Swimming Pools / Leisure / Aquatics / Spas / Health
Issue 93
April/May 2014
Alternative sanitisation Led by Aussie innovation Latest thinking On spray park safety New hydrotherapy pool Showcases latest chemical treatment Industry rallies Behind special kids’ school
www.splashmagazine.com.au
SPLASH! Environmental Awards Entries open now
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Contents 55
Sydney consumer show up 20 per cent Last year, wild weather put a slight dampener on the show, but this year the weather gods smiled on Rosehill, and a good turnout ensued.
Advanced labelling speeds production At AstralPool’s Australian manufacturing facility in Noble Park, a new way of organising and printing product labels is saving time and money.
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70
Perth consumers rally to organiser’s swan song Roger Le Fort says his final pool, spa and outdoor consumer show is his best yet, and the punters seem to agree.
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Innovation for healthier pools Hirondelle Private Hospital in Sydney’s northern suburbs is home to an innovative new hydrotherapy pool which makes use of technology not seen before in Australia.
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Suction covers and liability Cal Stanley looks at AS1926-2010 Part 3 and considers technicians’ and tradies’ liability if they see something amiss with the swimming pool suction cover.
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34
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48
regulars
Alternative disinfection through Aussie innovation Recently, several new ingenious ways have been developed to disinfect swimming pools, and Australian companies are leading the way. Enter the 2014 SPLASH! Awards It’s on again – the only awards in the world dedicated to environment friendly products and projects in the swimming pool and spa industry.
51
Finalists announced for SPASA Australia Awards The finalists from four states have been announced for the first ever SPASA Australia Awards, to be presented in conjunction with SPLASH! on the Gold Coast in July.
Safety from the ground up Veda Dante investigates soft fall innovations as councils and commercial operators attempt to mitigate exposure to public liability.
Special kids get a helping hand The industry has come together to help the kids at Port Phillip Specialist School.
News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Industry moves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Pool DAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Commercial news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Tenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Global news. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
New products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Spa tech tip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Ad index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Expo news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
April-May 2014 SPLASH!
7
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Published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd ABN 940 025 83 682 41 Bridge Road, Glebe, NSW, 2037 Australia Ph: (02) 9660 2113 Fax: (02) 9660 4419 Managing Director: Simon Grover Managing Director Interpoint Events: Simon Cooper Editor: Chris Maher Phone: 0412 048 639 Email: chrismaher@intermedia.com.au
editorial The environment is increasingly in favour
Contributors: Cal Stanley, Veda Dante, Samuel Park. Advertising Manager: Karen Jaques Phone: (02) 8586 6135 Email: kjaques@intermedia.com.au Designer: Ben Akhurst Production Manager: Carly Saillard Head of Circulation: Chris Blacklock
There are all sorts of environments: the work environment; the built environment; the economic environment; the social environment. Basically, it just means the things (and people) around us, and the factors influencing us in our surroundings.
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Of course, nowadays when people use the term “the environment” they are usually only referring to one thing: the natural environment and its relationship with post-industrial humans.
Chris Maher Editor chrismaher@ intermedia.com.au
Once, if you asked someone if they were in favour of the environment, it would be as tautological as asking if they were in favour of motherhood. Who could be against it? But, sadly, like many things in modern politics, it has been split down the middle so our representatives can argue more earnestly for our votes: it’s either money or the environment. The wood or the trees. As a group, consumers don’t think like that. They love the environment (and motherhood, no doubt), but they’ll only really do something about it when it saves them money (or worse, costs them money if they don’t do it) or improves their own experience. That’s why innovation in the swimming pool and spa industry is so important. IBIS research is predicting the industry will undergo a modest recovery over the next five years, at least partly on the back of new spending on water- and energy-efficient equipment and products. Advice from some Australian suppliers indicates that is already becoming a trend. That leads me to remind everyone that the winners and finalists in the SPLASH! Environmental Awards will be able to proudly boast that they have received a highly valued accolade from the only awards in the world dedicated to environment-friendly products and projects in the swimming pool and spa industry. Now that’s a way to help your economic environment as well as the natural environment. Enter now online – or go to page 51 to find out more.
This issue’s cover The Gwinganna Health Resort in Queensland’s Tallebudgera Valley. The pool is sanitised by the Enviroswim E3 system, one of many Australian innovations discussed in the alternative sanitisation feature on page 34.
Members of
Audited Circulation Average Net Distribution Per Issue 6,387 CAB Half Yearly Audit Period ending 30th September 2013
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news
Associations
Four state SPASAs to incorporate into one entity The four state Swimming Pool and Spa Association bodies that form SPASA Australia are recommending their members vote to transition into a single national entity. This will have the effect of de-incorporating the existing state bodies as they form into one national body, SPASA Australia. On February 10 and 11, 2014, SPASA Australia’s board members met for a strategic development workshop to determine the best association structure for the industry representative bodies. The outcome of the meeting was a set of unanimous motions that satisfied each state’s requirements to transition into an all-inclusive single entity national association. These motions have been adopted by the four boards. The members of SPASA Queensland, SPASA South Australia, SPASA Victoria and SPASA Western Australia will be provided with a set of motions to consider outlining an ‘in principle’ agreement to support the formation of a single entity. The state members will be asked for their approval at the upcoming AGMs or through other inclusive correspondence, with the timeline seeking to have the transition completed by January 1, 2017. At the time of writing SPASA South Australia and SPASA Queensland had held their AGMs. South Australia held their annual general meeting on March 19. Manager Suzie Kent says that the meeting was very vocal at times as the various issues were debated, but there was
Keep informed by subscribing to the free online newsletter. Park Hyatt Sydney evacuated as chlorine mixed with acid Six people were taken to hospital and 75 evacuated after chlorine and hydrochloric acid were mistakenly mixed together at a prestige Sydney hotel.
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April-May 2014
no need for a vote at that stage of proceedings. They are now waiting for information to come back from the consultant before putting any changes to members, possibly at a special general meeting in the near future.
Queensland votes for transition
SPASA Queensland members voted for transition of its operations into SPASA Australia and de-incorporate by January 1, 2017 or earlier. The national transition was approved by members at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Brisbane on March 26. SPASA Queensland president, Andrew Jakovac says that, depending on the outcome of the due diligence process, it is possible they will recommend a formal transition much sooner than the January 2017 deadline. “The Queensland Governing Council is committed to improving member service delivery, including industry promotion, representation and lobbying. This can best be achieved by a single national body,” he says. “For too long the industry has been fragmented, whether by geographical boundaries or by sector boundaries. “We need to bring everyone to the table.”
Involvement of other parties
SPLASH! understands that for the past several months, discus-
sions had been held between the representatives of SPASA Australia, the Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance, the state bodies and the Swimming Pool Retail Association Australia, discussing how the industry as a whole could move forward. Beforehand and during this time, the SPASA state bodies also had been working amongst themselves to consider how SPASA Australia could best develop, and decided to move ahead with their incorporation before considering any other amalgamation. While the decision to incorporate at this time might seem to isolate the Alliance, SPASA Australia president Lynley Papineau says it is merely the first step and that the eventual aim is for all parties to come together. “As far as we’re concerned at SPASA Australia, we first needed our members to accept in principle the formation of single entity before we could move forward,” says Papineau. “We certainly have a vision for this to be a single entity national body and we hope that will include the Alliance. It’s early days yet – what we’ve been able to announce today is a significant strategic shift in the way we do things, but there’s still work to be done and due diligence to be carried out. The first step is to go the members and get their approval and support before we go on,” she says. “We are interested in an all-inclusive approach and any other industry bodies that are interest-
ed or could possibly align then we are happy to talk further.”
New structure
There will be a transitional arrangement for the assets to be dealt with and they will be looking to engage a consultant to do the due diligence and make sure each of the states’ current needs are met while establishing the new structure. “What we’re really trying to achieve is a grass roots approach focusing on sector needs – for a very long time we’ve been state focussed – and look at what the sectors need and look at developing objectives so we can deliver results to those sectors. “It will go of the state members for their acceptance,” Papineau says. “We’ve got to put the past behind us, and this is a move towards repairing some of the fractures in the industry and developing a structure that will take us 10 to 20 years into the future.” The new structure will do away with the traditional state focus, to concentrate on three industry sectors: 1. After Market/Retail 2. Pool/Spa Builders 3. Manufacturer/Supplier Each of these sectors will meet to identify the key areas of concern and establish a set of objectives and key deliverables to recommend to SPASA Australia. These recommendations will form the framework for the strategic direction over the next 12 months.
Top five online news stories
The most popular online news stories at splashmagazine.com.au were... David Close passes away Former secretary of SPASA Queensland for 16 years, David Close collapsed and passed away suddenly at home.
First commercial chlorinefree pool approved Waterco’s Hydroxypure chlorine-free sanitisation system was given the tick of approval by the Gold Coast Council for ongoing use at the Turtle Beach Resort.
Backyard pool chemical explosion puts man in hospital Sydney man Clinton Maynard was hospitalised in a critical condition after an accident mixing chlorine for his backyard swimming pool.
World’s first open water inflatable park opens Gold Coast City Council has opened the Aquasplash Water Fun Park at Southport, featuring an array of Wibit inflatables.
Feb & March up 16 per cent The two months of February and March 2014 had 16 per cent more DAs than February and March 2013. The two-month numbers show Queensland down a massive 52 per cent on the same two months last year, but Victoria up 26 per cent. New South Wales (+23 per cent), SA (+17 per cent) and WA (+13 per cent) were also up over the past two months. This contrasted with the 12 months to March figures, which garnered five per cent more swimming pool DAs than the previous 12 months, but showed Queensland up 25 per cent, while Western Australia (+15 per cent) and New South Wales (+12 per cent) were also on the rise. South Australia stayed relatively steady (down three per cent) while Victoria was down 14 per cent. In all, there were 10,317 swimming pool DAs reported over the past 12 months: NSW: 3198; WA: 2906; Vic: 2301; Qld: 1093; SA: 819. This information is good for trend indications but figures don’t include all pools being built or even all DAs being lodged. See the small print below for more information.
Comparison Years-to-March
The Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance president Rob Guthrie has commented on the announcement by the four state SPASAs and SPASA Australia in an open letter to the swimming pool and spa industry. “As members may be aware, the Alliance, SPRAA and SPASSA AU (representing four statebased SPASAs WA, Queensland, SA and Victoria) entered into high level discussions in September 2013 to explore a merger with the number one aim of creating a single entity national body,” he says in the letter. “The discussion came about as a consequence of the fragmented landscape of multiple industry bodies offering varied service levels to 1200 members with 16 staff, via seven locations, boards and entities, collecting five million SPRAA happy to dollars of member revenue yearly. talk in future “All three parties to the project Gary Nye, president of the executed a Memorandum of UnSwimming Pool Retail Associderstanding (MOU) in November ation Australia (SPRAA) says 2013 which opened the way to SPRAA commenced discussions move forward with the formawith SPASA Australia and the tion and launch of a single entity Swimming Pool & Spa Alliance national body by 1 July 2014. A in July, 2013. detailed Position Paper followed “One industry body is someand outlined the critical path that thing we see eventually happenthe Alliance, SPRAA and SPASA ing and we were pleased that all Comparison 2012 Year-to-March 2013 AU committed to,” says Guthrie. parties agreed that having one years-to-March 1500 “The unexpected introducindustry association was the way tion of SPASA AU’s alternative forward,” he says. 1200 proposal on the 19th February “It is now good to see SPA900their states effectively ended the project with SA Australia and the Alliance and SPRAA. The moving forward. They obviously 600 Alliance’s position is and has have a lot of complex details to always been to navigate towards work out between now and their 300 a properly structured and active 2017 deadline. single entity national peak body. “What is important is that 0 April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar “We strongly believe that unpast differences are put to one less and until we are in a position side and that all parties look to ear-to-March 2013 2012 Year-to-March 2013 to move away from a federation a future where each3500 sector Year-to-March has of states and develop a true fair and equitable representation. 3000 industry based national body, We’re happy to have SPASA this progress will be hindered,” Australia talk to us 2500 when they he says. have resolved the complex series 2000 “In the meantime, we remain of issues that they face.” 1500 committed to our members and Nye says SPRAA is fortunate 1000 will focus on delivering and furto enjoy a positive relationship 500 ther developing the services that with SPASA Australia, the SPA0 this industry needs. Th e AllianceSA SA states and the Alliance. Dec Jan Feb Mar NSW VIC QLD WA will continue to engage with “We work on various proany and all willing like-minded jects with a number of these bodies to achieve this goal.” groups. In the meantime we will He encourages his members continue to run our organisation, to request a copy of the executed recruit new members, and repreMOU and position paper. sent our member’s interests.”
Comparison years-to-March 2012
Year-to-March 2013
35
1500
30
1200
25 900
20
15
600
10 300
0
5
April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
Year-to-March 2012
Year-to-March 2013
3500
Approvals by State
It is proposed that the initial “grass roots” member meeting will take place at SPLASH! on the Gold Coast in July 2014. Thereafter the members will meet via teleconference. “We’re trying to get all the different sectors to come together at SPLASH!,” says Papineau. “As the SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence are being held at SPLASH!, it makes sense to hold it there, especially as many experienced and knowledgeable members attend the show.” The Swimming Pool & Spa Association of NSW Ltd has been invited to participate in the process. “We have an open communication with the Alliance and we hope for that to continue,” she says. “We’re excited at the opportunity.”
Alliance sees missed opportunity
2000
3000 1500
2500 2000
1000 1500 1000
500
500 0
Two-Monthly Comparison
Meeting at SPLASH! on the Gold Coast
NSW
VIC
Feb 2012 & March 2013
QLD
WA
0
SA
Feb 2013 & March 2014
2000
1500
1000
500
0
These figures give a valuable indication of the way the market is trending. However, they are not comprehensive. For example, they do not include pool projects that are approved as part of a new home, smaller projects under the cost threshold, or renovations that don’t require a DA. Also, not all councils are forthcoming with data; councils in some states such as Queensland and Victoria are particularly reluctant. For further information and more complete reports, call Cordell Information on 1800 80 60 60.
