22 Swimming

Gerald Perrin
Gerald Perrin is senior partner of Perrin Consult, specialist architect in sport and
leisure since 1961
KEY POINTS :
1 INTRODUCTION

•
Encouraging everyone to learn and enjoy swimming is a
priority

•
Provision divides into leisure and competitive facilities

There has been a general trend away from pools designed

specifically for competition and diving towards shallow water,
free-form ‘fun’ pools with many features including water rides.
The introduction of compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) has
further increased the emphasis on income-producing dryside
provision, in the form of fitness rooms, health and beauty suites,
sunbeds, saunas and steam rooms. This dryside space around the
fun pool is often themed to represent ‘tropical paradises’ where
dense planting provides the backcloth for steel bands, travel
agencies, and poolside refreshments. Indoor/outdoor pools – often
seen in European countries – are becoming popular.
Contents
1 Introduction
2 Competition, learner, training and diving pools
3 Water activities
4 Leisure pools and water features
5 Movable floor pools
6 Pool details and lane markings
7 Changing provision
8 Provision for disabled people
9 Pool capacity analysis
10 Bibliography
CI/SfB 541
Uniclass F541
UDC 725.74
Demand for serious swimming facilities in the meantime has
reappeared in the form of 25 m pools with six or eight lanes, 22.1.
Many older 33.33 m pools have been converted into combined
competition and learner pools by means of causeways at the 25 m
22.1 25 metre pool complex
22-1
1 INTRODUCTION
There has been a general trend away from pools designed
specifically for competition and diving towards shallow water,
free-form ‘fun’ pools with many features including water rides.
The introduction of compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) has
further increased the emphasis on income-producing dryside
provision, in the form of fitness rooms, health and beauty suites,
sunbeds, saunas and steam rooms. This dryside space around the
fun pool is often themed to represent ‘tropical paradises’ where
dense planting provides the backcloth for steel bands, travel
agencies, and poolside refreshments. Indoor/outdoor pools – often
seen in European countries – are becoming popular.
Demand for serious swimming facilities in the meantime has
reappeared in the form of 25 m pools with six or eight lanes, 22.1.
Many older 33.33 m pools have been converted into combined
competition and learner pools by means of causeways at the 25 m
2.03 Short-course pools
Short-course, 25 m, pools should have a width of 13 m for six-lane
competition, or 17 m for eight-lane. Minimum water depth should
be 0.9–1 m (preferably 1.2 m following recent court findings
relating to accidents in shallow water pools). Maximum depth may
be 1.8–2m. These pools are suitable for ASA National, District
and County standard competitions.
2.04 Training pools
Training pools of 25 m length may have four or five lanes (9 m and
11 m wide). Depths should be as for short-course pools. In both
cases the last 6 m of the deep end should be level.
2.05 Learner pools
Learner pools for beginners and non-swimmers, 22.7, should
preferably be separated from the main pool far safety reasons and
in order to maintain higher air and water temperatures. Steps along
one side form part of the water-acclimatisation process especially
for the young. Ramps are sometimes included for disabled nonambulant
users, although with level deck pools these have become
largely unnecessary. Handrails should be provided where steps
lead down into the water.
steps
depth 400 max
slide geyser
4000 to 5000
Dimensions are based upon class size down one long side
(classes are of 30–35 pupils on average), with the width allowing
beginners to take at least three or four strokes before reaching the
side. Common dimensions are length 12–13 m, width 7–10 m and
depth 0.7 m at the foot of steps to 0.9–l.2 m at the deep end.
steps, and water features such as slides and play furniture make up
the main characteristics of these pools. There are no fixed
dimensions or shapes.
2.08 Hydrotherapy pools
These are commonly seen throughout Europe, particularly in
Germany and Austria, for the elderly or infirm, 22.9. The water is
heavily salinated to assist swimming and healing. The increasing
number of sports injuries clinics now appearing in the UK suggests
a wider role for this type of pool.
2.09 Diving pools
Diving pools attached to main competition pools have been
superseded by specialist diving facilities in separate self-contained
22.8 Plan of toddlers’ pool