Catherine Saunders – Page 7 – THE COOL POOL by Certikin

Pool maintenance:
Choose the easy life!

When the sun shows its face this summer, if you’re like us, you will want to be out there enjoying your pool rather than wondering how to get it all nice and clean and the water safe to swim in before it starts to rain (again).

You have two main options for maintenance. The first and certainly the easiest route is to call in the experts. Get in touch with your local swimming pool company and book regular service and maintenance visits. Obviously there will be a cost involved in getting someone else to look after your pool, but if you don’t want to get your hands dirty or need reassurance that you are doing the right things when it comes to maintaining your pool then building a good relationship with your local pool experts is definitely the best place to start.

The second option is to do it yourself! If this is your choice, then here are some ideas on how to make looking after your pool a pleasure and not a chore.

Cover your pool when not in use. A cover will help to stop the leaves and debris from entering the water. There are many options available from a solar blanket and manual reel system to a powered Roldeck slatted cover system (pictured above) that moves on and off the pool at the touch of a button – or where safety is a concern then a Coverstar safety cover really comes into its own. Whichever type of cover you choose, preventing leaves and debris from getting into the water means that there is less work for you to do. Many covers will also reduce heat loss from the water surface so minimising heating costs.

Get a Dolphin! No, not an actual dolphin, we mean a Dolphin automatic pool cleaner! These pool robots are simply placed into the swimming pool and they clean the pool for you. The Dolphin learns the size and shape of your pool and ensures that every part of it is cleaned. Some also come with a remote control allowing you to direct the Dolphin to the exact part of the pool that you want it to clean. All you have to do is lift it from the pool at the end of its cleaning cycle and empty the filter bags when needed.

Automate your chemical dosing. As a pool owner you’ll know that you need to test the water at least once a week and add sanitising chemicals such as chlorine to keep your pool water clean, clear and safe to swim in and the pH balanced so that the sanitiser does the best job and the equipment on your pool is protected. Did you know that you can automate the addition of these chemicals with chlorine feeders and controllers? Another option would be to generate your own chlorine on site by installing an Autopilot salt chlorinator. Alternatively you could install a Blue Lagoon UV system or a Prozone ozonator to help reduce the amount of sanitiser needed. There are many options here, and whether they are suitable for you will depend on your needs and your pool – your local pool experts will be able to help you to choose what would work best for you.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember if you want an easy life is that prevention is definitely better than cure – so whether you are doing it yourself, or with the help of your local pool experts, keep on top of pool maintenance and check your pool regularly so that you can really enjoy your pool this summer.

A pool with a view
and the Midas touch

Newton Abbot pool specialists, Westcountry Leisure, struck gold at the British Pool & Hot Tub Awards 2017, hosted by BISHTA and SPATA, with this magnificent pool in Devon. Built on the side of the cliff overlooking a bay in the Salcombe estuary, the pool is fully loaded with Certikin and Calorex equipment.

Brief: The client, a keen swimmer, wanted a pool for all year round use with a deep swimming lane plus a shallow end for his children. The large linear pool had to sit within the confines of the area to the back of the house and embrace its mature and natural surroundings – namely, the extensive gardens, the breath-taking sea view and the seagull-nesting cliffs.

Installation: Using a terrace where a large ornamental pond was sited, the pool is an impressive 22m in length to compliment the surrounding architectural features. The 5m wide pool (with 1.5m shallow and 2.2m deep end) required planning permission as it is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the house is Grade II listed. The owners were keen to ensure the project did not have any detrimental impact on the existing building. Westcountry Leisure put together drawings and a specification to satisfy the local authority, who duly granted permission.

Once the pool had been excavated to the required depths, a structural engineer inspected it and, due to failure of the compaction tests, further excavation was required.

MD of Westcountry Leisure, Mark Gilpin says: “Our initial survey was based upon a surface inspection of the site and even though we carried out two trial holes before commencement, the extra works didn’t become apparent until the majority of the dig had been carried out. It was certainly a challenging job and not one for those with a fear of heights! The proximity of the 20m drop over the cliff, just 6m away on one side, and the foundations of the two wings of the historical building within 2m on the other, required extensive shoring and stabilization of the dig.”