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news
Obituary
David Close passes away David Close, formerly Secretary of SPASA Queensland for 16 years, collapsed and passed away suddenly at home on the night of February 19, 2014. He was 67. He was well known as a passionate advocate of the industry – especially the Queensland industry – and of training across the country and into the region. He promoted Queensland companies overseas including in Europe through his contacts in Spain. He was always willing to assist with information and advice, and had personally helped the SPLASH! team on several occasions over many years. Current SPASA Queensland president Andrew Jakovac says: “David served our industry in his capacity at SPASA Queensland for some 16 years of unbroken and memorable history. His achievements were too many to mention in full, including steering
the association through multiple rocky patches, establishing and maintaining one of the most comprehensive industry contracts, and steering the industry away from complete shutdown through the water restrictions. Other who knew him longer than I did could talk for hours I’m sure.” One of those in the industry who knew him longer that most was Rod Webb, president of SPASA Queensland for 13 of Close’s 16 year tenure. “He had a real personality,” says Webb. “That drew a lot of people to him, and most really liked him. There were some detractors who didn’t like him but to be honest, they often weren’t people who actually knew him well. “He was always working for the betterment of the industry.” Webb says that Close showed great skill in lobbying and negotiating with the Building Service
The imaginarium of underwater art Inspired by Terry Gilliam’s fantasy film “The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus”, this photographic series has awakened a beautiful world of underwater art and fashion, with its ethereal sets and emotive stories. The Imaginarium is touring Australia, Europe and Asia during 2014. A limited edition print series is available for purchase. The underwater models feature special waterproof make-up by Kylie Eustace. Contact: www.bethmitchell.com.au
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April-May 2014
Authority (BSA), Australian Standards and other organisations. “David was a wiz at doing that and getting the protocols set,” he says. “In 1996, he was the first secretary of SPASAC, the precursor to SPASA Australia. He started the Watertight insurance scheme, which no-one else had in the country at that time. NSW and Victoria couldn’t have it because of government regulation, but eventually South Australia and Western Australia adopted something similar. It gave SPASA a new compelling advantage for members,” he says. “He was interested in expanding the industry. He was an advocate of trying to build the industry up in the eyes of government. He always said, ‘we’re such a small little segment of the building industry. If we don’t make some noise they’ll
just forget about us’.” Staff who worked with Close say he was not a micro manager, but let them get on with their work, which they appreciated. They say it made for a great working environment. Close took a delegation of Queensland builders and suppliers to Barcelona for the Salon Piscina BCN, including companies such as Australian Innovative Industries (AIS) that later gained great success in the European market. He started the
National Swimming Pool Institute (NSPI) in an attempt to promote education and training amongst the industry and develop a licensing pathway, initially in Queensland and then nationally, and went to both Auckland and Singapore to try and spread the training footprint into the region. Unfortunately, it was his two achievements of NSPI and the Watertight scheme that combined to cause him trouble after he’d retired. However, his aim had always been to promote the industry and industry training, and his actions were clearly intended to ensure that remained a viable prospect. He had lost four close relatives in the years just prior to his retirement and decided he should leave to make sure he enjoyed some time with his beloved wife Beverley and his family. Unfortunately, that time was very short. He left behind Beverley, two sons and a daughter, and two sons from Beverley’s previous marriage. SPLASH! offers sincere sympathies to all family and friends.
Statistics
Environmental efficiency to drive industry growth over five years IBISWorld industry analyst Stephen Gargano says that the swimming pool and spa industry is looking forward to a modestly positive period in the near and medium future. “The industry itself is coming off a period of restraint and a lot of the issues that had been causing that restraint are tailing off,” says Gargano. “We expect the industry to grow over the next five years by an annualised two percent in terms of revenue. “Essentially, the swimming pool construction market is only expected to increase by 0.5 per cent, but higher levels of growth are expected in associated products such as chemicals, pool equipment, safety operation equipment, items associated with water efficiency, leisure equipment and associated products you’d use with a pool. “It might not be growing dramatically, but its heading in the right direction,” he says. Most of the revenue growth will come from the increased use of existing pools, and Gargano believes that the easing in water restrictions will encourage more consumers to use the pools and spend money on their daily operation. However, he also believes much of the new spending will be in the area of water efficiency. “Essentially, consumers are becoming more concerned with the environment and water usage and we expect them to be looking more towards water efficiency,” he says. “Power consumption is much along the same lines, while they’re looking to run the pools at a lower cost and with a lower impact, so the type of equipment including solar heating will become more important to achieve those ends. “It’s always been desirable to operate the pool for less, and we expect it to become even more-so in the future.”
Industry players show growth Waterco and PoolWerx have both announced revenue growth. Waterco’s revenue is up by 9.4 per cent to $41.4 million, a sound interim result with an increase across all divisions. It showed strong sales in Australia and New Zealand in the first quarter with an increase of 3.6 per cent, and a giant increase in sales in Asia of 59 per cent, albeit off a much lower base. The announced net profit after tax (NPAT) of $2.10 million compared with $1.70 million in the previous period. Waterco’s Chief Executive Officer Soon Sinn Goh says the half yearly results were encouraging. “We continue to experience a competitive busi-
PoolWerx is already experiencing an upturn, with an 8 per cent increase in revenue and the opening of six new retail outlets ness environment as well as higher cost of goods, resulting from a weaker Australian dollar,” says Goh. “But despite this, sales revenue across all Waterco’s divisions increased significantly.” During the six month period Waterco invested approximately $480,000 on research and development, which was fully expensed. “We continue to believe that a strong company culture of delivering innovative, durable and energy-efficient products is an important strategic measure,” he says. A number of new patents were lodged in Australia with some patents pending overseas registration. Meanwhile, PoolWerx has reported a revenue increase of eight per cent in the six months to January 1, on track to exceed $75 million in sales, while retail sales were up 12 per cent when excluding the impact of six recent store openings. “The pool and spa care industry has almost fully recovered from the double decline – low spending in the wake of the GFC and water restrictions during drought years,” says CEO John O’Brien. While demand for items such as pool chemicals remained steady, O’Brien says the revival in purchases such as solar heating, pool blankets and energy saving pool equipment contributed substantially to the spike in sales. “We had to work hard for these discretionary purchases in the past but pool owners are investing again. “Technology has also improved dramatically, with the latest energy saving pool equipment in high demand as electricity prices continuing to rise. Innovation in such technology has been one of the most exciting evolutions we’ve witnessed in years. “Pool owners are also seeing pool upgrades add value to their property again, with our research indicating 40 per cent plan to do so this year. This shows a vast shift in consumer spending in the sector compared to two years ago.” Contact: www.ibisworld.com.au; www.waterco.com.au, www.poolwerx.com.au
April-May 2014 SPLASH! 13
news
Fencing
Anti-infinity compromise leaves decision with councils The NSW Office of Local Government (OLG) has released a practice note for councils to help overcome some of the confusion with the dubious NSW Section 22 amendment to the Building Code of Australia (BCA). This is the promised “work around” intended to enable the construction of “out of the ground” walls such as infinity pools. While it is a largely positive development, it still leaves councils with the option of not considering the exemptions which industry members have been arguing should be scrapped altogether. Key points of the practice note include: • There are instances where site specific considerations may prevent a swimming pool from being surrounded by a child resistant barrier, for example swimming pools located on a cliff edge or on steeply sloping ground. • A local authority may grant an exemption, and if so issue a compliance certificate that
allows the swimming pool to be considered compliant for the purposes of the Act, even though it may not be surrounded by a child resistant barrier. Pool designer Peter Glass has been running a campaign for 10 months to have the amendment scrapped, including forming the Out-of-Ground Pool Wall Alliance (OOGPWA). He says
that while Practice Note 17 is not perfect, the most important element of it is that it now references the Standard. “Thankfully it appears that this huge effort has not been in vain,” he says. “Practice Note No.17, incorporating my detailed feedback, has been issued by the Office of Local Government and will go some way towards allow-
ing pools with ‘out-of-ground pool wall’ barriers to be legalised again,” he says. Glass specifically mentions that the Practice Note includes his recommendation that the simple statement saying that an acceptable “out-of-ground pool wall” barrier should “comply with or exceed the prescribed dimensions and technical requirements as set out within AS1926.1 for barrier heights” be included. “While Practice Note 17 is far from perfect, and has still to be tested ‘in the field’, it is a start,” he says. Nonetheless, Glass intends to continue to fight to have the “illegal change of law” rescinded, in part because he says its application could be more dangerous for children. This is because it would seemingly be easier to breach a 1.2m fence in front of a 1.8m wall, and then use the fence height to scale the wall, than breach the 1.8m wall by itself. Go to splashmagazine.com.au for a QuickLink to the practice note.
Fencing
One year compliance delay as builders hope for inclusion At the eleventh hour, the NSW Office of Local Government (OLG) delayed the introduction of its compliance regime which requires pool owners to get certificates for their swimming pools prior to sale or lease of the property. The requirement will not commence until April 29, 2015 – one full year later than originally planned. The OLG said the woeful condition of residential swimming pool barriers was one reason for the postponement, with some councils reporting a 99 per cent inspection failure rate and a 76 per cent failure rate on second inspection; as was lobbying from the real estate industry concerned at the likelihood of extreme delays for sale and lease of properties. The Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance had
14 SPLASH! April-May 2014
also been lobbying strongly on this issue for many months and has hailed this as a victory for their advocacy. A spokesperson for the OLG said that council officer feedback indicates that high inspection failure rates mean it is not uncommon for it to take three months from first inspection to the issuing of a compliance certificate. This is in part due to the large number of pools failing to meet the requirements, and the extensive work needed to be done to rectify the deficiencies. Pool owners are reportedly having trouble getting the repairs done in a timely fashion. Also, it has long been thought there would be too few inspectors to carry out the work and the OLG has conceded this is the case by directing the Building Professionals Board to
instigate a new category of private certifier to handle the shortfall in inspections. The new category will enable suitably qualified people to complete a course and offer an inspection service. This will complement council inspections and increase the number of people who can conduct swimming pool inspections. The OLG says this should be ready in the near future. The Alliance believes pool builders will – and technicians should – be included on the list of suitably qualified people. Alliance president Rob Guthrie says the government has now listened to their concerns over lack of qualified inspectors and the shortage of trades, and he expects the new category of private certifier will include pool builders amongst others.
Upcoming events 2014 Apr 22-24
Piscine Middle East, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Apr 26-May 2 ASCTA Convention, Gold Coast May 3-4
Brisbane consumer Pool Spa & Outdoor Living show
May 7-10
Turkey Pool Expo, Istanbul
May 12-14
Sauna & Spa & Pool China, Guangzhou
May 13-14
AALARA Conference
May 14-16
Country Pool Managers Conference, Lake Macquarie NSW
May 23
SPASA Golf Classic, Sydney (revised date)
May 28-30
DesignEx, Glebe Island Sydney
Jun 14
SPASA Awards Night, Sydney
Jul 5-6
SPASA SA Consumer Pool and Spa Show, Adelaide
July 16-17
SPLASH! Pool and Spa Trade Show, Jupiters, Gold Coast
Jul 16
SPASA Welcome Drinks, SPLASH! on the Gold Coast
Jul 17
SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence, Gold Coast
Jul 17-18
World Aquatic Health Conference, Gold Coast
Jul 18
Andrew Simons Memorial Golf Day, Gold Coast
Jul 26
SPASA WA Awards Night
Jul 28-Aug 2 International Swim School Conference, Phuket Aug 8
SPRAA AGM, Brisbane
Aug 9-10
Winter Consumer Pool & Spa Show, Melbourne
Aug 22
SPASA Queensland Golf Day and Awards Night, Royal Pines
Aug 30
SPASA Victoria Awards Night, Melbourne
Sep 12
Bob Stanley Memorial Golf Day, Sydney
Oct 8-10
World Aquatic Health Conference, Portland, Oregon, USA
Oct 20-24
Interbad, Stuttgart, Germany
Nov 5-7
International Pool Spa Patio Expo, Orlando, Florida
Nov 18-21
Piscine Global, Lyon, France
More details at splashmagazine.com.au. Dates are subject to change and should be checked with the relevant organisation. Send calendar submissions to info@splashmagazine.com.au.
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news
Manufacturing
Change in the air for Accent Rheem Heating has announced revolutionary changes to its Accent Air business, with it being refocused exclusively on the development and manufacture of hot water and swimming pool heat pumps. It will see a full concentration of Accent’s R&D and quality assurance to the heat pump manufacturing side of the business. “The changes are extremely positive for the heat pump business,” says Mark Crowther, national sales and marketing manager for Accent, Raypak & Rheem Pool Heating. “The business includes the core swimming pool and spa heat pump business where Accent is clearly the Australian market standard in terms of quality and performance, with heaters from 10KW to 335KW nominal output,” says Crowther. “For example, a 2000KW Accent system is presently being installed at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in preparation for the Commonwealth Games. This follows the use of reverse-cycle Accent heating and cooling heat pumps for the Asian Games in Bangkok.” Accent also has a strong business in providing hot water heat pumps up to 60°C for mechanical, hydronic and process heating. This includes modules up to 200KW for major hotels and Government offices. It also manufactures the 22KW Rheem Commercial Hot Water Heat Pump which
is sold widely for the provision of residential hot water for hotels and resorts. Accent’s role in mechanical services also includes the provision of chillers supplying cold water for space cooling or heat rejection; and is Australia’s leader in chilling of ice baths for elite sports with many high profile installations including the Australian Institute of Sports. Another side of Accent’s heat pump business is the supply of heating and cooling units for aquaculture, with a very strong customer base and high profile Mark Crowther projects both in Australia and South East Asia for a diverse range of marine products. “At a time when Australian manufacturing is struggling with international competitiveness, Accent is rapidly expanding its export focus and is supplying hot water and pool heat pumps to various countries in South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa,” says Crowther. Accent is a quality accredited manufacturer, being certified under ISO9001. In announcing the dramatic refocusing of Accent Air to heat pump design and manufacture exclusively, Rheem also announced the gradual closure of its air conditioning function. Ongoing warranty and service obligations related to air conditioners will be outworked by Accent. Contact: www.rheempoolheating.com.au
Awards
SPLASH! Awards and SPRAA Awards open for entries The SPLASH! Environmental Awards are the only awards in the world dedicated to environment friendly products and projects in the swimming pool and spa industry. Entries are now open. Go to page 48 for more information on the Awards, or go straight to splashmagazine.com.au to enter. This year all entries will be submitted online through the quick and simple online entry form. Entry is open to all members of the industry and is free. Entries close May 30.
