Swimming Pool Design & Types Guide
Swimming Pool Design & Types Guide
SWIMMING POOL
DESIGN
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Prepared By : Dante B. Verano
Presentation Outline
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Swimming Pool - Any artificial basin of water modified, improved, constructed, or installed solely for the purpose of
public swimming, wading, diving, recreation, or instruction. Swimming pool includes, but is not limited to, a pool
serving a community, a subdivision, an apartment complex, a condominium, a club, a camp, a school, an institution, a
park, a manufactured home park, a hotel, a motel, a recreational area, or a water park.
Swimming pool may includes a spa, hot tub, or whirlpool or similar device which
• is designed for recreational use and not to be drained, cleaned, and refilled after each individual use and
• may consist of elements, including, but not limited to, hydro jet circulation, hot water, cold water, mineral
baths, air induction systems, or any combination thereof.
Swimming pool also includes an artificial lake, a pool at a private residence, or a pool operated exclusively for medical
treatment, physical therapy, water rescue training, or training of divers.
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Basic system components of a Swimming Pool
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TYPES OF SWIMMING POOL
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1.0 Above Ground Pool
This type of pool is the cheapest option and is what many families start with before progressing to something that costs more.
Most of these pools have a metal or plastic frame and a heavy-duty vinyl liner. Larger and deeper above ground pools will have
an expandable liner, but these are more costly. An above ground pool liner should last at least five years before it needs to be
replaced, but if it’s not in full sun all day, and is looked after, it can last up to 10 years.
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2.0 Inground Pool
An inground pool comes in many different types, some of which are described below. But the important thing to know about an
inground pool is that installation is not something that can be handled by the average handyman – it’s a job for specialist pool
builders, so is going to cost at least two to three times the equivalent sized above ground pool.
However, inground pools add a lot more value to a property that above ground pools, and then lend themselves to landscaping
much better than above ground pools. In fact, many would say that above ground pools are ugly. Few people would make the
same comment about a nicely landscaped inground pool.
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3.0 Architectural Pool
This is the name that is given to pools that are built at the same time as a house and are designed to complement the lines of the
house. Often the finishing materials around the pool are selected to complement materials used on the house so as to provide a
cohesive look. But the term can also be used to describe standard pool designs supplied by professional pool builders, who can
adjust finishing materials to match the house.
Architectural pools are often kidney-shaped, oval or oblong depending on the space available to install the pool, and are usually
made from poured reinforced concrete or preformed fiberglass that is dropped into a hole with a crane. The concrete pool can
have a variety of finishes but are most often a combination of waterproof paint and mosaic tiles
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4.0 Lap Pool
This is a pool that is primarily constructed and used for health and fitness reasons. They are usually narrow and long and can be
up to 25 meters in length if the site has that much space available. A lap pool is rectangular in shape and is best suited for
narrow and long lots.
Lap pools may be designed for one, two or three people to swim in parallel lanes. Their design is usually simpler than
architectural pools so are generally slightly cheaper to build.
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4.0 Infinity Pool
These are also referred to as infinity edge pools, disappearing edge, zero edges, negative edge, or vanishing edge. They are
custom built and are often designed so as to highlight a given view. This type of pool can give a sheet of water illusion dropping
over an edge of the property.
Infinity swimming pools are great for elevated and sloping sites, but cost a lot more to build.
Infinity pools are generally more expensive to build because they are usually installed on sloping sites and required more
plumbing fixtures and higher capacity pumps to circulate the water in the case of designs that have a sheet of water falling over
the infinity edge.
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5.0 Recreational Pool
This is a term that is simply a variation on the architectural pool. It means a pool that is primarily designed for recreation and is
supplied with items like water slides, shade cover or tunnels, and caves built into the design. It’s most often what families with
children are looking for and costs no more than an architectural pool of the same size, aside from the additional cost of the extra
features.
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6.0 Indoor Pool
This term is self-explanatory and can be any of the types of pools described above. The pool is located inside or immediately
adjacent to the house with a roof above. It is more suited to cooler climates because it can be insulated and protected from the
weather by three walls.
Indoor swimming pools are an excellent option for cooler climates and enable swimming all year round
Indoor pools can also be fully enclosed or have sliding windows at one end. Heating indoor pools cost less than that of outdoor
pools since there is already insulation in place. Indoor pools retain heat better than the outdoor option in cooler climates but
may become too hot in warmer climates.
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7.0 Natural Pool
This is often referred to as swimming ponds because that is essentially what it is – a pond rather than a pool. These are pools
that self-clean and combine the swimming area with a water garden. They don’t use chlorinated or salt water and rely on the
water plants to keep the water clean. They can be very tricky to maintain and are best for large properties and where the pool is
used infrequently.
