Structures inside the pool area · QDC MP3.4
Buildings Within a Pool Area
Got a cabana, shed, pool house or a window opening straight onto your pool deck? Queensland law has very specific rules about buildings that sit inside the pool safety barrier — here's what to check. 🏡
No direct access from a habitable building
There can be no direct access through a door from a house or other habitable building to a pool area. Habitable buildings include Class 1 through to Class 4 buildings.
Access from a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 part of a building to the pool area must be via a barrier complying with QDC MP3.4.
Non-habitable structures inside the pool area
Verandas, patios, pergolas, pool houses and sheds are all examples of buildings or structures that can exist within a pool area — as long as they meet specific criteria.
A pool inspector's job is to ensure the building or structure complies with the standards and is considered not habitable.
What an inspector looks at
Determining whether a building inside the pool area is habitable or non-habitable.
1. Determine if the building is a Class 10 Non-Habitable Building
- Obtain Building Certifier documents and the certificate that states the class.
- If those documents aren't available, it's up to the pool inspector to determine the class.
2. Is the room habitable?
A habitable room means a room used for normal domestic activities — like a lounge room, TV room, kitchen, home gym or dining room.
It excludes rooms like a bathroom, shower, laundry or toilet (rooms typically used for short periods of time).
The pool inspector needs to assess the intended use of the building.
3. Pool safety inspector assesses
- The intended use of the building.
- Is the building fully enclosed to make it weather proof?
- The frequency of use.
Example: A lounge room, fully enclosed and made weather proof, is considered a Class 1 building.
If the same building had one side permanently open, it would be considered a Class 10.
Watch: Buildings Within a Pool Area
Related reading
So What is a Barrier?
The QDC MP3.4 performance rules every pool barrier must meet.
Common Failures
Mistakes I see again and again — design them out early.
Acceptable Vegetation
What you can plant near the fence without failing the 900mm NCZ rule.
Legislation
The full set of QLD pool safety laws and codes that apply.