SP15 - Water Falls and Shower Curtains

Purpose

To provide guidelines for the design of water falls and shower curtains.

Description

Falling water should be designed as an aesthetically pleasing attraction under and through which bathers can play. As such the volume and velocity of falling water should not harm the bather.

At the outlet falling water should be the same temperature or higher, and should be sourced from the same circulation system, as the water into which it will fall.

The visual density of the falling water should be such as to allow a bather to be distinguishable while situated behind it.

Disturbance to the surface of the pool caused by the falling water should be such as to allow a bather to be distinguishable while situated underneath the surface of the water.

Note: Lighting, pool wall and floor colour are also contributing factors to ease of supervision.

Controls

Stop and start controls for all falling water features should be placed in such a position to allow the operator clear sightlines over the area under the feature’s influences and beyond.

Each water feature should be able to be individually controlled.

Mixing Water

It is not recommended for water from one treatment system to enter water circulating in a different water treatment system. This may occur in some older pools, however it may lead to difficulties in retaining correct water balance and chemical levels, and extra care should be taken to ensure the water remains compliant with relevant state Health Department regulations in relation to water quality, etc.

References

• Managing Health & Safety in Swimming Pools - 1999; Health & Safety Commission, England.
• Pool Operators Handbook - 2000; Department of Human Services, Victoria.
• Aquatic Facility Management - 2005; Paul Faucet of Human Kinetics, U.S.A.