Pool Gas Heater & Heat Pump Install SWMS

Pool gas heater and heat pump installation covers the installation of pool heating — installing gas pool heaters and electric heat pumps to heat the pool water, with their gas, electrical and refrigerant connections. It combines the heating installation with the relevant hazards: a gas heater is gas work with leak, combustion and flueing hazards carried out by a licensed gasfitter, and a heat pump is electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician with refrigerant considerations, both connected into the pool circulation. This document is written on the basis that pool heating installation is carried out with the gas, electrical, refrigerant and connection controls in place, by the appropriate licensed trades.

Pool gas heater installation is carried out to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 by a licensed gasfitter, with leak testing, combustion and ventilation and flueing, and pool heat pump installation involves electrical work by a licensed electrician to AS/NZS 3000 with the pool electrical and bonding requirements, and the refrigerant managed. The gas hazards, the electrical work, the refrigerant, and the connection into the pool are the considerations. This document coordinates the gas, electrical, refrigerant and connection controls so the pool heating is installed safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1Administrative: have any gas work carried out by a licensed gasfitter to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022, with leak testing, combustion testing and ventilation and flueing for the gas appliance.
2. 2Administrative: have the gas heater installed with correct combustion, ventilation and flueing to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022, managing the carbon monoxide and combustion hazard, by the licensed gasfitter.
3. 3Administrative: have all electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician to AS/NZS 3000, including the pool electrical zones, equipotential bonding and residual current device protection, with the supply isolated for the work.
4. 4Administrative: manage the refrigerant in the heat pump by competent refrigerant-handling personnel, and apply the pool electrical bonding and zones to the equipment to AS/NZS 3000.
5. 5Engineering: connect the heater or heat pump into the pool circulation managing the water and pressure, isolating before the connection.
6. 6Engineering: manage hot surfaces and heated water against burns, and use mechanical aids for the heater or heat pump.
7. 7Administrative: do not carry out unlicensed gas or electrical work, and commission the heating, confirming the gas, electrical and connection are safe.
8. 8Administrative: all workers must hold a valid White Card (General Construction Induction Training, CPCCWHS1001), with the pool-construction, plumbing, electrical, gasfitting, confined space and any other competencies and licences required for the work.
9. 9Administrative: conduct a pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, isolations, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
10. 10Administrative: consult workers and any health and safety representatives on the work and its risks, record the consultation, and keep this document available at the workplace.
11. 11PPE: eye protection to AS/NZS 1337.1, hearing protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, high-visibility clothing, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
12. 12Administrative: review and update this SWMS whenever the work scope changes, after any incident or near miss, when a worker or health and safety representative raises a concern, when new hazards are identified, or at minimum every 12 months.
13. 13Administrative: ensure each part of the work is carried out by the appropriately licensed or competent person — pool builder, licensed plumber, licensed electrician and licensed gasfitter as relevant — under the applicable state or territory licensing scheme, with compliance certification where required.

Applicable Codes of Practice

Worked example

The appropriate licensed trades are engaged to install a gas pool heater and an electric heat pump. The gas heater work is carried out to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 by a licensed gasfitter, with leak testing, combustion testing and correct ventilation and flueing, managing the carbon monoxide and combustion hazard. The heat pump electrical work is carried out by a licensed electrician to AS/NZS 3000, including the pool electrical zones, equipotential bonding and residual current device protection, with the supply isolated. The refrigerant in the heat pump is managed by competent refrigerant-handling personnel, and the pool electrical bonding and zones applied to the equipment. The heater and heat pump are connected into the pool circulation managing the water and pressure, isolating before the connection. Hot surfaces and heated water are managed against burns, and mechanical aids used. Unlicensed gas or electrical work is not carried out. The heating is commissioned, confirming the gas, electrical and connection are safe, and the records retained.

Related legislation

• Model Work Health and Safety Act — primary duty of care; the duty to consult workers; the reckless-conduct offence; and notifiable-incident provisions, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations — Section 291 high risk construction work and the SWMS preparation and review duties, and the excavation, confined space and electrical provisions where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• The swimming pool safety standards AS 1926.1, AS 1926.2 and AS 1926.3, the electrical Wiring Rules AS/NZS 3000, the plumbing and drainage standards AS/NZS 3500, AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 for gas, and the hazardous chemicals and silica requirements, are called up by the relevant building, plumbing, electrical, gas and safety legislation, together with the National Construction Code and local council requirements.
• Pool construction, plumbing, electrical and gasfitting work is licensed under each state and territory's licensing schemes, with electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician and gas work by a licensed gasfitter, and compliance certification required for notifiable work; pool safety barrier requirements apply under state and territory pool-safety laws.
• Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, with the high risk construction work, excavation, confined space and electrical provisions applying in place of the model instruments.

Frequently asked questions