SPRAA Awards The SPRAA Awards are also open for entries.
These awards are exclusive to members of the Swimming Pool Retail Association Australia (SPRAA). They cover five categories: • National Pool Shop of the Year • National Spa Retailer of the Year • National Technician of the Year • National Salesperson of the Year • Retail Supplier of the Year Entries for the SPRAA Awards close at 5pm on Tuesday May 20. Both the SPLASH! Awards and the SPRAA Awards are being presented on Thursday July 17 during the SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner.
Global news The Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance (SPASA) is delivering a tailor-made training program to more than 65 pool and spa professionals in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia on April 24 and 25. The program was developed at the request of the Malaysian Swimming Pool Association (MSPA) and covers pool and spa service and repairs, design and construction, and commercial pools and spas. Fluidra, parent company of AstralPool, has won the Plus X Award and Best Product of the Year for the AstralPool Mac. The prestigious European based awards present accolades for innovative technologies, sport and lifestyle products. The jury awarded the prize to the AstralPool Mac because of its innovation, quality, user friendliness and eco-efficiency. Fluidra developed it at a cost of 1.5 million euros and launched it at SPLASH! Asia in 2013. An Indian politician is moving his swimming pool because he believes its location brought him bad luck in a recent election. However, Lalu Prasad Yadav had more than just a little bad luck – not only did the former Bihar Chief Minister lose his election, he lost his liberty and was sent to jail for corruption. He has now filled his original pool and is building a new one with favourable northeast aspect.
April-May 2014 SPLASH!
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news
Giveaway
Life Is Worth Swimming Spa Tech Tips Retrofitting spa pumps Correctly replacing a failed spa pump can be difficult, as many of the pumps originally used are no longer available and few pumps rated below 2hp are available. You should consider: • The original pump horsepower and flow rating. • The number and type of spa jets. • Ensure that the pump flow rate matches the spa jet flow requirements so that optimum performance results. • You need to determine if the existing suction(s) has current Australian approval, and if so, what the approved flow rating is. • If it’s approved to a flow rate exceeding the flow rate of the new pump, you don’t need to address the issue further. • If it’s either approved with a flow rate lower than the flow rate of the new pump, or not approved at all, you will need to select a replacement safety suction of correct flow rating and re-plumb. Many existing suctions on older spas pre-2008 are no longer approved, and the few that are have heavily reduced approved flow rates from the time when originally installed. Contact: Australian Spa Parts technical support 1300 735 025
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Murray Rose was an Australian Olympic legend and one of Australia’s favourite sons. Life Is Worth Swimming is an intriguing and intimate glimpse into his personal journey – his life, his stories and his innermost thoughts. Rose was a man before his time: a deep thinker, a vegetarian (highly unusual for the 1940s and 50s) and, at one time, even a Hollywood star. He was an innovator and early adopter of new technology and frequently philosophised about life in and out of the pool. In Life Is Worth Swimming, Rose details stories of some highly controversial moments from Australia’s swimming history – stories that could only be
told by someone who was there. Commenting on sport, mental focus, philosophy and family, Life Is Worth Swimming provides insight and inspiration not only for athletes but also for anyone who has ever pondered life’s important questions. He passed away in 2012 from acute advanced leukaemia. He wrote this book before his diagnosis. (Arbon Publishing) SPLASH! has a copy of the Life Is Worth Swimming to give away. All you have to do is Like the SPLASH Facebook page to be part of the competition. There will be more information in the free SPLASH! online newsletter. Go to splashmagazine. com.au to make sure you’re receiving the newsletter.
Efficiency
Energex extends pool pump rebate for Queenslanders South East Queensland energy provider Energex has extended its pool pump rebate offer until March 31, 2015. Pool owners can claim $250 for connecting their pool pump to an economy tariff or $150 for installing an energy efficient pump – that is, one with a minimum of five star rating on the MEPS scale.
Pool owners are also expected to enjoy up to $300 each year in energy savings. Customers can claim their rebate online at: www.energex. com.au/positivepayback There’s also an online pool calculator for industry to show customers how much they’ll save. Contact: yourpowerqld.com.au.
Retail
BioGuard Poolside to expand BioGuard Poolside has announced expansion plans that will see its retail network grow to nearly 100 outlets across Australia and New Zealand. The company has released a list of 37 locations where they plan to work with new and existing pool retailers to open BioGuard Poolside stores and build on their record growth last year. The list includes six locations in Queensland, ten locations in New South Wales, eight in Victoria, two in South Australia, one in the Northern Territory, three in Western Australia, one in Tasmania and six in New Zealand. BioLab commercial director Lindsay McGrath says the regional and metropolitan locations are areas with a pent up demand and the opening of a BioGuard Poolside store would offer greater choice to local pool owners. “We are already on track to reach 30 per cent
growth over three years and we see a bright future for bricks and mortar pool stores, despite pressure from online and big box retailers,” he says. McGrath says specialist advice from pool professionals is not available online or from multi-national hardware stores. “Last year, we opened eight new stores in Australia and New Zealand and have five planned for the first half of this year,” he says. “The growth is partly fuelled by retailers who appreciate the BioGuard Poolside model as it provides all the benefits of being part of a franchise group without any fees. The only commitment required is the exclusive sale of BioGuard products. McGrath says that following conversion to a BioGuard Poolside store retailer can achieve average sales growth of more than 14 per cent. Contact: www.poolside.com.au
The perfect finish for the pools you build
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news
Expo News The World Aquatic Health Conference (WAHC) is being supported by Australian Innovative Systems (AIS), who have come on board as the major sponsor. The WAHC is being held for the first time outside of North America as part of SPLASH! on the Gold Coast in July, and will include international experts such as Michele Hlavsa of the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), DBF expert Dr Chip Blatchley, and Dr Alex Antoniou and Tom Lachocki from the NSPF. Australian experts include Llew Withers, Rachael Poon and Rob Stowell. Co-sponsors are SPRAA and BioLab. The international plumbing industry will come to Melbourne in 2019 after the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) secured the 12th Triennial World Plumbing Conference for Melbourne. Up to 1000 plumbing industry delegates will come to Melbourne to witness the technological advancements continually being made, particularly in the areas of sustainability, HVAC, fire protection and building management systems. This will be the second time Australia has hosted a World Plumbing Conference. The Master Plumber’s and Mechanical Contractors Association of NSW hosted the inaugural Conference in Sydney in 1985. The 11th World Plumbing Conference will be held in Cape Town in September 2016.
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Licensing
North Qld cowboys on the run SPASA Queensland has warned North Queenland homeowners about the dangers of dealing with “unlicensed” or “cash only” pool builders and called on the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) to stamp out the practice. “Homeowners can expose themselves to a multitude of risks, including defective work and problems with re-sale, especially if the pool is illegally built without council approval or proper insurances in place,” says SPASA Queensland CEO Adrian Hart. “If a pool builder or trade contractor can’t produce a QBCC licence for swimming pool work, or has a great ‘cash’ or ‘no contract’ deal, we say ‘show them the door!’” Besides the risk of non-compliant and defective building work being performed, homeowners could find themselves personally liable if an accident or injury occurs. While cowboy operators exist throughout Queensland and the rest of the country, Hart says the incidence of cowboys in Far North Queensland has been worryingly on the rise. Illegal operators can face prosecution and Hart says homeowners considering building a pool
should conduct an online QBCC licence search to ensure the pool builder is fully licensed, check he is insured for public liability and contract works, and insist on a written contract. SPASA Queensland members are QBCC-licensed and use written contracts that comply with pool building requirements. “Having a pool in the backyard brings an ideal lifestyle benefit to North Queensland families, but if things go wrong the dream can quickly turn into a nightmare,” he says. “It pays to check out the builder first-up to make sure you are dealing with a licensed and legitimate contractor and that you have the statutory warranty you are entitled to.” Hart also warned homeowners not be talked into using the owner builder permit system as a way for dodgy builders to rip them off. Steve Griffin, QBCC Commissioner, responded to the campaign by saying they will conduct a major unlicensed compliance program in the next month. “Our local manager in Cairns will chase up all the recent pool approvals and include them in the program of that region,” says Griffin.
Franchising
Franchising code to change The Federal Government will seek to make changes to improve the viability of the franchise sector by the end of the year. The changes aim to ensure franchisees and franchisors act in good faith in their dealings with each
other; introduce penalties for a breach of certain provisions of the Franchising Code along with enhancing ACCC audit powers; improve transparency of marketing funds; and improve disclosure including short form, easy to
understand information for prospective franchisees. The exposure draft bill and regulations are available for public feedback until April 30, 2014. Go to splashmagazine. com.au for a QuickLink to the documents.
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news
Industry moves
Gary Nye retires from Clark Rubber Gary Nye, formerly chief operating officer at Clark Rubber Franchising, has announced his retirement from that company. He remains SPRAA President and will represent Clark Rubber on the SPRAA Board until the AGM later this year. “I planned to retire from full-time work this year and my move ties in with my term of office as SPRAA president expiring at our AGM,” Gary Nye says Nye. “Meanwhile I remain SPRAA president and Clark Rubber has asked me to continue to represent them on the SPRAA board. I have agreed to do so and Clark Rubber remains committed to membership of SPRAA.” Although not wishing to work full-time, Nye will be undertaking some consulting assignments. Clark Rubber has also asked him to work as a consultant. Nye has extensive retail experience extending more than 40 years in a career that began at Coles. He worked his way up through various positions including store management, retail buying and operations and was managing director
of Coles Myer’s Shared Services operations where he had responsibility for real estate, store development, public affairs, research and quality control. He later headed the Target retail chain before eventually moving into the position of chief operating officer at Clark Rubber. He joined the SPRAA executive with the aim of seeing that retailers and technicians in the pool and spa industry receive adequate representation on industry and government matters, and to influence decisions made by governments on industry issues on behalf of SPRAA members. “I am passionate about the retail industry’s views being represented in all relevant forums and look forward to progressing SPRAA member’s interests,” he says. Under the terms of the SPRAA constitution and following the AGM, Nye, as immediate past president, may remain on the SPRAA board as an ex-officio member for a further year.
Industry Moves
Greg Op de Coul moves to Davey Greg Op de Coul has joined Davey Water Products as their new national pool and spa products manager. Op de Coul came from Rheem and Raypak Australia, having spent the past three years working in their pool and spa business. Op de Coul has been an active member of the pool and spa industry for the past eight years and continues to serve on the board of the
Swimming Pool & Spa Association (SPASA) of Victoria. He says he is keen to see the industry continue to grow and prosper and is confident that Davey can play a big part in this success, particularly through their innovation, technology and new product development. Contact: Greg Op de Coul: (03) 9730 9371; 0424 193 961; gopdecoul@davey.com.au
Online
New solutions website
Lo-Chlor Solutions has launched a new website using their team of experienced pool chemical experts to help people understand how to maintain healthy, crystal clear, algae-free water. “Lo-Chlor is a specialist company and we have been servicing the needs of pool owners, retail outlets and distribution channels with our range of problem solving chemicals for more than 30 years,” says managing director Paul Simons. “Now we are sharing that knowledge and experience to ensure pool owners can enjoy their pool and make the bathing experience more memorable.” Contact: www.lochlorsolutions.com
Industry moves Standards Australia is supporting the formation of working groups for a new Heat Pump Standard and the revision of the Solar Standards AS3634. AS2369.1 and AS2369.2. Rob Guthrie says this will ensure supplier claims follow established benchmarks.The Alliance is convening the Heat Pump Working Group meeting on May 15. Simon Boadle from Sunbather has been appointed as the SPASA Australia representative on the new Solar Water Heaters Committee to consider a review of the abovementioned standards. Heliocol has opened a new corporate state office and branch in Melbourne, managed by Jim Petrakis. It is at Unit 6, 53 Gateway Boulevard, Epping, Victoria. Phone is (03) 9408 3902. It will complement the existing dealer operation in Beronia which has been managed by Peter Jamieson for more than ten years. Heliocol has other corporate offices in Brisbane at Yatala (Head Office), in Sydney at Seven Hills and Perth in Belmont. They also have a national network of dealers. Two Victorian industry veterans sadly passed away during February. Highly respected industry member, Ben Van Der Haar and past president and highly respected industry stalwart, Geoff Richards. SPLASH! offers deepest sympathies to family and friends.
April-May 2014 SPLASH!
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news
Regulations
ACT could get inspection regime In Brief Daisy Pool Covers has launched an online store portal. All margins from sales on the portal will be passed onto the dealer selected by the consumer. “Our network of Local Experts will benefit from the Daisy online store portal, as we are now offering an online purchasing option for customers,” says Daisy managing director Derek Prince. “The consumer now has an option to purchase a pool cover through their ‘local expert’ using the portal at any time of the day or night.” Sadly, just as the new rules are being introduced to try and make portable swimming pools safer, a toddler in Tasmania drowned in a backyard inflatable pool. Tasmanian Police have called for parents to be extremely vigilant around small inflatable pools after a 17-month-old boy fell into a backyard inflatable swimming pool in New Norfolk. Attempts were made to revive him at the scene but he was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Correction: Last edition’s obituary for David Lovelock said his business was picked up by John Dick’s Poolstore. However, SwimWorld Pool Services was bought by Waterco and became Swimart. Poolstore picked up the similarly named Swimworld Distributors from Barry Hayes a few years later.
