FD2 - Pool Hall Walls and Ceilings

Purpose

To establish guidance on the safe design and finishing of walls and ceilings in an aquatic facility.

Structural Frame

The structural spans involved in an aquatic facility design usually involve a framed structure. Steel or timber laminated beams and columns are commonly used however, load bearing masonry and steel or timber beams can be a feasible solution on small projects.

The protection of the structure from corrosion and/or rot is of the utmost importance, particularly as the materials strength and stability can also be impaired.

Consideration must also be given to roof structures that will need to support suspended services such a ventilation ducts, light fittings and equipment such as safety harness.

Ceilings

The construction design of ceilings and the roof deck over ‘pool’ areas should take into account the need to avoid condensation, which can affect the structural integrity of the roof itself.

Key design checks should assess condensation risk, vapour resistance gradient, thermal insulation gradient and ventilation. The ceiling construction finish should be designed to:

1. Provide high levels of insulation and to prevent condensation
2. Be resistant to the pool environment
3. Provide sound absorption
4. Have no or minimal effect on the colour of the pool water
5. Withstand ball impact if the facility is used for ball games such as water polo
6. Provide a good surface reflector for the spread of light

A conflicting angle and/or pattern of the ceiling lines in reference to the swimming lanes should be avoided where possible. Injuries have occurred with swimmers performing backstroke and swimming of course (following the ceiling pattern) into other swimmers.

Exterior Walls

The principles of design to avoid ‘cold bridging’ and avoiding condensation also apply to the walls.

External walls should be constructed to:

1. Provide high levels of insulation and to prevent condensation
2. Be resistant to the pool environment
3. Provide an attractive, durable, low maintenance finish

Interior Walls

Wall finishes to areas within the pool hall should be smooth to a height of 2m minimum so as not to present a hazard to bathers moving around. Any projects piers or columns should be provided with a rounded or bull nose edge.

Considerations should be given to the safety implications of bricks, planting features and structures provided close to walkways also.

It is essential that any glazing (glass walls) used in a pool hall is of the appropriate specification to ensure that it can withstand an impact test of the activities within the pool hall (i.e. water polo) as prescribed in AS/NZS 2208:1996 and its amendments. See Guideline Glass Balustrades.

Specific considerations should also be given to the additional risk of glare caused by glazing which could affect the view of lifeguards and pool users. Glare caused by glazing does inhibit the effective scanning by a Lifeguard which can result in a drowning patient being missed.

References

• Condensation in Buildings Handbook - Australian Building Codes Board – 2011
• AS/NZS 2208:1996 safety glazing materials in buildings

Previous Versions

• 4.4 and 4.5 of FD 1 Design of a Pool Tank, Issue 4 November 2007