Swimming pool

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the 2003 film, see Swimming Pool (film).

A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or

simply a pool, is an artificially enclosed body of water
intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There
are many standard sizes; the largest and deepest is the
Olympic size. A pool can be built either above or in the
ground, and from materials such as metal, plastic or
concrete.

Pools that may be used by many people or by the general

public are called public, while pools used exclusively by a Backyard swimming pool
few people or in a home are called private. Many health
clubs, fitness centers and private clubs have public pools
used mostly for exercise. Many hotels and massage parlors have public pools for relaxation. Hot tubs
and spas are pools with hot water, used for relaxation or therapy, and are common in homes, hotels,
clubs and massage parlors. Swimming pools are also used for diving, other sports, and training of
lifeguards and astronauts.

Pools must be sanitized to prevent growth and spread of bacteria, viruses, algae and insect larvae that
can cause disease. This is done by using filters and chemical disinfectants such as chlorine, bromine
or mineral sanitizers.

History
Contents
The "great bath" at the site of Mohenjo-Daro
„ 1 History was most likely dug during the 3rd
„ 1.1 Swimming pool records millennium BC. This pool is 12 by 7 meters,
„ 2 Dimensions is lined with bricks and was covered with a
„ 3 Types tar-based sealant.[1]
„ 3.1 Private pools
„ 3.2 Public pools Ancient Greeks and Romans built artificial
„ 3.3 Competition pools pools for athletic training in the palaestras,
„ 3.4 Exercise pools for nautical games and for military exercises.
„ 3.5 Hot tubs and spa pools Roman emperors had private swimming
„ 3.6 Ocean pools pools in which fish were also kept, hence one
„ 3.7 Infinity pools of the Latin words for a pool, piscina. The
„ 4 Other uses first heated swimming pool was built by
„ 5 Sanitation Gaius Maecenas of Rome in the first century
„ 6 Winterization
BC. Gaius Maecenas was a rich Roman lord
„ 6.1 Closing vinyl and fibreglass pools
and considered one of the first patrons of
„ 6.2 Covers
„ 6.2.1 Pool cover automation arts.[2]
„ 6.2.2 Pool cover materials
„ 7 Safety Ancient Sinhalese built pairs of pools called
„ 8 Dress code "Kuttam Pokuna" in the kingdom of
„ 9 See also Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka in 4th century BC.
Those were decorated with flights of steps,
 punkalas or pots of abundance and scroll
„ 10 References
„ 11 External links design.[3]
Swimming pools became popular in Britain
in the mid 19th century. By 1837, six indoor pools with diving boards were built in London,
England.[4] After the modern Olympic Games began in 1896 and included swimming races, the
popularity of swimming pools began to spread (reference: Encyclopedia Britannica). In 1839,
Oxford had its first major public indoor pool at Temple Cowley, and swimming began to take off.
The Amateur Swimming Association was founded in 1869 in England,[5] and the Oxford Swimming
Club in 1909 with its home at Temple Cowley Pool.[6] The presence of indoor baths in the cobbled
area of Merton Street, London may have persuaded the less hardy of the aquatic brigade to join. So,
bathers gradually became swimmers, and bathing pools swimming pools.

In the USA, the Racquet Club of Philadelphia clubhouse

(1907) boasts one of the world's first modern above-ground
swimming pools. The first swimming pool to go to sea on
an ocean liner was installed on the White Star Line's
Adriatic in 1907.[7]
After World War I and the departure of "Long John" style
swimming costumes, interest in competitive swimming
grew. Standards improved and training became essential.
Deep Eddy Pool, built in 1915, is the
Home swimming pools became popular in the USA after oldest concrete swimming pool in
World War II and the publicity given to swimming sports Texas, United States
by Hollywood films like Esther Williams Million Dollar
Mermaid made a home pool a desirable status symbol.
More than 50 years later, the home or residential swimming pool is ubiquitous and even the smallest
world nations enjoy a thriving swimming pool industry (e.g. New Zealand pop. 4,116,900 [Source
NZ Census 7 March 2006] - holds the record in pools per capita with 65,000 home swimming pools
and 125,000 spa pools).

Swimming pool records

One of the largest swimming pools ever built

was reputedly in Moscow after the Palace of
Soviets remained uncompleted. The foundations
were converted into an open air swimming pool
after the process of de-Stalinisation.[8] After the
fall of communism, Christ the Saviour Cathedral
was re-built (it had originally been on the site)
between 1995 and 2000.

According to the Guinness World Records, the

largest swimming pool in the world is San
Alfonso del Mar Seawater pool in Algarrobo,
Open air swimming pool 'Moscow' (1980)
Chile. It is 1,013 m (3,324 ft) long and has an
area of 8 ha (20 acres). It was completed in
December 2006.[9]
The largest indoor wave pool in North America is at the West Edmonton Mall and the largest indoor
pool is at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab in the Sonny Carter Training Facility at NASA JSC in Houston.
[10][11] The recreational diving center Nemo 33 near Brussels, Belgium is home to the world's
deepest swimming pool. The pool has two large flat-bottomed areas at depth levels of 5 m (16 ft) and
10 m (32 ft), and a large circular pit descending to a depth of 33 m (108 ft).[12]
The Fleishhacker Pool in San Francisco, California was the largest swimming pool in the United
States. Opened on 23 April 1925, it measured 300 m by 45 m (1,000 ft by 150 ft) and was so large
that the lifeguards required kayaks for patrol. It was closed in 1971 due to low patronage.[13]

Dimensions
Length

Most pools in the world are measured in metres, but in the United States pools are almost always
measured in feet and yards. In the United Kingdom most pools are in metres, but older pools
measured in yards still exist. In the US pools tend to either be 25 yards (SCY-short course yards), 25
metres (SCM-short course metres) or 50 metres (long course). US high schools and the NCAA
conduct short course (25 yards) competition. There also exist many pools 33⅓ m long, so that 3
lengths = 100 m. This is sometimes jokingly referred to as "inter-course". This pool dimension is
commonly used to accommodate water polo.

USA Swimming (USA-S) swims in both metric and non-

metric pools. However, the international standard is metres,
and world records are only recognized when swum in 50 m
pools (or 25 m for short course). In general, the shorter the
pool, the faster the time for the same distance, since the
swimmer gains speed from pushing off the wall after each
turn at the end of the pool.

Width
A boy in a shallow children's pool.
Most European pools are between 10 m and 50 m wide.

Depth

The depth of a swimming pool depends on the purpose of the pool, and whether it is open to the
public or strictly for private use. If it is a private casual, relaxing pool, it may go from 1.0 m to 2.0 m
(3 to 7 feet) deep. If it is a public pool designed for diving, it may slope from 3.0 to 5.0 m (10 to 16
feet) in the deep end. A children's play pool may be from 30 cm to 1.2 m (1 to 4 feet) deep. Most
public pools have differing depths to accommodate different swimmer requirements. In many
jurisdictions, it is a requirement to show the water depth with clearly marked depths affixed to the
pool walls.

Types
Private pools

Private pools are usually smaller than public pools, on

average 16' x 32' (4.8m x 9.6 m) to 20' x 40' (6m x 12 m)
whereas public pools usually start at 80 0" (25.0m). Home
pools can be permanently built-in, or be assembled above
ground and disassembled after summer. Privately owned outdoor pools in backyards or gardens
started to proliferate in the 1950s in regions with warm
summer climates, particularly in the United States. In some
warm-weather US locations, such as Florida and Arizona,
home pools are so common that it is rare to find a new
house being built without a pool being considered in the
design.

