Miami Swimming Pool Designer & Aquatic Consultant

Whether your project is in Miami, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Scottsdale, San Francisco, Napa, Aspen, Vail, Dallas or the Hamptons - your pool hydraulic and plumbing system must be in compliance with BOTH the Virginia Graeme Baker Safety Act and the ANSI/APSP-7 2006 Standard.

Component In-Compatibility

Since it’s enactment in 2008, a lot has been written about the Virginia Graeme-Baker Act Safety Act (VGBA).  Yet, in my travels as an expert witness, I continually see indications that the standards and how they are implemented are not understood - by people who design and build pools for a living.

The confusion seems to lie in the complexities of components selection and hydraulic design.

Maximum Line Velocities

ANSI/APSP-7 2006, section 4.4 states “Water velocity in field fabricated piping is based on the maximum system

flow rate.  Maximum water velocity in branch suction piping shall be limited to 6 feet per second (fps) (when one of a pair is blocked). In normal operation then, the branch suction piping velocity is 3 feet per second. All other suction piping velocities shall be 6 fps for public pools or 8 fps for residential pools.”

Basically is says that the plumbing lines that connect to the drain sump should have a line velocity of 3 feet per second when they are in an unblocked condition.  So, at 3 fps a 2 inch pipe is limited to 43 GPM.  And, therein lies the problem.

Prefabricated Drain Channels and Covers

The next hurdle is what is causing all of the confusion to swimming pool builders, designers, state and local health departments, building inspectors and even many drain manufacturers - the compatibility of the drain GPM and line velocities of the connected plumbing.

Though drain sumps, channels and covers that comply with VGBA list a maximum GPM flow rating, it does not mean that the pipe connections below that cover are permitted to flow at that rating. 
 
What the drain cover rating does allow are the grouping of different suction systems.  Multiple branch lines from different pumping systems may be grouped together under a cover, until their cumulative GPM flowrate meets the cover's rating.  This allows multiple system inlets to share a drain cover.

Most of these channel drains only provide 2 inch connection ports, that are limited (by law) to a mere 3 FPS. That equates to ONLY 43 GPM per connection!  

1.   Single inlet unblockable channel drains are available with 196 GPM ratings.  When installed in compliance with the 3 FPS standard, it only has a maximum flow rating of 43 GPM.
2.   Dual inlet unblockable channel drains are available with 227 GPM ratings.  However, when installed in compliance with the 3 FPS standard, it only has a maximum flow rating of 86 GPM.
3.   Triple inlet unblockable channel drains are available with flow ratings of 320 GPM.  Yet, when installed in compliance with the 3 FPS standard they are limited to 129 GPM.

The bottom line is, that just because a pre-fabricated drain cover allows higher flow rates through it’s slots, does not mean that the ANSI/APSP 7 standard can be ignored.

It’s all about component compatibility.

SIDE NOTE

Some jurisdictions and health departments limit the line velocity through the branch suction lines to 1.5 fps. The Texas State Department of Health places such limits on public pools.  Some local jurisdictions adopt the state health department rules for all pools in their domains.  So, it helps to know if this more restrictive standard of 1.5 fps applies to private pools you may be involved with.

Paolo Benedetti - Watershape Consultant, Swimming Pool Designer, Hydraulic Engineering, Expert Witness 

© Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 

www.aquatictechnology.com

1-800-440-1611 

Email: info@aquatictechnology.com

Hamptons glass tile swimming pool designer aquatic consultants

From the Hollywood Hills, La Jolla, Napa, Scottsdale, Miami Beach & up to the Hamptons, glass tile mosaics have become all the rage.  Thousands of brands of glass tile are available from around the world.

But owners should rely on their watershape consultant to specify tiles that are compatible with aquatic environments.... because not all tiles are equal.  In fact, some are down right dangerous!

ANSI 137.2 Thermal Shock Standard

Any tile installed in an aquatic environment, should be compliant with the ANSI 137.2 Standard for resistance to thermal shock.  Many glass tiles that are marketed for use in swimming pools are not compliant with this standard

What causes cracking?

The lack of resistance to thermal shock originates with the manufacturer of the tile.  The lack of resistance to cracking can be caused by inferior blends or batching of raw materials, improper use of recycled glass, incorrect processing and annealing or other manufacturing defects. 
 
