Check the current rules for your job.This is a fabricator’s plain-English summary of the common AS 1926.1 requirements, not legal advice. Standards get updated and councils and certifiers apply their own checks, so confirm the current edition and local requirements with the building surveyor or pool inspector before you build.
The short version
- Self-closing from any open position, and self-latching once shut.
- Opens outward, away from the pool.
- Latch release ≥ 1500 mm above ground, or shielded.
- No gap passes a 100 mm sphere, including the gap under the gate.
- Barrier and gate ≥ 1200 mm high from finished ground.
- Non-climbable zone clear of footholds. Vertical infill, no horizontal ledges.
Why the gate is the weak point
A pool barrier is only as safe as its gate. A fence does not move, but a gate gets pushed, propped, and left ajar, so AS 1926.1 puts most of its rules right there. The gate is part of the barrier, which means it has to meet the same height and gap limits and then add the closing, latching, and latch-height rules on top.
Get these onto the fabrication drawing and the built gate passes. Leave them to the installer and you end up back on site moving a latch or packing a gap. Spell out the numbers, the swing direction, and the hardware on the sheet.
The rules, at a glance
| Requirement | Spec | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Barrier height | ≥ 1200 mm from finished ground (outside) | Gate matches the barrier |
| Gaps | No gap passes a 100 mm sphere | Gate, under-gate, and post side |
| Gap under gate | ≤ 100 mm at the closest point | Allow for slope and future paving |
| Latch release | ≥ 1500 mm above ground, or shielded | Measured on the access side |
| Self-closing | Closes from any open position | Spring or hydraulic hinge |
| Self-latching | Latches on close, no slam needed | Magnetic latch is common |
| Swing direction | Opens outward, away from the pool | Cannot be pushed open inward |
| Non-climbable zone | Clear of footholds within the arc | Vertical infill, no ledges |
Self-closing and self-latching
The gate has to close itself from any open position and latch without being slammed. That means a self-closing hinge (spring or hydraulic) and a self-latching catch. A magnetic latch like the Magna Latch is the common choice because it latches reliably and mounts at the right height. Specify the hardware on the drawing so the right parts get ordered.
Latch height and the non-climbable zone
The latch release must sit at least 1500 mm above the finished ground on the access side, so a small child cannot reach it. If the design puts it lower, it has to be shielded. This is one of the most common inspection failures, so put the latch height on the elevation as a hard dimension.
The non-climbable zone is the area a child could use to climb over. Keep it free of horizontal rails, ledges, and hardware that offer a foothold. This is why pool gates run vertical infill: battens or pickets give nothing to stand on, where a horizontal slat ladder would.
Gaps and the gap under the gate
No gap in the barrier or gate can pass a 100 mm sphere, and that includes the gap between the bottom of the gate and the ground. Watch the ground clearance: a gate that clears a sloping path at one point can open a bigger gap at another, and new paving can lift the ground later. Set the clearance so the closest point stays under 100 mm across the whole swing.
Material and finish
Pool gates live in wet, often chlorinated or coastal air, so aluminium is the usual choice: it does not rust, and it powder coats to AS 3715 or anodises to AS 1231 for a hard, weatherproof finish. Marine-grade aluminium and stainless hardware earn their keep near salt water. Whatever the metal, the compliance numbers above do not change, only the corrosion story does.
Draw a pool-ready gate and matching fence
Build a vertical-infill gate and the matching pool fence panel, with the heights, gaps, and latch position dimensioned on the sheet. Start here:
Browse the full catalogueQuestions people ask
What does AS 1926.1 require of a pool gate?
A pool gate must be self-closing from any position, self-latching, and open outward away from the pool. The latch release must sit at least 1500 mm above ground or be shielded, no gap in the barrier can pass a 100 mm sphere, the gap under the gate is capped at 100 mm, and the non-climbable zone around the latch must be clear of footholds.
How high does a pool gate latch have to be?
The latch release must be at least 1500 mm above the finished ground level, measured on the access side. If it is lower, it has to be shielded so a child cannot reach through and release it. This is one of the most-failed items at inspection, so set the latch height on the drawing, do not leave it to the installer.
Does a pool gate have to open outwards?
Yes. A pool gate must swing outward, away from the pool area, so it cannot be pushed open by a child leaning on it from inside. It also has to be self-closing from any open position and self-latching once shut. A gate that only latches when slammed does not comply.
What is the maximum gap under a pool gate?
100 mm. The gap between the bottom of the gate and the finished ground cannot let a 100 mm sphere pass, and the same limit applies to every gap in the barrier and between the gate and the post. Slope and future paving can change that gap, so allow for it when you set the ground clearance.
What is the non-climbable zone?
It is the area around the gate and barrier that must be free of anything a child could use as a foothold: horizontal rails, ledges, or hardware. AS 1926.1 sets the zone by an arc measured from the top of the barrier. Vertical infill like battens or pickets is used precisely because it gives nothing to climb.
How tall does a pool barrier have to be?
At least 1200 mm from the finished ground on the outside, measured to the top of the barrier, with no gaps over 100 mm. The gate is part of the barrier, so it has to meet the same height. Build the gate to suit the barrier height, not the other way around.
Is this guide legal advice?
No. It is a fabricator's plain-English summary of the common AS 1926.1 requirements to help you draw a compliant gate. Standards are updated and councils and certifiers apply their own checks, so confirm the current edition and your local rules with the building surveyor or pool inspector for the job.