Guide
What is a toe hold on a pool fence?
A toe hold is any ledge, rail or gap a small child could get a foot onto to climb the pool barrier. On steel boundary fences, the usual culprit is the lip on the bottom rail where the sheet sits.
Why it fails inspections
Pool barriers have to keep a clear non-climbable zone so a toddler can’t climb over. Australian pool barrier rules are based on AS 1926.1, and inspectors look for anything that gives a foothold within that zone. When a boundary fence forms part of the pool barrier, a ledge on its bottom rail can be enough to fail.
Ways to fix it
1. Cover the ledge. Shield it so there’s nothing to stand on. Queensland’s building regulator, for example, suggests shielding climbable objects with non-climbable material. This is what our angled inserts do: one per pan, fitted with silicone or a couple of screws.
2. Clad the fence. Fix flat sheeting over the lower section. It works, but it costs more, looks heavier and usually needs your neighbour on board.
3. Replace the fence. The most expensive option, and often overkill for a ledge a few centimetres deep.
Will covering it make my pool compliant?
It deals with the toe hold. Your inspector checks the whole barrier, so gaps under the fence, garden beds, taps and gates still need sorting. If in doubt, check with your inspector before you buy.