M. Pandian

Dubai, UAE, 19 August 2018: The regulation of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in an indoor pool setting is important for health. Reaffirming this thought, M Pandian, Managing Director, GHP Quality Consultants, said: “The IAQ in indoor pool settings is influenced by numerous factors, for instance, light, noise, ventilation, air filtration, air balance, temperature, humidification and dehumidification. All these factors need to orchestrate together to achieve the desired IAQ.” He adds that a pool’s air temperature is ideally set to 30°C, to avoid water evaporation from the surface, while the water is always kept at 1-2 degrees lower.

Agreeing with Pandian, on the need for synergy, Lamis Bin Harib, Marketing Director and Partner, Ecabiotec Middle East said: “In addition to ventilation and temperature, an indoor pool requires proper planning before a contractor begins to work on it. The way the walling and windows are done will determine even air distribution. Improper planning can result in the formation of mildew.” Chlorine too, she said, is always a huge factor in an indoor pool setting. “Chlorine does not prevent algae or kill a wide spectrum of pool germs, such as cryptosporidium,” she said. “This is one of the reasons why hotels often keep their pools closed for over two weeks if tested positive.”

Pandian, however, stressed on the role of humidity as an influencing factor in maintaining IAQ. He said: “Air that is humid invites microbial growth on interior surfaces, which then harbours harmful bacteria. If the temperature is not regulated, a gas released by chloramines, which is heavier than air, will settle near the swimmers, defeating the purpose of good IAQ. However, it’s no surprise that the impacts of water and air temperature on IAQ in indoor pool settings are often misunderstood.” Elaborating on the need for ventilation in the pool hall, Pandian said, “Microbial contamination is just five per cent, with the rest attributed to a number of factors, including inadequate ventilation, outdoor and building material contamination. This, then, leads to a bunch of other problems like the proliferation of viruses, dust mites and hay fever. And even though controlling humidity and having adequate ventilation is important to maintaining IAQ, it is not given due importance.”

Further elaborating on the financial implications of investing in IAQ, Pandian added: “Cost plays an important role in the IAQ of indoor pools, and air quality equipment is a major investment. But, eventually, it all depends on the size of the building, pool and the mechanical systems required.” Other than the cost, Pandian said that having a security standard is important. He said: “It is important to have a definition and a standard for IAQ in indoor pools, and the ASHRAE Standard 62-2001 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality) is what we adhere to.”

Ranjana Konatt is Features Writer at Climate Control Middle East magazine. She may be contacted at ranjana@cpi-industry.com