Fair Trading Act 1987 Regulation relating to outlets in swimming pools and spas (1994-515) [GG No 125 of 23.9.1994] (NSW)

1994—No. 515

FAIR TRADING ACT 1987—REGULATION

(Relating to outlets in swimming pools and spas)

NEW SOUTH WALES

[Published in Gazette No. 126 of 23 September 1994]

HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council,
and in pursuance of the Fair Trading Act 1987, has been pleased to make

the Regulation set forth hereunder.

WENDY MACHIN, MP

Minister for Consumer Affairs.

Commencement

1. This Regulation commences on 1 October 1994.

Amendment

2. The Product Safety Regulation 1988 is amended by inserting after

Part 6 the following Parts:

PART 7—SWIMMING POOLS: OUTLETS

Definitions

17. In this Part:
“AS 1926.3–1993” means the Australian Standard entitled

“Swimming pool safety Part 3: Water recirculation and filtration systems” and numbered AS 1926.3–1993, of Standards Australia, as in force on 26 July 1993;

“outlet” means an opening in a swimming pool wall or floor

through which water leaves the pool;

1994—No. 515

“potty skimmer” means an outlet attached to or set in a pool wall

at water level:

(a)	that is used as the main suction point for the filter pump and is intended to draw water from the pool surface to remove and collect debris; and
(b)	that resembles a child’s chamber-pot and is commonly known as a potty skimmer;

“swimming pool” means any excavation or structure containing water to a depth greater than 300 mm and used primarily for swimming, wading, paddling or the like, and includes a bathing or wading pool, but does not include a spa.

Application of Part

18. This Part applies only to swimming pool outlets that are potty

skimmers.

Safety standard

19. The product safety standard prescribed for swimming pool outlets that are potty skimmers is that each such outlet must comply with clause 4.2 of AS 1926.3–1993.

PART 7A—SPAS: OUTLETS

Definitions

20. In this Part:
“AS 1926.3–1993” means the Australian Standard entitled

“Swimming pool safety Part 3: Water recirculation and filtration systems” and numbered AS 1926.3–1993, of Standards Australia, as in force on 26 July 1993;

“ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M–1987” means the American National Standard entitled “Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Whirlpool Bathtub Appliances” and numbered ASME/ANSI A 1 12.19.8M– 1987, of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, as in force on 31 December 1987;

“outlet” means an opening in a spa wall or floor through which the

water leaves the spa;

“potty skimmer” means a surface mounted outlet that resembles a
child’s chamber-pot and is commonly known as a potty skimmer;
“spa” means a water-retaining structure with a capacity of not less
than 680 litres with which is associated the facility for heating the

water contained in it and injecting air bubbles or jets of turbulent

water;

1994—No. 515

“surface mounted outlet” means an outlet mounted at or near the water surface level of the spa for the purpose of surface skimming.

Application of Part

20A. This Part applies only to spas incorporating a potty skimmer

(whether moulded as an integral part of the spa or attached to it).

Safety standard

20B. The product safety standard prescribed for outlets in spas to

which	this Part applies is that the spas are constructed so that: each pump is connected to at least 2 outlets from the spa by
(a)	means of a common line; and the pipes of all outlets connected to the common line have the
(b)	same diameter; and at least 2 outlets on the common line function at the same time
(c)	(except when the spa is being cleaned); and
(d)	each outlet connected to the common line is at least 600 mm distant from every other outlet connected to that line; and
(e)	each potty skimmer:

(i) is fitted with a lid complying with clause 20C; and

(ii)  passes the single blockage and total blockage tests set out in clauses 20E and 20F respectively; and

(f) each outlet other than a potty skimmer:

(i)  is fitted with a protective cover that can be removed only with the use of a tool; and

(ii) complies with clause 20D.

Requirements for lids for potty skimmers

20C. (1) A lid for a potty skimmer must carry the following

warning:

“WARNING: LID IS NOT TO BE REMOVED WHILE SPA

IS OPERATING”.

(2) The warning:

(a) must be visible on the upper surface of the lid; and

(b) must be moulded or engraved in (or otherwise permanently attached to) the lid in such a way that it will remain legible despite normal use and handling of the lid; and

1994—No. 515

(c)	must show the word “WARNING” in upper case letters at least 5 mm high; and
(d)	must show the remaining words in upper case letters at least 2.5 mm high.

Requirements for outlets other than potty skimmers

20D. (1) An outlet other than a potty skimmer (whether surface

mounted or not):

(a) must, with its protective cover in place, pass the Hair Entrapment Test set out at clauses 5.1–5.3 of ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M–1987 (in which an outlet is referred to as a “suction fitting”); or

(b) must comply with clause 5.1 (a) of AS 1926.3–1993.

Single blockage test for potty skimmers

20E. (1) The single blockage test for a potty skimmer is to be

conducted as follows:

(a)	the potty skimmer lid, and any other safety features of the potty skimmer that can be removed without the use of a tool or excessive force, is to be removed;
(b)	the spa is to be operating with other normal safety features (such as cut-out switches, if supplied, and protective covers on outlets other than potty skimmers) functioning or in place;
(c)	after the spa has been operating for at least one minute, the potty skimmer is to be blocked.

(2) Suction in the blocked potty skimmer is to be measured for at

least 15 seconds after the blockage.

(3) The suction must not exceed 12 kPa.

Total blockage test for potty skimmers

20F. (1) The total blockage test for a potty skimmer is to be

conducted as follows:

(a)	the potty skimmer lid, and any other safety features of the potty skimmer that can be removed without the use of a tool or excessive force, is to be removed;
(b)	the spa is to be operating with other normal safety features (such as cut-out switches, if supplied, and protective covers on outlets other than potty skimmers) functioning or in place;
(c)	after the spa has been operating for at least one minute, all outlets are to be blocked simultaneously, with outlets other than surface mounted outlets being sealed.

1994—No. 515

(2) Suction in the blocked potty skimmer is to be measured for at

least 15 seconds, beginning one second after blockage.

(3) The suction must not exceed 1 kPa.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The object of this Regulation is to establish product safety standards for outlets in certain swimming pools and spas. The pools and spas concerned are those incorporating outlets of the kind known as “potty skimmers”.

This Regulation is made under sections 26 and 92 of the Fair Trading Act 1987, and supersedes an order in force under section 31 of that Act. The order concerned is revoked at the same time as this Regulation commences.