Requirements for CPR and warning signs

Swimming pool areas must display:

• a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) sign
• a warning sign during construction.

CPR signs

You must have a CPR sign prominently displayed if you:

• have a pool
• are selling or leasing (renting) a property with a pool

The CPR sign must:

• show how to perform CPR in line with the technique outlined below. 
• be attached to the safety barrier of the pool, or displayed near the pool, so that the sign is easily visible to a person near the pool
• be at least 300mm by 300mm in size
• be made of durable and weatherproof material
• include a prominent statement explaining how to act in an emergency (e.g. call Triple Zero, stay with the injured person, provide first aid).

CPR technique to be displayed

From 1 January 2017, all new CPR signs for swimming pools must comply with 'ANZCOR guideline 8 - cardiopulmonary resuscitation' published by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC). 

CPR sign.jpg

Pool owners who already have a sign in place that complies with the previous guideline (Guideline 7) may continue to use it while still readable.  However, when that CPR sign becomes illegible, it must be replaced with a sign that is compliant with the technique from Guideline 8.

Warning signs

If you are building a swimming pool, before construction starts you must display a sign stating that it is under construction.

The warning sign must:

• warn people that a swimming pool is under construction, and that there is a danger to young children accessing the land (e.g. 'Danger. Swimming pool under construction. Keep children out.')
• be placed within 1.5m of the road frontage for the land
• be mounted so that the bottom of the sign is at least 300mm above ground level
• be positioned so that it is visible from the road
• be made of weatherproof material
• have the warning written in bold text at least 50mm high.
• If the land has more than 1 road frontage, a warning sign is only required on 1.
• This requirement does not apply to portable pools.

More information

For detailed information, see the pool safety guidelines or Chapter 8 of the Building Act 1975.