Why does it matter?

In an outdoor setting, glass tiles are subjected to wild swings in temperature.  A tile that is not resilient enough to resist thermal shock will crack.  Cracked glass tiles will eventually become dislodged.  Bare feet and glass shards do not mix well.

Besides, who wants to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a glass tile pool, to become embroiled in a dispute over the quality of the glass?

Buy compliant materials that are designed and manufactured for the intended location & purpose.

Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Designer, Construction Management, Swimming Pool Expert Witness
www.aquatictechnology.com
Email:  info@aquatictechnology.com
Office: 408-776-8220
©2014 Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
All rights reserved.

Vanishing Edge Swimming Pool - Cut IN or Cut OUT

Whether your pool is in San Diego, Miami, Scottsdale, Napa or the Hamptons, the principles of infinity edge swimming pool design remain the same.  

Two Options

There are two methods of finishing a negative edge wall.  Each has benefits and disadvantages.

Tilt-in (cut in) is where the top of the wall slopes down and inward towards the vessel.  In this design, the top of the dam wall is always submerged.

Tilt-out (cut out, cut away) is where the top of the wall sloped down and outward, away from the vessel.  When the pumps are off, the top of the dam wall becomes dry.

Tilt-IN (aka: cut in)

Tilting in the top of weir wall has many benefits.  The foremost, is that the crisp edge of the water is pushed out further, giving the illusion that the pool is larger than it actually is.

If the slope of the weir is too flat, then the underlying top of the wall may register through the reflective surface of the water.  Some finishes will also register through the water, as they do not create a reflective surface.  At some view angles the water does not appear as crisp and precise. 

The largest draw back, is the "birdbath effect."  When the edge is cut shallow, a thin layer of water is left atop the wall.  These walls are commonly 12 inches thick.  And that creates the perfect place for hundreds of birds to congregate daily to splash, frolic and crap.


The solution is simple - increase the angle of the slope.  It reduces the shallow wading pool for birds and dissuades bathers from trying to sit atop the wall.


Tilt-OUT (aka: cut away)

Most infinity edge pools utilize a weir that tilts down and out.  This is simply due to the fact that it gives the water a clean & crisp look.  The water is cut off precisely.

The tops of these walls are dry when the pumps are turned off.  This subjects the top of the wall to repeated heating and cooling cycles and rapid expansion and contraction cycles.  Since most are installed incorrectly, they will soon delaminate, crack and leak.

Since most of these pools are built on hilltops or in windy locations, water is frequently blown over the weir.  As the water level drops, the inner wall of the pool becomes exposed.  This is not good for plaster or aggregate surfaces.  It may subject the finishes to cracking, staining, shrinkage or bathtub rings.

Cutting the weir away from the pool also creates an edge that bathers find uncomfortable when they want to fold their arms to hang, linger and take in the view.

My Preference

My preference is to tilt the weir inward towards the pool.  Done correctly and at the proper angle, it can be made to disappear underwater.

The pool appears almost 1 foot larger because the water is pushed out tot he edge.

A steeper angle discourages birds from congregating and helps conceal it under the reflective surface of the water.

Water is lost when the pumps are off due to the wind, but the delicate interior finishes are not exposed to the ravages of the sun and elements.

The top of the wall usually remains partial submerged, even when water has been blown out and the level drops.  This keeps the finish material on the top of the wall at a relatively consistent temperature, reducing the expansion and contraction problems.


Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist, Watershape Consulting, Swimming Pool Expert Witness
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ®
"Creating water as art." ™ ©www.aquatictechnology.com  You may contact Paolo Benedetti at: info@aquatictechnology.com or at 408-776-8220

Hydraulic Design - Swimming Pools

Whether your pool is a backyard swimming pool, or a vanishing edge, infinity edge, perimeter overflow, negative edge or slot edge - proper hydraulic design principals must be followed.

Too Little - Too Long

The swimming pool industry as a whole has been flying by the seat of their pants for decades.  Salesmen have been specifying pipe and pump sizes using a grossly incorrect rule of thumb - pump horsepower should match pipe diameter.

For example this incorrect theory would use a 2 inch pipe on a 2 horsepower pump.  

This theory results in line velocities that are unsafe, waste energy, create pump noise and result in premature system wear.

