Media Release
From the Building Commissioner
14 January 2010
Stay on the ball with safe household basketball rings
With thousands of children across Victoria expected to shoot hoops over the summer holidays,
homeowners should check the safety of household basketball rings.
Many suburban backyards may have basketball rings and backboards mounted on a single
thickness of brickwork above garage doors, which could be an accident waiting to happen, or
even worse a death trap.
This is because a single brick construction is easily disturbed and more at risk of collapse.
Building Commission guidelines state that you should not fix any ring/backboard on any single
skin of brickwork.
This is one of nine guidelines developed for the installation and safe use of basketball rings.
While the guidelines do make the home environment safer for backyard basketball, safety also
relies heavily on the homeowner. The installation of a ring/backboard is only safe if parents tell
children never to hang or swing off a basketball ring.
Similarly, homeowners should ensure the basketball ring/backboard is well maintained as they
can deteriorate over time. The constant bouncing of basketballs on the backboard and ring
loosens bolts and screws over time.
If you are in doubt about structural soundness – contact your local building surveyor or consult a
structural engineer. Your local registered builder can also provide advice.
Other recommendations include:
Not using any ring/backboard mounted on any brickwork until it is checked for
safety.
Fixing a backboard and ring to a hot dip galvanised steel post – 90mm X
90mm with a 5mm thickness. The post should be set at least 800mm into a
concrete footing 500mm X 500mm by 1 metre deep.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions when installing a basketball ring.
Ensuring that water does not pond at the post – especially in saltwater or
seaside locations.
For a copy of the guidelines for the safe installation of basketball rings, contact the Building
NEWS 
