CPR Signage and Warning Notice Requirements for Pools

What This Requirement Covers

This requirement covers the obligation to provide clear, visible cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first-aid signage at swimming pools so that pool users and responders can rapidly find and follow life‑saving instructions in an emergency. The purpose is to reduce response time, guide bystanders through essential CPR steps (including infant/young child CPR where relevant), and ensure the pool environment includes basic, recognisable emergency information as part of overall safety measures required by the National Construction Code (NCC) and referenced Australian Standards.

Who it applies to: owners, designers and builders of buildings and premises that contain a swimming pool or spa with more than 300 mm depth of water where the NCC or State/Territory schedules apply; this includes many residential communal pools associated with Class 2 and 3 buildings, Class 4 parts of buildings, and commercial pools in Class 5-9 buildings. Where a State or Territory has introduced a schedule or local regulation, those provisions also apply in addition to the NCC requirements.

Key Requirements

1. A swimming pool must have prominent and visible signage that assists persons to provide first aid and to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on young children, as required by the NCC provisions and state schedules. See: NCC 2022 Volume One, SA G1D2(4) / SA G1P2(3) and NCC 2022 Volume Two, SA H7D2(4) / SA H7P1(3).
2. Application threshold: signage requirements in the NCC schedules commonly apply to pools with a water depth greater than 300 mm (0.3 m). See: NCC 2022 Volume One, SA G1D2(1) and related state clauses which specify “depth of water more than 300 mm.”
3. Sign location: the first aid and CPR sign must be attached to the safety barrier of the swimming pool or displayed near the swimming pool so it is readily visible to pool users and attendants. See: SA G1D2(4) - SA G1P2 explanatory text.
4. Sign content: signage must provide assistance to perform first aid and CPR on young children. While the NCC schedules do not publish an exact pictogram in every jurisdiction for CPR, the requirement is to include clear instructions and imagery appropriate for infant/child CPR where the schedule specifies “young children.” Refer to NCC 2022 Volume One, SA G1D2(4) and SA G1P2(3).
5. Associated Standards: pool safety and associated signage interact with AS 1926 series:
6. AS 1926.1 - Safety barriers for swimming pools (barrier siting and installation) - signage should be placed on or near barriers as required by local schedules.
7. AS 1926.2 - Swimming pool safety - location of barriers and fencing details (referenced for pool barrier compliance).
8. AS 1926.3 - Swimming pool and spa water recirculation systems (venting and skimmer box outlet requirements mentioned alongside signage in some schedules).
9. Building classes: signage provisions in the NCC schedules specifically call out applicability to Class 2 and 3 buildings and Class 4 part of a building in several schedules; other parts of NCC (and state laws) apply to Class 1 (private dwellings) and commercial pools with the 300 mm depth threshold. See: NCC 2022 Volume One, SA G1P2 Applications and NCC 2022 Volume Two, SA H7P1 Applications.
10. Exact code references (examples from NCC 2022 documents):
11. NCC 2022 Volume One - SA G1P2 Swimming pool access and water recirculation systems (SA G1D2 and SA G1P2(3) on signage)
12. NCC 2022 Volume Two - SA H7P1 Swimming pool access and SA H7D2(4) (prominent and visible signage assisting first aid and CPR on young children)
13. Other state inserts: NSW H7P1 and NSW G1P2 similarly require barriers and cross-reference AS 1926 standards; schedules include application notes referencing the Swimming Pools Act and Regulations.

Residential vs Commercial

1. Residential (Class 1/10 and private backyard pools): the NCC national provisions for private dwellings rely heavily on referenced Australian Standards and state/territory pool safety laws. Many State and Territory laws require pool safety signage and first-aid/CPR instructions for community or shared residential pools, but for an individual backyard pool (owned with a Class 1 dwelling) the NCC’s model provisions are often implemented by state acts and regulations. The 300 mm depth threshold applies where NCC schedules expressly trigger signage requirements for pools associated with residential buildings (Class 2/3/4) rather than a standalone backyard pool in some states.
2. Communal residential and commercial pools (Class 2-9): signage requirements are explicit in NCC Volume One and Volume Two schedules for pools associated with multi‑residential or other building classes. Commercial pools (e.g., aquatic centres, hotels, aged care) will typically have more prescriptive requirements under state legislation and workplace health and safety regulations, including standardised CPR/first-aid signage, lifeguard signage, emergency contact details, and often Australian Resuscitation Council guidance for content.