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8.0 Plunge Pool
Plunge pools are usually small. They are generally filled with cold water and are designed for therapeutic use rather than
swimming. Dropping into a cold plunge pool after a sauna or hot shower is supposed to stimulate the blood flow. They are also
ideal for small properties where space is limited, and the family simply wants somewhere to cool off during the summer months.
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CATEGORY OF SWIMMING POOLS
I. Private (Residential Swimming Pool)
A pool intended for use that is accessory to a residential setting and available only to the household and its
guest.
Residence (Private Villa)
II. General (Public Swimming Pool)
A pool, other than a residential pool, that is intended to be used for swimming of bathing and its operated by
an Owner, Lessee, Operator, Licensee or Concessionaire, regardless of whether a fee is charge for use.
Residential Complex
Residential Building
Hotel
School
Sport Club
Others
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Swimming Pool Design Engineering
• Architectural
• Structural
• Mechanical/Electrical / Plumbing and Drainage
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BASIC SWIMMING POOL CALCULATIONS
AND
EQUIPMENT SELECTION
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Correctly sizing of the basic pool equipment required for operating a swimming pool can be quite tricky but
not if you follow carefully the simple step by step guidelines as described in the following slides, in which case
you will realize that sizing the basic equipment can be easy.
This webinar is not meant for transforming the attendees instantly into a hydraulic engineer but to enable the
non-expert to calculate his/her filtration and pump requirements for a given pool without committing errors
so common in the swimming pool business. In the swimming pool you may encounter dealers who may be
offering cheap readymade filtration units inappropriate for your particular pool project.
Sizing basic pool equipment requires great care, and all the variable factors should be taken into account,
because a small alteration in any one of them could affect all the rest of the items.
As our aim at this webinar is not to discuss pool construction, nor pool design, or its size but rather sizing
correctly the minimum basic equipment required for correct functioning of a given pool, we shall
straightaway tackle the parameters of the basic equipment needed.
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EXAMPLE:
HOTEL SWIMMING POOL
Given Pool Dimension;
Length = 32.0 m
Width = 14.0 m
Depth = 1.4 m
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STEP 1 POOL VOLUME
The first and single basic reference data affecting the entire pool equipment calculation process is the pool water volume.
Length = 32 m
Width = 14 m
Depth = 1.4 m
then the water Volume is
Formula 1:
Volume (m³) = Length (m) x Width (m) x Depth (m)
By substitution
Volume will be 32 m x 14 m x 1.4 m = 627.2 m³ .
This water volume will have to be treated and circulated in a time period known as Turnover Rate and which will have to be decided by
the pool equipment designer.
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STEP 2 RECIRCULATION (TURNOVER) RATE
Determine the recirculation (turnover) rate.
SPATA (The Swimming Pool and Allied Traders Association) defines it as “The period of time, usually in hours, required to circulate
a volume of water equal to the pool capacity”. Turnover rate is a factor indicating the number of hours required for circulating non-
stop, the entire pool volume water through the filtration system. Turnover rate factors vary depending on the type of swimmers
using the pool and their ages, and the values normally handled by associations involved in the swimming pool industry and by
associations and institutions such as NSPI, CEN (Comitè Européen de Normalisation), SPATA and others, are the following:
Ref. DM Standard
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Step 3 DESIGN FLOW RATE
Formula 2:
Flow Rate (m³ /hr) = Pool Volume (m³) / Turnover rate (hr)
As per Dubai Municipality DM guidelines for a swimming pool, the minimum turnover factor applicable is 6 hours, and therefore the
entire water volume should be filtered continuously every 6 hours.
By substitution
Flow Rate (m³/hr) = 627.2 m³ / 6 (hr)
Flow Rate (m³/hr) = 104.5 m³ /hr
This hourly flow rate of the pool is the first and most important basic parameter on which the sizing of all the rest of the pool items
will depend.
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Step 4 FILTER SIZE AND SELECTION
The filtration equipment removes the insoluble and suspended material from the recirculating water.
There are two (2) main types of filters for swimming pool
1. Diatomaceous Earth Filter
2. Sand Filter
The Filtration Rate is the speed or velocity of the water through the filtration media. The slower the filtration rate – the more
effective the filtration. Is measured in cubic meters of water per square meter of filter surface area per hour (m³/m²/hr) or
(gal/ft²/hr)
The filtration rates varies between 10 and 50 m³ /m² /hr:
Low Rate Filtration = less than 10 m³/m²/hr
Medium Rate Filtration = 11 to 30 m³/m²/hr
High Rate Filtration = 31 to 50 m³/m²/hr
Big or heavily used commercial pools will normally use LOW filtration rates.
