www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
The Suntrap Systems/KBE Moving Floors installed at Portland House, Limerick in Ireland
MovingFloors DEC 2011 SPN
59
The Prestige Pool Floor (PPF) company has completed several large-scale moveable pool floors for leisure centres throughout the UK. Commercial pools often have a wide variety of activities available as well as users needing a range of requirements. These needs can be met safely with the installation of a PPF floor to satisfy all activities from diving and water polo to swimming lessons and competitions. A PPF pool can be raised above the water level when not in use in order to avoid unsupervised use, loss of heat, and allow the space to be used for alternative activities. It also allows better access to the pool for users with disabilities. A touch screen control panel is used to set the shallow end and deep end values. These depths are shown on LCD displays around the pool in order to communicate this varying information to the public and inform them if diving is permitted. A commercial PPF floor moves at approximately 450mm/minute.
It spells new revenue opportunities for the commercial pool operator. From use as a dry exercise area, through keep fit innovations such as splash dancing or aqua aerobics – when a class begins exercise on the dry floor, and the floor gradually moves down, increasing resistance, finishing the class with water at shoulder level, to depths that permit diving and sub aqua. The floor is also perfect for over 60’s sessions providing easier access to the water than traditional steps. In its ‘rest position’, the floor floats on the surface of the water, with the benefits of greater heat retention, less evaporation and lower chemical and fuel costs. Within a few minutes the floor can be moved to the bottom of the pool, using just 2.2kW of electricity.
Mark Watson adds: “Flexibility of programming is one of the greatest benefits. An area that can be employed for swimming at all levels including diving and sub aqua, wet and dry exercise – plus provide a waterside landing area and easy access for the elderly and disabled is a huge advantage for a commercial facility. Running costs are reduced as much as revenue is increased.
“There are no working parts under water and it is not possible for swimmers to get beneath the floor. The structure is so strong the floor can even be used as a lift. The floor is moved via two hydraulic rams which are driven by a 2.2kW motor positioned away from the pool area. The complete system switches itself off 20 minutes after use as a safety feature.”
Whilst Stage Systems, based in Leicestershire, offer another intriguing option. They provide a stainless steel framework built into the pool which can instantly give pool owners an alternative. There are no hydraulic systems involved. They provide a stainless steel design which fits within the pool area. Each framework is bespoke to the size and shape of the pool and adjustable legs ensure the levels are exact when it comes to adding the finishing touches. The surface for the pool cover comes in the form of timber deck panels with a number of options in terms of finishes. Therapy World, based in Derbyshire, are UK agents for moving floors used specially for therapeutic benefits.
Keith Simmons has been running the business for five years and in that time has seen an increase in interest – and installations. The EWAC adjustable floors from Holland are developed for use in the growing market for rehabilitation and therapy sectors.
It’s a market which is appealing to leisure centres, local authorities and medical organisations. The floors can be adjusted in height so that the depth of the water in the therapy pool can be varied to suit the chosen therapy and the individual needs of the client.
The floors are adjusted by a number of means including scissor jacks lifting the pool floor up and down. Other floors operate on cables. One of the advantages of the adjustable floor is that when the therapy sessions are finished, the floor can be adjusted so that it safely covers the water to prevent anyone accidentally falling in. It then also covers the heated therapy water and helps to keep it warm, saving on the energy costs incurred by heating the water in the pool.
The EWAC adjustable floor can be fixed to any chosen level, from surface level to 170 cm below surface level, so that the depth of the water in the swimming pool can be adjusted to suit every age group.
With a built-in pool the entrance to the pool can be built on the same level as the floor of the pool when it is in the highest position. Patients in a wheelchair, have easy access to the pool. Said Keith Simmons: “The interest in moving floors to provide therapeutic help is considerable and I think will go on growing. In water, people can have use of their legs and are able to do things that they just are not able to do on dry land, so there is a great benefit to getting them in the water without the indignity of using a hoist.”
The adjustable floors can all be supplied with various extra options, e.g. depth indicator and/or parallel bars. The hanging floors can be supplied with a safety locking device, which locks the floor in position after it has been adjusted to a new level, complying with the most stringent safety requirements. spn
i FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
F HERITAGE POOLS ( 01483 235858 :
www.heritagepools.co.uk F PPF ( 01379 872800 :
www.wrightfield.co.uk F STAGE SYSTEMS ( 01509 611021 :
www.stagesystems.co.uk F SUNTRAP SYSTEMS/KBE MOVING FLOORS ( 0121 428 1155 :
www.suntrap-systems.co.uk F THE LIFTING POOL FLOOR CO ( 0800 612 3342 :
www.liftingpoolfloor.com F THERAPY WORLD ( 01629 822272 :
www.therapyworld.org.uk
Contact
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92