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New regulations may be on the way for the Australian Capital Territory as the government considers conducting regular pool and spa barrier inspections as well as establishing a territory-wide register. The proposed new regulations are part of a 2011 discussion papethat recommended a register for all ACT pools and spas, and regular inspections. Similar reforms have recently been implemented in NSW and Queensland.
There are approximately 8000 households in the ACT with a swimming pool. The Royal Life Saving Society advises that there had been one reported drowning in the ACT this summer so far, and that occurred in a lake. The Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance submitted a response to the ACT Planning & Land Authority which can be viewed at their website or by following a QuickLink at splashmagazine.com.au.
Safety
Potentially lethal spas for sale Dangerous and potentially deadly spas are being sold in Australia with old-style potty skimmers. The spas are being sold by Euromax Spas, Euromax Imports, www.euromaxspas. com.au, www.euromaxdirect. com.au, Urban Boutique Pty Ltd and its directors Gerasimos and Nicholas Lord. Fair Trading NSW is warning the public not to deal with the above entities and if they have One of the dangerous bought a spa from any of them to spas showing the immediately cease using it until potty skimmer they have determined it is safe. They should contact NSW Fair Trading as soon as possible on 13 32 20. Spas with the model numbers BG 8520 and A potty skimmer is a pool or spa outlet at BG 8832 have these potentially lethal potty water level used as a suction point for the water skimmers but there may be other dangerous reticulation system and that resembles a child’s models as well. chamber pot or other toilet device and has no Fair Trading has asked Ebay to ban the comprotective device fixed to the skimmer box outlet. pany from selling spas on www.ebay.com.au and There have been numerous incidents in www.gumtree.com.au. Australia and overseas involving uncovered potty Urban Boutique Pty Ltd has also been invesskimmers that have resulted in disemboweltigated for failing to supply goods to consumers ment, serious injury and death. who have paid large deposits.
Representation
New industry reference group Adrian Hart of SPASA Queensland has been appointed as a member of a new Industry Reference Group created by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) Board. The reference group is established to provide a collaboration process on industry issues and members are appointed based on their individual experience, industry standing, organisational relevance and representation of constituencies to Government. It is made up from a chair appointed by the commissioner and 10-15 industry representatives
appointed by the board. The purpose of the group is to provide information and feedback to the QBCC board on issues relating to: • Policy and legislative reform associated with contractor licensing and dispute resolution; • The Home Warranty lnsurance Scheme; • The level of regulatory compliance in the industry; • Contractor education and training; • The performance of the QBCC in undertaking its administrative and regulatory functions.
news
Representation
New association boards In Brief Amendments to the Building Act 1993 (Vic) require that all new applications for registration as a building practitioner in Victoria be accompanied by an authorisation signed by the applicant for the conduct of a police check on the applicant. Section 169A of the Building Act 1993 permits the Building Practitioners Board (the BPB) to arrange for a police record check on the applicant. All new applicants will now be compelled to consent to the checks to enable the BPB to verify convictions, particularly those relating to violence, theft and fraud. Serious penalties exist for those that do not fully disclose their prior convictions. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a new publication outlining best practice tips for online sellers and marketplaces. The ACCC is concerned that some online sellers, particularly those based overseas, may not be aware that all businesses supplying to Australian consumers have the same obligations under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). Businesses breach the ACL if they sell banned products, do not meet all requirements of mandatory product safety standards or fail in their obligations related to product liability, consumer guarantees and misleading and deceptive conduct.
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A number of AGMs have been held recently resulting in some new faces on the boards of the associations. In the interests of being comprehensive, we have included all the current board members. The Alliance
The Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance board consists of: • Robert Guthrie – Tru Pool (President) • Lindsay McGrath – Biolab Australia (Vice President) • Denis Baxter – Niagara Pool Supplies (Treasurer) • Brad Baxter – Award Pools Group • Janine Bellifemine – Sunrise Pools • Malcolm Brown – Zodiac • Jonathan Hatfield – Waterco • Brian Jamieson – Lifestyle Spas & Leisure • Peter Moore – Aquatic Pool And Spa Consulting • Paul Simons – Lo-Chlor Chemicals • Mervyn Smith – Sunbather Pool Technologies • Manfred Wiesemes – Australian Pools & Spas
SPASA Australia
The current SPASA Australia board consists of: • Damien Smith, Chairman • Lynley Papineau – SPASA WA (President) • Andrew Jakovac – SPASA Queensland • Gary Kilworth – SPASA Victoria • Trent Moran – SPASA SA
SPASA Queensland
The new Queensland governing council consists of: • Andrew Jakovac – Majestic Pools & Landscape (President) • Steven Humphris – Focus Products (Vice President) • Sean Austin – Austin Pool Services (Treasurer) • Ian Bonney – Pool Fab Pools & Aquatic Landscapes • Michael Chapman – Classic Pools • Wayne Haylock – Burleigh Pools • Angela Kennedy – Narellan Pools Queensland • Andrew Kidd – PoolWerx Corporation • John Simatovic – Redlands Pool Service • Duncan Smith – AstralPool Australia • Rod Webb – Awebbco • Brad Wildermuth – Hayward Pool Products
SPASA South Australia
The new SPASA SA board consists of: • Tim Cain – Rainwise • Bruce Cox – Pentair • Frank DeLisio - Viva Pools • Troy Frede – SA Pool Fence Inspections • Richard Johnston – Adelaide Balustrade & Fencing
• Trent Moran – Above Ground Pool Sales/ Classic Pools • Patty Poulopoulos – Swimart Somerton Park • Roger Russell – Freedom Pools At the time of writing the SA executive was still to be finalised.
SPASA Victoria
The current SPASA Victoria board consists of: • Rob Kruber – Spa Industries (President) • Colin Sloggett – East Coast Pools (Vice President) • Lindsay Hartshorne – Lincoln Pool Equipment (Treasurer) • Rob Anderson – Board Appointee – ex-Poppits • John D’Arcy – Award Pools • Gary Kilworth – Out from the Blue • Ted Martin – Compass Pools Victoria • Brendan Neilssen – Waterco • Greg Op de Coul – Davey Products • Callum Ross – AstralPool Australia Messrs Martin, Neilssen and Ross will be up for re-election in October.
SPASA Western Australia
The current SPASA WA board consists of: • Lynley Papineau – Aquatic Leisure Technologies (President) • Darrell Doust – Poolwerx (Vice President) • Tony Sinagrar – Shenton Pumps (Treasurer) • Ernie Bevilaqua – Riverina Pools • Courtney Bishop – The Pool Shop Kalamunda • Shaun Conley – Quality Dolphin Pools • Duncan Hogg – Just Spas • Linda Taylor – Waterco The WA AGM was held in April, after SPLASH! went to print.
SPRAA
The current SPRAA board consists of: • Gary Nye – Retail Consultant (President) • Simon Isherwood – Neptunes Pool Care (Vice President) • Luke Gervais – Rode Pool Services (Treasurer) • Nathan De Candia – Newline Products • David Gati – Swimart Jindalee • Steven Humphris – Focus Products • Lindsay McGrath – BioLab • John O’Brien – PoolWerx The next SPRAA AGM is in Brisbane on Friday 8 August 2014.
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Sydney consumer show up 20 per cent
F
ebruary’s Pool Spa & Outdoor Living Expo held by the Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance at Rosehill Racecourse recorded an increase in visitation of 20 per cent over the previous event. Last year, wild weather put a slight dampener on the show, but this year the weather gods smiled on Rosehill, and a good turnout ensued.
The expo featured more than 90 exhibitors including leading suppliers and award-winning builders and designers. Also on display were the latest shade systems, gazebos, pool and spa heating systems, outdoor furniture, outdoor tiles and pool/spa finishes. Spiros Dassakis, Alliance CEO, says the increased attendance validates the love that NSW and ACT residents have for pools, spas and outdoor living.
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1. Families were in high attendance, and keen on spas as well as pools
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2. A customer learns more about pool pumps at the AstralPool stand, one of the 90 exhibitors at the consumer show. 3. As always, consumers were keen to meet experienced pool builders such as Peter Moore from Sunrise 4. Trevor Llewellyn at Rheem Heating’s colourful stand 5. The Ezzarri Tiles stand was buzzing
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“Expo visitors were able to explore all the health and lifestyle benefits associated with pools and spas, consider indoor and outdoor alternatives and evaluate modern design trends that best suit their lifestyle, budget and family home environment,” he says. “Exhibitors reported excellent leads and sales levels which provides an enormous financial injection to the industry and the overall economy.” n
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Perth consumers rally to organiser’s swan song
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utgoing event organiser Roger Le Fort says his final pool spa and outdoor consumer show was his
best yet. “It was honestly constant. People were queuing up from nine in the morning and it peaked between 11am and 1pm. All the exhibitors were delighted. Three of the big pool builders said they had record sales at this show,” says Le Fort. “The weather was perfect – it was a hot build up, getting people in the right frame of mind, but the day itself wasn’t too hot.
“This is my last show, and I’ve gone out on a high. The response from exhibitors has been overwhelming. The camaraderie is unique. No arguments – pool builders were helping each other as pools were coming in on the crane; it was extraordinary.” The show will now be run by industry veterans Carol and Mark Harper. Carol Harper says she and Mark are very excited and enthusiastic about their new venture. “We sold our company Exclusive Pools & Commercial Aquatics (previously AVP Constructions) in July 2013, so we are very happy
that we are still in the swimming pool industry but in a different role,” she says. “The expo is a great fit for us as many people already know us in the industry and we’ve had great feedback and we’re confident we can ensure the expos will be as successful if not more so in the future. “We’d like to thank Roger for creating such a great event that is respected throughout Australia. He is such a part of the Perth expos that we won’t let him go and there is still a role for him.” Contacts: Carol Harper 0418 930 498; www.poolspaoutdoor.com.au n
Above: Perfect weather saw consumers flock to the Perth show Below. Spas were as popular as the swimming pools
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Suction covers and liability By Cal Stanley
I
t is a real paradox that the older one gets the faster time seems to pass. It’s as if we can’t wait to arrive at that final D-date. Yet in reality we are all desperately striving to put off that date as long as possible. Having got that out of the way it seems like only yesterday that AS1926-2010 Part 3 Water Recirculation Systems came into effect. It was actually published in September 2010 and from memory, came into effect about two-and-a-half years ago. My primary interest here and the subject of this article is suction outlet covers. Just the other day I had a call from a solar heating installer who said, “We are contracted to replace the roof solar on an old existing swimming pool but we notice that there is only one suction outlet in the pool. What should we do about it?” He went on to explain how the owner was happy with the status quo because it had worked for many years, and installing a new suction outlet and branch line would be difficult and costly. The solar guy was worried about his liability in working on the roof and attaching his solar panels to a plumbing system that was potentially dangerous. My advice was along the following lines: Australian Standards are often used to award liability in a court whether that Standard is written in a compulsory or an advisory manner. An Australian Standard will become even more compulsory when it is called up in any form of legislation and AS1926.3 is one of a number of such Standards as it is now a requirement under the Building Code of Australia. However an Australian Standard is not applicable to works in existence, or carried out prior to its date of publication or any date or period specified within it as to when it comes into effect. But dual suctions have been in the Standard since 1993 and I doubt this pool is that old. What does all this mean? Well, first and foremost it points up the need for all industry participants to be aware and to keep up to date with all Standards that affect the industry. Secondly it is an excellent example of what can happen when pool builders think they know enough to sell and build pools
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when in reality they have little idea what they are doing. I am sure there are still some of these in most states, and for those operating in states lucky enough to have licencing they will not last long. Most readers will know I am in Western Australia where we do not yet have licencing, so we have a good share of these guys. Of course, WA really stands for “wait awhile” – maybe one day! Back to the suction covers. Does the solar company have any other obligation in respect of this single suction point he discovered? My answer is yes. He has a duty of care to point out that, while it may not be illegal, it is potentially dangerous and should be changed or the solar not used. This advice should be in writing. By doing this he has discharged his “duty of care” responsibility as an industry professional. A similar situation exists where pool technicians recognise a pool or spa with dual suctions which were fine when installed but which may not meet today’s standard and be potentially dangerous because of high flow rates. When the 2010 edition of AS1926.3 came into effect, it was contemplated that many new spas would require up to four suction outlets and covers because of the low tested flow rates on most available covers. This is no longer the case with a number of covers rated in excess of 400lpm. Due to the age of a pool, there may be no compulsion for an owner to change anything. However it should not be difficult or costly for technicians to upgrade the covers and to make a few bucks at the same time. Even if new high flow covers are fitted to existing 40mm suction lines operating at a flow velocity that is far too high, it will still be a substantially safer spa. Should the customer decline an upgrade, duty of care responsibility suggests that a wise technician will give written advice on the benefits of an upgrade. n
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Alternative disinfection
through Aussie innovation Main. This pool in Daruwala, India is sanitised by AIS’s Ecoline “fresh water” system
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E
ver since 1854 when John Snow successfully chlorinated part of London’s water supply to save its citizens from a deadly cholera epidemic, chlorine has been seen as the most trusted way to sanitise water. That applies equally to swimming pool water as to drinking water, because if it isn’t safe to drink, it isn’t fit to swim in either. But while chlorine has been long seen as the single most effective way to make water safe, it does have drawbacks: sometimes related to incorrect dosing, sometimes to poor storage and handling. The main considerations are to do with chloramine production and its effect on people sensitive to eczema and asthma, as well as other more serious disinfection by-products which may occur in high bather load public pools, especially if indoor. However, properly administered and handled, chlorine remains far and away the most popular chemical for disinfecting pool water. In fact, the most popular mode of residential pool sanitisation in Australia – salt chlorination – is actually using chlorine. The chlorine is created using a process called electrolysis – by which the water passes over an electrolytic cell, splitting the sodium chloride compound to create chlorine: generally hypochlorous acid (HCIO) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). Using salt to generate the chlorine has a number of advantages, in particular the fact that you don’t need to store the chlorine. There are also some disadvan-
tages, such as an increased need to protect against rust and efflorescence. Recently, there has been a move to use other mineral compounds apart from sodium chloride – particularly magnesium chloride and potassium chloride – to generate the chlorine. There is also a way to create chlorine by electrolysis without adding anything, simply using the existing compounds found in everyday water. Finally, there are methods both new and old that do not use chlorine at all. Some use hydrogen peroxide, others ozone, ionisation and even ultrasonics. Many of these methods will be discussed further in the article, but while we aim to be comprehensive, we can’t cover every single device or proprietary method. It is worth considering Australian ingenuity when reading through this article, as it is the commercial application of innovate local ideas that is driving this market segment.
