At what point does it justify removing and replacing a project verses reconstruction or repair costs?
Compromised Project Integrity
Depending upon the defects, repairing a project may not be feasible. If electrical and plumbing lines are substandard, replacing them will require major excavation, demolition of decks and core drilling through the structure. If plumbing and drain lines under the structure are inadequate, then the structure must be cut open to install additional lines.
If masonry, tile and plaster need to be removed and replaced, pool decks re-sloped, drains and lines installed, it begins to reach a point where the repairs will look just like that... repairs. But the owner did not contract for a repaired pool - they contracted for a properly functioning NEW POOL.
Sometimes the extent of the repairs, would take longer to complete than merely ripping everything out and starting afresh.
Making the decision to remodel or completely remove and replace a swimming pool, is not entirely an economic decision. The resulting project will have been structurally compromised during the reconstruction. The remediation measures may not result in a project that functions 100% as it should, had it been constructed correctly form the beginning. And the owner is settling on a project that is not of first quality, one full of patches and repairs.
Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
© www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Swimming Pool Design, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Designer, Landscape Design, Owner's Rep
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced:
San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Build what I Design - Ignorance & Arrogance
Ignorant of the building codes, many designers incorporate elements into projects that are illegal. They sell clients on their hair brained ideas, only to later learn that their idea is forbidden by law.
The then insist that the pool builder or contractor "build what I design." They are showing both their arrogance and ignorance.
Design Options
Recently I was retained as an "aquatic consultant," to advise a client on the plans prepared by a large national landscape architecture firm. The architects had already designed the project and sold the clients on the various elements of their plan. Hired as the "Owner's Reps" it was my duty to advise them and to look out for their interests.
After reviewing the plans I identified a number of elements that would not work from an operational standpoint. More importantly, I identified some details that were forbidden by the building codes.
Fire Features
The vanishing edge pool had a raised bond beam on the back wall. Inset into this wall was supposed to be a six foot long fireplace, encapsulated in glass.
This presented three problems. The first is that the electronic ignition systems of gas fire features are not rated for placement within 10 feet of a swimming pool (per UL and the National Electric Code - NEC). Yes, I know that we have all seen people do it, but it is illegal.
Secondly, the building codes take issue with placing glass so close to a swimming pool. While the codes do allow tempered glass adjacent to a pool, the tempered glass cannot handle the extreme thermal shock the glass would be subject. When heated to hundreds of degrees and then splashed with water, it was sure to crack. While it was not my duty to resolve this issue, it was mine to point out.
Finally, was the issue of installing an aluminum or steel fascia surrounding the fire feature. Iron would surely rust in the presence of chlorinated water and aluminum degrades quickly. Then there is the issue of electrically bonding the fire feature and metal surround.
Landscape Lighting
The architects also devised a landscape lighting plan. Presently, low voltage lighting fixtures are prohibited by the NEC from being installed within 10 feet of the water's edge. This is soon to change with pending legislation, but it is at least a few years away.
In the meantime, rope lighting under pool coping and up-lighting in planters will need to be achieved with fiberoptic lighting and down-lights.
Functionality
The concept was fine, but practicality was terrible. The architects chose to place the vanishing edge facing the residence. They had told the clients that they would have a beautiful "3 foot high waterfall" to look at. To minimize the visual effect of the catch basin, it only projected 10 inches from the wall. It was to be filled with black river cobbles.
The amount of water required to create a waterfall off of an vanishing edge wall is tremendous. The narrow 10 inch wide basin surely could not catch such flow rates, let alone bathers surges and waves.
Filling the basin with cobbles would reduce it's capacity to virtually zero. This would require a remote surge tank, not included in the plans. Not to mention the maintenance headaches. No service person would ever remove all of the cobbles to clean under them.
Aquatic Consultants
Had the Architects retained our services, instead of the client, we could have worked through these elements and ideas. I would have been able to propose solutions and resolve these design faux pas, before the client became attached to the ideas.
The solutions were simple, however the clients lost faith inthe architects. This was not my intention, but I was hired after the design was completed, instead of while it was in a state of flux.
I would have much rather been a part of the design development team and collaborated with the architects, than be hired to vet out their plans for violations of building codes, workmanship standards and functionality.
Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
© www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Swimming Pool Design, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Designer, Landscape Design, Owner's Rep
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced:
San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Dublin, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.
The then insist that the pool builder or contractor "build what I design." They are showing both their arrogance and ignorance.
Design Options
Recently I was retained as an "aquatic consultant," to advise a client on the plans prepared by a large national landscape architecture firm. The architects had already designed the project and sold the clients on the various elements of their plan. Hired as the "Owner's Reps" it was my duty to advise them and to look out for their interests.
After reviewing the plans I identified a number of elements that would not work from an operational standpoint. More importantly, I identified some details that were forbidden by the building codes.