Proper Hydraulic Design

Properly designed hydraulic systems should have their pumps selected as the very last item - not the first.

• 
  
• Lengths of pipe and fittings need to be summarized and their restrictions calculated.  
• The turnover and flowrate goals must be estimated.  
• Appropriate filter sizing must be selected.  Approximate pipe sizes are selected to maintain flowrates within safe specifications.
• From those estimates and calculations, the total dynamic head (TDH) of the system and the line velocities are calculated.
• If the line velocities or TDH are too high, then minor changes to the assumptions are made (e.g. adjust pipe sizes) and everything is recalculated.
• This process continues until everything is within the proper specifications.
• Then the suction inlets (drains and covers) are selected.
• The suction inlets might need to be divided multiple times to reduce the velocity and flowrates at the inlets.

While hydraulic design is an exact science, the process must start with some basic assumptions.

Properly designed swimming pool hydraulics will result in a quiet filtration system and maximize your energy savings.

Paolo Benedetti - Artist, Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Designer, Expert Witness. 

 

©Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa - 2014

www.aquatictechnology.com

408-776-8220

Swimming Pool Designer - Internationally Famous

Fee based design

Remember that adage - you get what you pay for?
Any swimming pool contractor's add that you see in the yellow pages or on-line offer's free design.  Do you wonder why?

Free Plans 
 
It is because they are in the business to sell and build pools.  They want to quickly present you with a shape, so that they can get on with the building.

There is no thought put into the utilization of space, the interaction of people with that space, shade and sun patterns - even during the various seasons or the lines of sights and primary and secondary view angles.

They will create for you a "design" using templates or prepackaged design software.  Their goal is to get as quickly as possible past this stage, so that they can get to the construction phase.

Thoughtful Design

An international aquatic designer will create a project that is both useable and beautiful to look at.

The seasonal patterns of the sun and shade will be carefully considered.  The angles from which the project will be viewed will be accounted for. 

A talented designer will be able to create details that conceal the manufactured products (e.g. light fixtures, drains, remote controls, railings, etc.), so that the project is clean and uncluttered.

Value and Money Savings

It may seem counter intuitive to develop a good well thought out plan - a road map if you will.

But the smoothest journeys are always those that have the flight plan developed before take-off.  Developing a plan during flight always results in flying off course, wasted time, money and energy.
Future developments and growth in the outdoor environment can be planned, and the utilities for those can be installed now. 

This is the true definition of "value engineering."  Spending a little more now, so that you can save a lot more in the future... by not having to tear out plants, concrete, stonework or planters in order to retrofit the required utilities or foundations.

Paolo Benedetti - Artist, Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Designer, Expert Witness.  

©Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa - 2014

www.aquatictechnology.com

408-776-8220

Moveable Pool Floors

You are contemplating a moveable pool floor.  You are of the wisdom and means that comes with living in the most expensive real estate in the world.  You realize that maximizing your utilization of that valuable real estate is paramount.

First Time Pool Builder

However, you are having difficulty locating a swimming pool consultant and builder who can both design and execute those plans.

Why would you entrust your valuable residence to a contractor or firm who has never built an indoor pool or a pool with a moveable floor?

This structure will be penetrating the foundation of your building or resting in an inaccessible location.

Do you really want to let a neophyte cut their teeth on your property?

Contact Paolo Benedetti at: Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa www.AquaticTechnology.com info@aquatictechnology.com 408-776-8220
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/pages/Aquatic-Technology/1459072627668877

Aqua International Swimming Pool Designer Watershape Consulting

"Waterproofing" Penetrating Concrete Sealers are nothing new.  Most are silicate based liquids that react with components of the concrete to densify it - thereby reducing moisture migration. 

The Science is nothing new
 
The silicate sealers penetrate into the concrete and chemically react with the lime and alkali.  A silica gel forms within the capillaries of the concrete.  The gel seals out water, yet allows the concrete to breathe.   

Eventually the silica gel hydrates (the moisture evaporates out) and it solidifies.  As it solidifies, it forms a crystalline structure.  The crystalline structure increases the density, hardness and strength of the concrete.  It also reduces it's permeability.

One Sided Story

Because the sealer is only applied to one side of the concrete (the exposed side), no protection is provided to the reverse side of a slab or structure.  Without access to both sides, the sealer can only protect one side of the concrete.

