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SPN FEB 2012 IndustryNews
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
THERMAL IMAGING BRINGS NEW DIMENSION TO FINDING LEAKS
The conventional method of finding the source of a swimming pool leak is now being solved with the use of thermal imaging cameras.
The work of the special camera has meant an end to digging up the pool surround to expose pipe work.
One example of how such a camera offers a different option to tracking leaks came when the administrator of a holiday apartment complex in an exclusive resort was faced with a problem from a pool leaking almost 19,000 litres of water per day.
Thermography consultant Fabrizio Contino explained: “We suspected the leak was in the pipe work that continuously filters out sludge and debris. However these 60cm pipes extend around the pool, so it was a question of pinpointing the exact source.”
As the initial survey did not show decisive signs of leakage, a different approach was tried. He shut down the outflow to pressurise the water in the pipes and then took two sets of thermal images, two hours apart. He hoped that the second images would reveal areas of the pavement that were cooler than others. And true to expectation that is exactly what the FLIR camera revealed, indicating that the cooler areas were subject to water ingress. Having identified the potential problem areas, repair work could be properly targeted. The exposed pipe work was found to be broken, validating the findings of the thermographic survey. It had proved a highly effective method of detecting the source of the problem.
HORMONE LEVELS CONCERN FROM CHLORINE STUDY
The second piece of research inside 18 months has suggested swimming in a heavily dosed chlorine pool could alter hormone levels in boys. The latest study published by Environmental Health Perspectives says swimming in an indoor public pool which has been chlorinated for as little as 30 minutes every two weeks may result in changes to hormone levels.
The camera used by Fabrizio Contino was the FLIR E60 thermal imaging camera. Its microbolometer detector produces thermal images at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels with a thermal sensitivity better than 0.05°C. The detailed thermal images show any temperature related fault, no matter how small.
“I especially like the fact that I can immediately create reports in the camera. With the new thermal imaging cameras from FLIR you even have WiFi connectivity, so I can immediately show the results to my client. This really is a great plus, allowing me to indicate the exact location of the problem to the client and also to the contractor in charge of the repairs.”
i FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
F FLIR SYSTEMS ( 01732 220011 :
www.flir.com
DOUBLE BOOST WITH NEW BIRMINGHAM POOLS
Birmingham has received a double boost with two high profile pools now open.
The second city’s oldest working swimming pool has now reopened, following a multi-million pound refurbishment.
The pool at the Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre at Aston University was originally constructed in 1902. Following extensive renovations, the Grade II listed swimming pool has been brought up to date and is now accompanied by a new steam and sauna room and additional changing facilities. The original cubicles have been retained as a historical feature of this listed building.
The 25 metre swimming pool has been refurbished as part of a £5m project to reconfigure Aston’s Sports Centre and enable the centre to provide high quality facilities.
The city’s other new pool at the £12m
Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre is the first new council-owned pool to open in the city for more than 20 years.
But it is already proving a huge success in creating jobs.
The centre advertised 60 new jobs earlier this month, and was ‘overwhelmed’ with the response with 300 to 400 people applying.
It replaces the old one which stood on the same site and dated back to 1923 but had to be demolished as the repair costs were too expensive. The new centre boasts two pools: a main 25- metre facility with six lanes and a smaller one for learners, a 70-station gym, a children’s fitness suite, a dance studio and community room. Although owned by the council, the pool is the first in the city to be run by a private company, D C Leisure, which operates leisure centres for 31 other local authorities.
The effects are most pronounced if the exposure occurs before the age of seven. Boys are particularly sensitive because the skin of the scrotum is susceptible to absorbing chlorination by-products such as those formed when urine or other organic material is found.
The lowered hormone levels may contribute to reproductive problems such as reduced sperm, according to Environmental Health Perspectives, a journal published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
In September 2010, another research project based on studying the impact of public pool swimming in Glasgow on 12 to 15 year olds suggested hormone levels could be affected by longer term exposure to pool water.
PARENTS PUSH FOR UK LEGISLATION ON POOL SAFETY
The parents of a toddler who died after wandering into an unguarded swimming pool say they will be pushing for UK legislation to introduce safety measures, fencing or child-safe pool covers for all in-ground pools.
“We do not want any other child to lose their life in this way,” said the parents of two year old Ryan Pearman, who was found face down in the pool, in the grounds of a neighbour’s Oxfordshire home. An unguarded swimming pool proved to be too tempting for the ‘adventurous’ St Albans toddler who drowned after wandering off from his parents at a family party, an inquest heard. The inquest at Oxford heard that after Ryan was discovered face down in the pool CPR was given when the paramedics arrived. He was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford but could not be revived and was certified dead at 7.30pm. The inquest heard Ryan wandered off when many of the family were playing cricket in a nearby field and other adults were inside the house. He had got through some fence posts at the rear of the garden and onto a track, which led him to next door’s house.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Mr Gardiner said: “The swimming pool proved irresistibly tempting for a two year old child. It was unfortunate the pool was unguarded.”
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