Swimming Pool Guidelines And Spa Pool Advisory

Factors in Determining Pool Size

Any swimming facility sponsored by a public school must be designed foremost for instructional purposes. Such design allows the teaching of basic swimming strokes, general water safety, boat safety and lifesaving. Additionally, a pool design enabling the teaching and practicing of diving may be desirable. Recreational swimming for students and the community is a valuable by-product of an instructional swimming program and should not be overlooked in planning the facility. Also not to be overlooked is the possibility for the pool facility to act as a water supply for a fire suppression system. However, State funding is available only in support of the instructional program (K-12) or for a facility serving as an emergency water storage facility.

Pool construction companies, therefore, will be determined by the district primarily by three factors: population, the instructional program and the program space requirements. These factors will need to be balanced with the available funding and the operations and maintenance costs for the facility.

Population Served The District will need to analyze the following information for program determination. This information must also be provided to the Department of Education:

• current district enrollment of the population to be served by the facility (K-12) 
• breakdown of enrollment by individual school and grade level. 
• an enrollment projection for five years beyond the anticipated occupancy date by school and grade level

Program to be Offered Pool instructional space is determined by the classes, basic and elective, to be offered and the student population to be served. In addition to basic swimming instruction, courses that may be included in a well-rounded program are described as follows: 

Competitive Swimming: to foster elements of teamwork, character and skills among students. 

Water safety: courses to develop and train instructors for the swimming pool builders uk. These instructors qualify to teach lifesaving and to conduct water programs for all age groups. 

Water safety aide courses to develop and train young people in pool safety and the fundamentals of teaching swimming. 

Boat safety instruction: for students and for interested community members. Such topics as overloading, personal flotation devices, maneuvering in rough water, high speed turning, capsizing, explosion and/or fire, and falling overboard can all be discussed during water safety courses. Many of these topics can also be demonstrated through the use of a small boat. 

Drown proofing: A system of self-rescue developed at Georgia Institute of Technology, particularly aimed at those who feel they will never learn to swim a regular stroke, but want to be able to save themselves in the event of an emergency

Diving instruction: for the one meter board.

Synchronized swimming training: For those boys and girls who are interested in the exacting andartistic demands that this activity has to offer.

Scuba training: Almost every region of the United States has pools offering this training to thegeneral public.If the pool will be available for community use in off-school hours additional activities to beconsidered in planning are:

Infant training: This is a specialized offering, given by an experienced swimming instructor.Many infants have been given an excellent start as swimmers. Such training reduces the fearassociated with water and reduces the time a student needs to learn to swim.

Adult swimming courses: These courses prove to be surprisingly poplar for their social as well asinstructional benefits.

Swim to stay fit programs for persons who want a relaxing activity which maintains body tone.Individualized activity is stressed in this program.

Survival training for the general public: A large number of people are concerned with being ableto get themselves out of difficult situations.

Rescue squad training: Most rescue squads feel that they should be prepared to handle allemergencies. There are many areas having potential water hazards which are protected by suchsquads.

General recreational swimming for the public: Family nights, mother-daughter, father-son, andother combinations can provide a source of revenue to support pool operation.

Water ballet training: For persons of all ages who enjoy group training and the artistic results thatan exacting physical activity can produce. Water ballet allows for all ranges of talent.

Fly and bait casting: Training practice can be provided.

Operations, Maintenance and Repair:

A district developing a swimming facility must take into consideration the following cost factors in planning the facility and incorporating it into the district’s operating budget: 

1) annual routine and preventive maintenance and repair 

2) major maintenance and renewal 

3) utilities 

4) possible increased costs for additional instructors/staff 

5) community use of pool could be a source of income but will also increase maintenance, repair and staff cost 

6) possible increased expenses to transport students to and from the facility 

7) increased insurance costs, however, the possibility should be explored as to the feasibility of using the pool as a water reservoir which may reduce the cost of fire insurance. 

8) life cycle cost of the proposed facility

Based on an analysis of instructional needs and facility costs as discussed in the preceding chapter, a school district should select the smallest standard pool size from those listed in Chart 2 that would meet program goals and student population. Assuming, however, that in addition to primary use for school instruction, the pool facility will also accommodate community use and possibly some interscholastic competitive and athletic event swimming, certain general recommendations can be made regarding pool sizes which the district may want to consider.

Method for Determining Allowable Size:

The allowable size of the actual pool tank is based on the district’s analysis of current program needs, anticipated population and the amount of space required for the instructional program. Though a certain size may be allowable, the district may need to provide a smaller size due to anticipated operation and maintenance costs. Program Determination A district developing an instructional plan must consider the following factors:

1. type of swimming program, i.e. beginning swimming, advanced life saving and lifeguard training (see Instruction Programs and Red Cross recommended courses)

2. amount of instruction for each course to meet minimum requirements (see Instructional programs and Red Cross requirements)

3. maximum amount of water square footage per student for each course offered (see Chart 1)

4. total number of students to be served by the program and per class estimates

5. length of each course, i.e. half a semester or a semester. Note: courses may be separate or offered as part of physical education program

6. number of hours in school day

7. swimming instruction staffing pattern; assuming a normal school day of six hours, at least three must be mandatory swimming courses.

Knowing what it must set aside for its basic program, the District can consider alternatives such as additional mandatory requirements, enlarging voluntary offerings, increasing usage to 6 periods per day to gain greatly expanded offerings with the same facility or, although not recommended, reducing the number of periods for which the instruction will be available.