Logistics: Access to the site was completely restricted on three sides with only a small, single vehicular access possible between the trees. To improve access, Westcountry removed the existing retaining wall between the upper and lower terrace to enable the shuttered concrete pool to be constructed. The reinforced concrete, stone-faced retaining wall was reinstated on top where the depth of the dig was over 3.5m.

All excavated material was removed from site and a further 300 tons of material then returned to backfill the pool. As the work was carried out mid-winter, Westcountry constructed a temporary scaffold roof to aid the finishing works.

Details: The existing York stone terrace was carefully removed prior to excavation for recycling, to help the pool blend in. The stones, some of which weighed over 500 kg each, were cleaned, sorted, re-cut and re-laid as coping stones, pit lids for the Roldeck automatic cover chamber and cappings for the new stone-faced retaining wall that was flush with the pool wall.

The inside of the pool is lined with slate-lookalike porcelain tiles, 1200 mm x 600 mm, to blend in with the environment as the local planning officer wanted to avoid a bright blue tiled pool.

Result: Owner, Deborah Weinreich says: “We are delighted with the pool and the work of Mark Gilpin and the architect Ed Barker (South West Studio). Bearing in mind it was winter we were fortunate to be blessed with reasonable weather. We were less fortunate with historic pipe work that was discovered and needed to be re-routed. It also took a great deal more digging to find hard surface to build the pool on, so it had to be filled with aggregates before pool construction could start. In all it took 24 weeks to complete but it was well worth it.”

Westcountry’s Mark adds: “It was the most technically challenging project we have undertaken, especially as we had to work with such restricted access. The provision of extensive retaining walls and additional safety to the pool cover all added to the complexity of the job. We are delighted to win a SPATA Gold award and gain valuable industry recognition for our efforts.”

Using swimming pools
during a hosepipe ban

What is a Hosepipe ban?

A Temporary Use Ban (TUB) – also widely known as a Hosepipe Ban – is designed to restrict the use of water to manage demand during times of drought in the UK. One of the categories of water use that may be prohibited during a TUB is ‘filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool’.

However, although domestic swimming pools and swimspas are affected by this legislation, there are some exemptions under a Temporary Use Ban. HOT TUBS; NEWLY BUILT SWIMMING POOLS AND SWIMSPAS; AND MAJORLY REFURBISHED SWIMMING POOLS AND SWIMSPAS ARE NOT TREATED AS FALLING WITHIN THE DOMESTIC SWIMMING POOL/PADDLING POOL PROHIBITION.

During a Temporary Use Ban you CAN:

• Fill or maintain a pool or swimspa where necessary in the course of its construction. Newly built swimming pools or swimspas can be filled with water.

• Fill or maintain a pool or swimspa during the course of major refurbishment. Major alterations to shape, size or to the immediate surroundings of the pool, repairs or significant leaks or the installation of a complete new liner would qualify in this category. Minor repairs or cosmetic renovation such as the replacement of tiles would not qualify. Ideally the water from the pool to be refurbished or repaired should be retained in a temporary structure and reused if suitable.

• Backwash your swimming pool filter – however, you cannot replace water lost as a result of backwashing

• Fill or maintain a pool or swimspa using a hand-held container which is filled with water drawn from a tap.

• Fill or maintain a pool or swimspa that is designed, constructed or adapted for use in the course of a programme of medical treatment.

• Fill a hot tub – these are regarded as a bathing facility.

If the drought continues, then a water company may apply to DEFRA for a Drought Order which if applied enables the water company to take further water saving measures which may include non domestic swimming pools that are not open to the public.

Conserving Water when Running a Swimming Pool

Although the water in a swimming pool is continuously filtered, cleaned and re-used, there are areas where water losses can occur and we recommend that these should be addressed in order to conserve water.

Reduce evaporation. Keep floating covers on the water surface whenever swimming has stopped to reduce evaporation. This will also keep heat in the water, reducing your heating bills, and will help to minimise chemical costs. The use of automatic pool covers such as Roldeck and Coverstar will also help to reduce evaporation.

Maintain lower pool water temperatures. This will reduce evaporation and minimise the effect of algae. Heating costs will also be reduced.

