PERSPEX® Pool Guards
Posted on 13 December 2018
As a home owner, you are responsible for maintaining your pool barriers and meeting the City of Gold Coast Pool Fencing Regulations and safety Standards. Failure to comply with new legislation can result in fines of up to $20K.
We can supply PERSPEX® or LEXAN sheet product in flat sheet or bent, to bring your existing Pool Fencing up to the required standards.
There are two types of materials that are approved and can be used on POOL Fence Guards. PERSPEX® Sheet (Acrylic) & LEXAN Sheet (Polycarbonate).
PERSPEX® sheet is the most widely used material for POOL Fence Guards to meet the strict standards laid down by the Gold Coast City Council & Queensland Building & Construction Commission Safety Standards.
Thickness is normally 3mm thick clear but for larger areas 4.5mm thick material may be needed — talk to us and we can advise.
PERSPEX® Pool Guards have an impact strength 17 times stronger than glass, has excellent UV resistance and can be made into virtually any shape. PERSPEX® will crack under severe impact, but will not shatter like glass.
LEXAN Polycarbonate is sold under the trade name of LEXAN and has a superior impact strength of up to 250 times that of glass, it is fire resistant & mechanically a lot stronger but more flexible material.
UV Light Resistance & Clarity
LEXAN Polycarbonate has a UV protected film on both sides of the sheet which gives a guaranteed 10 years of service outdoors whereas PERSPEX® is guaranteed for 30 years as it has in-built UV stabilisers within the material. LEXAN Polycarbonate sheet has 89% light transmission compared to 92% for PERSPEX®.
Machine Cutting
Both materials can be cut with conventional jig-saws, routers and panel saws. The material must always be laid flat on a surface and be well supported. PERSPEX® can be cut on a Laser Machine leaving polished edge or router cut whereas LEXAN Polycarbonate can only be cut using jig saws, routers & panel saws.
Drilling / Installation
When drilling into PERSPEX® or LEXAN Polycarbonate, use a drill with a tip that has been ground to give a neutral rake at the cutting edge. Always have the material well supported. Do not place holes too close to the edge. DO NOT POP RIVET PERSPEX® sheet — it will crack. Always drill an oversize hole and use a roofing screw with a rubber washer. Do not over tighten.
Cleaning
Both materials are easily cleaned using a 100% cotton cloth or microfiber and simple soapy water. Water based window cleaners such as WINDEX are ideal. Do not use any organic solvent based cleaners on these materials as they will attack the surface causing damage.
Price
LEXAN Polycarbonate sheet is approximately 35% more expensive than a PERSPEX® sheet of the same size and thickness — however, where you would use 4.5mm thick PERSPEX®, you can use 3mm thick LEXAN Polycarbonate.