Residual
One of the issues with using alternative sanitisation methods is the question of “residual”. The water in a residential swimming pool must be “turned over” through the filtration system (usually every eight hours for a residential pool) to ensure all the water in the pool has been treated in a timely fashion. But as well as treating water that is drawn from the pool into the filtration loop, there should be some disinfectant in the pool water at all times. This is called the “residual”, and is intended to protect swimmers from pathogens that have been introduced
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into the water after it is returned to the pool. These pathogens could potentially come from a number of sources, most notably “cross-infection” from another bather. However, some alternative systems only treat the water in the filtration loop (or another, separate loop) and don’t leave a residual of disinfectant in the pool itself. These systems include ozone and ultraviolet light (UV). Therefore, they are usually combined with another system that does leave a residual – most commonly chlorine. Public pools are required to have a residual and one of the most active state departments, NSW Health, has recently published a Public Swimming Pool and Spa Advisory Document that explains this in much more detail. It is available at splashmagazine.com.au under the QuickLinks tab. According to Australian standards, residential swimming pools must have a disinfectant with a 1ppm residual from one of the chemicals prescribed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). However, it should be noted the APVMA only has authority to approve chemicals, not other non-chemical processes such as UV.
MagnaPool
The first of the popular mineral pool systems, MagnaPool, was somewhat of a breakthrough in 2009 when introduced by Poolrite. It was a different way of creating chlorine for swimming pools, using electrolysis to convert a number of minerals, most notably magnesium chloride and potassium chloride, to make the chlorine. Importantly, it was also a different way to market swimming pools – almost like a health spa in your backyard. The water and the marketing proved popular with end users, and there was much anecdotal evidence of the swimmers being particularly happy with the feel of
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the water. However, supply of spare parts became a problem as well as the cost of the minerals under the Poolrite model. It started the trend of new pool mineral packages including AstralPool’s Aqua Therape, AIS’s MineralChlor, BioGuard’s SoftSwim conditioning system and the latest system, International Quadratics Therachlor which is discussed in more detail on page 85. In August 2013, the Poolrite business was finally sold to Evolve, with Zodiac Australia gaining the Magnapool system. Zodiac rejigged the system and officially relaunched it this year. Jonathan Bristow is category manager for water care appliances, automation and heating products at Zodiac Group Australia, covering responsibility for the MagnaPool brand. He says that Magnapool is not just a form of sanitation: it is an entire system that must be installed with all its various components in order for it to work the way it was intended. “The system comprises at its core three things: the hydroxinator, the minerals and the glass media, each one of these plays an equal part in what makes up MagnaPool,” he says. Hydroxinator is the term used for Magnapool’s chlorinator, which uses the principle of electrolysis to generate the sanitiser (hypochlorous acid) by “cracking off ” the chloride molecule attached to the magnesium chloride and potassium chloride minerals. “The word hydroxinator comes from the fact that it also produces magnesium hydroxide, also known as milk of magnesia,” says Bristow. “Our system uses no sodium at all, which reduces the environmental impact often associated with high salinity backwashing. In fact, we recommend that you dilute the backwash from MagnaPool and use it as a fertiliser
spray for your backyard. The magnesium and potassium are well known and well used fertilisers in the horticulture industries.” Bristow says that magnesium also behaves as a strong flocculent, which is the reason for using glass media in the filter. “Studies have shown that sand media is generally inefficient with magnesium because of the floc effect, and will tend to ‘clog’ the filter, as it will with a cartridge,” he says. “Glass on the other hand works perfectly, providing crystal clear water when using a combination of coarse glass (in the bottom to cover the laterals) then topped up with fine glass.” He also says that swimmers feel better swimming in the MagnaPool water. “As far as ‘health’ benefits, we do know this: that people with skin conditions that are generally exacerbated by swimming in traditional pools (salt or liquid
Top. The pools at Skycity Resort, Darwin are also sanitised by Ecoline Left. Since taking over MagnaPool, Zodiac revised the pricing structure and branding Below. The MagnaPool system schematic
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BioGuard’s SoftSwim first converts the pool with a low volume of minerals and is then used once per week to condition the water for swimming
chlorine), say their conditions are reduced in a MagnaPool. We have testimonials from many users saying that MagnaPool helped calm their condition and allowed them to enjoy swimming in the pool. Many swim schools are using MagnaPool because it allows the instructors to remain in the water and the water isn’t as harsh on the skin.” He also says there seems to be a relationship with absorption of magnesium through the skin when swimming in a MagnaPool, and that Zodiac is conducting tests to determine the absolute level at which this happens.
Brand’s new life
Since acquiring the brand, Bristow has had to deal with some of the issues left over from the Poolrite era including pricing. Also, during the latter days of the Poolrite saga, the MagnaPool brand was caught up in the ill-feeling between some of the participants.
“The brand suffered a bit of negative press,” he says. “Particularly in the trade as the commercial pricing structure that Poolrite had offered was way off the mark. There was and still is quite a bit of negative comment on the web by some disgruntled ex-employees that targeted Ross Palmer directly and the ‘smear campaign’ of trying to tear apart all claims made by MagnaPool. Unfortunately we have inherited this as much of it still exists on the web. We hope that as time goes by, the brand’s efficacy will stand on its own merits and people will see past what was clearly a personal attack against Ross rather than an open discussion about the product’s capabilities. “We haven’t altered the system that Poolrite finally used, we have only increased the mineral levels to ensure sufficient sanitiser production with our own model hydroxinator, as some users reported the old Poolrite version couldn’t keep up production in some of the hotter climates,” he says. “And we have rebranded the product now also, to make a clear distinction between the previous MagnaPool and the newly upgraded Zodiac version. We feel the marketing materials and direction breathes some new life into the brand and brings it up-to-date.”
How electrolysis works
Australian Innovative System (AIS) Elena Gosse explains the inner workings of electrolysis:
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“Inside an electrolytic cell an electrical current is passed between two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) through an electrolyte (that is, water containing minerals like sodium chloride). Hydrogen ions move to the cathode and turn into hydrogen. Chloride ions move to the anode and turn into chlorine. Meanwhile, sodium and hydroxide ions get left behind and stay in the solution. This provides all the necessary ingredients for the automatic formation of hypocholous acid, an effective and proven water sanitiser,” she says. Gosse says that one of the extra benefits of electrolysis can be a reduction in chloramines. “When people enter swimming pools, amines enter with them. Amines are found in perspiration and urine. If the level of free chlorine in a pool is low (relative to the amount of amines), chloramines may form. In nonAIS ‘traditional’ chlorine injection systems, chloramines may linger in and around the pool until the system is shock-dosed – which can only be done when the pool is empty for a long period such as overnight,” she says. “Shock dosing on this scale consumes a lot of chemicals and may contribute to rising TDS levels, requiring the addition of fresh water to dilute it.” Gosse says that with inline chlorination by electrolysis, the concentration of chlorine within the electrolytic cell has the effect of virtually shock-dosing the water every time it passes through the cell – which is multiple times each day – in the process, oxidising chloramines.
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AIS EcoLine and AutoChlor chlorine generators were installed at the Waterbom amusement park in Bali
“This may explain why indoor pool operators who switch from traditional chlorine dosing to inline chlorination by electrolysis report a noticeable improvement in indoor air quality,” she says.
EcoLine
In 2009, AIS launched EcoLine which was a totally new concept for swimming pools disinfection. The system basically uses electrolysis to generate chlorine, but without the need for adding salt or other types of chloride to start the process. It is an on-site inline chlorine generation plant capable of producing chlorine in fresh water from the small amount of natural salts and minerals already present in the standard water supply. “It can operate at total dissolved solids (TDS) levels 75 per cent lower than the 5000ppm typical of salt water chlorinators like AutoChlor, and can in fact operate as low as 1200ppm,” says Gosse. “This is typically referred to as ‘fresh water’,” she says. “Fresh water inline chlorination remains a revolution for the water industry.” The benefits of this are clear. First, you don’t need to buy bulk chlorine or even salt. This not only saves recurring expenses, but reduces occupational health and safety risks inherent in the transport, handling and storage of chlorine. In a more general sense, its widespread use would reduce the amount of hazardous chemicals being transported on public roads and highways. “Also, it shock doses the water every time it passes through the cell, oxidising chloramines along the way. And as it’s a largely automated process, it reduces operator input and maintenance.” The product was a finalist in International Stevie Award for the Best Innovative Product of the Year in 2009, and won the Most Environment-Friendly Sanitisation Product Award at the 2010 SPLASH! Environmental Awards. All production is developed and manufactured in Australia. PoolRanger recently installed a system on a trial basis at Warringah Aquatic Centre, and the results have come back very favourably. There is more on this story in the commercial news section on page 64.
Hydroxypure
The most recent addition to the alternative sanitisation world is Waterco’s Hydroxypure. It was launched at SPLASH! Asia in 2013 and earlier this year was approved for use by the City of Gold Coast Council for their commercial swimming pools. The concept was developed by inventor Nick Briscoe because his son’s eczema, which had been badly exacerbated by contact with chlorinated water. He tested all the existing technologies and, after seven years, eventually settled on a combination of hydrogen peroxide and ozone. 40
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The Warringah Aquatic Centre manager Gary Penfold recently praised Ecoline following a trial of the system. There is more on this on page 64
“I tried ozone, but it’s hard to mix the ozone in the water,” he says. “In the end I used a UV ozone system and we created ozone and hydroxyl radicals. Hydroxyl radicals are non-selective: they’ll kill everything. If you add hydrogen peroxide to water with ozone in it you get the peroxone process. This makes it 20 to 50 times more effective in killing pathogens.” The ozone doesn’t enter the pool water, but is used up in the MultiCyclone, where the advanced oxidation process occurs. The residual is a special stabilised formulation of hydrogen peroxide. Briscoe says they can run at much higher calcium hardness levels in the water because there’s no scaling. “That means the water is much more pleasant to swim in.” Chlorine can aggravate asthma as well as eczema in sensitive people, and Hydroxypure is the only swimming pool sanitisation system with the Sensitive Choice mark from the National Asthma Council Australia. This mark is awarded after a formal review process including the expert inspection of independent scientific research to ensure the product offers a better choice for asthma or allergy sufferers. Marketing director Bryan Goh says that while Waterco was not the first to introduce a chlorine-free pool or swim-spa, they are the first to have a fully automated chlorine-free system. Goh says Poppits, which Waterco has recently purchased, had a range of chlorine-free products including Sanosil (which also contains silver), that was used for spas and swim-spas. However, it was manually dosed. “So we’ve taken what Poppits did in smaller bodies of water like spas, and brought it to bigger bodies of water such as swimming pools that have many more variables to contend with.” He says the key to the system’s efficiency is its automated process. “Public pool sanitation systems must be automated according to NSW Health – they must be able to meet demand, and to adjust to respond to meet bather load according to requirements,” he says. Goh says Waterco was fortunate with approvals, as hydrogen peroxide – the active ingredient in Hydroxypure – is already approved by the APVMA. “You have to have one of the approved residuals and we do. Hydrogen peroxide is approved at 100ppm for residential pools and 150ppm for commercial pools”. He says hydrogen peroxide is a safe swimming pool sanitiser. “It is used at three per cent in food industry and we are using just 0.1 percent in solution, so it’s 30 times less than used in food industry for cleansing fruit, and at that concentration it’s definitely safe” Some in the industry had questioned how long the hydrogen peroxide would remain active in the pool water, but Goh explains that Hydroxypure uses a specially formulated, stabilised blend of hydrogen
If you are cleaning test tubes, crushing tablets or waiting for reagents to react then the answer is probably yes. That’s the old way of doing things. The new way is LaMotte’s WaterLink Spin: A gamechanging photometer that takes little effort and just 60 seconds to accurately and comprehensively analyse a water sample and produce a treatment report. At the same time as it improves the standard of your water testing, WaterLink Spin will free your employees to spend more time with your customers, and take the frustration of ‘cocktail waitress’ water testing out of their days. WaterLink Spin uses LaMotte’s famous DataMate water testing software which is cloud-based so you can monitor water testing at remote locations from a central office. For more information email Vendart Pty Ltd on sales@vendart. com.au or call our technical sales desk on (02) 9450-0466.
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Nick Briscoe launching the Hydroxypure system at SPLASH! Asia
peroxide which lasts longer in the pool than standard hydrogen peroxide and also has a longer shelf life. “Also, hydrogen peroxide is not affected by temperature – which is why Poppits used it in spas.”
Turtle Beach
So far, the most exciting installation of the system for Waterco is the Turtle Beach Resort on the Gold Coast.
“If you get commercial approval you cover everything because it’s so much more stringent than residential, that’s why Turtle Beach was so important to us,” says Goh. “We have a letter from the Gold Coast City Council advising that the Council’s Health, Regulatory and Lifeguard Services Branch has approved the continued use and the extension of use of Waterco’s Hydroxypure Water Treatment System in the swimming pools, spas and proposed water theme park within the Turtle Beach Resort.” Nick Briscoe explains how approval by the City of Gold Coast Council is paving the way for the system’s more widespread acceptance in other states. “In Queensland it’s a little different than the rest of Australia. Queensland Health does not have any legislative base to approve, endorse or assess any disinfection processes. They leave it up to the councils or regional areas to decide what disinfection system to use, as long as it meets the regulations and abides by the APVMA’s requirements and bacterial count requirements. Those requirements are the same for Queensland as for the other states,” says Briscoe. “After a period of consultation with the City of Gold Coast Council on the mechanics of how the Hydroxypure system works, an agreement was reached for a trial to be conducted under strict operational conditions.
