Every pool in Port Stephens should have a non-slip surround. More specifically, every pool surround should meet the slip resistance requirements of Australian Standard AS 4663:2013, the benchmark for wet area walking surfaces in Australia.
If your pool surround is old, smooth, stained or slippery, it may not meet this standard. More importantly, it may be a genuine safety hazard, and in the event of a slip and fall at a pool, property owners can face significant liability.
This guide explains what AS 4663:2013 requires, how to know if your surround meets it, and how resurfacing achieves and maintains compliance.
What Is AS 4663:2013?
AS 4663:2013 deals with the slip resistance of pedestrian surfaces that are already in place, which is what matters when you are assessing a pool surround you already own.
It sits alongside AS 4586 rather than replacing it: AS 4586 classifies new pedestrian surface materials before they are installed, while AS 4663 covers the measurement of existing surfaces in situ. Both are referenced by the National Construction Code and various state building regulations for determining when a surface is acceptably slip-resistant. For an existing pool surround, AS 4663 is the relevant one.
The standard uses two principal test methods:
The Wet Pendulum Test (WPT), measures the dynamic coefficient of friction of a surface when wet, using a pendulum device with a rubber slider. Results are expressed as a P classification:
- P0 to P2: Very low to low slip resistance, NOT appropriate for wet areas
- P3: Moderate slip resistance, appropriate for some wet areas
- P4: High slip resistance, required for wet barefoot areas including pool surrounds
- P5: Very high slip resistance, appropriate for high-risk wet areas
The Ramp Test (R classification), measures slip resistance on a ramp using oil as the lubricant. For wet barefoot areas, a minimum R11 classification is required. Pool surrounds should achieve R11 or R12.
For pool surrounds specifically: AS 4663:2013 in combination with the NCC and relevant state pool safety regulations requires a minimum P4 (wet pendulum) or R11 (ramp test) classification for wet barefoot areas like pool surrounds.
Why Pool Surrounds Lose Their Non-Slip Rating
New pool surrounds, when installed, typically have adequate slip resistance built into the surface texture. Over time, several processes erode this:
Sealer buildup: Multiple layers of sealer applied over the years can build up on the surface, filling the micro-texture that provides grip. A thick sealer layer on an old pool surround can create a relatively smooth surface over what was originally a textured one.
Chlorine attack: Chlorine from pool water gradually breaks down the binders in surface coatings and sealers. As the sealer degrades, the surface becomes uneven, often with a mix of rough exposed areas and smooth sealed areas that creates unpredictable friction rather than consistent grip.
UV degradation: UV breaks down organic binders in surface coatings, leaving a smooth, polished-looking surface in extreme cases.
Organic contamination: Algae, biofilm and mineral deposits can build up on unsealed or poorly sealed pool surrounds, creating an extremely slippery surface particularly when wet.
Wear and polishing: High-traffic areas of pool surrounds, the areas immediately adjacent to the pool edge, steps and ladders, can be polished smooth by repeated foot traffic, particularly in abrasive environments.
Any of these processes, individually or in combination, can reduce a pool surround’s P classification to P3 or below, below the requirement for wet barefoot areas.
Testing Your Pool Surround
The only definitive way to know if your pool surround meets AS 4663:2013 is to have it formally tested. However, some practical indicators:
Wet tile test: Wet the surface thoroughly and walk on it barefoot. If you feel any instability or slippage, even slight, the surface is likely below P4.
Surface observation: Run your hand across the wet surface. If it feels smooth (like wet tiles), it probably doesn’t meet the requirement. If it feels textured (like wet sandpaper), it likely does.
Age and condition: Old brushed concrete that hasn’t been touched in 20 years is very likely below P4, the original surface texture has been polished by use, salt and weather. Old pebblecrete may retain some grip but the rough pebble edges that provided grip become blunted and the cement erodes away.
If you have any doubt about whether your pool surround meets the slip resistance requirement, assume it doesn’t and get it addressed.