Fire Features
The vanishing edge pool had a raised bond beam on the back wall. Inset into this wall was supposed to be a six foot long fireplace, encapsulated in glass.
This presented three problems. The first is that the electronic ignition systems of gas fire features are not rated for placement within 10 feet of a swimming pool (per UL and the National Electric Code - NEC). Yes, I know that we have all seen people do it, but it is illegal.
Secondly, the building codes take issue with placing glass so close to a swimming pool. While the codes do allow tempered glass adjacent to a pool, the tempered glass cannot handle the extreme thermal shock the glass would be subject. When heated to hundreds of degrees and then splashed with water, it was sure to crack. While it was not my duty to resolve this issue, it was mine to point out.
Finally, was the issue of installing an aluminum or steel fascia surrounding the fire feature. Iron would surely rust in the presence of chlorinated water and aluminum degrades quickly. Then there is the issue of electrically bonding the fire feature and metal surround.
Landscape Lighting
The architects also devised a landscape lighting plan. Presently, low voltage lighting fixtures are prohibited by the NEC from being installed within 10 feet of the water's edge. This is soon to change with pending legislation, but it is at least a few years away.
In the meantime, rope lighting under pool coping and up-lighting in planters will need to be achieved with fiberoptic lighting and down-lights.
Functionality
The concept was fine, but practicality was terrible. The architects chose to place the vanishing edge facing the residence. They had told the clients that they would have a beautiful "3 foot high waterfall" to look at. To minimize the visual effect of the catch basin, it only projected 10 inches from the wall. It was to be filled with black river cobbles.
The amount of water required to create a waterfall off of an vanishing edge wall is tremendous. The narrow 10 inch wide basin surely could not catch such flow rates, let alone bathers surges and waves.
Filling the basin with cobbles would reduce it's capacity to virtually zero. This would require a remote surge tank, not included in the plans. Not to mention the maintenance headaches. No service person would ever remove all of the cobbles to clean under them.
Aquatic Consultants
Had the Architects retained our services, instead of the client, we could have worked through these elements and ideas. I would have been able to propose solutions and resolve these design faux pas, before the client became attached to the ideas.
The solutions were simple, however the clients lost faith inthe architects. This was not my intention, but I was hired after the design was completed, instead of while it was in a state of flux.
I would have much rather been a part of the design development team and collaborated with the architects, than be hired to vet out their plans for violations of building codes, workmanship standards and functionality.
Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
© www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Swimming Pool Design, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Designer, Landscape Design, Owner's Rep
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced:
San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Dublin, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Project Specific Pool Engineering - NOT GENERIC MAIL ORDER PLANS
The problem with mail order pool engineering, is that there has been no validation of the appropriateness of the plans for your project.
Because the various engineered plans and details are in a mail order catalog, anyone with a checkbook can obtain wet stamped plans. But that does not make them right for any project.
Building codes are the laws of the construction world. The International Building Code, which is THE BUILDING CODE of our nation, states (paraphrased):
A. All structures will be engineered.
B. The structural engineering will be designed to overcome all of the anticipated forces that will be placed upon the structure.
Therein lies the problem...
If any fool with a credit card can order wet stamped plans through the mail, then how can you be guaranteed that the plans are of sufficient strength to withstand the site specific forces and surcharges?
No engineer has reviewed the soils reports, seismic zones, wind surcharges, storm surcharges, surf/tidal impacts, snow loads or other environmental forces.
Why would you allow a swimming pool contractor, architect or developer specify the engineered strength of your pool?
By utilizing generic structural engineering - you are taking a HUGE GAMBLE!
Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
© www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Swimming Pool Design, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Designer, Landscape Design, Owner's Rep
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced:
San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.
Because the various engineered plans and details are in a mail order catalog, anyone with a checkbook can obtain wet stamped plans. But that does not make them right for any project.
Building codes are the laws of the construction world. The International Building Code, which is THE BUILDING CODE of our nation, states (paraphrased):
A. All structures will be engineered.
B. The structural engineering will be designed to overcome all of the anticipated forces that will be placed upon the structure.
Therein lies the problem...
If any fool with a credit card can order wet stamped plans through the mail, then how can you be guaranteed that the plans are of sufficient strength to withstand the site specific forces and surcharges?
No engineer has reviewed the soils reports, seismic zones, wind surcharges, storm surcharges, surf/tidal impacts, snow loads or other environmental forces.
Why would you allow a swimming pool contractor, architect or developer specify the engineered strength of your pool?
By utilizing generic structural engineering - you are taking a HUGE GAMBLE!
Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
© www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Swimming Pool Design, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Designer, Landscape Design, Owner's Rep
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced:
San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
International Luxury Pool Designer Aquatic Consultant - Pools of the Rich and Famous Watershape Consulting, Pool Construction Management
The rich and powerful are willing to invest large wads of cash into first-of and one-of-a-kind designs and luxury finshes. Design and innovation take on a whole new meaning when exorbitant piles of cash are involved.
Architectural swimming pools become extraordinarily more complex when the imaginations of highly paid aquatic designers are allowed to create projects without boundaries.
In decades past, the most elaborate and innovative swimming pools stayed concealed from the public for years. It wasn't until the property was listed for sale, that pictures were released in sales brochures.
But in today's age of smart phones and small digital cameras, these creations do not stay hidden for long. Guests at the first poolside cocktail party, contractors, gardeners and even pool cleaners will be posting images on the Internet.
With the release of these images comes the challenge of another designer to innovate and create something even more outlandish - and so the race for the most unique swimming pool or spa continues.
Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
© www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Swimming Pool Designer, Expert Witness, Hydraulics Designer, Landscape Design, Pool Construction Management, Owner's Rep
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced:
San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.
Architectural swimming pools become extraordinarily more complex when the imaginations of highly paid aquatic designers are allowed to create projects without boundaries.
In decades past, the most elaborate and innovative swimming pools stayed concealed from the public for years. It wasn't until the property was listed for sale, that pictures were released in sales brochures.
But in today's age of smart phones and small digital cameras, these creations do not stay hidden for long. Guests at the first poolside cocktail party, contractors, gardeners and even pool cleaners will be posting images on the Internet.
With the release of these images comes the challenge of another designer to innovate and create something even more outlandish - and so the race for the most unique swimming pool or spa continues.
Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
© www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Swimming Pool Designer, Expert Witness, Hydraulics Designer, Landscape Design, Pool Construction Management, Owner's Rep
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced:
San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Indoor Pool Design, Consultant and Construction - Aquatic Designs, International: Air Quality
Air Quality Indoor Pools
Many factors are involved when designing indoor pools, the most important being the air quality, humidity and controlling the transmission of water vapor into other parts of the structure.
Air Quality
Our consulting mechanical engineer has 4 decades of international experience designing indoor pools and aquatic facilities. He will perform complicated calculations to determine the proper levels of the following items:
Air turns - the turn over rate of the volume of air within the enclosure.
Dehumidification - extracting moisture from the air to control condensation.
Water Temperature - proper water temperature to minimize evaporation
Air Temperature - proper air temperature to minimize condensation
Vapor Barrier - a lining to prevent moisture transmission through walls and surfaces
Positive Air Pressure - air pressure designed to prevent vapor from exiting the enclosure or transmitting into adjacent areas
Heat Recovery - heat that would be vented to the outdoors is recovered and placed back into the pool water, saving energy
Controlling condensation is not merely a matter of matching the pool temperature to the air temperature. It is a complex set of many variables. The slightest change in one, affects the others.
Dehumidifiers are mandatory. Do not think that you are going to come up with a creative method of avoiding the costly installation of a dehumidifier. What ever hair brained idea you have, has been tried before - and FAILED!
Vapor Transmission
Failing to control the humidity in the enclosure will result in condensation on the walls, glass and inside the walls. Vapor within the walls will result in black mold, wet drywall, corroded electrical wiring and components, rusting light fixtures, dry rot, bacteria growth and a myriad of other related biologicals.
Proper placement of air registers and returns is also paramount. Our engineer's computer model will simulate the air flow within the enclosure and allows for the precise placement of these components.
Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ©
www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Swimming Pool Design, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Designer, Landscape Design, Owner's Rep, Pool Construction Management
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.
Many factors are involved when designing indoor pools, the most important being the air quality, humidity and controlling the transmission of water vapor into other parts of the structure.
Air Quality
Our consulting mechanical engineer has 4 decades of international experience designing indoor pools and aquatic facilities. He will perform complicated calculations to determine the proper levels of the following items:
Air turns - the turn over rate of the volume of air within the enclosure.
Dehumidification - extracting moisture from the air to control condensation.
Water Temperature - proper water temperature to minimize evaporation
Air Temperature - proper air temperature to minimize condensation
Vapor Barrier - a lining to prevent moisture transmission through walls and surfaces
Positive Air Pressure - air pressure designed to prevent vapor from exiting the enclosure or transmitting into adjacent areas
Heat Recovery - heat that would be vented to the outdoors is recovered and placed back into the pool water, saving energy
Controlling condensation is not merely a matter of matching the pool temperature to the air temperature. It is a complex set of many variables. The slightest change in one, affects the others.
Dehumidifiers are mandatory. Do not think that you are going to come up with a creative method of avoiding the costly installation of a dehumidifier. What ever hair brained idea you have, has been tried before - and FAILED!