Private pools are increasingly a feature of homes in greater

latitudes. For example, in London many larger homes are
now refurbished with indoor pools, usually in the basement
or in a conservatory. In some European cities, including A Private Swimming pool
Munich, it is relatively common for people living in older
properties to convert existing internal motorcar garages into
indoor pool areas.

Construction methods for private pools vary greatly. The

main types of in-ground pools are concrete, vinyl liner, and
fiberglass. Above-ground pools (also called "on-ground
pools") are usually cheaper to build. They are especially
popular in places where ground freezing makes excavation
difficult and threatens damage to the pool structure.

Inexpensive temporary PVC pools can be bought in

supermarkets and taken down after summer. They are used Rooftop pool in Manhattan.
mostly outdoors in yards, are typically shallow, and often
their sides are inflated with air to stay rigid. When finished,
the water and air can be let out and this type of pool can be
folded up for convenient storage. They are regarded in the
swimming pool industry as "splasher" pools intended for
cooling off and amusing toddlers and children, not for
swimming.

Some people use hot tubs and spas at home to soak their
bodies in water for recreation and therapeutic reasons.

Many toys are available for children and other people to

A small inflatable "splasher" pool
play with in pool water. They are often blown up with air
so they are soft but still reasonably rugged, and can float in
water.

Many countries now have strict pool fencing laws for private swimming pools, which require pool
areas to be isolated so that unauthorized children younger than six years cannot enter. Many
countries require a similar level of protection for the children residing in or visiting the house,
although many pool owners prefer the visual aspect of the pool in close proximity to their living
areas, and will not provide this level of protection. There is no general consensus between states or
countries on the requirements to fence private swimming pools, and in many places they are not
required at all, particularly in rural settings.

Public pools

Public pools are often found as part of a larger leisure

centre or recreational complex. These centres often have
more than one pool, such as an indoor heated pool, an
outdoor saltwater or unheated chlorinated pool, a shallower
children's pool, and a paddling pool for toddlers and
infants. There may also be a sauna and one or more hot
tubs or spa pools ("jacuzzis").

Public pools may belong to a hotel or holiday resort, as an

amenity for the recreation of their guests. If a pool is in a
separate building, the building is called a "natatorium". The
building sometimes also has facilities for related activities,
such as a diving tank. Outdoor pools are common in Inner tubes in a swimming pool.
warmer climates. Larger pools sometimes have a diving
board affixed at one edge above the water. Diving pools
should be deep enough that divers are not injured.

Many public swimming pools are rectangles 25 m or 50 m long, but may be any size and shape
desired. There are also elaborate pools with artificial waterfalls, fountains, splash pads, wave
machines, varying depths of water, bridges, and island bars.

There are often lockers for clothing and other belongings. The lockers often require a coin to be
inserted as deposit or payment. There are often showers ready for use - sometimes mandatory -
before and/or after swimming.

Wading pools are shallow bodies of water intended for use by small children, usually in parks.
Concrete wading pools come in many shapes, traditionally rectangle, square or circle. They are filled
and drained daily due to lack of a filter system. Staff chlorinate the water to ensure health and safety
standards.

Competition pools

Federation Internationale de la Natation (FINA,

International Swimming Federation) sets widely recognized
standards for competition pools: 25 m (~82 feet) or 50 m
(~164 feet) long and at least 1.35 m (~4.4 feet) deep.
Competition pools are generally indoors and heated to
enable their use all year round, and to more easily comply
with the regulations regarding temperature, lighting, and
Automatic Officiating Equipment and equipment.

An Olympic sized swimming pool (first used at the 1924

Olympics) is a pool that meets FINA's additional standards A simplified diagram of the FINA long
course swimming pool standard, used
for the Olympic Games and for world championship at the World Championships and
events. It must be 50 m (~164 feet) in length by 25 m (~82 Summer Olympics.
feet) wide, divided into eight lanes of 2.5 m (~8.2 feet)
each plus two areas of 2.5 m (~8.2 feet) at each side of the
pool. The water must be kept at 25–28°C (77-82.4°F) and
the lighting level at greater than 1500 lux. Depth must be at
least 2 m (~6.5 feet), and there are also regulations for color of lane rope, positioning of backstroke
flags (5 meters from each wall), and so on. Pools claimed to be "Olympic pools" do not always meet
these regulations, as FINA cannot police use of the term. Touchpads are mounted on both walls for
long course meets and each end for short course.
A pool may be referred to as fast or slow, depending on its
physical layout.[14] Some design considerations allow the
reduction of swimming resistance making the pool faster.
Namely, proper pool depth, elimination of currents,
increased lane width, energy absorbing racing lane lines
and gutters, and the use of other innovative hydraulic,
acoustic and illumination designs.

Exercise pools

In the last two decades, a new style of pool has gained The starting block of a competition
swimming pool; they were first used at
popularity. These consist of a small vessel (usually about the 1936 Summer Olympics.
2.5 m x 5 m) in which the swimmer swims in place, either
against the push of an artificially generated water current or
against the pull of restraining devices. These pools have several names, such as swim spas,
swimming machines, or swim systems. They are all examples of different modes of resistance
swimming.

Hot tubs and spa pools

Hot tubs and spa pools are common heated pools used for
relaxation and sometimes for therapy. Commercial spas are
common in the swimming pool area or sauna area of a
health club or fitness centre, in men's clubs, women's clubs,
motels and exclusive five star hotel suites. Spa clubs may
have very large pools, some segmented into increasing
temperatures. In Japan, men's clubs with many spas of
different size and temperature are common. Commercial
spas are generally made of concrete, with a mosaic tiled
interior. Hot tubs are typically made somewhat like a wine
barrel with straight sides, from wood such as Californian Indoor swimming pool with mineral
redwood held in place by metal hoops. Immersion of the water, Carolus Thermen, Aachen,
head is not recommended in spas or hot tubs due to a Germany
potential risk of underwater entrapment from the pump
suction forces. However commercial installations in many
countries must comply with various safety standards which reduce this risk considerably.

