Building Surveyor vs Building Inspector (Pool & Spa): Understanding the Key Differences
When building a pool or spa, ensuring compliance with safety regulations is crucial. Whether you're constructing a new pool or spa or making updates to an existing one, you may come across two essential roles: the Building Surveyor and the Building Inspector. While both are responsible for ensuring that your pool and spa meet safety standards, their roles are distinct. Understanding the differences between a registered building surveyor and a building inspector specialising in pools and spas can help you navigate the process smoothly and ensure your pool is safe and compliant.
What is a Building Inspector (Specialising in Pools and Spas)?
A Building Inspector (Pools & Spas), on the other hand, is a professional who specifically focuses on inspecting the safety and compliance of a pool or spa. While building surveyors are more generalists, building inspectors specialising in pools and spas have expertise in the unique safety standards and regulations governing these outdoor installations. They generally work exclusively with Pool and Spa barriers and regularly attend training, dates in legislation seminars and have trained for 12 months or more on barrier compliance.
Key Responsibilities of a Pool and Spa Building Inspector:
Pool & Spa Barrier Inspections: A pool and spa inspector ensures that the pool or spa barrier complies with safety standards, including regulations on fence height, gate mechanisms, and non-climbable zones.
Safety Compliance: Pool inspectors focus primarily on ensuring the pool or spa is safe for use, particularly regarding the prevention of child drownings. They verify that safety barriers are in place and functional, and that the design meets local council regulations.
Inspection Reports and Certification: Pool inspectors provide inspection reports that outline whether the pool or spa complies with safety regulations. If there are any issues, the inspector can provide recommendations on how to rectify them. Once the pool meets all requirements, the inspector will issue a compliance certificate.
Post-Construction Inspections: After the pool or spa is built there are mandatory inspections that need to take place every four years, a pool inspector ensures that the barrier adheres to current safety codes. This includes checking the pool's fencing, gates, and overall access points to prevent accidents.
Pool and spa inspectors are specialists who focus only on ensuring safety compliance related to pools and spas. They do not handle other aspects of the construction process but are experts in safety-related inspections for these specific areas.
What is a Building Surveyor?
A Building Surveyor is a professional who is responsible for overseeing the compliance of a building project with local regulations and safety standards. Their role primarily involves ensuring that construction projects—whether residential, commercial, or industrial—comply with all necessary building codes and regulations.
Key Responsibilities of a Building Surveyor:
Compliance with Building Codes: A building surveyor ensures that your construction, including pool or spa installations, complies with the relevant Australian building codes and regulations, such as the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
Issuing Building Permits: They are responsible for issuing building permits before construction begins. If you plan to build a pool or spa, you will need a building permit issued by a registered building surveyor.
Final Inspections and Certificates: Upon completion of the construction, a building surveyor conducts final inspections to confirm that the project meets all required standards. They then issue the occupancy or compliance certificates once all the regulations are satisfied.
Legal and Structural Compliance: They ensure that the project adheres to all structural and legal requirements, which includes assessing the pool or spa barriers for compliance with safety standards.
Building surveyors typically work across a wide range of building projects, including residential homes, commercial properties, and public structures. Their role is comprehensive and involves overseeing the project from start to finish.
3. Main Differences Between a Building Surveyor and a Building Inspector Specialising in Pools and Spas
| Building Surveyor | Building Inspector (Pool & Spa) |
|---|---|
| Oversees compliance with building codes and regulations for the entire construction project. | Focuses on inspecting pool and spa safety barriers to ensure they meet safety standards. |
| Handles issuing building permits for the entire construction process, including pools. | Does not issue permits, but inspects pools and spas every four years post-construction for safety compliance. |
| Ensures all aspects of the building, including structural integrity, meet the necessary regulations. | Ensures only pool and spa barriers meet the necessary safety regulations, such as height and gate requirements. |
| Issues final inspection certificates for the entire building project. | Issues compliance certificates every 4 years after initial construction, specifically for pool and spa barriers. |
| Does not necessarily need to complete Pool and Spa compliance training . | Has training in Pool and Spa Barrier compliance specifically. |
4. Which One Do You Need?
When it comes to constructing a pool or spa as part of your new home or renovation, both a building surveyor and a pool and spa inspector may play essential roles at different stages of the process.
Building Surveyor: You will need a building surveyor at the beginning and throughout the construction process to ensure your project complies with the broader building regulations, including securing the necessary permits for your pool or spa.
Building Inspector (Pool & Spa): Every four years after the date of construction a pool and spa inspector is needed to complete a barrier inspection and certification for the pool or spa owner to provide to council. Consultations can also be handy prior to construction for an expert assessment from a specialist in barrier compliance and legislation specifically.
5. Final Thoughts
Understanding the differences between a building surveyor and a pool & spa building inspector is vital when embarking on a project that involves a pool or spa. While both professionals have the registrations to sign off barrier, their areas of expertise are different. Regardless of if you are using a Surveyor or Inspector, it is recommended you seek advice from a dedicated Building Inspector who has trained in Pool and Spa Barrier compliance such as Pool Safe.
By bringing in the right professionals at each stage of your build, you can ensure that your pool or spa meets all necessary safety standards and is legally compliant, ultimately creating a safe and enjoyable space for your family and guests.