Best Practices for Commercial Pool Design Success / Our Blog / By Finulent Solutions For a commercial pool, designing to create an end product is a high-volume investment to make sure the risk of missing details doesn’t create large costs in the future. It could be something like operational inefficiencies, safety concerns, or later expensive changes—the mistakes will end up costing money, and the larger the project, the deeper the pockets go! A professionally engineered commercial pool design process can ensure that the pool is safe, meets all codes, is durable and is suitable for all heavy use. These are the most common design flaws of commercial pools – and how to fix them quickly. 1. Failure to Design the Drainage Poor drainage can lead to deck damage, structural issues, and safety issues around commercial pools and is one of the primary contributors to those concerns. When water accumulates on the deck or is not draining properly to the designed drains, there is an increased risk of slipping and accelerated deterioration of deck materials. Common Problems Water accumulating on the deck Deck materials cracking or failing prematurely Algae growth if water is stagnant How to Avoid This Incorporate sloped deck designs that push water to the deck drains Implement slot drains at the surface or at the deck level 2. Insufficient Filtration Systems Commercial pools experience a high volume of foot traffic, greater contamination levels, and longer operational hours. Attempting to apply filtration systems that are designed around residential load is an expensive oversight. Signs of Insufficient Filtration Cloudy water Increased usage of chemicals Shortened lifespan of equipment What Can Be Done to Mitigate This? Use calculations for bather load to dictate filter capacity instead by volume alone Select either high-rate sand filters or regenerative DE filters 3. Poor Planning of Pool Depth There are a variety of different activities for commercial pools: fitness, training, leisure, therapy, and competition. If the depth is not calculated correctly and/or adjusted to the activities performed in the water, it can limit functionality and lead to costly reconstruction, if that is even possible. Common Mistakes Designing a single-depth pool for multiple activities. Depths do not meet safety codes for each activity. Unsafe zones caused by poor transitions/slopes. How to Avoid This Depths match the use-case conditions (lap swimming, play areas, diving, etc.) Consult with local and international safety codes. Use 3D modelling of the pool for transitions and slopes. Depth planning leads to a great user experience and safety code compliance. 4. Disregarding Accessibility Codes You will also want to refer to either ADA accessibility guidance or your local/provincial codes that govern the accessibility of commercial pools and their related accessories. Common Overlooking Issues Missing pool lifts or ramps Inappropriate placement of railings Non-ADA-compliant widths of decks How to Avoid This In the planning and schematic phase, knowing to include items that help the facility, such as accessible pool lift specs, specifications for ramp slope, handrail counts and heights Provide multiple routes of access that are barrier-free across your deck Address accessibility early in the schematic lease Having an accessible route and capabilities is not an option to comply with it is a legal requirement but also provides universal access to everyone. 5. Utilizing the Wrong Finishes for Heavy Use Commercial pools will require finishes that can withstand exposure to chemicals, UV, and exposure to pedestrian traffic. Use of a product designed for residential pool finishes will ultimately lead to faster deterioration and maintenance issues. Common Issues Tiles are popping and delaminating due to thermal shock Fading of finishes of interior surfaces Resurfacing frequently How to Avoid It Utilise performance anti-slip ceramic tiles with a quartz aggregate, or a high-performance PVC membrane liner Provide a slip-resistant finish on deck surfaces Use chemical-resistant grout with industrial-grade adhesives Finding the right finishing materials can definitely help alleviate some of the lifecycle costs. 6. Inadequate Equipment Room Design The equipment room is the operating centre of a commercial pool. An overcrowded or poorly designed equipment room produces inefficiency, safety risks, and high retrofitting costs. Typical Layout Problems Valves and pumps are not accessible Piping systems cross each other Poor ventilation leads to corrosion How to Avoid This Make sure that there are clear service lanes Be sure where mechanical systems occupies space, and use 3D clash detection (BIM/VDC) to avoid conflicts Be sure there is adequate ventilation and moisture control and the potential for humidity to create corrosion Allow adequate space for replacing the mechanical equipment in the future Equipment rooms that are designed well improve operation and maintenance. The Value of Professional Engineering Design Commercial pool design must be engineered with precision for safety, performance and reduced operating cost over the life of the pool. Drainage, filtration, accessibility, and materials are but a few of the choices and decisions that need to be made in relation to the lifecycle value of the pool. Working with professional pool design engineers that use CAD technology, BIM modelling, and hydraulic analysis and have experience with pool codes will save you money and ensure an engineered pool that lasts. Share post