Home spas are a worldwide retail item in western countries since the 1980s, and are sold in
dedicated spa stores, pool shops, department stores, the Internet, and catalog sales books. They are
almost always made from heat-extruded acrylic sheet Perspex, often colored in marble look-alike
patterns. They rarely exceed 8 ft² (2,400mm²) and are typically 3 ft 6 in (1 m) deep, restricted by the
availability of the raw sheet sizes (typically manufactured in Japan). There is often a mid-depth
seating or lounging system, and contoured lounger style reclining seats are common. Upmarket spas
include various jet nozzles (massage, pulsating etc.), a drinks tray, lights, LCD flat-screen TV sets
and other features that make the pool a recreation center. Due to their family-oriented nature, home
spas are normally operated from 36°C to 39°C (97-102°F). Many pools are incorporated in a
redwood or simulated wood surround, and are termed "portable" as they may be placed on a patio
rather than sunken into a permanent location. Some portable spas are shallow and narrow enough to
fit sideways through a standard door and be used inside a room. Low power electric immersion
heaters are common with home spas.
Whirlpool tubs first became popular in America during the 1960s and 70's. A spa is also called a
"jacuzzi" in USA since the word became a generic after plumbing component manufacturer Jacuzzi
introduced the "Spa Whirlpool" in 1968. Air bubbles may be introduced into the nozzles via an air-
bleed venturi pump that combines cooler air with the incoming heated water to cool the pool if the
temperature rises uncomfortably high. Some spas have a constant stream of bubbles fed via the
seating area of the pool, or a footwell area. This is more common as a temperature control device
where the heated water comes from a natural (uncontrolled heat) geothermal source, rather than
artificially heated. Water temperature is usually very warm to hot — 38°C to 42°C (100 to 108 °F),
so bathers usually stay in for only 20 to 30 minutes. Bromine or mineral sanitizers are often
recommended as sanitizers for spas because chlorine dissipates at a high temperature thereby
heightening its strong chemical smell. Ozone is an effective bactericide and is commonly included in
the circulation system with cartridge filtration, but not with sand media filtration due to clogging
problems with turbid body fats.

Ocean pools

In the early 20th century, especially in Australia, ocean pools,

called lidos, were built typically on headlands by enclosing part of
the rock shelf, with water circulated through the pools by flooding
from tidal tanks or by regular flooding over the side of the pools at
high tide. There were often separate pools for women and men, or
the pool was open to the sexes at different times with a break for
bathers to come without fear of observation by the other sex.
Segregated changing sheds and showers were provided.[15] These
were the fore-runners of modern 'Olympic' pools. A variation was An Ocean pool at Coogee in
the later development of sea- or harbour-side pools that circulated Sydney, New South Wales,
sea water using pumps. A pool of this type was the training ground Australia
for Australian Olympian Dawn Fraser.

Infinity pools

An infinity pool (also named negative edge or vanishing edge pool) is a swimming pool which
produces a visual effect of water extending to the horizon, vanishing, or extending to "infinity".
Often, the water appears to fall into an ocean, lake, bay, or other similar body of water. The effect is
best captured in a pool where the liner color matches the body of water it is "falling" into.

Other uses
Swimming pools are also used for events such as synchronized
swimming, water polo and canoe polo as well as for teaching
diving and lifesaving techniques. They have also been used for specialist tasks such as teaching
water-ditching survival techniques for helicopter and submarine crews and astronaut training.
Round-cornered, irregular swimming pools, drained of water, were the first surfaces used for vertical
skateboarding.

Sanitation
Swimming pool water must be maintained at low levels of bacteria and viruses to prevent the spread
of diseases and pathogens between users. Bacteria, algae and insect larvae can also enter the pool
without help from swimmers, and cause disease to swimmers and
other people in the area.

Pumps and mechanical filters are often used to filter such

pathogens out of the water. Chemical disinfectants, such as
hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite (household bleach),
bromine, salt or mineral sanitizers, are used to make the water
inhospitable to pathogens. These substances also turn the water into
a faded blue/green color.[16]
The subprime mortgage crisis in the United States caused many
people to leave their homes without emptying their swimming
pools. This resulted in the pools turning green with algae and An astronaut prepares to
becoming mosquito breeding grounds in less than a week.[17] descend into a swimming pool

Winterization
In areas which reach freezing temperature, it is important to close a pool properly. This varies greatly
between inground and aboveground pools. By taking steps to properly secure the pool, it lessens the
likelihood that the superstructure will be damaged or compromised by freezing water.

Closing vinyl and fibreglass pools

In preparation for freezing temperatures, an in-ground

swimming pool's pipes must be emptied. An above-ground
pool should also be closed, so that ice does not drag down
the pool wall, collapsing its structure. The plumbing is
sealed with air, typically with rubber plugs, to prevent
cracking from freezing water. The pool is typically covered
to prevent leaves and other debris from falling in. The
cover is attached to the pool typically using a stretch cord,
similar to a bungee cord and hooks fitted into the pool
surround. The skimmer is closed off or a floating device is
placed into it to prevent it from completely freezing and A rolled up Thermal Bubble pool
cracking. Floating objects such as life rings or basketballs cover, used to reduce water loss from
can be placed in the pool to avoid its freezing under the evaporation and heat loss from the
pool.
cover. Drain plugs on the pool filter are removed after the
filter has been cleaned. The pool pump motor is taken
under cover. Winter chemicals are added to keep the pool clean.

In climates where there is no risk of freezing, closing down the pool for winter is not so important.
Typically, the thermal cover is removed and stored. Winter sunlight can create an algae mess when a
cover that has been left on all winter is removed. The pool is correctly pH-balanced and super-
chlorinated. One litre algaecide for every 50,000 litres of pool water should be added, and topped up
each month. The pool should be filtered for one to two hours daily to keep the automated
chlorination system active.

Covers

Swimming pool heating costs can be significantly reduced by using a pool cover. Use of a pool cover
also can help reduce the amount of chemicals (chlorine, etc) required by the pool. Outdoor pools
gain heat from the sun, absorbing 75%–85% of the solar energy striking the pool surface. Though a
cover decreases the total amount of solar heat absorbed by the pool, the cover eliminates heat loss
due to evaporation and reduces heat loss at night through its insulating properties.

The heating effectiveness of a cover depends on type. A transparent bubble cover is the most
effective, as it allows the largest amount of solar flux into the pool itself. A darker cover absorbs
more sunlight directly, allowing temperature to rise faster, but ultimately prevents the pool from
reaching as high a temperature as a clear cover.[18]

Pool cover automation

A pool cover can be either manually, semi-automatically,

or automatically operated. Manual covers can be folded and
stored in a convenient location. Pool cover reels can also be
used to help manually roll up the pool cover. The reel,
usually on wheels, can be rolled out of the way.

Semi-automatic covers use a motor-driven reel system.

They use electrical power to roll and unroll the cover, but
usually require someone to pull on the cover when
unrolling, or guide the cover onto the reel when rolling up Automatic Pool Cover
the cover. Semi-automatic covers can be built into the pool
deck surrounding the pool, or can use reels on carts.

Automatic covers have permanently mounted reels that automatically cover and uncover the pool at
the push of a button. They are the most expensive option, but are also the most convenient.

Some pool covers fit into tracks along the sides of the pool. This prevents anything or anybody from
getting into the pool. They even support the weight of several people. They can be run manually,
semi-automatically, or automatically. Safety covers may be required by inspectors for public pools.
[18]

Pool cover materials

There are three main materials used for pool covers: Vinyl, thermal bubble and debris.

Vinyl covers

Vinyl covers consist of a heavier material and have a longer life expectancy than bubble covers.
Insulated vinyl covers are also available with a thin layer of flexible insulation sandwiched between
two layers of vinyl.[18]

Thermal bubble covers

Thermal bubble covers are lightweight UV stabilized floating covers designed to minimize heat loss
on heated swimming pools. Typically they are only fitted in spring and fall (autumn) when the
temperature difference between pool water and air temperature is greatest. They raise temperature of
a pool by around 20 °Fahrenheit, or 11 °Celsius, after being on the pool for a week. Most swimming
pool heat loss is through evaporation[19] .
Bubble covers are typically applied and removed by being rolled up on a device fitted to one side of
the pool (see illustration). Covers fall apart after 4 or 5 years due to sun exposure, overheating in the
sun while off the pool, and chlorine attacking the plastic.

