The term “pool internal area” typically refers to the usable or defined interior space of a swimming pool or, in some contexts, the area inside the building or enclosure that houses an indoor pool. Understanding the pool internal area involves aspects like measurement, construction considerations, design, maintenance, and safety requirements.
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Below is an extensive overview covering all you need to know about pool internal area, especially focusing on indoor pools, which offer a detailed case study on defining and optimizing internal pool space.
1. What is Pool Internal Area?
Pool internal area generally denotes the actual water-containing space inside the pool itself or, in the case of an indoor pool, the fully usable interior section of the building that encloses the pool. This includes the surface area of the water and the floor on which the pool is constructed.
- In architectural terms, the net internal area (NIA) of a building or room that contains a pool measures the usable space measured to the internal finish of the perimeter walls, excluding structural walls, stairwells, columns, and other unusable spaces.
- For pools, the internal area is the footprint of the pool water surface plus the floor area effectively occupied by the pool structure.
2. Importance of Understanding Pool Internal Area
Knowing the pool internal area is critical for:
- Design & Construction: Determining excavation and construction requirements (e.g., digging, lining, plumbing).
- Heating & Ventilation: Calculating the surface area influences evaporation rates, heat loss and gain, and ventilation needs for indoor pools.
- Maintenance & Safety: The size dictates filtration systems, drainage design, safety barriers (for outdoor pools), and water treatment capacity.
- Space Planning: Aligning pool size with available interior or yard space, ensuring efficient use without compromising on surrounding circulation zones.
- Legal & Code Compliance: Many building codes and safety regulations refer to defined pool areas to set specific rules on fencing, locking doors, drainage, and ventilation.
3. Indoor Pools: A Special Case of Pool Internal Area
Indoor pools, being enclosed within a structure, have more complex considerations for their internal area than outdoor pools.
- Measurement: The pool must be integrated into the floor surface it “links” to, covering the entire floor of that defined space.
- Construction Steps:
- Excavation to create the pool cavity.
- Installation of pool shell or lining with materials like fiberglass, concrete, vinyl, or resin.
- Setting drainage and filtration systems adequate for recirculating and maintaining water quality.
- Installation of interior lining materials that withstand indoor humidity (e.g., ceramic tiles or reinforced membranes).
- Ventilation systems are critical to manage excess humidity and prevent mold/mildew in the internal area. Proper ventilation often costs as much as the pool itself.
- Technical rooms for pumps, filters, and heating equipment take up space within the internal pool area or adjacent rooms.
- Water Surface and Heat Balance: The pool’s internal water surface contributes to heat transfer via conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation, affecting the conditioning requirements for the room.
4. Defining Pool Internal Area for Different Purposes
Different stakeholders measure or define pool internal area in ways suited to their requirements:
5. Planning and Designing Pool Internal Areas: Key Considerations
- Dimensions & Shape: Choose a size fitting the intended use—lap swimming, recreation, therapy—and space available.
- Material: Concrete offers flexibility in shape and size but requires more maintenance; fiberglass or resin shells offer simpler installation.
- Surrounding Space: There must be adequate clearance around the pool for safety, circulation, and equipment access (indoor pools often require minimum distances from walls for insulation and ventilation).
- Depth: Pool depth affects excavation size and structural design, influencing the internal volume.
- Safety: Indoor pools remove the need for external fencing but require door locks and safety covers—these elements also affect usable internal space.
- Equipment Space: Room for pumps, filtration, heaters, and ventilation systems is often integrated within or adjacent to the internal pool area.
6. Maintenance Implications of Pool Internal Area
- Water Treatment: Larger internal areas require more extensive filtration and chemical treatment systems, with adjustments for indoor air quality.
- Humidity Control: Indoor pool room humidity must be controlled below about 70% to prevent damage and mold—ventilation design depends directly on the internal space and water surface area.
- Cleaning and Access: Internal area and space around the pool impact ease of cleaning, repairs, and routine maintenance.
7. Legal and Safety Context
- The “pool area” in legal terms includes the interior fenced areas around the pool and sometimes toilets and other support areas.
- Indoor pools benefit from fewer legal requirements around fencing but must have secure locking doors and comply with local building permits and inspections.
8. Summary of the Core Concepts
- Pool internal area is the usable or enclosed space of the pool or pool room, impacting design, construction, safety, and maintenance.
- For indoor pools, the internal area includes the pool footprint plus room for ventilation, equipment, and circulation.
- Proper planning of this area is essential for structural integrity, air quality, water quality, and regulatory compliance.
- The choice of materials, pool shape, and supporting infrastructure directly connect to how the internal area is defined and utilized.