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“After the assessment of the data provided by NATA-approved laboratory Australian Laboratory Services (ALS), and independent testing by the council, the subsequent approval was given for the system.” Briscoe says they can show those results to NSW Health, and this should end up being a much quicker pathway for the system to be widely accepted. “And the results at Turtle Beach show Hydroxypure is better than chlorine, especially in higher temperatures,” he says. A site visit is being organised for the Turtle Beach Resort as part of the SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show on the Gold Coast. For more information contact Laura Honey on 1300 789 845.
A schematic showing the elements of the Hydroxypure system
Enviroswim
Gary Stutt, co-founder and executive director of Enviroswim, started using a copper and silver ioniser when he lived in Manilla, after an earthquake disrupted the city and made getting a regular supply of chlorine impossible. Impressed by its effectiveness, he set up Watertech Services International in 2000 with co-founder and director Phil Jones to produce and market ionisers in Australia and other markets. The system has undergone a number of transformations since then, and Stutt and Jones are keen to demonstrate their latest version, the ES3, is not just
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There will be a site visit to the Turtle Beach Resort as part of SPLASH! on the Gold Coast in July
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another ioniser but is a proven hybrid system with “more credentials than any other sanitiser”. At the heart of their claims is the extensive research undertaken by the highly respected US organisation, the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), which tested the Enviroswim system for 7000 hours, gaining them the NSF 50 certification which includes it passing tests for microbiological efficacy, uniformity of output and safety against staining pool surfaces (after NSF ran it on a white plaster finish) amongst other things. The original Enviroswim ES1 unit ran alongside chlorine. It met the stringent NSW Health protocols in tests conducted by the government-run Tweed Laboratories in Tweed Heads. “Dr Paul Wright conducted the tests and the ES1 unit sailed through,” says Stutt. “The CT (control time) was a 4-log reduction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa within 30 seconds. “Then in 2002 we were contacted by Chandler Aquatic Centre and put the ES1 system with chlorine in the indoor pool. It was there for about five years. “The venues could reduce the level of chlorine volume required but maintain the level of free chlorine because of the reduced demand. We reduced chlorine consumption considerably. And you didn’t have the oppressive chloramine smell because the less chlorine you use, the less chloramines you produce,” he says.
“At the time, Brisbane city councils had had problems with crypto,” says Jones. “But while we were there, we never had an issue with crypto. The system was the ES1 plus chlorine. It was being independently tested by Brisbane Water and in all that time we had not one failure on plate counts. And it was a community pool used by a lot of disabled groups. Previously, the chloramine issue had been so bad the staff wanted desk jobs. “As soon as we put the equipment in, they never had another issue of crypto and the chloramines disappeared.” Stutt says that at the time there was a major drought and they were asked to see if they could reduce the TDS in the community pool without dilution, as the levels had been rising and they were getting dermatological problems. “During trials we discovered at low TDS levels we could produce ORP (oxidation reduction potential), so we applied for a patent incorporating ultrasonics, ionisation and electronic oxidation. That’s the heart of the patent that’s been granted all over the world,” says Jones. The latest version of Enviroswim is called the ES3. It produces oxidants including chlorine at low TDS levels and Jones says that Enviroswim’s residual sanitiser is measurable at the poolside using a copper test kit, ORP and/or diethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPD) test methods. The two latter methods measure chlorine and other oxidant residual levels.
“Enviroswim’s high sanitising efficacy is due to the use of a combination of multiple sanitising agents combined with ultrasonics,” he says. “The ultrasonics-induced cavitations cause extremely high local pressures and temperatures without increasing the ambient level. These local effects result in the breakdown of suspended solids and increase the efficacy of the disinfectant using
Garry Stutt from Enviroswim with Phil Jones in the background talking to a customer
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A residential pool in the Gold Coast hinterland, featuring Enviroswim E3
Currumbin’s Eco Village pool is sanitised by Enviroswim E3
Enviroswim’s patented three-process methodology, combining electronic oxidation, ultrasonics and copper/silver ionisation.” “Enviroswim has a residual that lasts several months,” says Stutt. “Copper and silver in water has an excellent residual because it doesn’t evaporate, it’s not volatile like chemicals. Part of our residual will work 24 hours a day whether the pump is on or not. “The system generates some chlorine though an electrolysis process via a cell but the main disinfection efficacy is created by a combination of processes. Copper and silver break down the cell walls and so help to disinfect the pool,” he says. “There are two systems of disinfection. You can have burning or poisoning. Copper and silver poison by attacking the DNA; chlorine burns by oxidation. In
Contacts: AIS www.aiswater.com.au AstralPool www.astralpool.com.au BioGuard www.bioguard.com.au Enviroswim www.enviroswim.com Lo-Chlor www.lo-chlor.com.au Maytronics www.maytronics.com.au Pool & Spa Poppits www.poolpoppits.com.au Waterco www.waterco.com.au Zodiac www.zodiac.com.au
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Enviroswim we have both the oxidation, and copper as an algaecide and silver as a bactericide. “Additionally we have the ultrasonics that prohibits scale and also giardia and crypto. Although not scientifically proven, we believe it takes away the ability of the parasite to use calcium and silica in the water to produce a shell. The ultrasonics converts calcium and silica from a snowflake crystal to a long thin brittle aragonite crystal. So it’s difficult to scale, and difficult for parasites to use for its shell, so you don’t have the proliferation of the parasites in an Enviroswim pool.” Stutt says that after Enviroswim was installed in the Chandler Aquatic Centre, council officials asked what they were doing differently, because over two years they’d had no instances of giardia or crypto.
Lovibond® Water Testing Council asked them to look at their more problematic pools, to see if they could fix them as well. Jones says they were offered a bursary from the council to carry out more efficacy testing, specifically against giardia and crypto, but were unable to find a laboratory in Australia that was prepared to carry out the work. “We have NATA-accredited labs backing us up, and believe we’re the only Australian company with the NSF 50 accreditation. It’s one of the hardest to get. We have the system on the luxurious World Cruise Ship – the largest privately owned cruise ship in the world. We’ve had ES3 in their pools for four years. It’s also in the pools at Hugh Jackman’s Gwinganna resort and health spa in the Gold Coast Hinterland, and the Eco Village in Currumbin, voted the most sustainable development in the world, as well as the Banyan Tree Resorts in Mauritius. “In all, we have 4000 units in Australia, Europe, Asia and the US.” Enviroswim is 100 per cent made and designed in Australia and is patented all over the world.
AquaSpa
Lo-Chlor chemicals has released a new chlorine-free and bromine-free spa sanitisation system called AquaSpa, as well as a chlorine-free and bromine-free pool sanitisation system called AquaFresh. Managing director Paul Simons says Lo-Chlor Chemicals realised the necessity and demand for a product that would both safely and easily sanitise spas, they spent the best part of a decade researching and developing the new system. The system is based on PHMB, better known as biguanide or polyhexanide, which has been successfully used in disinfection in a wide variety of industries including the swimming pool industry in the United States. “The technology behind AquaSpa is a revolutionary combination of three products,” Simons says. “The base of which is PHMB as the sanitiser component.” He says products containing PHMB are used for disinfection in operating theatres and hospitals for surgical and non-surgical wound dressings, hydrotherapy, and burn wound management amongst many other uses. He says the sanitiser component is extremely gentle on skin, hair and clothing, as well as having no harsh side effects on either the spa or equipment. It is specially formulated to control the growth of bacteria and disease. “AquaSpa has been fully registered as a recognised sanitiser for spas with the APVMA and is one of the fastest growing ranges in the spa market today,” he says. The sanitiser is also registered for swimming pools. Simons says the weekly three-step dosing procedure makes it both easy and economical to administer.
Bio pool cleaner
Considering the upsurge in alternative sanitisation methods – especially bio or natural pools – Maytronics has developed a robotic pool cleaner specifically for these new types of swimming pools. The Bio Dolphin pool cleaner is targeted for bio pools, alternative sanitation pools and other types of pools where the debris load may potentially be high. The Bio Dolphin features systematic scanning technology, PVC brushes for rugged application, a swivel and advanced scanning algorithms. In particular, it features a secondary waste removal line – to remove debris to a separate waste storage system. “As end users look for different ways to sanitise their pools, this creates the need for alternate methods to clean them,” says Dan Kwaczynski, managing director of Maytronics Australia. “The Bio was created specifically for this niche market.” n
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Enter the 2014 SPLASH! Awards It’s on again – the only awards in the world dedicated to environment friendly products and projects in the swimming pool and spa industry.
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The SPLASH! Environmental Awards. Entry is free and is now open. Simply go to splashmagazine.com.au and follow the links to the SPLASH! Awards 2014. All information must be entered online to streamline the entry and judging process.
The Awards This year, Intermedia has decided to accentuate the significance of the winners and finalists by concentrating on two categories: • Most Environment Friendly PROJECT • Most Environment Friendly PRODUCT Products and projects that would have fitted into the previous categories and subcategories will still be eligible to enter, and will feed into the two awards. Winners will be chosen from a group of finalists.
Any product that helps reduce energy consumption, water usage or chemical usage will be considered, whether for the residential market, commercial market or both. Any residential or commercial project that meets the criteria will be considered.
The Judges The judges include respected experts in the fields of swimming pool construction, pump efficiency, water efficiency, and both residential and commercial pool design: • Julian Gray, CEO, Smart Approved WaterMark • David Hallet, General Manager, Archicentre • Denis Pontin, Director, RMP Consultants • Peter Seebacher, Director, AusEng Consulting • Cal Stanley, Director, Neptune Pools
The Dinner The fourth edition of the SPLASH! Environmental Awards will be presented at SPLASH! on the Gold Coast on July 17, 2014 as part of the SPASA Australia Gala Award Night, which will also incorporate the SPRAA Retail Awards. The SPLASH! Environmental Awards are proudly supported by Foundation Sponsor Sunbather.
Entries close May 30 Contacts splashmagazine.com.au; info@splashawards.com.au
April-May 2014 SPLASH!
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Queensland finalists • Cascade Pools • Norfolk Pools • L & V Project Pools • Majestic Pools & Landscapes • Placid Pools • Freedom Pools • Narellan Pools • Surfside Pools • Dean Thomas Pools • Noble Pools • Queensland Family Pools • Classic Pools
Quantum Pools
MC and finalists announced for SPASA Australia Awards
N
icole Livingstone OAM will compere the SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner, which will also include the presentation of the SPLASH! Environmental Awards and the SPRAA Retailer Awards. This prestigious event will be held on Thursday, July 17 at the Crowne Plaza, Surfers Paradise. Livingstone represented Australia at three consecutive Olympics, winning individual and team medals, as well as medals at six Pan Pacific Championships, three Commonwealth Games and the 1991 FINA World Championship. In 1992 she set a World Short Course Record in the 200m backstroke. Following her stellar Olympic career, she transitioned into the media as an expert commentator on various sports programs and most recently features as a regular panellist on The Project. She is a current director of Swimming Australia, is active in promoting drug-free sports and is a past board member of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority. She is also a co-founder and Patron of Ovarian Cancer Australia. In 1997 she was awarded the Order of Australia for service to swimming. SPASA Australia advises that seating is strictly limited and recommends you book early to avoid disappointment. A new dedicated website will be launched shortly. The finalists from the four states have also been announced for the SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence and are listed on pages 51 and 52. Contacts: Rowena Cook (03) 9501 2040, www.spasa.com.au ■ Continued over page...
South Australian finalists
L&V Pools
• Freedom Pools
• Pleasure Pools
• Mermaid Pools
• Classic Pools
• Quantum Pools
• Daydream Pools
• Summertime Pools by Rainwise
• Urban Oasis & Astral Pool
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Western Australian finalists
Boardwalk Pools
• The Waters Edge • Boardwalk Pools • Quality Dolphin Pools • Imperial Pools • Barrier Reef Pools • Barrier Reef Pools Northside • Add a Splash Pools • Classic Pools • Reflections Pool & Spa • Commercial Aquatics Australia • Future Pools Design & Construction • Bay Pools & Spas • AstralPool
Victorian finalists • Enkipools
• Aquarius Pools
• Out from the Blue
• Albatross Pools
• Aloha Pools
• Naughtons Pools & Spas
• Gordon Avenue Pools & Spas
• Tassie Pools & Spas
• Compass Pools Vic
• Rainwise
• Natural Pools
• Endless Spas
• Commercial Aquatics Australia
• Pentair Water Australia • The Pool Enclosure Company
Aloha Pools 52
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Advanced labelling speeds production
A
t AstralPool’s Australian manufacturing facility in Noble Park, Victoria, 3500 line items and 2.6 million finished goods and components are shipped out to approximately 4000 customers nationally and internationally. “After the past five years with growth of around 20 per cent per year, AstralPool’s manufacturing and distribution centre was looking for a technology solution that could boost the efficiency of our product and packaging labelling process,” says Brendan Butler, AstralPool Australia’s production manufacturing manager. “Specifically, we wanted to invest in a modern labelling system that could significantly cut the amount of time spent printing labels, offer the flexibility to meet the varying labelling requirements of our international and local customers and reduce waste,” he says.
maze to navigate each day when it came time to print off all the required labels. Aside from the huge difficulties locating the right label to print in the system, another issue for the production planner was that labels were printed in bulk. The production planner would print what they judged to be enough labels for the entire day, rather than waste time having to re-navigate through the database over and over. During the day, changes in production and label details often led to fluctuations in the number of labels needed, subsequently wasting labels or further time printing more labels.
2.6 million finished goods and components are shipped out of AstralPool’s factory
The Intermec PM43 is a rugged industrial printer suited to the factory floor and it has a reliably fast print speed for asrequired label printing
Replacing a dated system
From the establishment of the Noble Park facility in the 1990s until 2012, the labelling software system was run from a desktop computer connected to a printer which was managed by the production planner. This saw the production planner printing up to 5000 labels per day, prior to the products actually being produced. Considering the facility’s growing production over the past 10 years with product volumes tripling in some cases, it is little surprise the number of labels needed to identify these products had sky-rocketed. The database containing all the different label templates required for each customer had in turn been increasing. In recent years this left the production planner with a complex April-May 2014 SPLASH!