Bubble covers should be removed during super chlorination.

These covers are mandatory to be fitted to all pools in areas of Australia that have experienced
drought since 2006. This is an effort to conserve water, as much water evaporates and transpires.

Debris covers

These covers are typically attached all winter, by hooked bungee cords or hooked springs connected
to the pool deck, and are usually made of black or green fine PVC mesh. They are designed to stop
leaf debris from entering the pool. They also provide some safety for animals and small children, but
should not be relied on. They are not popular in warmer climates, due to the five to ten minutes it
takes to fit/remove, making them inconvenient for repeated application and removal.

Safety
Pools present a significant risk of infant and toddler death
due to drowning. In regions where residential pools are
common, drowning is a major cause of childhood fatalities.
Therefore it is advisable to closely watch small children
around swimming pools, especially private pools that do
not have professional lifeguards. Adults are more likely to
be aware of risks, but it is still a good idea to have more
than one person around when using a private pool. As a Trained Instructors teach children how
precaution, many municipalities have by-laws that require to swim in Swifts Creek, Victoria,
Australia
that residential pools be enclosed with fencing to restrict
unauthorized access.

In public pools there is a lower risk of accident, with trained lifeguards on duty whenever the pool is
open. Because of the risk of drowning and the desire for greater safety, and technological advances
that make such safety possible, more and more public pools are equipped with computer-aided
drowning prevention or other forms of electronic and sometimes automated safety and security
systems. Among these are the Poseidon system, Swimguard, and the Drowning Early Warning
System (DEWS).

The best way to ensure safety around pools is to be educated. Knowing how a swimming pool works
greatly improves safety. Long haired individuals must avoid water inlets. These inlets, also known as
skimmers, are rectangular holes on the wall that are sometimes partly or completely underwater. In
private pools there can be one to two inlets, in public pools five to twenty. Also to be avoided are the
main drains, usually identified as round mesh covered objects on the pool floor, as poor design can
occasionally cause a safety problem. Building codes and product standards have eliminated these
hazards for current designs, but not all pools are up to standard.

Also the bigger the body of water, the greater force it needs to have the water circulating. Stronger
water pumps are used on large pools to keep them healthy, so extra care must be taken when
swimming along the sides or floor of the pool.

People with recent piercings are advised to keep those from being submerged in pools, to avoid them
being infected.

Suspended ceilings in indoor swimming pools are safety-relevant components. As was demonstrated
by the collapses of the ceiling of the Uster (Switzerland) indoor swimming pool (1985) and again at
Steenwijk (Netherlands, 2001), attention must be paid to selecting suitable materials and inspecting
the state of such components. The reason for the failures was stress corrosion cracking of metal
fastening components made of stainless steel[20].
There is also the problem with chemical exposure from chlorinated swimming pools. Numerous
scientific studies have shown increased instances of Asthma of those who swim regularly or those
who work in and around indoor swimming pools. Another study with children found that kids who
swam in indoor swimming pools for 1.8 hours or more a week had lung conditions similar to those
of a heavy smoker. Also chlorine exposure from swimming pools has been shown to increase the
risk of bladder and kidney cancer by more than 56% and it was also noted in the 2000 Olympics in
Sydney Australia, where 25% of the U.S Olympic swim team suffered from some level of Asthma.
[21]

Dress code
In public swimming pools dress code may be stricter than on public beaches, and in indoor pools
stricter than outdoor pools. For example, in countries where women can be topless on the beach, this
is often not allowed in a swimming pool, especially one indoors (see swimsuit).

Dress codes are also stricter in pools than on beaches: wearing shoes,
and a shirt, on a beach is acceptable, but often not in a pool. Indoor
pools have stricter dress codes than outdoor pools: in outdoor pools,
men are often allowed to wear t-shirts for modesty or for protection
from sunburn, but in indoor pools they must usually go shirtless. At
beaches, many people swim with clothes on and wear beachwear, but at
pools (especially indoor pools) more minimal attire is often worn, such
as lycra briefs for men or lycra one-piece tanksuits for women.
Swimming with clothes on (for example, as practice for the prevention
of drowning, as one might fall off a boat clothed) often results in
objections from lifeguards at pools, especially indoor pools. In France,
board shorts are usually not allowed for hygiene reasons. In
Scandinavian countries and in particular Iceland, rules about clothing
and hygiene are especially strict.[22] More recently, dress codes in many Children swimming in
pools were relaxed to allow more modesty. Many pool operators allow clothes.
people to swim fully clothed in clothes they only use in the pool if they
shower in these clothes before entering the pool.

For diving from towers perhaps 10 m high, sometimes bathing suits are doubled up (i.e., men will
often wear one brief inside another) so that the swimsuit does not rip on impact with the water.
While splashing around on beaches, especially on urban beaches, looser fitting bathing attire that is
more modest is often worn.

See also
„ Bather load
„ Beach
„ Lido
„ Pool fence
„ Wave pool
„ Swimming pool games
 „ Zero-entry swimming pool
„ Automated pool cleaner

References
1. ^ Great Bath, Mohenjo-daro
2. ^ Gaius Maecenas, or Gaius Cilnius Maecenas (Roman diplomat and patron) - Britannica
Online Encyclopedia
3. ^ WWW Virtual Library: ANURADHAPURA
4. ^ Lidos: Links and References
5. ^ British Swimming & Amateur Swimming Association : History of the ASA
6. ^ History
7. ^ TGOL - Adriatic
8. ^ DESTRUCTION (1931-1990)
9. ^ "World's Largest Swimming Pool". Guinness World Records. Retrieved on 2008-01-24.
10. ^ Edmonton.com: Travel, Tourism & Leisure accessed 15 April 2007
11. ^ NASA, Behind the Scenes: Training, accessed 7 May 2007
12. ^ BBC, World's deepest pool set to open accessed 15 April 2007
13. ^ "San Francisco Zoological Society - About the Zoo - Historic Sites". The San Francisco
Zoo. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
14. ^ "Zesiger pool design", Zesiger sports and fitness center, MIT, accessed 2007-02-04
15. ^ "Stories from the Yamba ocean pool", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, [] accessed
2006-12-28
16. ^ The theory of colors of water in the swimming pool by Sahatchai Wanawongsawad
17. ^ West Nile quiet so far this year - The Californian / North County Times
18. ^ a b c "EERE Consumer's Guide: Swimming Pool Covers". Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
19. ^ Department of Energy: Conserving Energy and Heating your Swimming Pool with Solar
Energy (PDF)
20. ^ M. Faller and P. Richner: Material selection of safety-relevant components in indoor
swimming pools, Materials and Corrosion 54 (2003) S. 331 - 338.(only online in German (3.6
MB))
21. ^ Chlorinated Swimming Pools Can Cause Asthma in Swimmers
22. ^ Visit Reykjavík - The official tourist website of Reykjavik, accessed 14 March 2007.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Swimming pools

„ How Stuff Works: Swimming pools - Explains how pools work

„ Swimmer's Guide - Comprehensive International directory of swimming pools
„ Pool and Spa Safety Publications from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
„ The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) - leading trade association of the U.S.
pool/spa and hot tub industry
„ Swimming Pool and Trade Association - UK Swimming Pool Governing Body

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swimming_pool"

Category: Swimming pools
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 Next Page

How Swimming Pools Work How Pools Work

by Tom Harris

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Conceptually, swimming pools are pretty simple -- they're just big

basins of water. But on a hot summer day, a swimming pool can
seem like the greatest invention known to man. And as it turns out,
there really is a lot of cool technology at work in your average pool --
much more than you might expect.

