Fluidra Commercial expands offering with new accessibility consulting service

Following Fluidra Commercial team member Natsuki Murata’s recent achievement of a Certificate IV in Access Consulting, the company has now introduced the offering of accessibility consultation.

This provides an added layer of expertise for clients looking to enhance the accessibility of their aquatic facilities.

The new consulting service complements Fluidra’s SR Smith range of aquatic access products, which includes pool lifts and accessibility hoists designed for patrons with a disability. With Murata’s dual expertise as a qualified engineer with formal access consulting training, Fluidra can now deliver a unique, end-to-end accessibility solution – from product supply to professional design and compliance advice.

“The beauty of being both an engineer and a qualified access consultant is that I can do more than audit assess compliance – I can design practical, tailored solutions,” Murata says.

“Standalone access consultants typically aren’t authorised to make design changes, and even recommending modifications can be a grey area. My dual background helps bridge the gap between compliance requirements and technical design. It allows me to work more closely with designers and installers to ensure accessibility is considered at every stage with our access products” she says.

Fluidra Commercial general manager Jeremy Smith says that accessibility is a core part of modern aquatic facility design.

“With Natsuki’s qualifications and engineering background, we’re now offering a truly comprehensive service to support inclusive access across new builds and retrofits – particularly for local governments, swim schools and public pool operators.”

The accessibility consultation service will assist architects, engineers, councils and facility managers in ensuring compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and universal design principles.

“Whether in the early planning stages or reviewing existing facilities, Fluidra now provides expert, design-led guidance to help maximise inclusivity and usability for all patrons,” says Smith.

Fluidra will also soon relaunch its custom rails service, with Murata available to review consultant or architectural drawings and suggest fit-for-purpose rail designs tailored to client needs.