Facility Design Assessment
Inclusive Aquatic Designs for a Safer Future
Background
The Royal Life Saving Aquatic Facility Design Assessment Service was developed to address the critical need for safe and inclusive aquatic environments. With the rise in new pool constructions and renovations across Australia, there was a growing demand for expert guidance to ensure facilities are designed to prevent accidents and cater to all users, including those with diverse needs.
The service is grounded in the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations (GSPO) and the National Construction Code, which provide a benchmark for safety and compliance in aquatic facilities. These standards were created to mitigate risks associated with aquatic environments, including drowning, slips, and falls, and to ensure that all facilities meet rigorous safety requirements during the design phase.
By integrating these established guidelines, Royal Life Saving aims to promote a proactive approach to safety and inclusivity in facility planning. Many past incidents and design oversights have highlighted the importance of considering these factors early in the construction process. This service helps address potential hazards and accessibility issues before they become costly or dangerous problems.
The assessment service reflects Royal Life Saving's commitment to reducing preventable accidents and fostering a culture of safety in the community. It underscores the organisation's broader mission to save lives and promote safe aquatic practices across Australia by influencing how facilities are designed and operated.
100+
Assessments Conducted
10,000+
Hours Assessing Facilities
130
Years of Service
Service Overview
The Royal Life Saving Facility Design Assessment is a service developed to ensure the safety and inclusivity of aquatic facilities through expert evaluation of both design plans and completed builds. By leveraging industry standards and guidelines, the assessment provides critical insights into potential safety risks and accessibility challenges, helping facility operators create environments that are secure and welcoming to all users.
The service focuses on identifying flaws in both the design and construction phases, promoting best practices to address safety and compliance issues early. This comprehensive approach not only enhances the safety of aquatic environments but also ensures facilities meet the highest standards of accessibility and user experience from planning to completion.
Benefits of the Service
A Facility Design Assessment through Royal Life Saving can result in many benefits, including:
Identification and resolution of hazards and non-compliant elements
Effective prevention of injury and illness
Enhanced usability of an aquatic facility
Improved productivity and reduced costs
Better prediction and management of operational costs over the lifecycle of an aquatic facility
Greater visibility to pool space through a reduction in visual barriers and ‘blind spots’ and subsequently, a reduction in the number of qualified staff required
How does it work?
Planning
We work with the Aquatic Facility to understand its specific needs
Assessment
Our highly qualified and experienced team conduct the Assessment
Evaluation
Performance is evaluated against regulation, standards and best practice
Reporting
A comprehensive report if provided with findings and recommendations
Some of our recent clients
Grafton Olympic Pool
Goulburn Aquatic Centre
Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre
Oran Park Aquatic Centre
Port Maquarie Aquatic Facility
Tara Aquatic Centre
Inverell Shire Council
Waves Aquatic and Leisure Centre
Parramatta City Council