In this article, we'll find out how pools are built, and we'll take a look
at the plumbing system that keeps the water clean and chemically
balanced.

Special thanks to Drew Waskey and Triangle Pool

Management for their assistance with this article.

Pool Basics
Swimming pools come in all shapes and sizes, but nearly all of them, from the backyard personal pool
to the water park wave pool, work in the same basic way. They use a combination of filtration and
chemical treatment to continually clean a large volume of water.

An apartment complex pool, mid-construction: It looks like a

big hole in the ground, but it's really much more.
A typical swimming pool needs seven major components:

z A basin
z A motorized pump
z A water filter
z A chemical feeder
z Drains
z Returns
z PVC plastic plumbing connecting all of these elements

A typical pool system

The basic idea is to pump water in a continual cycle, from the pool through the filtering and chemical
treatment systems and back to the pool again. In this way, the pumping system keeps the water in the
pool relatively free of dirt, debris and bacteria. Some pools also include heaters in the mix, in order to
keep the water at a certain temperature.

In the next section, we'll look at the different types of pools.

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1. Introduction to How Swimming Pools Work 5. Pool Filters
2. Types of Pools 6. Pool Chemicals
3. Pool Drain Systems 7. Lots More Information
4. Pool Pump Systems 8. See all Lawn Care articles
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How Swimming Pools Work Home & Garden

by Tom Harris Videos

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Types of Pools
The main difference between different types of pools is how the basin is constructed. There are several
different pool styles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

z Above-ground pools are the cheapest construction option, as well as the easiest to
build. Most above-ground pools are made from prefabricated kits, which even an amateur
can put together (though most people go with professional installers). First, the installers
level off the ground to form a flat building surface. Then they assemble a perimeter track,
which supports the outer wall (made of metal, plastic or wood). Next, they spread sand in
the pool area and lay the plumbing. Finally, they secure the vinyl liner over the pool walls,
fill the pool with water, smooth the liner and fasten it into place. As soon as they hook up
the pump and filtering system, the pool is ready to go. The main disadvantage of this sort
of pool is that it's less durable than other designs, and generally less attractive. It's also
less permanent, which can be a good thing -- it's relatively easy to disassemble the pool
and move it to a new location.

z Fiberglass pools are made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, which has been molded
into a basin shape. To install the pool, a construction crew digs an appropriately sized
hole, lays the necessary plumbing, adds some sand filler and lowers the preformed pool
structure into the hole. Then they level the pool, hook up all the plumbing and backfill in
the area around the pool. Usually, the pool is surrounded by a concrete deck structure.

z Vinyl-lined in-ground pools are a lot like above-ground pools, structurally, but they look
more like conventional in-ground designs. The construction crew digs a hole and
assembles a metal, plastic or wood frame wall around the hole's perimeter. As in an
above-ground pool, the crew lays sand along the bottom of the hole and secures the vinyl
lining to the structural wall. These pools are a lot cheaper than other in-ground designs,
but not as durable. Typically, the liner needs to be replaced every 10 years or so.

z Gunite pools are the most popular design in much of the United States. To build one of
these pools, the construction crew digs a hole, puts the plumbing in place and assembles
a framework grid with 3/8-inch steel reinforcing rods (rebar). The rebar rods are spaced
about 10 inches apart, and secured together with wire. When the grid is in place, the crew
sprays a heavy coating of gunite, a mixture of cement and sand, around the rebar. The
sprayer unit combines dry gunite mix with water just before spraying -- this produces the
wet concrete material. The crew trowels the gunite smooth and lets it sit for a week or so
before applying a smooth finish to the rough surface. The most popular finish is called
plaster (actually a mixture of cement and marble sand), but a lot of people finish their
pools with special concrete paint. Gunite pools can also have tile, exposed aggregate or
even fiberglass finishes. Gunite pools (and their cousins, shotcrete pools) are highly
durable, and they can be built in any shape or size.
 z Poured-concrete pools are similar to gunite pools, but they're a lot harder to build.
Instead of spraying concrete material around a rebar framework, concrete is actually
poured into conventional wooden forms. With the rise of gunite methods, poured-concrete
pool construction has mostly fallen by the wayside. In masonry block pools, the walls
are constructed with concrete blocks.

While these pool designs are quite different, they all rely on the same basic plumbing and filtering
systems. In the next few sections, we'll see how these components actually keep the pool going.

Floating Pool
An in-ground swimming pool may seem like a solid, unmovable
structure, but it is actually sort of like a boat -- it can float in the
surrounding ground water. When the pool is empty, the ground
water pressure can actually push the structure up out of the
ground. This is one of the reasons why pools are filled with water
year-round -- there needs to be roughly equal pressure on each
side of the pool.
Most modern in-ground pools have a special hydrostatic valve
near the main drain to guard against damage from ground water
pressure. Basically, if the ground water pressure is great enough,
it will push up on a small float, which opens the valve. When the
valve opens, ground water flows in and equalizes the pressure.

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2. Types of Pools 6. Pool Chemicals
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How Swimming Pools Work Indoor Pool Dangers

by Tom Harris

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Pool Drain Systems

We've already seen that the water in a swimming pool needs to circulate through a filtering system, to
remove dirt and debris. During normal operation, water flows to the filtering system through two or more
main drains at the bottom of the pool and multiple skimmer drains around the top of the pool.

The main drains are usually located on the lowest point in the pool, so the entire pool surface slants
toward them. Most of the dirt and debris that sinks exits the pool through these drains. To keep people
from getting their hair or limbs caught in the plumbing, the drains are almost always covered with grates
or antivortex covers (a cover that diverts the flow of water to prevent a dangerous vortex from
forming).

The skimmers draw water the same way as the main drains, but they suck only from the very top of the
pool (the top eighth of an inch, typically). Any debris that floats -- leaves, suntan oil, hair -- leaves the
pool through these drains. The diagram below shows a common system.
In the system described here, the floating weir, the door at the inlet passageway, swings in and out to
let a very small volume of water in at a time. To catch debris effectively, the goal is to skim just the
surface level. The water flows through the strainer basket, which catches any larger debris, such as
twigs and leaves. In addition to the main inlet, the skimmer system has a secondary equalizer line
leading to a drain below the surface level. This line keeps the skimmer from drawing air into the pump
system if the water level drops below the level of the main inlet.

The return port

The water is pumped through the filtering system and back out to returns, inlet valves around the side
of the pool. This system involves a lot of suction, but if the pool is built and operated correctly, there is
virtually no risk of suction holding somebody against one of the drains. The only way the plumbing
system could apply this sort of suction is if there were only one open drain. In a safe pool, there are
always multiple main drains as well as several skimmer drains, so if somebody or something blocks one
drain, the pumping system will pull water from one of the other drains. This eliminates the suction on
the blocked drain.
 A typical vacuum port

Most swimming pools also have a couple of vacuum ports, which are only used in pool cleaning.
These ports attach to pool vacuum cleaners, which work something like ordinary vacuum cleaners
except that they suck water instead of air. The vacuum ports may have their own pumping system, but
in most pools they are driven by the main pump.