Use OC-1 Filtration Media in your swimming pool filter. OC-1’s huge debris retention capacity means that backwashing frequency can be reduced.¹

Install a Multicyclone. A Multicyclone installed pre-filter will reduce the frequency of backwashing and therefore the amount of water sent to waste.¹

Stop splashing! If pool users can reduce the amount of water splashed outside of the pool, then the amount of water lost to evaporation on the pool surround is reduced.

Consider installing rainwater harvesting tanks. The water will need to be filtered and treated before it can be used in the pool.

If do you need to top up your swimming pool with water, then use a hand held container. Alternatively, purchase water or hire a water bowser for quantities up to 2000 litres, or if large volumes of water are required then alternative water suppliers can be used to abstract water from an area unaffected by a ban and bring it via tanker to your pool.

Water and energy conservation for new build pools and refurbishments

When doing major refurbishment work, transfer the water from the pool into a holding tank and recycle it back into the pool when the work is complete.

For new pools, discuss the project requirements with the client and establish whether a shallower pool (1.5m) might be more appropriate. Ensure that if diving is to be permitted the SPATA ‘cage of safety’ recommendations are followed.

Instead of a traditional swimming pool sand or glass filtration system, consider an OC-1 filtration system. With OC-1, it is possible to achieve a greater flow of water through the filter which means that pump speeds can be reduced by around 20% giving impressive energy savings. OC-1 also saves water as its huge debris retention capacity means that the filter can go much longer without a backwash¹ and without increasing the pressure or decreasing the flow rate.

¹NOTE: The levels of Total Dissolved Solids and Cyanuric Acid (a chlorine stabiliser used in outdoor pools) should be monitored due to the reduction in the addition of fresh water when reducing backwashing frequency.  Sanitisers such as calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochorite do not contain cyanuric acid and could be used as an alternative to di-chlor granules or tri-chlor tablets if cyanuric acid stabiliser levels are higher than desired.

Relax and enjoy your pool:
Use an Autopilot

If you prefer to relax and enjoy your pool rather than to maintain it then Autopilot is for you! Autopilot’s industry leading salt water pool systems turn ordinary salt into a self-regenerating supply of pure chlorine for pool and spa water that’s clean, clear and luxuriously soft.

Why a salt chlorine generator?

Salt is a natural element found in the earth, in our body and in our homes. It is used to season and preserve our food, rinse out contact lenses and soften our drinking water. Salt is a very economical commodity. When the ions in salt are passed over specially coated blades and induced with a low voltage electrical charge it is converted into chlorine. It is the same process that is used to convert seawater into laundry bleach. When this process is incorporated into your swimming pool you have your very own “chlorine generator”.

Do I eliminate the need to add chemicals?

The Pool Pilot® does one thing, generate chlorine. However, the purity of this chlorine has less effect on the overall water chemistry balance, therefore, LESS chemicals are needed to re balance the water. Your Pool Pilot® recommends periodic (weekly or bi-weekly) testing of stabiliser levels (30 – 60 ppm, required in outdoor pools only), Free chlorine (2 – 4 ppm for pools and 3 – 6 ppm for spas), pH (7.2 – 7.6), and salt levels (2,500 – 3,500 ppm). Since we do not affect the Total Alkalinity or Calcium Hardness, a monthly check is sufficient.

How do I add salt?

What is most important when adding salt is to brush it around until it is dissolved. This is accelerated by turning your pump on, opening the bottom drain and adding the salt over the drain, rather than walking around the perimeter while adding the salt. It is recommended that you continue to run the pump for 24 hrs so the salt can spread evenly throughout the pool. With Granular salt, 60-70% will have dissolved before hitting bottom. The remaining salt can simply be brushed into the drain which will then complete dissolution. With all other forms of salt, it will take longer to dissolve but the same process will accelerate the dissolve rate. Simply brush the salt in a pyramid over the drain to increase dissolution.

What kind of salt can I use?

Food grade salt is recommended. This is available in 25kg sacks from your swimming pool supplier.

How much salt do I add?

Enough for 3,000 ppm (parts per million) as a starting point. So depending on the initial salt level of your water, you only add the amount needed to establish 3,000 ppm. For new pools or freshly filled pools, the salt level will most likely be zero. In this case, 3kg of salt for every 1m³ of pool water will establish a level 3000ppm salt.

Are there any downsides to salt chlorination?

Be aware that other equipment on your pool may not be compatible with the levels of salt needed by your salt chlorinator as salt can corrode metallic products such as heating equipment. Your pool service engineer will be able to advise whether or not the equipment on your pool is compatible with the 3000ppm salinity that is required in order for Autopilot to work effectively.

It should also be noted that the addition of salt to the pool water increases its conductivity and consequently when being installed on older pools a thorough check of the electrical installation, particularly earth bonding, is advised. Further information can be found in the SPATA factsheet on salt chlorinators.

Why choose an Autopilot salt chlorinator?

AutoPilot® has been the technological leader in the chlorine generation process for swimming pools since 1978. There are over a half million satisfied AutoPilot®owners worldwide. AutoPilot® sets the standard for dependability, features and performance … and has a unit to fit every need and budget.

Increased Pool Ownership Satisfaction:

-Never buy, transport and store chlorine again

-Softer, silky feeling water – Better on your skin and hair

-No more red eyes – No staining of clothing

-No chlorine odour

-Automatically solves most of your water chemistry problems

-Sanitises your pool every day – even when you’re away on holiday

Protect your pool finish investment by:

-Better water chemistry management – day in day out

-No algae growth to stain your surface

-Continuous super chlorination eliminates need for harsh chemical shocking

-Produces close to neutral pH to prevent radical shifts in water balance

Increase safety for your family:

-No handling or storage of harsh chlorine products

-Continuous in-line super chlorination guarantees healthy water

-No caustic by-products

Easier pool maintenance:

-Ease of operation – chemical regulation at your fingertips

-Economical to operate – less electricity usage than a 200 watt light

-Water balance is more stable – virtually eliminates the need for super chlorination, algaecides and other support chemicals

A pool complex that is
carbon negative

In a world where energy is finite, preserving valuable resources is the motivation behind every project and new product launch, which is why the SPATA Gold Award for Sustainability is such an important one. In 2016, this much-coveted award went to Sunderland pool builder, Whitewaters, for their technical expertise in building this beautiful pool, which has at its heart a Calorex Variheat environmental control unit.

The new build pool was part of the conversion of an existing farm building on an exposed site within the North Pennines – an area of outstanding natural beauty and on the fringes of the Northumberland National Park.

Longstanding customers of Certikin, Whitewaters turned to the UK’s number one supplier for equipment including a Calorex Variheat 3 unit, an Indux heat recovery ventilator, two Euroswim pumps, Vision sand filter, Blue lagoon UV unit and stainless steel heat exchanger.

The owners, keen to be as resourceful as possible monitored the house’s energy consumption for a year and the pool for ten months. This revealed the overall complex (including the pool) to be carbon negative – that is the site produces more energy over a year than the building consumes. This scheme proves that properly utilising the very best in renewable technology can allow a pool (which is so often seen as an environmental no-no) to be collaboratively integrated into a significantly carbon negative development.

MD of Whitewaters, Mick Guthrie, says: “We were delighted with the SPATA award. Having won a number of design awards in various categories in recent years, it was particularly pleasing to win Gold in this highly technical category. We were fortunate to work alongside an excellent client and a progressive design team on this project, which allowed our team to showcase its skills.”

Variheat: a small solution to a big problem

In the Variheat, Calorex has produced an incredibly versatile range of environmental control units that take care of heating, humidity control, dehumidification and energy recovery. With literally thousands of different configurations available as standard, there is a Variheat for every size and shape plant room. Available exclusively from Certikin, it is exceptionally compact and easy to configure. Up-draught, down-draught, horizontal airflows, 90-degree turns, left and right handing are all easily achieved with service access to suit each project`s requirements.

The Variheat Series 3 is an advanced environmental control system designed specifically to control indoor pool hall environments and water conditions. It maximises energy efficiency to ensure running costs are kept to an absolute minimum. The integral controls re designed so that the maximum use of recycled energy is made before asking for heat from an external boiler or heat source.

The Variheat’s powerful state of the art variable speed fans ensure that power consumption is minimised, plus they are quiet in operation!

Of course, the Variheats are supported by a nationwide network of Calorex Service Agents. Rapid response times and exemplary support give you and your clients peace of mind for years to come.