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Filtering the problems out
The printer is easily maintained and replacing print heads and rollers can happen on the factory floor without the need for any tools
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The main catalyst for change eventually came when AstralPool’s labels were no longer approved for all the markets that they sold into around the world. This predominantly applied to the US market, which began requiring that labels adhered to UL Standards for Safety, the labelling standards introduced in the European market as well as the Australian Gas Association requirements.
Driven by the need to source a new labelling solution to meet the UL Standards, which would likely require them to add another labelling supplier to an already long list, AstralPool decided it was time for a system overhaul. Peacock Brothers is an Australian-owned and operated business established in 1888, which has grown into one of the ANZ region’s largest providers of data management and printing solutions with branches in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland. “AstralPool contacted Peacock Brothers and explained their desire to find and integrate a new technology solution that would allow them to have one labelling system that could generate a range of labels suitable for all their different customer requirements,” says Neil Crump, managing director of Peacock Brothers. Following consideration of AstralPool’s key requirements for the new label printing technology solution of increased flexibility, label printing productivity as well as efficiency, it became clear the best option was the Intermec PM43. The Smart Printer fitted all the requirements; the PM43 could operate in a completely stand-alone operation due to Intermec’s unique Fingerprint program, which allows the product database to easily be updated. It is a rugged industrial printer suited to the factory floor and it has a reliably fast print speed for as-required label printing.
tion company and the right technologies straight away. It took just a month to roll-out the new solution, which has already paid for itself five times over.” In addition to savings in costs of labour and upping the speed of label printing, AstralPool also achieved a reduction in the waste it had previously generated when discarding thousands of pre-printed date stamped labels at the end of each month.
The Intermec PM43 is remotely managed with a locally stored easy to manage database with all of AstralPool’s different label templates to meet worldwide customer standards, as well as incorporated logo graphics and information on parts provided by other companies for OEM products. Also, it is easy and quick to make repairs to the printers, such as replacing print heads and rollers, on the factory without the need for any tools. The result is significantly lower repair costs without the need to call someone out or mailing the whole printer back to a service centre. This leads to the most significant saving: avoidance of printer down time, which would otherwise cause disruption to labelling of products and packages and subsequently cause delays in product delivery.
Quick return on investment
Future automation
Throughout the project, AstralPool pushed the concept of lean manufacturing, with an emphasis on reducing cost and waste. “Since moving to one autonomous technology solution for label printing, we’ve already seen a return on investment through massive time savings of 60-70 per cent in our label printing,” says Butler. “It was very refreshing to find that rather than the project being a huge challenge as I expected, it was made incredibly easy by working with the right integra-
The new labelling solution introduced at AstralPool manufacturing facility offers the company scope to leverage these solutions across its entire operations. This would further their ability to be best in class in Australia, as well as operate more competitively at an international level as a lean manufacturer and distributer. “Intermec is very pleased to see the successful impact smart printing has had on AstralPool’s labelling processes and we’re excited about future plans to expand automation into their packaging and quality control systems as well,” says Tony Repaci, Intermec by Honeywell managing director for Australia and New Zealand.
Contacts:
AstralPool: www.astralpool.com.au Intermec: www.intermec.com.au Peacock Brothers: www.peacocks.com.au ■
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16-17 July 2014 Jupiters Hotel & Casino Gold Coast, Australia Australasia’s largest pool & spa trade show will be held on 16th - 17th July 2014, at Jupiters Gold Coast, Queensland. The biennial event draws more than 2000 attendees from Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.
Visit www.splashexpo.com.au or call 1300 789 845
Exhibitor list • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ABGAL Liners and Covers Albatross Pools Aqua Action Slides Aqua-Quip Artisan Stone PTY Ltd Associated Controls Astral Pool Australia Australian Energy Systems Australian Innovative Systems Australian Innovative Systems Australian Leak Detection Australian Spa Parts Autopool (Automated Pool Products) BioLab Bioniser Pty Ltd Blue Glass Pebble Co Pty Ltd Boss Polymer Technologies Cixi Handsome Pool Appliance Classic Pools Colourmaker Industries Commercial Aquatics Australia Compu Pool Products Continental Water Systems Cooke Industries Daisy Pool Covers
Platinum Sponsor
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Davey Water Products Designerite Pty Ltd Driclad Pool Technology Eaycare Products Elite Pool Covers Emaux Water Technology Enviroswim Evo Industries Australia Pty Ltd Evolution Poolrite/The Evolve Group Fluid Solution FOCUS Products Form and Light Hainan Zhongxin Chemical Co Ltd Hayward Pool Products Heliocol Solar Hot Water Heat Pumps Au Pty Ltd Hydrocare Pools Ian Coombes Australia Pty Ltd IQ Jewels 4 Pools Joy Pool Systems Just Spas Kokido Development Limited Lincoln Pool Equipment Lo-Chlor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Magnum Filters Master Pebble Australia Maytronics Maytronics Minder Swimming Pool Equipment PTY Ltd Newline Pool Produdcts Niagara Pool Supplies Ningbo Poolstar Pool Products Co. Ltd Ozone1 Pty Ltd Para Mobility Pentair Water Plastiflex Hose System Solutions Pool Controls Pool Pro Products Pool Systems Pty Ltd Pool-i.d. UK Ltd & STA PoolRx Worldwide Pool-Water Products Prominent Fluid Controls Protector Aluminium Quartzon Remco Australia Rheem S.R. Smith
Welcome Reception Sponsor
Awards Gala Dinner
• Skypebble® • Sofikitis decorative stones Ltd poolstones by Sofikitis • Solartech Pool Heating Pty Ltd • Spa Electrics • SPASA Alliance • SPRAA • Stern’s Pools • Sunbather • Sunlover Heating • Supreme Heating • The Pool Tile Company • The Robotic Pool Cleaning Coy • Tim Batt Water Solutions/Pulsar • United Media Group • Universal Magazines • Vendart Pty Ltd • VICI • Water Linx/Solar Splash • Waterblade • Waterco Ltd • Waterlilly Australia/Lovibond • Watertec Engineering Pty Ltd • WOW Company SA • Zeolite Aust • Zodiac
Golf Sponsor
Media Partner
Exciting Awards Announcement For the first time, SPLASH! will host the 2014 SPASA Australian Awards of Excellence. To be held on Thursday 17th July on the Gold Coast, the SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence recognise achievement in design, construction, innovation, and professionalism across the pool & spa industry. The Awards program gives recognition to SPASA members who have demonstrated the highest degree of competency and professionalism. “This year SPASA Australia has reinvigorated our awards categories and now include various product and spa categories as well as the most prestigious Builder Award in Australia – the SPASA Australia Pool of the Year. This will be fantastic – it’s truly the Best of the Best.” “The prime goal of the awards of excellence program is to generate an amazing array of images to stimulate immediate consumer demand. Our industry competes with many leisure and travel options, it’s time we stepped up and showed all of Australia the height of excellence that exists within the national pool and spa industry” said CEO, Brendan Watkins.
Venue & Accommodation
“SPLASH! is the ideal occasion on which the Awards can be presented” said Simon Cooper, Publisher of SPLASH! magazine. The SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner will incorporate the fourth edition of the SPLASH! Environmental Awards. These Awards have gained international recognition promoting environmental and sustainable achievements.
594 superbly appointed guest rooms spread out over 21 floors with sweeping views across the Pacific to the east, and magnificent hinterland views to the west.
Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino offers comfort and luxury that never fails to impress delegates.
There are special accommodation rates at Jupiters, exclusive to visitors to SPLASH! 2014.
NEW FORMAT
Site Visit to Turtle Beach Resort Join Nick Briscoe, Waterco and the team at the award-winning Turtle Beach Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast, where the swimming pools are a key drawcard. There are four separate swimming areas, including a children’s wading pool, an adult’s only pool, lagoon pool, lap pool, in addition to four spas. With large volumes of water, the resort’s maintenance team were previously faced with a number of challenges trying to maintain the pools and spas. The resort team were initially very sceptical that it would work and that it would be approved for use by the local authority (Gold Coast Council). Council was briefed on the Hydroxypure system prior to it being installed and it approved a six month trial with a strict testing regime. The Hydroxypure system was subsequently retrofitted to the existing pool plumbing system, but first the resort wanted to completely drain the pool and water feature and start again with fresh water in order to remove the salt. Additionally, the media filters were all changed to Waterco Glass Pearls in order to improve filtration quality. “It really highlights the versatility of the Hydroxypure system to be retrofitted to older commercial pools,” Briscoe says. “There are many such pools which will face the same challenges, so it is important to know that the Hydroxypure system can be adapted to work on just about any hydraulic situation.” Nick Briscoe, inventor of the Hydroxypure system, will be on hand to answer any questions about the system and departure from Jupiters at 7.30 and be back at SPLASH! by 10am for the second day of the show, education and networking. Spaces are limited and registrations are a MUST. $20 +GST per person includes transfers and breakfast. This is perfect for hotel managers, engineers, and councils responsible for play areas.
Andrew Simons Memorial Golf Day -18 July This year’s event will be based on an 4 man ambrose as per last year but with a twist. Shootout Golf who will be co-ordinating the day specialise in offering a unique sudden death playoff format. This revolutionary system revolves around a super six draw which occurs at the end of the days play where six holes are chosen at random from the eighteen played. The eight teams with the best scores then playoff over two holes creating a unique professional tournament atmosphere where finalists of the day will play in front of a gallery made up of the days former combatants. As an exciting add on Palmer Gold Coast the host course of the day, along with Shootout Golf will provide the champions on the day with an airfare as part a holiday package to participate in the World shootout Championships in Las Vegas in 2015. Palmer Gold Coast formerly Robina provides a perfect backdrop for the event where the 17th and 18th are some of the best holes on the famous holiday strip. Just $120 +GST per person or hole sponsorship available.
Welcome Reception The Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance (SPASA) is very proud to be the official sponsor of the 2014 SPLASH! Welcome Reception. The reception will be open to all participants at the show including visitors, speakers, exhibitors and training delegates, offering everyone the opportunity to meet and connect at the largest Australian gathering of the swimming pool and spa industry professionals alongside Jupiters award winning pool.
SPLASH! Education Program Monday 14 & Tuesday 15 July 8:00am-5:00pm each day NSPF Swimming Pool & Spa Service Course Fee: $495 +GST This hands-on training program will teach you how to operate and maintain an aquatic facility. This program can be used as a pathway to obtaining either the Certificate III or IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Service qualifications. Completing this program will give you the ability to use the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route to becoming qualified. Prior to the course you will be given access to the Pool Operator Primer and Routine Maintenance of Pool & Spa Equipment online courses. Additionally, successful completion of this program will qualify you for the NSPF Certified Pool/Spa Operator Certification for commercial pool operators. The blended program covers topics such as disinfection, filters, filtration, recreational water illnesses, water balance, pool and spa water problems, and much more. This course is a combination of online, classroom, and hands-on training. You will be given resources materials related to Australian Standards, Codes, and Regulations. The hands-on component of the program will take us to the aquatic facilities at Jupiters where we will be able to perform various tasks such as: • Monitoring and maintaining water quality • Filter maintenance • Pump maintenance • Chemical feeder maintenance • Pool cleaner maintenance The registration deadline for this course is July 1, 2014 to allow time for the completion of the online courses prior to arrival at the show. Once you are registered you will receive a copy of the NSPF Pool & Spa Operator handbook along with information on how to access the two online training courses. At the completion of the program you will be provided with information you need to complete you training for the qualifications from a Registered Training Organization (RTO).
Wednesday 16th July -
Session $30 +GST pre 29/6/14 $40 +GST post 9:00am–10:00am Mastering the Basics – Sales and Marketing Michael Marshall, Director of Sales and Marketing, QuikClean Mastering the Basics is an inspiring presentation which outlines the techniques involved in laying the foundations for sustained sales and marketing growth. Michael leads us through the sales process and identifies the key steps to achieving sales success. We have just one opportunity to create a good first impression and Michael highlights the importance of that opportunity in building a better rapport with potential customers. He promotes the advantages of a value rather than cost approach to sales and provides advice on sharpening negotiation skills and delivering outstanding follow-up service. 10.15am-11.15am Mastering Social Media which drives business & sales Jodi Williams, Marketing & Social Web Strategist What “really“ is social media? And how does it help drive brand awareness and more sales. Social media is a generic term that
used to encompass a lot of online digital activity. Social media, is taking your message to the social web and engaging in conversation, adding and sharing knowledge and helping deliver value to users – YOUR Customers. It’s used to reach and facilitate two way communication and content sharing to enhance your businesses online visibility, strengthen relationships and expand word of mouth about your brand. Most customers will more likely take the advice of their peers about products and services And now these conversations are being had online and in the public realm, it’s even more reason to be there with them. Many businesses have jumped on the Social media band wagon, setting up Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and instagram … only to be disappointed and disheartened by the lack of success. It’s one thing to get on line… it’s another thing to know what you’re doing online. Or shouldn’t be doing online! 11.30am-12.30pm The Aussie Pool Aftermarket It’s a Brave New World of Retail & Service John O’Brien, CEO, PoolWrex Corporation Ths session will cover • How to respond to the increasing demand for professional domestic services. • Transitioning from traditional pool shops to modern leisure retail environments. • Training, certification, licencing – these provide consumer confidence, professionalism and career opportunities in our sector. • Data base marketing is transforming us from reactive to proactive marketers. • The demand for safety and simplicity as well as energy and environmental conservation are driving a continual technical innovation pathway of opportunity. 1.00pm-2.00pm Cash Flow - the Lifeblood of your business Anthony Davis, Managing Director, Brightwater Business Coaching Have you ever said ‘I made a profit but there is no money in the bank’? Cash flow is essential to your survival. Learn where your cash is going and how to take control of this vital ingredient. 2.30pm-3.30pm Creating Systems and Automating your Marketing Communications Nicholas Jones, Managing Director, IOTA Australia A few years ago Nicholas was overwhelmed by the amount of marketing communications he knew he should be doing with his customer base but did not have the time to do it. This included creating and publishing informative articles; regular email newsletters; social media; updating products on the website and digital catalogue etc. He sought a solution which has proved incredibly affective. systemising his business allowing him to work on the things that only he can do and manage his business. In this session Nicholas will explain: How he recruits, hires and retains out sourced staff; How to train, manage and work as a remote team; The importance of fresh marketing content specifically for an internet audience; Where to get marketing content for your website. And give case studies and examples of how to implement and maintain: enewsletters and blogs; website products; social media campaigns.