Schools, Hotels, other commercial pools and heavily used private pools will usually use MEDIUM filtration rates.
Private Home Pools is usually use HIGH filtration rates.
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The filter shall be selected from the Filter Manufacturers Technical Date Sheet.
Formula 3:
Filter area required = Design Flow Rate (m³/hr) / Filtration Rate (m³/m²/hr)
Given :
Design Flow Rate = 104.5 m³/hr
Filtration Rate = 30 m³/m²/hr
By substitution
Filter area required = 104.5 m³/hr / 30 m³/m²/hr
= 3.48 m²
Also by formula
Filter Area (A) =
r = 1.05 m
Then
Diameter (D) = 2r
= 2.10 m
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Note: For bigger pools always you may not find filters of exactly to the calculated diameter.
If the filter diameter is too large , then you have an option to select two or three smaller identical filters.
Smaller filters and pumps are also more convenient during installation and specially for servicing.
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STEP 5 POOL HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS
• Water Velocity in Pipe works
• The maximum velocity in any suction pipe must not exceed 1.52 m/s or (5 ft/s). * 1.2 m/s
• The maximum velocity in any pressure pipe must nor exceed 2.74 m/s or (9 ft/s). * 1.8 – 2 m/s
• Determine the numbers of pool basin fittings (Skimmers, Inlets , Main Drains, Jet Nozzle, Vacuum & etc.)
• Show the proposed piping layout connection of all pool basin fittings. Take into consideration proper plumbing requirements.
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A. Skimmer
A device installed in the pool or spa that permits the removal of floating debris and surface water to the filter.
Normally is made of white Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic.
Plays an important role in water suction and debris retention.
On smaller pools, codes allow the use of skimmers. These are devices made of various types of plastics that have a floating weir
(flapper door) that creates a skimming action at the water surface. They are set in the concrete when it is poured at one or more
locations spaced around the perimeter of the pool or hot tub.
For large pools, generally above 200 m3 capacity, they should be fitted with overflow or overflow with grating instead of
skimmers. This overflow water is collected in a balance tank installed for this purpose. The pump receives 70% of the water from
the balance tank and 30% through the drains. This tank is made of either concrete or plastic, located in-between the pool water
overflow/drain and the pump. In this case, the filtered water inlets have to be fitted on the pool wall or floor.
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B. Return Inlet
A fitting through which the water under positive pressure returns into the pool.
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C. Main Drain (Submerged Suction Outlet)
A submerged fitting , fitting assembly, cover/grate and related components that provide a localized low-pressure area for the
transfer of water from a swimming pool, spa or tub.
The main drain sucks water from the deepest part of the pool shell so that it can be completely recycled.
It also plays an important role when the pool is being emptied.
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Main Drain Sizing
Select a pipe size which gives max 1.83 m/s velocity at Lets assume 3 Nos. of Main Drain
design flow rate. Design Flow Rate = 104.5 m³/hr
Given = 0.029 m³/s / 3 Nos.
Design Flow Rate = 104.5 m³/hr = 0.0097 m³/s
= 0.029 m³/s Velocity in Drain Pipe = 1.52 m/s
Velocity in Drain Pipe = 1.52 m/s
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Surge Vessels (Balancing Tank)
Surge vessels are basically large holding tanks. They accept water flowing by gravity from the top of the pool and hold it
until the circulation pump can move it through the filter. To reduce the potential for suction entrapment, the main drain
piping should, ideally, flow by gravity to the surge tank.
The size of the tank in m3 can be calculated as a rule of thumb equivalent to 5% of the pool surface.
It should be large enough so as to hold the overflow water displaced by the maximum number of swimmers the pool
permits at any one time, preventing surplus water overflow from going to the drain.
Gutters
The water from the top of the pool is usually collected by a gutter. In the past, these were simply formed out of concrete
with drain connections spaced evenly around the pool.
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Water Heaters
Water heaters and hot water storage tanks shall be listed and labeled in accordance with the applicable standard listed in
Table 316.2
Shall be sized in accordance with the Manufacturer Specifications and Guidelines.
Recommended Water Temperature Range (Ref. WHO Guidelines for safe recreational water Environments)
Water ranging from 26 °C to 30 °C is comfortable for most swimmers throughout prolonged periods of moderate physical
exertion.
The comfortable upper limit of water temperature for recreational immersion varies from individual to individual and
seems to depend on psychological rather than physiological considerations.
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STEP 6 CIRCULATION PUMP CAPACITY
• For filtering 104.5 m3 /hr a pump has to be selected, capable of pumping this volume. Or to be selected into smaller sizes coupled to
each sized filters.
• Pump Capacity = 104.5 m³/hr / 3 Nos.