A pool vacuum cleaner

After making its way into the various drains, the water flows on to the filtering stage. In the next section,
we'll find out what the pumping and filtering systems are all about.

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2. Types of Pools 6. Pool Chemicals
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How Swimming Pools Work How Safe Is Your

by Tom Harris Town Pool?

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Pool Pump Systems

To most of us, a pool is, more or less, a big hole in the ground. We don't see most of the expensive
machinery in a pool system, because it's usually tucked away in nearby pump room. But this is the stuff
that really makes the pool work.
The heart of the pool system is the water pump. In a typical pump system, an electric motor spins an
impeller inside the pump housing. The impeller drives the water from the various drains through the
filter and back out to the water inlets.

Pipes from the main drain, skimmer and vacuum ports lead to
the pumping system.

Just before it flows into the pump, the water passes through a metal strainer basket that catches leaves
and other large debris that might clog up the pump.
 The strainer basket sits right in front of the pump.

The strainer basket, removed for cleaning

Next, the water flows into the filter (or, in this setup, one of two filters). In the next section, you'll find out
what happens at this point in the system.

Light it Up
These days, most swimming pools are built with underground
lights, partially for aesthetic appeal but mainly to let night
swimmers see what they're doing. In one common underwater
lighting design, an incandescent light bulb is sealed in a water-
tight fixture, which sits inside a niche embedded in the pool wall.
The insulated electrical wire runs into the fixture through a special
seal, keeping water away from the conductive elements. The wire
runs back to the house (or wherever the power source is) through
a long tube, which is filled with water most of the way. There is
enough extra wire in the tube that you can pull the entire fixture
out of the niche and up above the water level when you want to
change the bulb.
Some people use fiber-optics to light their pools, instead of
embedded incandescent fixtures. In this system, the actual light
source doesn't have to be underwater, so you can skip the whole
bulb-changing, water-proof electrical-component issue entirely.

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How Swimming Pools Work Home & Garden

by Tom Harris Videos

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Pool Filters
The filters in this system are high-rate sand filters. Sand filters consist of a large tank, made of
fiberglass, concrete or metal, containing a thick bed of special-grade sand, which has a squarish shape.

Dual sand filters

Specially made filter sand

During filtering operation, dirty water from the pool comes in through the filter's inlet pipe, which leads to
the water distribution head inside the tank. While gravity pulls the water down through the sand, the
tiny sand particles catch any dirt and debris. At the bottom of the tank, the filtered water flows through
the pick-up unit and out the outlet pipe.

Over time, the collected dirt and debris in the sand slows down the water flow. Pressure gauges at the
filter inlet and outlet give the pool custodian an idea of the blockage level inside. If gauges show much
greater pressure on the inlet pipe than the outlet pipe, the custodian knows there's a lot of collected
debris in the sand. This means it's time to backwash the filter. To backwash, the custodian adjusts a
number of valves to redirect the water flow. He or she closes the return pipe leading to the pool and
opens the drainage pipe, which lead to the sewer system. He or she adjusts a valve at the filter to
connect the pipe from the pump to the outlet pipe and connect the drainage pipe to the inlet pipe. With
this arrangement, water from the pump pushes up through the sand, dislodging the dirt and debris. At
the top of the filter tank, the dirty water flows out through the inlet pipe and into the sewer.

To redirect the water flow for backwash, the custodian turns

large handles to adjust plumbing valves.

In place of a sand filter, some pool systems use a diatomaceous earth filter or a cartridge filter. In a
diatomaceous earth filter, water from the pool passes through filter grids coated with diatomaceous
earth, a fine powder made from the chemically inert, fossilized remains of sea organisms called
diatoms. In a cartridge filter, dirty water passes through a filter made out of polyester cloth or corrugated
paper. Instead of backwashing, you simply remove the filter and hose it off. After a few years (or as
many as eight years), it's time to discard the old filter and put in a new one.
 All the water in this large pool has to pass through the filter at
least four times a day.

In most regions, the law dictates that all the water in the pool (or more accurately, the equivalent
volume) must pass through the filter in a certain amount of time -- typically between 30 minutes and six
hours. For the apartment-complex pool pictured above, that means pumping 167,000 gallons (630,000
liters) of water through the filtering system every six hours!

The pump and filter system is also connected to a well or municipal water line so fresh water can be
added to the pool. This is necessary to replace water lost to evaporation, backwashing and "splash-
out" (water that splashes on the deck or is carried out on people's bodies and swim suits). When it's
pretty hot out and there's heavy swimmer activity, this 167,000-gallon pool could lose 300 gallons
(1,100 liters) or more in one day.

Next, we'll look at the chemicals at work in a typical swimming pool.

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How does chlorine work to Science Videos

clean swimming pools?

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Chlorine is the chemical most often used to keep swimming pools and
Jacuzzis free of bacteria that can be hazardous to humans.
Chlorine kills bacteria though a fairly simple chemical reaction. The chlorine
solution you pour into the water breaks down into many different chemicals, More Science Videos »
including hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ion (OCl-). Both kill
microorganisms and bacteria by attacking the lipids in the cell walls and destroying the enzymes and
structures inside the cell, rendering them oxidized and harmless. The difference between HOCl and
OCl- is the speed at which they oxidize. Hypochlorous acid is able to oxidize the organisms in several
seconds, while the hypochlorite ion may take up to 30 minutes.

The levels of HOCl and OCl- vary with the pool's pH level. If the pH is too high, not enough HOCl is
present and pool cleaning can take much longer than normal. Ideally, the level of pH in the pool should
be between 7 and 8; 7.4 is ideal -- this is the pH of human tears. Once the HOCl and OCl- are done
cleaning the pool, they either combine with another chemical, such as ammonia, or are broken down
into single atoms. Both of these processes render the chlorine harmless. Sunlight speeds these
processes up. You have to keep adding chlorine to the pool as it breaks down.

While the bacteria-killing properties of chlorine are very useful, chlorine also has some side effects that
can be annoying to humans, and possibly even hazardous. Chlorine has a very distinctive smell that
most find unpleasant, and some find overwhelming. There is also the "itch factor" -- chlorine can cause
certain skin types to become itchy and irritated. The hypochlorite ion causes many fabrics to fade
quickly when not rinsed off immediately after exiting the pool. This is why your swimsuit looks faded and
worn so early in the summer.

Extremely high amounts of chlorine gas hovering above your pool can be hazardous to your breathing.
Some companies have developed alternatives to chlorine, including other chemicals and ion
generators. Some of these are good alternatives, but they don't achieve the cleanliness, oxidation
levels or low price that chlorine provides.

Here are some interesting links:

z Chlorine alternatives, should you use them?

z The Chlorine Pool Page
z How does chlorine bleach work?
z Can water go bad?

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How Swimming Pools Work Pool Safety for Your

by Tom Harris Dog

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Pool Chemicals
A pool's filter system does the heavy lifting in keeping the water clean, but it takes chemistry to do the
fine-tuning. It's important to carefully manipulate the chemical balance in pools for several reasons:

z Dangerous pathogens, such as bacteria, thrive in water. A pool filled with untreated water
would be a perfect place for disease-carrying microorganisms to move from one person to
another.
z Water with the wrong chemical balance can damage the various parts of the pool.
z Improperly balanced water can irritate the skin and eyes.
z Improperly balanced water can get very cloudy.

