Pool Plumbing & Filtration Install SWMS

Pool plumbing installation covers the plumbing of a swimming pool — installing the circulation, filtration, suction and return pipework, the skimmer boxes and outlets, and the connection to the water supply with backflow protection. The defining safety requirement is the suction-entrapment prevention at the pool outlets, because pool suction can entrap and drown a person, alongside the protection of the drinking water supply from the pool water. This document is written on the basis that pool plumbing installation is carried out by a licensed plumber with the suction-entrapment, backflow, circulation and pressure controls in place.

Pool plumbing installation is carried out to AS 1926.3 for the water recirculation outlets and skimmer boxes, under which the outlets must prevent suction-entrapment and a blocked outlet must be able to release the vacuum, and to AS/NZS 3500.1 for the water supply connection with backflow protection. The suction-entrapment, the backflow protection, the circulation and pressure systems, and the connection are the considerations. This document coordinates the suction-entrapment, backflow, circulation and pressure controls so the pool plumbing is installed safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1Engineering: install the water recirculation outlets and skimmer boxes to AS 1926.3 so suction-entrapment is prevented — compliant outlets and covers, anti-entrapment arrangements, and a means of releasing the vacuum if an outlet becomes blocked.
2. 2Engineering: provide and confirm backflow protection matched to the hazard on the pool and spa connection to the drinking water supply to AS/NZS 3500.1, because the pool water presents a backflow hazard.
3. 3Engineering: install the circulation and filtration pipework to manage the pressure and equipment hazards, and use materials approved for the connection to the drinking water supply.
4. 4Engineering: prevent falls into the open pool shell and excavation with barriers, edge protection and covers, and provide safe access into and out of the shell.
5. 5Engineering: manage the stored water and pressure during the work, isolating before any connection, and use mechanical aids for the pipework and equipment.
6. 6Engineering: where excavation is involved for the pipework, locate and protect existing services first and control the excavation to the excavation Code of Practice.
7. 7Administrative: where chemical feeders are connected, manage the chemical hazard and the connection, and confirm the suction-entrapment prevention and backflow protection on commissioning.
8. 8Administrative: all workers must hold a valid White Card (General Construction Induction Training, CPCCWHS1001), with the pool-construction, plumbing, electrical, gasfitting, confined space and any other competencies and licences required for the work.
9. 9Administrative: conduct a pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, isolations, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
10. 10Administrative: consult workers and any health and safety representatives on the work and its risks, record the consultation, and keep this document available at the workplace.
11. 11PPE: eye protection to AS/NZS 1337.1, hearing protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, high-visibility clothing, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
12. 12Administrative: review and update this SWMS whenever the work scope changes, after any incident or near miss, when a worker or health and safety representative raises a concern, when new hazards are identified, or at minimum every 12 months.
13. 13Administrative: ensure each part of the work is carried out by the appropriately licensed or competent person — pool builder, licensed plumber, licensed electrician and licensed gasfitter as relevant — under the applicable state or territory licensing scheme, with compliance certification where required.

Applicable Codes of Practice

Worked example

A licensed plumber is engaged to install the plumbing for a swimming pool. The water recirculation outlets and skimmer boxes are installed to AS 1926.3 so suction-entrapment is prevented — compliant outlets and covers, anti-entrapment arrangements, and a means of releasing the vacuum if an outlet becomes blocked. Backflow protection matched to the hazard is provided and confirmed on the pool connection to the drinking water supply to AS/NZS 3500.1, because the pool water presents a backflow hazard. The circulation and filtration pipework is installed to manage the pressure and equipment hazards, with materials approved for the connection. Falls into the open pool shell are prevented with barriers and safe access. The stored water and pressure are managed, isolating before any connection, and mechanical aids used. Where excavation is involved, existing services are located and protected first. Chemical feeders are connected with the chemical hazard managed. The suction-entrapment prevention and backflow protection are confirmed on commissioning, and the records retained.

Related legislation

• Model Work Health and Safety Act — primary duty of care; the duty to consult workers; the reckless-conduct offence; and notifiable-incident provisions, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations — Section 291 high risk construction work and the SWMS preparation and review duties, and the excavation, confined space and electrical provisions where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• The swimming pool safety standards AS 1926.1, AS 1926.2 and AS 1926.3, the electrical Wiring Rules AS/NZS 3000, the plumbing and drainage standards AS/NZS 3500, AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 for gas, and the hazardous chemicals and silica requirements, are called up by the relevant building, plumbing, electrical, gas and safety legislation, together with the National Construction Code and local council requirements.
• Pool construction, plumbing, electrical and gasfitting work is licensed under each state and territory's licensing schemes, with electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician and gas work by a licensed gasfitter, and compliance certification required for notifiable work; pool safety barrier requirements apply under state and territory pool-safety laws.
• Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, with the high risk construction work, excavation, confined space and electrical provisions applying in place of the model instruments.

Frequently asked questions