Key differences

1. The NCC schedules most clearly mandate CPR signage where a pool is associated with Class 2, Class 3 or Class 4 parts of buildings and where water depth is more than 300 mm. See: NCC 2022 Volume One, SA G1D2 and Volume Two, SA H7D2.
2. Commercial pools will usually be subject to additional State/Territory health, safety, and workplace regulations requiring more detailed or standardised signs, including emergency phone numbers, AED locations, and lifeguard rules.

Exceptions and Exemptions

1. Pools with water depth 300 mm or less commonly fall outside the NCC schedule clauses that trigger mandatory signage in many jurisdictions; however, local laws or council bylaws may still require warning signs or fencing.
2. Some jurisdictions allow alternative solutions or performance solutions where equivalent levels of safety can be demonstrated; these must be approved by the relevant certifier or authority having jurisdiction and will need to reference appropriate evidence and testing.
3. State or Territory schedules may exempt certain out-of-ground or above-ground pool walls from being treated as effective barriers; those same schedules may also modify signage requirements. See: NSW H7D2 and NSW G1D2 explanatory notes concerning out-of-ground pools.
4. If other comprehensive emergency response measures are in place (for example, on-site lifeguards, a facility-specific emergency plan and AED provision), a consenting authority may accept alternate or additional sign content or placement, provided the performance requirement (assist in first aid/CPR) is met.

State and Territory Variations

1. South Australia (SA): SA inserts require that a swimming pool must have prominent and visible signage assisting people to provide first aid and perform CPR on young children. See: NCC 2022 Volume One - SA G1P2(3) and SA G1D2(4); NCC 2022 Volume Two - SA H7P1(2) and SA H7D2(4)-(5).
2. New South Wales (NSW): NSW H7 and G1 schedules require barriers and reference AS 1926 series and the Swimming Pools Act/Regulation; signage requirements are tied to the 300 mm depth threshold and NSW Swimming Pools Regulation 2018. See: NCC 2022 Volume Two - NSW H7P1 and NSW H7D2; NCC 2022 Volume One - NSW G1P2 and NSW G1D2.
3. Other states and territories: each jurisdiction has its own schedule (Schedules 4-12 in NCC Volume One) or separate pool safety legislation that may alter technical requirements or provide additional signage rules. Always check the relevant state schedule in NCC 2022 Volume One and the State/Territory pool safety legislation (for example, Queensland Schedule 7, Victoria Schedule, WA Schedule) for local amendments and additional signage content requirements.
4. Note: State Schedules often include references to AS 1926.1, AS 1926.2 and AS 1926.3 and sometimes require specific placement (on barrier or adjacent) and content directed at young children; details differ between jurisdictions so verify the local schedule.

Practical Compliance Tips

1. Place the CPR/first-aid sign on or adjacent to the pool safety barrier at visible eye level from the pool apron and entry points; ensure it is not obstructed by vegetation or equipment. This satisfies the NCC schedule direction that the sign be attached to the barrier or displayed nearby (SA G1D2(4)).
2. Use a durable, weatherproof material and fixings suitable for outdoor use so the sign remains legible; fading or damage may be treated as noncompliance during inspections.
3. Include child-specific CPR instructions where schedules explicitly mention “young children.” If in doubt, follow recognised clinical guidance such as the Australian Resuscitation Council templates for infant/child CPR while ensuring wording meets state requirements.
4. Check the local state schedule and pool legislation early in design - the NCC national text plus the relevant state schedule together determine whether signage is required (and the 300 mm water depth trigger). Do not rely on the national text alone.
5. For commercial or public pools, supplement the basic CPR sign with additional operational signage - emergency contact numbers, AED location, rules of use, and lifeguard hours - to meet workplace and public safety expectations.
6. When delivering a performance solution or alternate compliance, include photos, sign samples, and justification that the proposed signage will satisfy the performance intent of assisting first-aid/CPR; seek written acceptance from the certifier.
7. Maintain an inspection and maintenance log for pool safety signage as part of facility management records so you can demonstrate ongoing compliance when required by council or certifier.

Citations and references used in this article: NCC 2022 Volume One - SA G1P2 / SA G1D2 (Swimming pool provisions and signage), NCC 2022 Volume Two - SA H7P1 / SA H7D2 (Swimming pool access and signage), NSW H7P1 / NSW H7D2 and NSW G1P2 / NSW G1D2 (NSW schedule inserts), and the AS 1926 series (AS 1926.1, AS 1926.2, AS 1926.3) which are referenced for pool barrier and water recirculation safety requirements.