To take care of pathogens in the water, you have to introduce a disinfecting agent that will get rid of
them. The most popular pool disinfectant is the element chlorine, in the form of a chemical
compound such as calcium hypochlorite (a solid) or sodium hypochlorite (a liquid). When the
compound is added to the water, the chlorine reacts with the water to form various chemicals, most
notably hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid kills bacteria and other pathogens by attacking the
lipids in the cell walls and destroying the enzymes and structures inside the cell through an oxidation
reaction. Alternative sanitizers, such as bromide, do basically the same thing with slightly different
results.

An automated chlorine feeder

hooked into the pump and filter system

Chlorine is typically prepared in liquid, powder or tablet form (though some professionals use gaseous
chlorine), and it can be added to the water anywhere in the cycle. Pool experts generally recommend
adding it just after the filtering process, using a chemical feeder. If it's added directly into the pool, using
tablets in the skimmer boxes, for example, the chlorine tends to be too concentrated in those areas.

One problem with hypochlorous acid is that it's not particularly stable. It can degrade when exposed to
ultraviolet light from the sun, and it may combine with other chemicals to form new compounds. Pool
chlorinators often include a stabilizing agent, such as cyanuric acid, that reacts with the chlorine to
form a more stable compound that does not degrade as easily when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Even with a stabilizing agent, hypochlorous acid may combine with other chemicals, forming
compounds that are not very effective sanitizers. For example, hypochlorous acid may combine with
ammonia, found in urine, among other things, to produce various chloramines. Not only are
chloramines poor sanitizers, but they can actually irritate the skin and eyes and have an unpleasant
odor. The distinctive smell and eye irritation associated with swimming pools are actually due to
chloramines, not ordinary hypochlorous acid -- a strong smell usually means there is too little free
chlorine (hypochlorous acid), rather than too much. To get rid of chloramines, pool custodians have to
shock treat the pool -- add an unusually strong dose of chemicals to clear out organic matter and
unhelpful chemical compounds.

Chloramine formation is related to the second major element in pool chemistry, maintaining the right pH
in the pool.

pH Level
The water's pH is a measure of its total acid-alkalinity balance -- the relative proportion of acids and
alkalis in the water (check out Chem4Kids: Acids & Bases for a description of acids and alkalis). Simply
put, water that is either too acidic or too alkaline will cause undesirable chemical reactions. If the water
is too acidic, it will corrode metal equipment, cause etching on the surface materials and cause skin
irritation. If the water is too alkaline, it can cause scaling on the pool surface and plumbing equipment
and can cloud the water. Additionally, both high acidity and high alkalinity alters the effectiveness of the
chlorine. The chlorine won't destroy pathogens as well if the water is too alkaline, and it will dissipate
much more quickly if the water is too acidic.

On the pH scale, zero indicates extreme acidity, 14 indicates extreme alkalinity and 7 indicates a
neutral state. Most pool experts recommend a pool pH between 7.2 and 7.8. To raise or lower pH, a
pool custodian simply adds acids or alkalis into the water. For example, adding sodium carbonate
(soda ash) or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will generally raise the pH, and adding muriatic acid
or sodium bisulfate will lower the pH.

Maintaining the proper balance of chemicals in the pool is a continual process, because any new
element -- oils from a swimmer's body, a shot of chlorine, stuff that falls in the water -- shifts the water's
total chemical makeup. In addition to pH, pool custodians also monitor total alkalinity, calcium
hardness and total dissolved solids.

When you consider all the chemistry and machinery involved in swimming pools, it's clear that they
really are remarkable pieces of technology. It takes a surprising amount of work and ingenuity to build
and maintain these summertime staples.

For more information on swimming pools and related topics, check out the links on the next page.

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Fiberglass Swimming Pools - Dynamite Material For A
Pool 65
By Tommy B

When considering the purchase of an in ground pool

materials used needs to be thought of. One dynamite
material for swimming pools is fiberglass. Fiberglass
swimming pools have been known for years to be
the Hercules of pools because of their durability. Due
to the lack of texture on the fiberglass pools algae has
a hard time clinging to it. This makes these pools
much more leisurely to own due to less of a need to
scrub.

The manufacturer takes the fiberglass and designs

and molds the fiberglass into these pools. So the
pools are sold already in these shapes. The fiberglass
is so easy to clean because algae and other grime are
not able to grip the surface as on the other pools. Who
would not like less cleaning of anything in their lives?

Concrete will have you cracking up as far as your pool

aging. Fiberglass rarely cracks and withstands the
passing of time in a better way than concrete. Vinyl
liners are a bit better than concrete but nothing is like
fiberglass. Research is needed though into which
material suits you best according to what your pool
design is.

Shake, rattle, and a bit of rolling happens when an

earthquake hits. Earthquakes destroy many people's
property. But guess what? Fiberglass swimming pools
can even come through an earthquake in tact at times.
The pools will shake with the earth instead of against it
and keeps them from breaking sometimes.

There is a point to where the fiberglass pools may not

satisfy you they come in only a select few sizes and
shapes unlike concrete that can be molded into any
shape or size. But you can have a certain variety as
far as colors, shapes and depths. You even have a
decision you can make on where the stairs are. It may
be hard but you have to select your pool's size and
shape options before proceeding with the rest of the
project.

One thing to definitely point is that year round

fiberglass pools have to have water in them. You can take the level down a bit for winter but they
Making Waves : Background Information
Student Pages | Materials

Fast and Slow Swimming Pools:

Some swimming pools are considered 'fast' while others are 'slow'. What is a fast
swimming pool? A pool's walls and other components may create and reflect wav
making it more difficult (slower) for the athletes to swim. A fast pool minimises wa
interference with the athletes making it easier (faster) for the athletes to swim.

z In this section you will learn about:

z Olympic specifications, rules and regulations on the design of swimming poo
z the science of water waves,
z guidelines for the design of your Olympic swimming pool models,
z how your model swimming pool designs will be evaluated.

Rules Governing Olympic Competition Swimming Facilit

Most sports have a governing body with the authority to establish rules and regul
competitions. In the sport of swimming this governing body is La Fédération Inter
de Natation (FINA) located in Lausanne, Switzerland. FINA is also the governing
diving, ocean swimming, water polo and synchronised swimming. The rules and
regulations for swimming pools used in world championships, the Olympics and o
competitions are published by FINA.

The rules specify the requirements for the facilities (swimming pools and lighting)
components (lanes, ropes, gutters), shape, dimensions and safety. Olympic swim
pools must have:

z Depth: 2.0 metres minimum,

z Width: 25.0 metres,
z Length: 50.0 metres (or 25.0 metres if it is a short course),
z 8 2.5 metre lanes with a 2.5 metre space outside lanes 1 and 8; each lane is
separated by a rope (lane rope).

Waves
There are various types of waves. Sound and light are two types. Different types
move matter in distinct ways. To reduce the water waves in your fast swimming p
design, it is important to understand exactly how water waves move. Knowing ho
waves are created and how they behave will help you reduce or stop them.
 Toss a small stone into a body of water. Waves are form
the point the stone hit the water. The waves form a circu
pattern around this entry point and spread further and fur
apart. There is a single wave pattern. When you look at t
waves you can see the crests (high points) and troughs (
points). Only a few crests and troughs are created.

