2 Quick 100mm Gaps to Check Before Your Pool Inspection in Ballarat

If you’ve got a pool inspection coming up in Ballarat, Bendigo, Melton, or Country Victoria, there are a couple of common issues that trip up even the most careful pool owners.

Victorian pool safety laws are very specific—and even small gaps in your pool barrier can lead to a failed inspection. At Country VIC Pool Inspections, we’ve helped plenty of homeowners in Ballarat pass their inspection on the first go, and it often comes down to these two simple checks.

✅ 1. Check the Gap Between Vertical Bars – Must Be 100mm or Less

If your pool fence has vertical gaps between panels or posts, one of the most important measurements to check is the space between them. According to Victorian safety regulations, the gap between any vertical bars must be no more than 100mm.

Why it matters: A child may be able to squeeze through gaps wider than this. It’s one of the most common reasons for a failed Ballarat pool inspection.

How to check it:

• Use a measuring tape or ruler to measure multiple sections of your fence.

• Check especially near gates or sections that have shifted over time.

• If you find any spacing over 100mm, you may need to add compliant spacers or infill the affected section.

  
  

✅ 2. Check Under the Fence – 100mm Maximum Clearance

Soil erosion, landscaping changes, or fence movement can leave larger gaps underneath your pool barrier over time. For your pool fence to pass inspection in Ballarat, the maximum clearance under the bottom of the barrier must also be no more than 100mm.

Why it matters: A child could crawl underneath the fence if the clearance is too high, which is a clear safety risk.

How to check it:

• Walk around the entire fence line with a tape measure.

• Pay attention to sloped areas or spots where the ground has settled.

• If the gap exceeds 100mm, you can use materials like compacted crushed rock, concrete plinths, or approved barrier extensions to reduce the clearance.

  
  

🏡 Booking a Pool Inspection in Ballarat?

At Country VIC Pool Inspections, we offer reliable, affordable, and fully compliant Ballarat pool inspections. Our goal is to help you stay safe and pass your inspection with confidence—no surprises.

Need help getting ready? We’re happy to offer advice before your official inspection.

📞 Call us: 0431 908 796📧 Email: countryvicpoolinspections@gmail.com

💡 Final Tip:

Don’t wait until inspection day to find these issues. A quick 10-minute DIY check could save you a reinspection fee—and keep your family safer around the pool.