= 34.83 m³/hr
• Assuming the computed Total Dynamic Head (TDH) = 15 m
Note : TDH shall be calculated as per the layout.
• The pump has to be selected to deliver this flow against a water head of not less than 15 m. This water head is the resistance the
pump has to overcome because of water friction in the pipe and also the turbulence caused by the elbows and other PVC fittings. To
select the pump, the Performance Curve has to be looked into. The entire pipe installation and its routing should be designed with as
few curves, elbows and bends as possible to avoid increasing water head (pressure drop).
• As the pumps have a given amount of flow rate against a given water head, then we shall select a pump from (ASTRAL Aral SP 3000)
series that delivers 34 m3 /h of water at a minimum of 15 m head.
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PIPING LAYOUT
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Project Name : Address Dubai Mall Hotel
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Water Quality Requirements
• Swimming pool shall be clear and free of floating debris, suspended solids, turbidity, algae, or any such undesirable matter which
may affect the health of swimming pool users.
• Retention time for the swimming pool water shall not exceed 4 hours.
• Water quality as specified in Table 1 and 2 below shall be maintained at all times.
• Water quality shall be tested daily (before use) for pH, chlorine and temperature levels. Pool water shall also be tested for calcium
hardness, alkalinity, saturation index and cyanuric acid for every (15) days. All readings shall be recorded in a logbook.
• Pool water shall be tested for microbiological parameters for every (2) two months.
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Other Technical Requirements:
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C. Toilet and Changing Rooms Facilities
• All public swimming pools should be provided with toilets and changing room facilities in proportion to the size of
the pool and not less than what is shown in the table below.
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C. Lighting / Electricity
• Swimming pools must be provided with adequate lighting (under water or over water) to provide lighting in all areas of the pool
including the pool bottom without causing any reflections, glare, burns, electric shocks or bodily injuries.
• The general lighting intensity should not exceed (50 lux).
• Each electrical circuit must have an earth circuit breaker and must be clearly illustrated on drawings.
• Low voltage under water light to be used.
• There must be emergency stop button on the Jacuzzi pool for emergency use.
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D. Depth Marking
• Markings indicating the depth of the water must be placed either on the edge of the surface or on the pool wall at the minimum and
maximum depth and at the slope points and must be indicated in the drawings.
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E. Towers, Platforms, Diving Boards and Slides
• A clear space must be provided above the diving board or tower, at least (5) m for head movement.
• Diving boards or platforms must be completely covered with non-slip materials.
• The minimum depth of water under any diving board located on a distance of (1) m or less than the surface water must be not less
than (2.5) m . And the depth of the water must be increased for the diving boards above (1) m height by (30) cm depth for each (1 ) m
or a part of it more than that.
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Testing and Commissioning
After commissioning the pool, its water should be analyzed and controlled regularly and it must be corrected
automatically and immediately, specially the pH and residual free Chlorine parameters. The installation of a dispenser
tank for feeding the required chemicals into the water is required. This is of capital importance once the pool is
operating normally, as the water will not be replaced till the swimming season ends or perhaps after several seasons.
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FINAL DESIGN DRAWINGS DOCUMENTATION
(DM Submission)
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The design drawings / plans must be prearranged stating the following:
I. The Project Front Page including the Owner Signature
II. A copy of the Professional License / Site Plan (Land Map) / Consultant Assignment Letter.
III. Site setting plan (showing the pool location on site).
IV. Swimming pool detailed plan showing the deck area around the pool and shows:
Stairs, Ladders and Recessed Steps
Showers and Feet Showers
Toilet Facilities and Dressing Rooms (if available)
Towers, Platforms, Diving Boards and Slides (if available)
Lifeguard Platform Position / Lifebuoy Ring Position
Swimming Pool Lighting
Depth Marks
The location of the fence around the pool
Deck area / swimming pool area
Surface slope around the pool
V. Swimming pool cross section to demonstrate base slope (show all dimensions).
VI. Pipes and fittings layout for Swimming Pool and Pump Room.
VII. Electrical Diagram for Pool and Pump Room.
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VIII. Schematic Diagram for the pool.
IX. Water drainage scheme that includes (surface floor slope or floor trap ), Showers and Feet Showers, and
backwash water method of disposal.
X. Pump room layout, sterilization and disinfection systems and water turnover calculations.
XI. Details of the equipment used including the following;
• Pumps and hair strainer
• Filter and filtering devices
• Sterilization and disinfection system
• Details of water inlets and outlets
• Details of drain outlet
• Skimmers details (if available)
• Stairs and ladders (if available)
• Dive Board Details – slides foot bridge (if available)
• Deck box layout, underwater lights and roof deck details
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