Vapor Transmission
Failing to control the humidity in the enclosure will result in condensation on the walls, glass and inside the walls. Vapor within the walls will result in black mold, wet drywall, corroded electrical wiring and components, rusting light fixtures, dry rot, bacteria growth and a myriad of other related biologicals.
Proper placement of air registers and returns is also paramount. Our engineer's computer model will simulate the air flow within the enclosure and allows for the precise placement of these components.
Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ©
www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Swimming Pool Design, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Designer, Landscape Design, Owner's Rep, Pool Construction Management
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.
Friday, January 9, 2015
Swimming Pool Construction Expert Discusses Electrical Safety, Bonding Grid, Galvanization - by: International Aquatic Consultant Paolo Benedetti
Metallic Staining and Galvanic Corrosion are usually a result of current reaching the aquatic facility or swimming pool.
Unintentional Stray Current
How does stray current find it's way to the pool? Modern electrical systems incorporate a continuous grounding system. The grounding conductors are all tied together, creating a grounding network.
The pool and any out buildings are usually connected to the same grounding network. Therein lies the problem. A minor short circuit in an appliance, outlet or other electrical device that is insignificant to trip a breaker, will send electricity to the grounding network - which includes the pool.
A pool's bonding grid can become energized, since the grounding network and equipotential bonding grid are interconnected in numerous places throughout an aquatic facility. Primarily they are connected together at automation panels, electrical pool components, pool pump motors and lighting components.
Intentional Stray Current
Stray current can be intentionally introduced into the pool water by salt chlorine generators and electronic ionizers. These devices utilize electrically charged metals to induce their desired result. A major drawback is that by introducing electricity into the water, they can actually initiate galvanic corrosion or electrolysis.
Importance of a Bonding Grid
If a equipotential bonding grid is installed correctly and a bonded component becomes energized, personnel are still safe. This is even though electricity is still present to create a galvanic reaction or plating conditions between dissimilar metals.
Sacrificial Anodes are NOT for pools
The purpose of a sacrificial anode, is to give of itself freely to save another component. However, you are simply introducing another metal into the aquatic environment. These less noble metals are usually maganese, magnesium or zinc. They will dissolve into the water, where they will stain finishes or plate metallic components.
Shouldn't you simply eliminate the source of the stray current instead?
References:
http://www.atcoelectric.com/Safety/Contractor-Safety/Documents/070301%20ssm%20Equipotential%20Bonding.pdf
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9871&p_table=STANDARDS
http://www.nickelinstitute.org/~/Media/Files/TechnicalLiterature/StainlessSteelinWatersGalvanicCorrosionandit%20PreventionAEBauer.pdf
http://www.npl.co.uk/upload/pdf/bimetallic_20071105114556.pdf
Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ©
www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Swimming Pool Design, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Designer, Landscape Design, Owner's Rep
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.
Unintentional Stray Current
How does stray current find it's way to the pool? Modern electrical systems incorporate a continuous grounding system. The grounding conductors are all tied together, creating a grounding network.
The pool and any out buildings are usually connected to the same grounding network. Therein lies the problem. A minor short circuit in an appliance, outlet or other electrical device that is insignificant to trip a breaker, will send electricity to the grounding network - which includes the pool.
A pool's bonding grid can become energized, since the grounding network and equipotential bonding grid are interconnected in numerous places throughout an aquatic facility. Primarily they are connected together at automation panels, electrical pool components, pool pump motors and lighting components.
Intentional Stray Current
Stray current can be intentionally introduced into the pool water by salt chlorine generators and electronic ionizers. These devices utilize electrically charged metals to induce their desired result. A major drawback is that by introducing electricity into the water, they can actually initiate galvanic corrosion or electrolysis.
Importance of a Bonding Grid
If a equipotential bonding grid is installed correctly and a bonded component becomes energized, personnel are still safe. This is even though electricity is still present to create a galvanic reaction or plating conditions between dissimilar metals.
Sacrificial Anodes are NOT for pools
The purpose of a sacrificial anode, is to give of itself freely to save another component. However, you are simply introducing another metal into the aquatic environment. These less noble metals are usually maganese, magnesium or zinc. They will dissolve into the water, where they will stain finishes or plate metallic components.
Shouldn't you simply eliminate the source of the stray current instead?
References:
http://www.atcoelectric.com/Safety/Contractor-Safety/Documents/070301%20ssm%20Equipotential%20Bonding.pdf
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9871&p_table=STANDARDS
http://www.nickelinstitute.org/~/Media/Files/TechnicalLiterature/StainlessSteelinWatersGalvanicCorrosionandit%20PreventionAEBauer.pdf
http://www.npl.co.uk/upload/pdf/bimetallic_20071105114556.pdf
Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ©
www.AquaticTechnology.com
International Aquatic Consultant, Watershape Engineering, Swimming Pool Design, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Designer, Landscape Design, Owner's Rep
Office: 408-776-8220
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
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