SANS 10134: SA Pool Fencing Decoded

The dimensional rules

From the latest SANS 10134:

• Minimum height: 1.2 m above adjacent ground
• Vertical members spaced ≤ 100 mm
• No horizontal members between 0.1 m and 1.0 m (anti-climb)
• Gap below the fence: ≤ 100 mm
• Gate: self-closing, self-latching, latch ≥ 1.5 m above ground, opens away from pool

Compliant materials and costs

For a 30 m perimeter (typical):

• Glass panels (12 mm toughened): R2,200–R3,800/m — premium, unobtrusive
• Steel palisade (powder-coated): R900–R1,500/m — most common compliance fence
• Aluminium tubular: R1,400–R2,400/m — coastal, no rust
• Mesh panel (Clearvu or similar): R1,100–R1,800/m — security + safety

Cover-as-barrier exemption

A slatted automatic cover that meets SANS 10134 Annex or ASTM F1346 (rated to support a child + adult attempting rescue) can serve as the safety barrier on its own. Bubble, thermal foam and standard winter PVC covers do NOT qualify. Slatted covers run R45,000–R95,000 installed — sometimes cheaper than a long perimeter fence on a large plot.

Common failure modes (and what enforcers look for)

Garden chairs left near the fence (climbable), gates wedged open, latches mounted too low, decorative climbing plants growing on the barrier creating handholds. After any incident, municipal inspectors check these first.