioned on the property of the pool or spa.
An important factor to note here is that the height requirements for the boundary barrier or fence have been increased 1800mm high.
Ok, the final one to contend with is the AS 1926.1-2012 Standard.
The 2012 standard is the latest standard and when it comes to Non-Climb Zone it can be a little confusing, it breaks the Zones down and refers to them as:
Non-Climb Zone One……NCZ 1
Non-Climb Zone Two…...NCZ 2
Non-Climb Zone Three…NCZ 3
Non-Climb Zone Four…..NCZ 4
Non-Climb Zone Five…..NCZ 5
The 2012 standard refers to Non-Climb Zone One (NCZ 1) as a 900mm Non-Climb Zone that is obtained to the outside or approach side of the internal barrier.
The Non-Climb Zone One is difficult to detail in diagrams as it is not an arch, however it is the vertical plane on the outside of the internal barrier.
NCZ 1 is a 900 mm vertical plane on the outside face of a barrier.
This NCZ may be located anywhere within the perpendicular height of a barrier or, where present, anywhere between horizontal components or handholds and footholds on a barrier.
The 2012 standard refers to Non-Climb Zone Two (NCZ 2) as a 900mm Non-Climb Zone that is obtained to the outside or approach side of the internal barrier.
The Non-Climb Zone Two is the 900mm arch shown here with the red circle around the dimension applicable to NCZ 2.
NCZ 2- NCZ 2 is a quadrant on the outside of a barrier created by a 900 mm radius down from the top of NCZ 1.
NOTE: NCZ 2 is always immediately adjacent to NCZ 1 on all barriers.
The 2012 standard refers to Non-Climb Zone Three (NCZ 3) as a 900mm Non-Climb Zone that is obtained to the top outside or approach side of the internal barrier.
The Non-Climb Zone Three is the 900mm arch shown here to the top outside of the internal barrier with the red highlighted square.
NCZ 3 is a quadrant on the outside of a barrier created by a 900 mm radius up from the top of the barrier.
When the top of NCZ 1 is below the top of a barrier then NCZ 3 shall extend vertically down to the top of NCZ 1.
NCZ 3 is applicable only to the space created by the quadrant and does not apply to any item or component on, or that is part of, the barrier.
The 2012 standard refers to Non-Climb Zone Four (NCZ 4) as a 300mm Non-Climb Zone that is obtained to the inside outside of the internal barrier.
The Non-Climb Zone Four is the 300mm rectangle shown here to the inside of the internal barrier with the green highlighted square with the red border.
NCZ 4 is required on all barriers with vertical openings 10 to 100 mm in width and is a 900 mm high by 300 mm deep rectangular space on the inside of the barrier and shall align with NCZ 1.
The 2012 standard refers to Non-Climb Zone Five (NCZ 5) as a 900mm Non-Climb Zone that is obtained to the top inside of the external barrier.
The Non-Climb Zone Five is the 900mm arch shown here to the inside of the external barrier.
Where a boundary fence acts as a barrier to a pool, it shall have a height not less than 1800 mm on the inside and NCZ 5 formed as a quadrant of 900 mm radius down from the top of the inside of the barrier.
Well, that is it for Clear Span and Non-Climb Zones for now, these items are also affected by other factors and this blog is only a guide to help homeowners get a better understanding of some of the requirements to prepare the spa or pool owner in readiness for the mandatory inspection by a licensed pool inspector like ourselves. Stay tuned for more information about boundary fences as part of a pool barrier, and important requirements about closing and self-latching gates.
Please do not rely on this information alone.
I hope this has helped to get a better understanding of the Clear Spans and NCZ’s. If you have any questions about how Clear Span and Non-Climb Zone may prevent you from complying with pool regulations or any other pool or spa related enquiries, please get in touch with us.
Brett White,
Pool Safety Check
End to end support to take the stress out of ensuring that your pool is safe and compliant.