How Resurfacing Achieves AS 4663:2013 Compliance
When a pool surround is resurfaced, a non-slip aggregate finish goes into the topcoat as standard. The aggregate creates micro-texture in the final surface that provides consistent slip resistance in the wet-barefoot-area range (P4 or better in the wet pendulum test).
The process:
- Surface preparation, Clean the existing surface, remove old sealer buildup, treat any slippery organic growth
- Overlay application, Apply the cementitious overlay to create a fresh, even surface
- Aggregate incorporation, Fine silica or aluminium oxide aggregate is broadcast into the topcoat sealer before it cures, or incorporated into the overlay itself, creating consistent texture throughout the surface
- Sealer application, A UV-stable, chlorine-resistant sealer locks the aggregate in place and provides the ongoing protective layer
The result: a pool surround with consistent, tested-level slip resistance that won’t wear off quickly because the aggregate is a permanent part of the surface system rather than a simple coating.
Typical Wet Classifications by Surface Type
Different pool surround materials sit in different places on the P scale before any anti-slip treatment is added. These are the classifications each material type typically achieves when tested wet; they indicate what to expect, they are not a substitute for testing your own surface.
| Material | Typical wet classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth glazed ceramic tile | P1, P2 | Dangerously slippery when wet; needs replacing or overlaying |
| Old, worn pebblecrete | P2, P3 | Degrades with age as the cement matrix erodes |
| New pebblecrete (sand seeded) | P4, P5 | Good inherent slip resistance |
| Brushed or broom-finished concrete | P3, P4 | Depends on the aggregate and the brush texture |
| Exposed aggregate overlay | P4, P5 | Good inherent slip resistance |
| Spray-on overlay with no aggregate | P2, P3 | May not reach P4 without an anti-slip additive |
| Spray-on overlay plus anti-slip aggregate | P4, P5 | Appropriate for pool surrounds |
| Epoxy with aluminium oxide broadcast | P5 | Commercial pool surrounds |
Four Ways to Reach P4 When Resurfacing
When resurfacing a Port Stephens pool surround, specify a system that will get to P4. The reliable approaches:
Option 1: exposed aggregate spray-on overlay. The aggregate exposed at the surface provides inherent friction. River pebble and quartz systems consistently reach P4 with no additional anti-slip additive.
Option 2: spray-on overlay plus aggregate broadcast. Apply the overlay normally, then broadcast fine quartz or aluminium oxide into the wet topcoat before it cures. Aluminium oxide reliably reaches P5; fine quartz typically reaches P4.
Option 3: new pebblecrete. Seeded pebble aggregate in a cement matrix reaches P4 to P5 inherently, and it is a familiar, well-proven choice for Port Stephens pools. See our guide to pebblecrete pool surrounds.
Option 4: epoxy with aggregate. For commercial pool surrounds such as hotels and holiday parks, a two-pack epoxy with an aluminium oxide broadcast reaches P5 and resists pool chemicals well.
Getting a Compliance Certificate
For owners who need documented proof of slip resistance:
- Specify the target in the quote. Ask the resurfacing contractor to state the target P classification and the system that will achieve it.
- Have the finished surface tested. Engage an accredited slip resistance tester to run the wet pendulum test after the work is complete.
- Receive the certificate. The tester issues a written certificate showing the pendulum test value achieved and the resulting P classification.
- Keep it on file with your property records. For a commercial property it forms part of the work health and safety file.
Accredited testers work across the Hunter and can be coordinated as part of a resurfacing project. A single-site pendulum test with a written certificate typically costs $300 to $600, a minor cost relative to the work it certifies.
Retest every 5-7 years, or whenever the surface condition changes noticeably. Areas with heavy traffic, such as step entry points and outside shower areas, wear faster than the main deck, and even a thin film of algae reduces slip resistance sharply.