Without double sided protection, water intrusion from the reverse side can still corrode the reinforcing steel.  The structure will become saturated throughout it's thickness, until it reaches the point where the sealer stopped penetrating.



Depth of Penetration 

The depth of penetration in impossible to calculate on your specific project.  Why?  There are just too many variables.

In a laboratory, with precise samples and under controlled conditions, the depth of penetration can accurately be predicted.

The higher the quality of the construction, the denser the concrete will be.  Denser concrete will have a reduced level of permeability, and the depth of penetration will be less.  The resulting level of protection will be less as well.

Don't believe manufacturers who state that they have a "deep penetrating sealer."  The fact is, the crappier your concrete the deeper the penetration of their product.

Poor Quality Concrete - Little Benefit

If the concrete is poorly placed and incorrectly compacted, it will be porous.  No amount of penetrating sealer can seal concrete that is excessively porous.  Think about a screen door... if the gaps are too large, the crystals cannot seal the holes.

Your Best Protection

The absolute best protection for concrete is an INTEGRAL waterproofing compound within a high PSI (dense) concrete.  By adding a waterproofing admixture directly into the concrete, protection is guaranteed throughout the structure and on all surfaces.

Reinforcing steel will be protected against corrosion.  And the concrete will be protected against the expansive effects of corroding steel.

Don't be a Sheep

Think about what manufacturers are telling you.
Question their logic.
Ponder the level of protection.
Is single sided protection sufficient?
Is your structure dense enough to benefit from such a sealer?

You should be thinking about higher psi concrete and proper compaction.  If waterproofing is required, then integral waterproofing is your best bet, as it will protect both sides and to a proven depth - the ENTIRE STRUCTURE.

Contact Paolo Benedetti at: Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa www.AquaticTechnology.com info@aquatictechnology.com 408-776-8220

FaceBook: www.facebook.com/pages/Aquatic-Technology/1459072627668877

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International Aquatic Designer Watershape Consulting

Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa is the designer and builder of the most luxurious works of aquatic art in the world.

A specialist in hillside, vanishing edge, infinity edge, negative edge, knife edge, perimeter overflow, slot overflow, flooded deck, rooftop, basement and complex swimming pools and spas. Projects are executed with the utmost attention to the smallest details.

The principal of the firm, Paolo Benedetti, has been described as the Michealangelo of the swimming pool industry.

Paolo collaborates with architects, landscape architects, other pool companies, design professionals, developers and property owners.

Types of Projects

• Residential watershapes
• Swimming pools
• Spas
• Fountains
• Water features
• Commercial and Resort Pools & Spas
• Glass Tile Mosaic Pools & Spas
• Indoor, rooftop and basement pools
• Hillside, waterfront and difficult properties 

Outdoor environments and amenities:

• Kitchens
• pizza ovens
• BBQ's
• fire features
• automated fountains
• patios
• stonework
• retaining walls
• planters 
• seating areas
• sound systems 
• outdoor theaters
• wet bars 
• outdoor structures
• landscape lighting

Services Rendered:

• Pool, spa, fountain, watershape construction
• Conceptual design services
• Construction documents
• Specifications and standards
• Structural Engineering
• Hydraulic Design & Plumbing Schematics
• Equipment Selection & Specifications
• Water sanitization options
• Controls, automation, systems integration
• Construction management
• Outside contractor supervision
• Quality Control and Assurance
• Owner's Representation
• Existing pool facility conversion/remodel
• Construction specifications and standards
• Material Sourcing, Samples & Mock-ups
• Feasibility Studies 
• Dehumidification systems 
• Inddor pool air quality standards
• Indoor pool vapor transmission control & specifications 
• Chlorine free pools
• ORP/pH Control
• Ozone and UV System specifications and sales
• We can arrange installation of anything we sell or specify.

We also provide expert witness services for:

• Project Inspections and Evaluations
• Construction Defect cases
• Construction Litigation
• Forensic Evaluations & Testing
• Workmanship
• Installation Quality
• Standards compliance 

Paolo accepts design commissions from around the world...

You are never too far away to deserve the best life has to offer!

Contact Paolo Benedetti at:
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
www.AquaticTechnology.com
info@aquatictechnology.com
408-776-8220
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/pages/Aquatic-Technology/1459072627668877

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