The Variheat’s features:

– Flexible in design

– Indoor pool dehumidifier

– Heat recovery to air & water, plus air & water heating

– Ideal for overhead or underground ductwork

– Built-in air heater battery

– Night set-back facility

– Summer Switch allows all heating to be directed to pool water alone.

Calorex FX
is a breath of fresh air!

The Calorex FX System is a fresh air ventilation system that uses outdoor air to provide dehumidification and a double pass heat exchanger that delivers up to an amazing 95% heat recovery! Complementing Calorex’s industry leading range of swimming pool hall environmental control systems, the FX System offers customers a further choice of equipment specification – all from one source.

Suitable for hotels, wellness centres and private indoor swimming pools, the Calorex FX System ensures a comfortable, healthy indoor climate, benefitting the pool’s users and the building. But operating costs are equally important, and the FX2 and 3 are extremely efficient.

The double cross flow heat exchanger delivers up to 95% heat recovery, combined with low-energy EC fan motors to ensure the lowest possible operating costs and low cost of ownership. The built-in mixing function and optimised control strategy takes care not to add any more outdoor air than necessary to provide a comfortable indoor climate.

Free cooling can be provided during summer, when the unit can add up to 100% outside air into the pool area through an automatic by-pass.

Furthermore, the installation costs can be minimised with the FX2 and 3. The compact unit comes fully assembled, with built-in LPHW air heating coil and control system. The basic installation procedure is to position the unit, connect it to the duct system, power supply and plumbing system and it is ready to get to work!

For peace of mind for years to come, the FX Systems contain only the most durable components to endure the aggressive environment encountered in swimming pools.

Key benefits

Complete solution providing ultimate comfort

Intuitive PLC control

Effective double cross flow heat exchangers with up to 95% heat recovery efficiency

Up to 100% outside air with free cooling in summer

Low-energy EC fan motors

Effective corrosion resistance ensures long service life

Ultra-compact unit with built-in after heating coil.

Flexible installation with a range of connection options

Back up and support from a nationwide network of engineers

Call Certikin’s H&V Department today for a competitive quote. T: 01993 777200 E: enquiries@certikin.co.uk

The new E.Swim
variable speed pump

The new energy saving, variable speed E.Swim pump is available and ready for the 2017 pool season. Compact and suitable for different pool types, it is ideal for the replacement of old pool pumps as the pipe connections are identical to the popular Euroswim Pump.

The E.Swim by DAB offers variable speed or variable flow function helping to reduce energy usage and running costs. Highly efficient, E.Swim features a brushless motor and has eight settable speeds and a built in timer.

Other features include optimised hydraulic parts to reduce head losses; whisper quiet operation; user-friendly LCD display and the simple control and setting of working parameters.

AQBox: the easiest way
to extend the British summer

The vagaries of the British climate can wreck the plans of many pool owners but now there is a simple, quick fix solution in the shape of the AQBox. As its name suggests, the enclosure arrives in a box and is easily erected by any self-build enthusiast using basic tools.

Manufactured by leading enclosure specialists, Aquacomet and supplied by Certikin International, the attractive AQBox enclosure comes in a low and standard height offering three different lengths for each and two different glazes. The parts are delivered in a wooden box and come with a simple to follow assembly manual.

The flat low level enclosure is available in 0.7m height by 6.7 length; 0.8m height and 8.7m length and 1.05m height by 10.7m length whilst a standard enclosure is available in 1.12m, 1.43m and 1.79m heights and the same aforementioned lengths.

The eye-catching enclosure offers a high specification, which includes a patented child safe locking system; 6mm double wall polycarbonate or 3mm SAN solid, UV protected on both sides. The enclosure parts are made of rounded anodised aluminium alloy with clear or thermo glazing.

The low level enclosure comes with removable front and back walls – both in one piece – with side mounted sliding doors while the standard enclosures feature a front wall, including a French door in the middle and a removable end wall.

Niveko:
The Pool For The 21st Century

Concrete and liner methods of swimming pool construction, of course, have their rightful place but both can be time consuming. If it’s a pool you want, and right now, nothing is quicker than a one-piece pool. As Ian Dolan found out when local pool specialists IED Installations Ltd installed this beautiful Niveko pool at his home in the north-west.