Drop two or three stones at the same

time into the water. Now you have more waves and these waves
interact with one another.

Imagine eight lanes of Olympic swimmers! Each swimmer's

motion generates a series of waves. These waves can move
across the lanes and interact with one another and against the
athletes in different directions, making it more difficult to swim
and slowing down the athlete's times. Have you ever had to walk into the wind? It
difficult than on a calm day. Similarly, swimming into waves is more difficult than
swimming in calm water.

Amplitude

The amplitude of a wave is the difference in height between its crest and trough.
greater the amplitude (height) the stronger and more intense the wave is. An athl
more difficulty swimming through larger (higher amplitude) waves than smaller (lo
amplitude) waves.

Reflection

When a wave stikes a surface or moves through an area whe

medium's properties change, the wave will either change dire
reflect back.

In a swimming pool, waves which strike the sides or bottom o

pool reflect back. The reflected waves and original set of wav
pass through one another.

This image shows waves reaching a lake shore. Notice that t

almost no reflection of the waves.

Wave reflection - notice water which strikes the stick reflects back. The reflected waves pas
 the waves moving towards the shore.

Diffuse Reflection

A wave may strike a body that is very rough and irregular. As the wave strikes on
of the rough, irregular object it may reflect in one direction; as it strikes another po
this surface it will be reflected in a different direction. The wave can be reflected i
directions at the same time. In some instances, the reflection is so small that the
'diffused' (the effects are minimal).

The Athlete
As a designer you must understand how the athlete utilises the pool. How does th
swimmer move into and through the water in a competitive event?

Typically, the athlete dives into the pool at one end (the start) and swims toward t
opposite (turning end) of the pool. They will turn at the far (turning) end and swim
the starting point.

As the swimmer dives into the pool circular-type waves are created at the water's
As the swimmer moves deeper into the water and disturbs the water below the su
waves are created underneath the surface of the water.

As the swimmer comes back to the surface, and begins to swim, a series of triang
waves are formed. These waves look similar to the trail behind a motor boat or a
The trailing edges (the end) of these waves can strike the lane lines.

The swimmer approaches the turning end of the pool. As they touch the wall they
and swim back to the starting point. When they turn they will create waves in the
direction - headed for the starting point. These two sets of waves (the waves app
the turning end and the waves leaving the turning end) will collide and pass throu
another. The waves approaching the turning end of pool can also be reflected ba
these waves strike the wall. This is a critical area in pool design. Early footage of
competitive swimmers (before modern pool design innovations) show swimmers
swim through choppy waves in the turn.

Have you ever watched a swimming competition wh

athlete is significantly ahead of the others? This ath
makes the turn long before the swimmers in the oth
If the lane ropes do not stop waves from crossing la
waves from other lanes can interfere with the swimm
slowing them down.

Photo of the 1996 Olympics (courtesy of www.kiefer.co

The lane ropes have stopped waves from crossing lanes.

As a designer you must consider all the areas discussed, and anticipate problem
Pool Design Guidelines
Your swimming pool should be a scale model of an Olympic swimming pool. The
depth to length to width are:

2 : 50 : 25

or

2 : 25 : 25

for a short course pool.

You must include lane ropes. Your pool can be deeper at one end of a lane than
other. You may use any material you like for your swimming pool model.

The pool designs will be evaluated as follows:

Starting from the deepest end of the pool model, an action figure will be dropped
towed in both directions in each of 2 lanes. The test will be repeated twice and th
arranged.

The weighting for scores is:

40% pool wall reflection:

The pool model with the smallest wall wave reflection should be given the
highest score in this category.

20% lane lines (ropes):

The model with the fewest waves created by lane lines should be given the
highest score in this category.

20% depth:

The pool with the lowest depth and fewest waves should be given the highe
score in this category.

20% physical scale:

The model with the closest appearance and scale to an Olympic swimming p
should be given the highest score in this category.

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Energy Efficient Swimming Pools - Green Pool 72
By Maria Slaby

Make your Pool Go GREEN - In a good way!

We all are hearing more and more about living ‘Green' by developing environmentally friendly living
routines. Everyday more options and alternative building methods come to the foreground.
Swimming in a "Green" pool is definitely within reach. Both existing and newly built pools can be
environmentally friendly with just a few tweaks.

There are also many things you can do that reduce your energy impact and also save you money.
Here are the most important ones to look at.

1. Your Pump - make sure it is on a timer. Reduce your run time in the winter to save on your
power bill. You might run your pump 8 hours a day if it is a gunite pool and 4 hours a day if it is
a fiberglass pool.

1. Your Pump Part II - look into a variable speed pump. This pump runs at a lower speed to
circulate, sanitize and filter your water. The pump can be ‘kicked up' to a higher speed to run
your water features. California and many other states are mandating the use of two-speed
pumps. Spend a little bit now to save for years to come. You'd be amazed at the potential
savings. Check out a calculation of the savings
(http://www.pentairpool.com/pool_pump_calc/index.htm)

1. Pool Heating - There are three main ways to heat your pool.

Gas can be used to heat a spa quickly but it is not recommended for a pool - it would be too
expensive in many parts of the country

Electric heat pumps are very efficient for heating your pool. States now are requiring pool heat
pumps have a higher C.O.P rating. A C.O.P. is the coefficient of performance which is analogous to
the SEER ratings of air conditioning units. The higher the C.O.P. the better. Of course, there needs
to be heat in the air for the heat pump to 'steal' to heat the pool. If you are in a cold climate, the heat
pump might not make sense.
Finally, solar heating is used to heat pools. There is nothing like the virtually free cost of operation
for you to really love the warmth of a solar heated pool.

Regardless of the method of heating you may use - remember that a pool cover is essential for
keeping the heat in your pool during the night as temperatures dip. Also, if you are having a pool
built, consider skipping the screen altogether and going with fencing. Not only do you save some
money on the construction, but you have a pool that is 2-3 degrees warmer.

As an aside, we should also all be looking at solar water heaters for our in-house consumption.
Saving money in the pool or at the shower is still money saved. Visit our website
http://www.mymermaidpool.com/ for more ideas on pool projects.

1. Chlorine Generators (Salt Systems) - If you have a gunite pool, a chlorine generator is a must.
These devices take salt and through electrolysis, make sodium and chloride which is what
sanitizes the water. Because of the great demand for chlorine in a gunite pool, this investment
will pay off in several years. For fiberglass pools, because they use far less chlorine, this
added expense is not required (but if you don't like chlorine tablets.............)

1. Piping - If you are building a pool, make sure your builder understands hydraulics. In our
studies of drain-free pools (http://www.allbusiness.com/environment-natural-
resources/ecology/5471798-1.html) we have learned how to efficiently circulate water in a way
that reduces the wear and tear on your pump AND the length of the runtime on your pump
system too. A pool with properly sized piping is one of the many small things that show the
difference between pool builders.

Finally, cleaning your skimmer and filter are also helpful so that your pool can accomplish the
filtration and sanitization without straining the pump. While you are at it, go change your AC filter in
your house (and your car too).

Taken together, these small steps can help you save money and reduce your energy consumption
for your pool. Aside from the pool itself, what could be more fun?