Swimming pools are constructed with concrete as a material for residential as well as hotels, clubs and schools. The concrete material has proved to be one of the long-life material that is best suited for this construction.
The basic requirements for swimming pool construction are:
It is necessary to have a pool shell i.e. 1. the pool floors and the walls to be structurally sound.
2. The pool shell must be designed and constructed so that they have good water tightness. This condition must be followed when the pool is full or partially filled.
Some of the swimming pools due to the area of the construction may be constructed below water table.
This demands for higher water tight pool shell in order to resist the penetration and the infiltration of the ground water. This condition can exist even if the pool is filled with water or vacant.
3. The floor and the wall surface in the interior of the swimming pool must be properly finished with a smooth, reasonably impervious and an attractive substance.
This must enable easy cleaning of the surface. The water within the pool must be of proper standard of clarity and purity.
4. The pool must have a walkway that surrounds the perimeter of the pool. The width of the walkway must be 1.5m in minimum value.
This walkway must be finished with a non-slip material that can be easily cleaned and highly durable.
5. For pools that are used by young children and non – swimmers, there must be provision for protection steps all around the walls.
The location of the steps must not be greater than 900mm below the water level. This arrangement is shown in the figure-1.
Fig.1. Safety Step Provision for Swimming Pools
6. The provision for diving board is based on the swimming association of the region. This varies if the pool is installed for diving competitions.
Gunite mixture of sand, cement, fly ash, pea stone, and water that is sprayed over a steel reinforced is the procedure employed for the construction of residential pools.
If the construction is carried out in a ground area where there is larger levels of water tables and ground water infiltration, a layer of vinyl liner with a structural back up is offered. The shapes that is employed for the construction of residential pools is unlimited that is within the protection limit.
The open pool building has limited choice because they are mainly constructed on the same plot of the building. In case of pools that are constructed for schools, there is an exception as here the pools are constructed as a part of the ground facilities.
The basic considerations that are taken for the construction of open pools are as follows:
The covered Pools have many advantages when compared with the open pools. If the open – air pool can be used for 150 days, the covered pool can be used for a comfort period of 365 days.
The advantages of covered pools are: