General Information About Pool Project And Planning
In determining the reinforced concrete section of swimming pools, besides the construction and static requirements, the coating material to be made is also important in terms of hygiene. If the work is done by taking these issues into consideration while preparing the details at the initial pool project phase, the problems to be encountered in the later stages will be minimized.
The slope to be given in the cross-section is very important for the swimming pool water to overflow and clean properly. Accordingly, the 5% slope between the pool edge and the overflow channel will allow the pool water to overflow smoothly, thus collecting the dirt accumulated on the surface. Another 2% slope is made in the opposite direction on the other side of the pool overflow channel. The purpose of this slope is to prevent the contaminated water around the pool walking area from mixing with the pool water. Another issue that should be reminded here is that the handle and anti-slip fixing is done by experts and with the help of a level so that the water can overflow equally from all over the pool. Otherwise, since the water will not overflow equally, the aesthetics of the pool will not be provided and the water will not be cleaned sufficiently in some areas.
Reinforced Concrete
While the excavation is done and the blockage is laid, the pool drainage line should not be forgotten, which will allow the removal of water from outside around the pool.
While the floor and curtains of the pool are poured, all hydraulic connections, discharge manholes, PVC pipes, strainers, underwater lighting fixture buckets and all necessary concrete transition parts should be placed in place.
While avoiding structural additions (dilatation) in the pool, it is often necessary to leave a dilatation joint around the pool. Since the static work of the pool filled with water and the surrounding corridors and terraces that are often on the ground is different, dilatation is required. One of the important issues to be considered is that these structural joints should never be covered with material. These joints should be sealed with materials such as elastic silicone.
In terms of water insulation in swimming pools, if no cold joints are left during the concrete pouring phase, if left, water retaining tape etc. in cold joints. Care should be taken to take precautions.
After the concrete casting stage, if a smoothing process with plaster and alum is needed on the surface, the plaster should be prepared with additives, if possible, and the thickness should not exceed 8-15 mm. Larger correction concrete thicknesses may cause ruptures from the concrete surface.
In the reinforced concrete phase, the accuracy of the pool dimensions is very important. Especially in competition pools (Olympic swimming pool, competition and water polo pools, etc.), control and approval by the swimming federation is required for competitions.
Water Isolation
In the Swimming Pool and Ornamental Pools, water is filled into the pool and waited in order to check the water tightness after a suitable water insulation is made on the pool surface and to prevent a possible water loss before the coating material is made. The pool should be full of water for 15 days. However, this period should not be less than a week.
Pool Covering
In order to facilitate the cleaning process and ensure hygiene during the use of the pools, it is recommended to use inner and convex special joining parts instead of joining the pool floor and wall. Porcelain products with special cross sections lined on the edge of swimming pools are classified as handles. This material shows excellent chemical, physical and mechanical properties with a special production and cooking. First of all, the handles and non-slip elements should be placed one by one on the relevant parts of the pool in the desired form and adjusted until the desired slopes are obtained. This slope should be equal across the pool and this should be provided through a level. These checks should be done in the presence of experts.
The products should be glued by keeping the 5 mm joint between the non-slip and handles, paying attention to the smoothness of the parts of the handles coming into the pool.
It should not be forgotten that a successful application process does not only depend on the quality of the material. How and by whom the process is made is as important as the quality of the material.
After the adhesive is completely dry, the joint gaps between the materials are completely emptied and filled with a flexible, latex or epoxy based semi-elastic joint filling material. Normal joint fillers should never be used in order not to be affected by water, air and other environmental factors. After the application, the cleaning process should be done quickly and carefully.
If the pool cleaning process is not done carefully or is done late, it is not possible to clean the residues on the materials.
It is recommended to use a plastic cover to avoid splashes from construction works and protect the flooring area after the pool coating process is completed.
After the pool material laying process is completed, iron cutting and so on. transactions should not be done. Even if it is not known at that time, after a certain period of time, the damages of iron burrs are observed on the materials.
Water should be filled into the pool only after the construction, mechanical and electrical installations are completed and the fertilized soil laying and grass addition processes in the garden are completed.
About Pool Care
The water in a well-maintained swimming pool with a filtration and disinfection system conforming to standards is cleaner than sea water. However, adequate maintenance cannot be provided in many pools. Swimmers in public pools must obey hygienic measures. The swimming pool should not be entered with sun oil and it should be thoroughly cleaned by taking a shower before entering the pool, and it should be ensured that the feet are rinsed with disinfectant water. If possible, pool users should be allowed to enter the pool by passing through the photocell shower.
Periodic maintenance of swimming pools should be done on time and the pool water should be brought to a healthy environment. Large multi-user swimming pools should be closed to swimmers once a week, and weekly maintenance should be done. The names of the company or persons undertaking the maintenance of the pool, the type and brands of the chemicals used and similar issues should be included on the special information board to be informed to those who use the swimming pools.
Pool water should not be drained in winter. In winter, the water of the pools should be left full and winter maintenance chemicals (poolwic etc.) should be used.
In addition to the cleanliness of the water to be filled in the pool, care should be taken to ensure that the pH value is between 7.2 and 7.6 and provides UHE instruction data.
After starting the circulation of the pool water and making shock dosing for disinfection, only the next day the chemical rate in the water should be checked with a digital or manual test kit and if the values are normal, the pool should be entered.
It should not be forgotten that swimming in a healthy, hygienic and clean pool is only possible with proper and regular care.
Pool Winter Care
- It is recommended to keep open pools full in winter, especially in regions where winter conditions are harsh. Thus, the pool surface and structure is better protected against external factors. If we think of the Swimming Pool as a boat in the soil, the boat will be affected by the possible changes in the soil. The water inside the pool provides resistance against these effects with the pressure it exerts on the pool surfaces and protects the reinforced concrete.
- Interior coatings of pools built in areas where frost can occur in winter or porcelain pool coating materials with very low water absorption should be used.
- As the filled pool will be more sensitive to external effects, it is out of question for the pool coating to be damaged due to foreign substances falling into the pool. (Dead leaves, dust, etc. things can stain the pool coating surface.)
In addition, maintenance of the pool throughout the winter requires less material and moral maintenance in preparing the pool for the season.
In open swimming pools, the “frost” that will occur in winter and when the temperature drops below “0” ° C may cause damage to the coating materials.
It is imperative to take some measures to counteract the negative effects of frost:
1- Approximately 30 cm below the pool water surface.
2- Flexible ice pressure pads and anti-frost winter protection tubes are hung on the pool water surface in order to prevent the ice layer that may form on the pool surface. (The number of ice pressure pads is determined depending on the area size of the pool and placed with a special design.)
3-Measures to facilitate spring cleaning should be taken in pools left full, that is, algae formation and lime subsidence should be prevented. Winter protector and winter maintenance chemicals are a disinfectant material that protects the pool water throughout the winter, facilitates spring cleaning, prevents algae formation, dirt and lime settlements.
4- Pool water; The pool is sucked from the bottom suction and circulated, then heated to 10-15 ° C and given to the pool. Circulation is done at approximately one quarter of normal operating conditions.
5- After the above four precautions are taken, it can be additionally covered with a tarpaulin over the pool or a cover material such as heat-protected tarpaulin.
Which Pools Should Be Permitted?
The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization has standardized the issue of permission to build a pool with a regulation. According to the published regulation, there is no need to obtain a permit for pools with a depth of less than 1 meter. Since it is one of the pools included in the zoning plans of the house, it is an ornamental pool for these structures. However, if this pool is closed on all four sides, it is also necessary to obtain permission regardless of the depth. As the pools with a depth of more than 1 meter are out of the scope of the ornamental pool, the necessary permits should be made in consideration of the regulations. However, necessary places should be contacted in order to conclude that there is no contradiction to the development plans.
Where to Get Permission for Having a Pool?
If the desired pool is out of the nature of an ornamental pool and requires a license according to the regulations, the necessary permissions must be obtained. According to the regulations of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, permission and license to build this pool can be obtained from district and central municipalities.
The purpose here is to ensure that the pool is included in the zoning plans, if not available. Any building that is not in the zoning is not an official building. In municipalities, in order to obtain the license for this building, an application must be made to the Department of Environment and Urban Planning, Directorate of Urban Design or the Department of Development and Planning. (The names of the departments change according to the organizational chart of each municipality)
Which Ways Are Followed in Pool Construction Permit?
It is sufficient to apply only to the district municipality to have the pools built. Following the application to the district municipality, changes are made in the development plans, taking into account the reports kept by the technicians authorized by the municipality. After the zoning plan changes are completed, the required license is issued and issued. The important point here is that the pools are built adhering to the plans deemed appropriate by the municipality. Unlike the municipalities, the construction of a pool is considered an illegal structure and brings with it penalties.