NSW Pool Safety Regulations and Liability
Under NSW pool safety regulations (enforced through local councils), pool barriers must comply with the Swimming Pools Act 1992. While slip resistance of the surround itself isn’t explicitly mandated in the legislation (pool fencing is the primary focus), slip resistance is addressed through the building code and creates liability exposure for property owners.
For holiday home and Airbnb owners specifically: If a guest slips on your pool surround, your public liability insurer will investigate the surface condition. A slippery, degraded pool surround that doesn’t meet slip resistance requirements can affect a liability claim. Ensuring your pool surround meets AS 4663:2013 is both a safety measure and a liability management measure.
For property sales: During conveyancing in NSW, a valid swimming pool compliance certificate is required for most property sales with a pool. While the certificate primarily addresses fencing, a thorough inspection may note an unsafe pool surround condition.
Pool Surrounds in Port Stephens, Specific Challenges
The combination of chlorine, salt air and UV in Port Stephens creates slip resistance challenges that are more pronounced than inland NSW:
- Chlorine attacks binders faster, Coastal pool surrounds need chlorine-resistant formulations or the aggregate-holding sealer degrades faster
- Salt air contributes to surface breakdown, The same salt crystallisation process that affects driveways also works on pool surrounds
- UV breaks down sealers at coastal rates, Maintaining the sealer that locks aggregate in place requires coastal-rated formulations
Chlorine-resistant, UV-stable, coastal-rated products are the standard specification for a Port Stephens pool surround. This is not an optional extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
My pool surround was done 5 years ago. Does it still meet the standard? Possibly. It depends on the product used, the quality of installation, and what it’s been exposed to. If the surface still has visible texture, no visible sealer breakdown, and feels grippy when wet and barefoot, it may still be compliant. If the sealer has degraded, the surface has been polished by use, or there are slippery patches, it likely needs assessment.
Are pebblecrete surrounds compliant? Old pebblecrete in good condition typically provides adequate non-slip texture because the pebbles create grip. However, as pebblecrete ages, the cement between pebbles erodes, pebbles become loose, and the surface can become rough and uneven in ways that are uncomfortable and occasionally slippery. Deteriorated pebblecrete should be assessed, and often resurfaced.
Do I need to tell my insurer if my pool surround doesn’t meet the standard? It’s worth discussing your specific situation with your insurer. Generally, property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions. An obviously unsafe pool surround could affect public liability coverage.
How long does a resurfaced compliant pool surround stay compliant? With quality products and proper maintenance (regular cleaning, sealer renewal at 5-8 years), a resurfaced pool surround should maintain P4 slip resistance for 10-15 years. The aggregate texture is a permanent part of the surface; what needs maintenance is the sealer that protects it.
Does resurfacing require council approval? Resurfacing an existing pool surround in place generally doesn’t require council approval in NSW, it’s maintenance/repair of an existing structure. If you’re significantly changing the layout or adding to the pool area, check with your local council.
Is my existing pool surround required by law to comply? For older private residential pools there is no retrospective mandatory requirement to meet current classifications. The duty of care owed to visitors and guests under common law still applies, and for commercial properties and holiday rentals the classification should be treated as effectively mandatory from a liability point of view.
How do I know what classification my existing pool surround achieves? The only way to know with certainty is a wet pendulum test by an accredited tester. A visual or touch assessment is indicative only. Old pebblecrete that has worn smooth can feel adequate underfoot and still test below P4.
My pool surround is old pebblecrete. Does it need replacing, or can it be resurfaced? If it is structurally sound, no cracking, no hollow areas, aggregate still well embedded, old pebblecrete can usually be resurfaced with a new pebblecrete or exposed aggregate overlay and brought back to P4. That is substantially cheaper than replacement.
Can I test slip resistance myself? Not formally; the pendulum test needs the equipment and an accredited operator. Wetting the surface and walking it barefoot gives you a useful practical sense of whether it is dangerously slippery, but for documentation you need an accredited tester.