Thermal Pools

Every thermal source has its own chemical fingerprint: limescale dominates in one, sulphate or sulphur compounds in another. That is why we begin a project not with drawings but with a laboratory analysis of the spring water.

At the survey the temperature and flow rate of the source are measured, the existing installation is examined and the intended use is settled. Every decision, from materials to the heat exchanger, rests on that report.

• Laboratory water analysis
• Source temperature and flow rate
• Mineral profile (limescale, sulphate, chloride)
• Sulphur content check
• Survey of the existing installation
• Intended use (hotel / thermal spa / residential)
• Indoor / outdoor decision
• Preliminary budget frame

What makes a thermal experience comfortable is a design that leaves the user a choice: seating ledges, sections at different temperatures and a sequence that flows from relaxing to cooling down are all drawn into the project.

Accessibility sits at the heart of the design; entry ramps, handrails and non-slip surfaces are standard for every user. Indoors, ventilation and odour management are planned at the same stage.

• Seating ledge and depth composition
• Temperature staging plan
• Entry ramp and handrails
• Non-slip surface selection
• Indoor ventilation
• Odour management (sulphurous waters)
• 3D visualisation
• Construction design approval

Overflow channels and the balance tank set up the first line of hygiene by renewing the surface water continuously. Because mineral-laden water is drained and renewed more often than in a standard pool, the drainage line is sized for high capacity.

Pipe routes are laid with pipe grades suited to thermal expansion and with maintenance access left at every critical point.

• Overflow channel and balance tank
• Rapid-drainage line
• Pipe route plan
• Maintenance access points
• Pipe selection suited to expansion
• Steam and condensate discharge
• Electrical infrastructure and protection
• Infrastructure testing and record

Every metal to be used in the wet areas is selected according to the analysis report: high-alloy stainless steel is sufficient at most sources, while aggressive waters call for equipment with titanium bodies. Seals are specified to hold their flexibility in hot water.

For the finish, chemically stable ceramic-based surfaces that stand up to temperature and mineral load are preferred; the grade of grout and adhesive is chosen with the same care.

• Metal selection according to the analysis
• Stainless / titanium equipment decision
• Heat-resistant seals
• Chemically stable finish
• Grout and adhesive grade
• Anchors and fixings
• Sample and approval process
• Material ordering plan

Spring water usually arrives above the safe temperature for use; a plate heat exchanger transfers that heat under control and holds the pool water at the target temperature. The exchanger material is likewise selected according to the water analysis.

Recovering heat from the hot water being discharged, together with insulation of the pipework and the tank, brings the operating cost down noticeably. Temperature is held steady through the day by sensors and automation.

• Heat load calculation
• Plate heat exchanger selection
• Exchanger material (per the analysis)
• Mixing and temperature control
• Heat recovery from the discharge
• Pipe and tank insulation
• Temperature sensors and automation
• Heat circuit test

Filter type and capacity are sized to the mineral load of the water; where the tendency to precipitate is high, an arrangement suited to frequent backwashing and easy maintenance is put in place. The water-renewal rate is an inseparable part of hygiene.

Automatic dosing and continuous measurement hold the water in the balanced band between the extremes of corrosion and scaling, keeping human error to a minimum in continuously operated facilities.

• Filter selection for the mineral load
• Backwashing arrangement
• Automatic dosing system
• Continuous measurement sensors
• Water-renewal rate plan
• Limescale and corrosion monitoring
• Equipment layout with maintenance access
• System integration test

A thermal pool budget is set by the size of the pool, the material grade (stainless or titanium), the exchanger capacity, the level of dosing and automation and, indoors, the ventilation. Because maintenance is more frequent than in a standard pool, an operating projection is included in the quotation.

When the heat of the source is managed correctly, the heating cost largely disappears; we present a quotation that lets you read the initial investment and the operating life in the same table.

• Pool size and construction
• Material grade items
• Heat exchanger and heating system
• Dosing and automation
• Finish and comfort details
• Ventilation (indoors)
• Operating and maintenance projection
• Itemised written quotation

The pool is filled in stages; temperature stability, heat exchanger and pump performance, dosing calibration and the overflow and drainage lines are each tested in turn.

At handover the operating team is trained in water monitoring, backwashing and record-keeping. Thermal water is a living chemistry; the habit of regular measurement catches a fault before it turns into a cost.

• Staged first fill
• Temperature stability measurement
• Heat exchanger and pump tests
• Dosing calibration
• Overflow and drainage test
• Operating team training
• Maintenance and monitoring guide
• Handover record