Venting Ventilation

Today I received an email through the Texas Public Pool Council Group requesting assistance with ventilation issues from an associated network member in Kansas. This concern repeats itself over and over again in the print and electronic media, social networks and blogs. The ventilation issue is so prevalent that the CDC has assigned the issue to one of it's dedicated Model Aquatic Health Code development committees, the Ventilation & Air Quality Committee. They have recently posted their module abstract for public comment, which can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/pools/mahc/structure-content/. In sorting out this whole air quality issue in my mind I can't help but think that somewhere along the way we have missed the source of the concern, the water. In light of that, I thought I would post the content of my reply email, which brings the issue back around to basic chlorination. What do you think?

This is my reply:

Here is another article that addresses your concern written by Richard Young and published in the Pumproom Press, a periodical of the Professional Pool Operators of America.

Tired of Chloramine Odor?

Read down to "So what can be done?" and please take note of the solution to poor air and water quality offered - PREVENTION. That paragraph ends with, "Most pools can preclude the formation of chloramine residuals through diligent chlorination with wisely-chosen, constantly maintained break point." I know that this sounds easier than it generally proves out in practice, but it can be readily accomplished. The key to prevention and critical component that is usually missing when attempting to hold "continuous breakpoint" as defined in the AFO Manual (not the 10 x combined chlorine treatment that is known as "breakpoint chlorination") is "properly sized feeders". As stated by Kent Williams in his article, Controller Concepts: The #1 Rule (sited below), "chemical feed systems must be big, big, big!". Feeders that are sized to meet a pools' gpd requirement cannot meet the minute to minute demand of heavily used indoor pools. Feed systems must be over sized to enable your controller to hold an ORP set point that will continuously exceed demand. Chloramine development can be effectively prevented in most cases without remedial treatments or secondary systems designed for that purpose when this is accomplished.

Two helpful supportive articles can be found at www.ppoa.org; (1) http://bit.ly/9nhWz6ppoa and (2) http://bit.ly/bRCc3uppoa. Both of these were posted in my comment to the 2nd Athletic Business article you sited in your email inquiry. (Article sited: http://athleticbusiness.com/articles/article.aspx?articleid=3598&zoneid=20)

As an Aquatics Manager and Pool Operator for over 20 years, I have a sincere concern for those working every day to provide a safe and healthy environment for their guests. I would be glad to support you in this effort. Please let me know what you think!