Private Swimming Pools. Construction Considerations
Atmosphere is a very important factor in the enjoyment of indoor pools so they should be well lit with natural daylight. An ideal location for the pool is at the rear of the house, overlooking the garden. With removable or sliding wall and ceiling panels it is possible to give the feel of being in an outdoor pool when the weather permits. Although this is the ideal it does introduce problems with heat bridges. Access to the pool can be through the living room or the master bedroom (allowing an en suite bathroom to be used for showering and changing) and should include a walkthrough footbath to combat infections.
The standard conditions for indoor pools are: water 26-27°C, air 30-31°C and 60-70% relative humidity; maximum air circulation speed 0.25m/s.
Construction considerations. The main problem with indoor pools is controlling the air humidity. Water evaporates from the pool at rates from 16g/m2/h (when still) up to a maximum of 204g/m2/h (when in use) and the process continues until the saturation point is reached p. 243 (11) + (15). Evaporation loss approaches zero when the pool is still if a vapour-saturated 'boundary layer' develops just above the pool surface. Therefore, the water should not be disturbed by strong air currents from the ventilation system.
Removing moisture from the pool area is very expensive using ventilation systems but it is indispensable. If the air humidity is above 70% every small heat bridge can lead to structural damage within a short time. Ventilation equipment may be fresh air or a mixed air system -> p. 243, with ducts in the ceiling and floor, or ventilation box and extractor (with the air flow kept low to avoid draughts).
The most common structural design is a fully insulated all-weather pool with glazed panel roof and walls. Less common are non-insulated 'summer' pools (which can also be of a kind that can be dismantled). The materials used should be corrosion-proof (galvanised steel, aluminium, plastics and varnished woods): avoid plasterboard.
The pool area in most cases should include a WC and shower, and a deck for at least two reclining chairs. The layout must allow 10 m2 for a plant/boiler room. When considering the width of the surrounding walkway take into account the wall surface and the likely extent of splashes - (7). It is essential to provide an accessible below-ground passage around the pool to contain pipework and ventilation ducts as well as to check for leaks. Space permitting, the design could also include a gym area, a sauna, a hot whirlpool, a solarium and a bar.
Equipment. The equipment needed for a pool includes: water treatment and filtration plant, steriliser dosing system, overflow water trap (approx. 3m3), water softener (from water hardness 7°dH) and foot disinfecting unit (particularly if carpeting is laid around the pool). Heating can be with radiators, convectors or air heating, combined with the ventilation system, or possibly a solar energy collection unit. Underfloor heating adds additional comfort but is only worth while with floor insulation к over 0.7 or hall air temperature below 29°C. Energy savings are possible using heat pumps (cost depends on electricity price) and/or recovery heat exchanger in the ventilation system, or covering the pool (roller shutters or covering stage, but only where hall air is below 29°C) or by increasing air temperature (controlled by hygrostat) when the pool is not in use. Savings of up to 30% are possible.
Other considerations are underwater floodlighting (safety element), slide, diving boards (if the pool depth and hall height are sufficient), shade from the sun, countercurrent systems (which make small pool sizes practicable – (6) and acoustic qualities/noise insulation.
Date added: 2023-01-05; views: 249;