.png)
Talking Pools Podcast
If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.
Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact.
Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day. And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities.
Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster. That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.
If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird.
Talking Pools Podcast
Airbnbs, Fences, and Flow Rates — Yes, You’re Doing It Wrong.
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Mondays Down Under – Understanding Pool & Spa Standards in Australia & New Zealand
This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee and Shane dive into a topic that every pool and spa professional thinks they understand—until they don’t: standards, regulations, and the rules that actually govern your work on both sides of the Tasman.
From fencing laws to suction entrapment prevention, from dangerous goods handling to new fiberglass standards, this episode breaks down exactly what service technicians, retail pros, and builders need to know to stay compliant, stay safe, and avoid being on the wrong side of an inspector—or worse, an accident.
What Lee & Shane Cover This Episode:
- Why even Airbnbs and bed-and-breakfast pools count as commercial pools in most regions
- The most commonly used Australian standard: AS 1926 (safety barriers, location, and recirculation systems)
- How New Zealand’s rules differ—and where they mirror Australia
- The growing crackdown on inflatable, portable, and pop-up pools in New Zealand
- Real-world stories of councils interpreting rules their own way
- The often-ignored but critical AS 1926.3 standard: suction fittings, skimmer boxes, and entrapment prevention
- Suction cover flow-rate differences between brands like Waterco and Spa Electrics—and how choosing the wrong replacement can create a hazard
- Why every technician needs to match pump selection to compliant flow-rate limits
- Old but still referenced: the private pool water quality standard AS 3633 and its upcoming rewrite
- Where water quality rules actually come from (hint: your state health guidelines)
- Dangerous goods standards including:
- AS 3780 – storage and handling of corrosive substances
- AS/NZS 3833 – mixed classes of dangerous goods (recently updated to 2024)
- Additional niche standards builders and installers should know:
- AS/NZS 1477 – PVC pressure pipes & fittings
- AS 3634 – solar heating systems
- AS 5348 – pool covers
- The massive update to the fiberglass pool installation standard:
- Former AS/NZS 1838:1994 → now AS/NZS 1839:2025
- Why SPASA is currently seeking industry feedback for the new concrete pool standard under development
The Big Message:
If you work on a pool—service, retail, install, or build—you need to know the standards that govern your work. They protect your customer, and they protect you.
Links & Mentions:
- SPASA contact for contributing to the new concrete pool standard: ben@spasa.com.au
- Check your state health guidelines for water-quality requirements
- Remember: Commercial pool rules apply to Airbnb, holiday rentals, and any property where someone is paying to stay—whether the pool is big, small, or inflatable.
Have a Question for Lee & Shane?
Send your suggestions, questions, or episode ideas to:
📩 talkingpools@gmail.com
Thanks for listening to Mondays Down Under! Stay safe, stay compliant, and stay curious.
We’ll catch you next week!
Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:
Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com
