AQUA-SPAZIO

Our swimming pool plumbing and filtration design is a systematic process that ensures water quality, circulation, and safety. A proper design always involves calculating the required water turnover rate and selecting appropriately sized pumps, filters, and piping. 

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Core components of a swimming pool system

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1. Water collection points (suction lines)

 

These fittings draw water from the pool to be sent through the filtration system. They include: 

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• Skimmers: Slots at the pool's waterline that catch floating debris, such as leaves and hair, before it can sink. The water flows through a weir (flap) and a basket to trap large debris.

• Main drains: Outlets located at the deepest point of the pool floor to prevent water stagnation. Modern safety standards require multiple main drains or other anti-entrapment features to prevent dangerous suction if one drain is blocked. 

 

2. The pump

 

The pump is the "heart" of the system, pulling water from the skimmers and main drains and pushing it through the rest of the equipment. Sizing the pump correctly is critical for energy efficiency and proper water turnover. 

 

3. The filter

 

This component removes contaminants and debris from the water. The main types of filters are: 

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• Sand filters: Water is forced through a bed of special-grade sand or glass media. Dirt and debris are caught by the sand, and the filter is cleaned by backwashing (reversing the water flow).

• Cartridge filters: A pleated cartridge made of a fine-weave material traps debris. They are highly efficient but require the cartridges to be manually removed and cleaned.

• Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) filters: These use a fine powder filter media to provide the highest level of filtration clarity. They must also be backwashed to clean. 

 

4. Water return points (return lines)

 

Return inlets or "eyeballs" push the clean, filtered water back into the pool. Proper placement is essential to create circulation patterns that

move all the pool water toward the suction points and prevent "dead spots" of stagnant water. 

 

5. Ancillary equipment

 

Other components that may be integrated into the system include:

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• Heaters: Extend the swimming season and provide year-round comfort.

• Automatic chemical feeders: Ensure a consistent level of sanitiser, such as chlorine.

• Chlorine generators: Produce chlorine on-site from salt.

• Pool cleaners: Some pools have a dedicated suction line for an automatic pool cleaner. 

 

Designing the plumbing and filtration system

 

1. Calculate the pool's volume and turnover rate

 

First, determine the total volume of your pool in gallons or cubic metres. The turnover rate is the time it takes for the entire pool volume to pass through the filtration system once. 

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• For domestic pools: A typical turnover rate is 6 to 8 hours, though some designers recommend a faster rate of 4 to 6 hours.

• For commercial pools: More frequent turnover is required. 

 

2. Determine the required flow rate

 

The flow rate is the volume of water the pump must move per minute or hour to achieve the desired turnover rate. You can calculate this by dividing the pool's volume by the turnover time. 

 

3. Select the pump and filter

 

Choose a pump and filter that can handle the required flow rate. It is recommended to choose a filter with a slightly higher capacity than the pump to prevent inefficient filtration and pressure issues. 

 

4. Design the plumbing layout 

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• Keep pipe runs short: Minimise the distance between the pool and the equipment pad to reduce head loss (pressure drop).

• Use the correct pipe size: Undersized pipes can cause high friction loss and strain the pump, while oversized pipes increase costs. For best efficiency, aim for a water velocity of no more than 6 feet per second.

• Minimise bends: Reduce the number of sharp 90-degree turns and use long-sweep elbows where possible to improve flow efficiency.

• Use a two-pipe system (suction/return): For in-ground pools, use separate suction pipes for the skimmer(s) and main drain(s) and a separate return pipe for the return inlets.

• Install valves: Incorporate valves to control water flow from different suction points, allowing for maintenance and system balancing. 

 

5. Plan the pool plant room equipment installation 

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• Place the equipment pad on a solid, level surface close to the pool.

• Allow enough space around the pump, filter, and heater for easy access for maintenance and repairs.

• Ensure proper ventilation, especially for gas heaters.

• If the equipment pad is below the pool's water level, install an isolation valve to prevent flooding during maintenance.

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