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Access to swimming pools has become a hot topic throughout the Unites States. In Washington, a number of political moves were made to try and force through controversial changes to the law on disability access to pools which would force over 300,000 pool owners to buy portable lifts in record time – or face prosecution. A second bill through Congress addressing the Americans with Disabilities Act has been introduced. On the 15 March original deadline for pools and spas, the US
Department of Justice filed a notice moving the date to 21 May. This was to “allow additional time to address misunderstandings among pool owners and operators regarding these ADA requirements”, the document stated. Now the agency will consider moving the deadline back a full six months to 17 September.
The extension was announced just four days after the introduction of a Senate bill meant to prevent enforcement of the ADA on commercial pools and spas. The ADA was originally passed in
WorldNews JUN 2012 SPN US DELAYS LAW ON DISABILITY ACCESS TO POOLS
1990 but in 2010 the US Department of Justice released the Standards for Accessible Design, which specified how the law should be implemented in many arenas, including public pools and spas. A sloped entry or lift is required on most public pools, with a second means of access needed on those measuring more than 300 perimeter feet. Spas must have a lift, transfer wall or transfer system. Lifts have been the most popular choice because of their cost and the relative ease of adding them.
DOES POOL DESIGN AFFECT THE SPEED OF SWIMMING?
Is it possible for pool designers and builders to affect the speed of swimming in a pool?
Throughout the US there’s been increasing analysis into which is the fastest pool – and what characteristics go into the speed factor.
But what makes a pool fast? Top swimming coach Peter Brown said a number of factors in the pool’s design influence the flow of water and waves and contribute to swimmers’ abilities to reach maximum speeds.
“Fast pools have specific characteristics, and if you don’t have those, you’re going to have a slow pool,” Brown said.
The first quality is the pool’s depth. In general, “the deeper the water, the better,” he added. Peter said the way in which water
flows into the pool is crucial for swimmers. In the new pool, the water will enter the pool in a way that does not create resistance that slows down athletes.
“You don’t want (water) coming into the sides of the pool — you want it coming in from the bottom,” Peter Brown said. “If it comes in from the sides, it creates jets, it creates streams, it creates currents you don’t want to have.”
The pool also has a special gutter system in place that allows water to flow over the edge of the pool, instead of bouncing back off the wall and creating waves and currents. “How the water meets the edge of the pool is very important,” said Brown. “When water comes to the edge of the pool, it just washes over the side and it doesn’t bounce back
81 IN BRIEF
BRAZIL GROWTH IS DRAMATIC
Brazil is a new worldwide market which is catching the eye when it comes to the pool and spa trade. The country is expected to be the world’s fifth largest economy by the end of this year.
Pool giant Pentair recently bought a Brazilian pool equipment manufacturer and other US and European companies are looking at acquisitions in the South American country.
It’s estimated that 100,000 new pools have been built in Brazil each year since 2009, with an average annual growth rate around 5%. Up to 80% of new pool construction is residential.
into the pool.”
The pool’s two moveable bulkheads mean that during collegiate races, competitors will not be swimming from “concrete to concrete,” Peter said. By swimming between the two bulkheads, the currents created by swimming in both directions will not be as harsh when swimmers make their turns. The water washes out through the bulkheads instead of entering back into the racecourse, Brown said.
MERGER CREATES GLOBAL WATER SOLUTIONS BUSINESS
Pentair and Tyco International, two of the biggest names in the water solution industry are to merge in a multibillion dollar deal.
The deal will create the biggest global player in water and fluid solutions.
The two companies announced a definitive agreement to combine Tyco’s flow control business, Tyco Flow, with Pentair in an all-stock merger which will create a global leader in flow, filtration and equipment protection.
Tyco shareholders will own approximately 52.5% of the combined company and Pentair shareholders 47.5%.
The merged company, with estimated pro forma 2012 revenues of US$7.7bn, is expected to create enhanced shareholder value through increased global scale with greater access to developed and fast growth regions.
The new company will be named Pentair and will be led by Randall J. Hogan, Pentair’s current Chairman and Chief Executive.
Hogan says that this is a highly compelling, transformational transaction, bringing together two great companies to create substantial value for shareholders and enhanced growth prospects. “The new Pentair will be well
positioned to benefit from the increased demands on energy, water, infrastructure and industrial process resulting from the growing population and wealth of developing economies.”
Pentair is based in Minneapolis and is a leading provider of water and fluid processing products and solutions used in a wide range of applications and employs over 15,000 people worldwide. Tyco Flow is a leading global manufacturer of flow control products. The company designs, sells and services highly engineered valves and controls for the energy and water markets.
Brazil’s market is also fairly evenly distributed between concrete, vinyl liner and fibreglass, according to multiple sources. There are about three dozen pool product manufacturers assembling pumps, filters, lights, solar panels and more, making for a developed industry.
POOLS FACE CLOSURE AS ACCESS DEADLINE LOOMS An early summer deadline to meet new regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act may force the closure of hundreds of pools across the US. Pool owners are struggling to find the investment needed and they have been told there is no extension available. The legal requirements demand all public pools establish one or two accessible points of entry. Those can include pool lifts or sloped points of entry, depending on the pool’s size. Many pool operators also say they are confused about whether a portable lift is sufficient and worry that permanent lifts could pose a danger to children.
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