Basics of Operating Commercial Swimming pools

Have you ever gone to a commercial swimming pool or an Aquatic Centre and wondered how everything might work?

Visited a large hotel or resort on a holiday or business trip and saw the size of the pool and wondered how everything was kept.

Now there is a lot more to maintaining and operating a large-sized commercial swimming pool than this article articulates. The volume of liters, the number of patrons and usage, and water temperature play a large role in adjustments, maintenance, and types of filters, pumps, and the amount of chemicals that might be used.

However the three main functions and involvements of running a large-scaled pool is the following three aspects:

• Pool Circulation
• Pool Testing
• Chemical Dosing & Usage

Here's a brief explanation of pool water circulation:

1. Return Channels (Water Outlets):Provide a way for the water to go from the swimming pool back into the balance tank. Common return channels include Wet deck, Scum gutter, and Skimmer Box.
2. Lint Traps:Mesh screens inside skimmer boxes, wet decks, and at the end of scum gutters. The purpose is to trap larger pieces of debris and prevent them from entering the balance tank.
3. Balance Tanks:Primary function: Act as a reservoir to contain water displaced by patrons using the pool. Important function: Ensure sufficient and consistent flow in the pool system. If the balance tank is low, pumps cease to work as air gets in, stopping pool circulation .Make-up tap should be turned on to refill lost water for continued flow. Dosing chemicals into the balance tank allows for safe dilution without evacuating the pool.
4. Circulation Pumps:Create the flow of water through the pool system and ensure constant turnover of water. Flow through pool body, balance tank, and treatment system.
5. Filters:Various types, with sand filters common in commercial settings. Purpose: Trap particles between fibers/grains for clearer, cleaner water. Backwashing: reverses water flow through the filter, passing debris to a waste tank. Therefore, a method to ensure that the filters are working to optimal levels.
6. UV Disinfection:Water passes through UV chamber, exposing it to UV light. UV light breaks down oxidants, and controls combined chlorine levels.
7. Valves:Control flow and direction of water in the pool system. Some valves are left open to maintain certain water pressure standards.
8. Heating:Includes heat exchangers, heat pumps, gas boilers, solar heating, and pool blankets. Used in combination with heat control practices.
9. Chemical Dosing:Automated to ensure consistent chemical levels in pools. Essential to regularly test pool water with a physical photometer to validate online controller readings.Dosing pumps and Injection points ensure that the required chemicals are getting dosed into the pool.
10. Inlet Ports:Allow water to enter the swimming pool. If the valve on the return pipe is closed, water won’t leave the system, creating unwanted pressure.

Power Loss Protocol:

• If the pool circulation system loses power, the pool should only remain open for one full turnover of water.

Here's an explanation of the main function of each element tested in aquatic pools:

1. Free Chlorine:Function: Free chlorine refers to the amount of chlorine in the water that is available to kill bacteria and other harmful organisms. It is essential for maintaining water quality and ensuring the safety of swimmers.
2. Total Chlorine:Function: Total chlorine is the sum of both free chlorine and combined chlorine in the water. Monitoring total chlorine levels helps ensure that there is enough chlorine in the water for disinfection purposes.
3. Combined Chlorine:Function: Combined chlorine refers to the chlorine that has already reacted with contaminants in the water and is no longer available for disinfection. Monitoring combined chlorine levels helps ensure that the pool water is effectively sanitized.
4. pH (Potential of Hydrogen):Function: pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of the pool water. Maintaining the pH within a specific range is crucial for ensuring that the chlorine remains effective as a disinfectant and for preventing skin and eye irritation in swimmers.
5. Calcium Hardness:Function: Calcium hardness refers to the amount of dissolved calcium in the pool water. Proper calcium hardness levels help prevent the corrosion or scaling of the pool's surfaces and equipment.
6. Alkalinity:Function: Alkalinity refers to the ability of the pool water to resist changes in pH. Proper alkalinity levels help maintain a stable pH, which is important for preventing damage to the pool's surfaces and equipment.
7. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS):Function: TDS refers to the total amount of dissolved solids in the pool water, including minerals, salts, and other impurities. Monitoring TDS levels helps ensure water quality and prevent issues such as cloudy water, scaling, and corrosion.
8. Saturation Index:Function: The saturation index is a measure of the balance between the pool water's pH, calcium hardness, and alkalinity. A positive saturation index indicates that the water is saturated with calcium carbonate and can lead to scaling, while a negative saturation index indicates that the water is corrosive. Balancing the saturation index helps protect the pool and its equipment.

By regularly testing and monitoring these elements, pool operators can ensure that the pool water is safe, clean, and properly balanced for swimmers.

Here's a detailed explanation of the chemicals commonly used in pool maintenance:

1. Sodium Hypochlorite:Function: Sodium hypochlorite is a common pool disinfectant that increases the chlorine levels in the water. It effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and algae, helping to maintain clean and safe pool water.
2. Calcium Hypochlorite:Function: Similar to sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite is used to increase chlorine levels in pool water. It is available in granular form and is effective in killing bacteria and algae.
3. Sodium Bisulfate:Function: Sodium bisulfate is used to decrease the pH of pool water. It is an acid that helps to neutralize alkalinity and maintain the pH balance of the water.
4. Sodium Bicarbonate:Function: Sodium bicarbonate is used to increase the pH and alkalinity of pool water. It acts as a buffer, helping to maintain stable pH levels and prevent fluctuations.
5. Cyanuric Acid:Function: Cyanuric acid is a stabilizer that helps to protect chlorine from being broken down by sunlight. It helps to maintain the chlorine's effectiveness over time, reducing the need for frequent chlorine additions.
6. Calcium Chloride:Function: Calcium chloride is used to increase the calcium hardness of pool water. Proper calcium hardness levels help prevent corrosion of pool surfaces and equipment.
7. Sodium Thiosulfate:Function: Sodium thiosulfate is used to decrease chlorine levels in pool water. It acts as a chlorine neutralizer, reducing the chlorine concentration to a safe level.

These chemicals are essential for maintaining the balance and cleanliness of pool water. It's important to use them according to manufacturer instructions and to regularly test the water to ensure that the chemical levels are within the recommended range.