“I was attracted to a one-piece pool simply because I don’t have the time to see through to completion the construction of a traditional pool and after making the decision to have a pool, I wanted it to be up and running like tomorrow!” says Ian. “For me, there is only one, one piece pool …the Niveko. It wins hand’s down on quality, functionality and stunning good looks.”

Within weeks of placing the order, an 8m x 3.7m pool with full width steps was duly delivered to Ian’s home near Liverpool and some three weeks later the family were swimming at home.

“To me, the Niveko is a no-brainer,” adds Ian. “The costs of a Niveko compare favourably to a traditional build and they are a solid unit so there’s no problems with leaks. Plus, I have the reassurance that it comes with a 10 year warranty.

“Installation was very straight-forward and coming as it does, pre-piped and pre-wired, significantly saves on installation costs. I feel I have a tailor made pool as there are so many different models and colour permutations.”

The Niveko stripped down

– The Niveko range is as broad as it is long with styles that include options such as skimmers / overflows / a vanishing edge to name just a few.

– All the pools can be supplied with a slatted automatic cover to help minimise heat loss and associated running costs. Incorporating an in-roller motor, it can be operated with a key switch or remote control.

– Pre-plumbed, all the pools have 30mm of insulation.

– The overflow gutter has a unique levelling system which provides a solution for any unevenness in the base plate without interfering in the pool structure. It is particularly good for larger pools, as it simplifies the installation process.

Newcastle Hydrotherapy Pool
Opens With OC-1

Alan Shearer CBE with Jessica Robertson, 3, at the official opening of the new hydrotherapy pool at the Alan Shearer Centre

When the Alan Shearer Activity Centre in Newcastle Upon Tyne approached pool specialist, Whitewaters Ltd, to replace an old hydro pool with something bigger and better, naturally it was to Certikin that they turned and, in particular, their trailblazing new filter media: OC-1.

Founded by the retired English footballer, the Alan Shearer Activity Centre situated on the outskirts of Newcastle is a specialist recreational, sensory and social centre for disabled people catering for a wide spectrum of need. It is the only short break centre in the North East with its own on-site activity centre, set within acres of beautifully landscaped grounds.

Having seen better days, Whitewaters Ltd set about stripping out the old hydrotherapy pool, replacing it with a £500,000 state-of-the-art facility. Six months in design, the construction took a further six months to complete. Twice the size of the original hydrotherapy pool, it offers a mix of fun and relaxation with interactive mood lighting and water and music features. A distinctive full-length window looks out onto the beautiful grounds and turns opaque at a flick of a switch. The pool features an array of water features including a Certikin water cannon, and fluvo air pad and swimjet.

MD of Whitewaters, Mick Guthrie says: “The new hydrotherapy pool offers all the grandeur of a top quality spa, but it also plays a serious role in providing therapeutic benefits to disabled people of all ages.”

Water quality is, of course, of vital importance and at the heart of this pool’s filtration system is the ground breaking new OC-1 filter media for which Certikin is the world’s exclusive distributor. Unique in its methodology and performance, OC-1 works through settlement as opposed to entrapment, and harnesses the recent advances in pump technology and variable speed pumps/controllers.

Mick reports: “The pool has been running for over a month now and the water clarity is crystal clear. Being extremely lightweight, OC-1 is so much easier than any other filter media to handle and work with. Although it’s early days, I am highly impressed with OC-1 and its distinct benefits.”

OC-1 gains momentum in the marketplace

Since the launch of Certikin’s OC-1 Filtration Media® in 2016 sales have been growing steadily and its success is no surprise when you realise just how much of a game changer for water leisure filtration this really is. When compared to traditional media, it has outstanding benefits:

Reduced energy consumption – OC-1 maintains constant flow rates, even when the media is dirty, so pumps can run at lower speeds. No downtime required for heating/salt chlorinators/heat pumps going out on low flow.

Huge capacity for debris collection – over 20 times the capacity of sand or glass.

Reduced requirement for backwashing and a more efficient backwash – reduces water consumption, chemical usage and No need to backwash on start up with new installations.

Lightweight – can even be shipped inside a filter, easy to handle, super quick and easy to install.

Filtration quality Removes 80% of 10 micron particles on one turnover and even removes particles as small as 1 micron.

Suitable for – domestic, commercial, outdoor or indoor, new installs or existing filters.

Recyclable at end of product life