3.30pm-4.30pm National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme Dr Adrienne Adams, Senior Compliance Officer, NICNAS The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) administers the Industrial Chemicals (Notification & Assessment) Act 1989 (the ICNA Act) which places legal obligations on importers and manufacturers of industrial chemicals. NICNAS assesses chemicals that are new to Australia for their health and environmental effects before they are used or released into the environment, and assesses those chemicals already in use in Australia on a priority basis in response to specific concerns about potential health and/or environmental effects. This information session will outline the legal obligations under the ICNA Act relevant to the Pool and Spa industry.
Thursday 17th July - FREE SESSIONS 10.15am-10:45am eQuilibrium Water Management System Matt Adlam, General Manager, AstralPool Australia The core needs of any swimming pool are the filtration system which removes unsightly organic matter that feeds bacteria and algae plus the sanitiser which destroys any algae and bacteria which enters the water. Modern day pumps, filters and pool cleaners remove the organic matter very effectively and automatically, almost eliminating day to day maintenance. Chlorinators cleverly produce sufficient sanitiser to destroy bacteria and algae but almost none regulate the amount of sanitiser or adjust the water balance. The problem is, too much sanitiser can fade the pool colour, become corrosive, damage the pool shell and pool equipment. In addition, nearly all sanitisers affect the water balance (pH) rendering the sanitiser ineffective at destroying bacteria and requiring lots of corrective balancing chemicals to be added to the pool by the owner or pool specialist. High pH causes skin irritations and red eyes. 11:00am-11:30am Why the pre-engineered pool is the world’s biggest selling pool Justin Otterbach, General Manager Albatross Swimming Pools and Garry Long, Managing Director, ABGAL The construction concept of a pre-engineered pool was first developed in North America back in 1948 essentially comprising of a concrete floor, side walls of a rigid material and a vinyl vacuum-sealed interior. Whilst today’s pool design is constantly being updated, the basic pre-engineered pool construction method continues to be widely accepted and utilised around the world. In fact the building method of choice throughout Canada, USA, Caribbean, England, Europe and the Middle East is pre-engineered pools – in Canada and the USA alone 85% of pools built are pre-engineered. This highly visual presentation will include the exploration of the preengineered construction method and the variations of this method currently being utilised in the marketplace today. Free session
11:45am-12:15pm A history of pool cleaning and new advancement Dan Kwaczynski, Managing Director, Maytronics Australia This session will cover: Pool cleaning evolution and development; Significant change and growth in this sector; Key benefits of technological advancement over the last 30 years and future trends. 12:30pm-1:00pm 180 years later: Chlorination without chemicals Elena Gosse, Chief Executive Officer, AIS According to Wikipedia, 2014 marks the 180th anniversary of the publication of electrochemical researches by Michael Faraday that led to today’s understanding and use of electrolysis. Faraday’s work, immortalised in his First and Second Laws of Electrolysis, paved the way for technologies used today to make aluminium, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chlorine, sodium hydroxide and even to produce oxygen to keep humans alive in spacecraft and nuclear submarines! In this presentation Elena will recap some of the key highlights of Michael Faraday’s remarkable career, and provide an overview of the application of electrolysis to modern water sanitisation. This talk will be relevant to all sectors: Residential pool and spa trade; Sports, leisure and recreation industries and Industries water sanitisation applications. AIS will tackle some key myths about electrolysis, such as the belief that chlorination by inline electrolysis is only possible in salt water. She will demonstrate that sanitisation by inline electrolysis is now entirely feasible in water with TDS at 1,200 ppm and within the reach of even less saline water bodies. The belief that inline sanitisation by electrolysis is only for salt water systems continues to prevent many aquatic facilities from enjoying the ease and convenience of ending their dependence on sanitising with granular or liquid chlorine. 1:15pm-1:45pm Supply & intallation of solar powered pool pumps Ernest Gavery, Australian Innovative Systems Pty Ltd The supply and installation of solar powered swimming pool pumps is a growing section of the industry, as consumers strive to reduce their power cost and carbon emissions. It is now possible to filter and heat the swimming pool for zero running cost, but the problem is that few people are trained how to safely install this equipment. Ernest has been making and selling solar powered swimming pool pumps through his Solazone business since the mid-1990s, however today the technology has become more widely accepted, and used in mainstream society. Ernest will demonstrate the latest technology available, size selection, and also discuss the installation techniques used in different swimming pool solar pumping applications.
REGISTER NOW! www.splashexpo.com.au
Cert III & IV Program Tuesday 15th July 9:00am-10:00am Intro to Cert 3 & 4 in Pool and Spa Service Lindsay McGrath, Commercial Director, BioLab Wayne Bell, Business Development Manager, Pool and Spa Division Traxion Training, Simon Peppercorn, Training Manager, Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance (SPASA) This is an introduction to the newly created Certificate 3 and 4 in Swimming Pool and Spa Service. We will outline the career path, what the two Certificates entail, and how you can complete them if you already have industry experience (Recognition of Prior Learning - RPL). Also introducing our two leading Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), Traxion and SPASA. The session will run for 40 minutes followed by 20 minutes for questions. 10:30am-2:30pm (Including 1 hour lunch) Assess and treat water problems in swimming pools and spas Bill Mansfield, Training Facilitator, BioLab This course will cover the basic theory of CPPSPS4001A, Assess and treat water problems in swimming pools and spas. This is a core course from the Certificate 4 in Swimming Pool and Spa Service. A certificate of attendance will be issued which can go towards credit for your qualification. The course will cover how to identify and implement treatment processes for identified water problems in swimming pools and spas, how to comply with safety requirements when sampling, testing and treating water in swimming pools and spas, as well as how to report these outcomes. 3:00pm–5:00pm Handle, transport and store swimming pool and spa chemicals safely Richard Greenwood, Senior Consultant, Hazardous Chemicals, Noel Arnold and Associates and Laura Whiteman, Regulatory and Compliance Specialist, BioLab This course will cover the basic theory and a practical component of CPPSPS3001A, Handle, transport and store swimming pool and spa chemicals safely. This is a core course from the Certificate 3 in Swimming Pool and Spa Service. A certificate of attendance will be issued which can go towards credit for your qualification. The course will include; how to handle, transport and store swimming pool and spa chemicals safely. Maintain and use the personal protective equipment required for the safe handling, transport and storage of swimming pool and spa chemicals. Assess and respond to risks associated with the handling, transport and storage of swimming pool and spa chemicals. Follow emergency procedures for chemical spills and leaks. Maintain storage areas and manifests for swimming pool and spa chemicals. It will also include some of the basic knowledge of legislative, chemical manufacturer and enterprise requirements associated with swimming pool and spa chemicals, types of risks and risk control measures associated with swimming pool and spa chemicals, reactive properties of swimming pool and spa chemicals, and types and uses of different swimming pool and spa chemicals.
Wednesday 16th July 9:00am-10:00am Manage own role as a swimming pool and spa technician David Stennett, Business Development Manager, BioLab This course will cover the basic theory of CPPSPS4010A, Manage own role as a swimming pool and spa technician. This is a core course from the Certificate 4 in Swimming Pool and Spa Service. A certificate of attendance will be issued which can go towards credit for your qualification. The course will cover personal motivation and commitment to the work role, managing day-to-day responsibilities and conflicting demands as a swimming pool and spa technician in an efficient and cooperative manner, relating positively to clients, fellow workers and the management team. Assessing personal strengths and weaknesses and planning and implementing an appropriate personal development plan. Demonstrating ethical practice and compliance with the regulatory requirements that apply to swimming pool and spa servicing and complying with enterprise quality assurance requirements. 11:00am-3:30pm (Including 1.5 hour lunch break) Maintain Pool Water Quality Paul Jacobson, Business Development Manager, BioLab, SPASA Trainer and selected guests
This course will cover the basic theory of SISCAQU304A, Maintain Pool Water Quality. This is a core course from both the Certificate 3 and 4 in Swimming Pool and Spa Service. A certificate of attendance will be issued which can go towards credit for your qualification. The course will cover developing and implementing schedules for pool water microbiological testing, safely using and calculating chemicals to maintain chemical balance of pool water, anticipating bather loadings and taking corrective action to ensure public health and safety. As well as operating chemical dosing equipment for the treatment of pool water and updating pool records with information detailing water quality test results and corrective action taken. 4:00pm-5:00pm Overview and Intro of Cert 3 & 4, Delivery of RPL, training options Wayne Bell, Business Development Manager, Pool and Spa Division Traxion Training and Lindsay McGrath, Commercial Director of BioLab This will show you what Traxion can do for you! Traxion can help you understand the different training options available to you and more on the Required Prior Learning (RPL) requirements for the Certificate 3 and 4 in Pool and Spa Service.
Thursday 17th July 10:30am – 2:30pm (Including 1 hour lunch break) Maintain Spa Water Quality Bill Mansfield, Training Facilitator, BioLab This course will cover the basic theory of CPPSPS4015A, Maintain spa water quality. This is an essential elective course from the Certificate 4 in Swimming Pool and Spa Service. A certificate of attendance will be issued which can go towards credit for your qualification. The course will cover how to collect samples of spa water for testing, testing spa water quality using appropriate equipment, interpreting test results and implementing treatment processes for identified spa water quality problems. It will also cover how to comply with safety requirements when sampling, testing and treating spa water and report on outcomes of testing and treating spa water. 11:00am-12:00pm Facilitate effective client relationships Julian Quinn, National Sales Manager, BioLab This course will cover the basic theory of CPPCMN4004B, Facilitate effective client relationships. This is an essential elective course from the Certificate 4 in Swimming Pool and Spa Service. A certificate of attendance will be issued which can go towards credit for your qualification. The course will cover how to build client relationships, explain features and benefits of products and services using knowledge of products and services, identify and use opportunities for establishing business contacts and networks and present information in a variety of formats to a range of business contacts. 1:30pm-2:30pm Overview and Intro of Cert 3 & 4, Delivery of RPL, training options Simon Peppercorn, Training Manager, Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance (SPASA) and Lindsay McGrath, Commercial Director of BioLab This will show you what SPASA can do for you! SPASA can help you understand the different training options available to you and more on the Required Prior Learning (RPL) requirements for the Certificate 3 and 4 in Pool and Spa Service. 3:00pm-5:00pm Routinely Maintain swimming pools and spas Stephen Reed, Director of National Accounts & Marketing Hayward Pool Products (Australia) and Paul Jacobson, Business Development Manager, BioLab, SPASA Trainer This course will cover the basic theory of CPPSPS3003A, Routinely maintain swimming pools and spas. This is a core course from the Certificate 3 in Swimming Pool and Spa Service. A certificate of attendance will be issued which can go towards credit for your qualification. The course will cover a theory and practical session on the following; locating, interpreting and applying relevant information, standards and specifications to carry out routine maintenance of swimming pools and spas. Apply safety requirements, including using personal protective clothing and equipment. Carry out routine maintenance activities on swimming pools and spas and environs, including identifying faults and undertaking routine repairs in line with manufacturer instructions and client and enterprise requirements. Report complex faults and repair requirements to relevant persons. Restore work area to original condition and check swimming pool or spa and environs for safety hazards. Ensure that waste is disposed of and tools and equipment are cleaned and stored in line with WHS and enterprise requirements.
FIRST TIME OFFERED OUTSIDE THE USA Major Sponsor
Co Sponsors
Organised By
SPLASH! Pool & Spa Expo will host the first World Aquatic Health Conference Symposium down under. “Where Science Meets Policy & Industry” will bring together a dynamic group of world-renowned experts who will spotlight the latest advances in science, industry and regulations to provide a safer, healthier aquatic experience. The event promises practical science, a diversity of thinking and breadth of knowledge – all with an emphasis on useful application.
THURSDAY - 17 July 2014 9:30am-10:00am Welcome & Overview MC - Tom Lachocki, Chief Executive Officer, NSPF
10:00am-10:50am Understanding & Preventing Recreational Water Illness–Associated Outbreaks Michele Hlavsa, Chief, U.S. CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program Recreational water–associated illness can result from exposure to germs or chemicals in recreational water venues (e.g., pools and lakes). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) defines an outbreak of recreational water–associated illness as the occurrence of similar illnesses in two or more persons linked by location and time of exposure to recreational water or water-associated chemicals volatilized into the air surrounding the water (e.g., chloramines). Since 1978, 789 have been detected and reported to CDC. Preventing and controlling these outbreaks requires engagement of three key stakeholders: swimmers, aquatics staff, and public health. 11:00am-11:50am RWI - Risk Management Talk OR The Pathogens that we must protect against Alex Antoniou, Director of Educational Programs, NSPF RWIs can occur in any type of water venue including beaches, oceans, lakes, rivers, swimming pools, waterparks, splash pads, wave pools, wading pools, spas, and therapy pools. This presentation will focus on the control of RWIs in treated aquatic facilities. Experienced pool and spa operators and service professionals will be able to use this information to develop a robust RWI control program that is tailored to their unique facility. This information will also be useful to builders and facility designers, and health officers. 12:00pm-1:30pm Lunch (visit exhibition) 1:30pm-2:20pm Disinfection Byproducts in Swimming Pools: Formation and Prevention Part 1 - Understanding Disinfection By-Products Chip Blatchley, Professor, Purdue University Disinfectants are used in recreational water to control microbial pathogens. The most commonly-applied disinfectants used in swimming pool facilities are chlorine, bromine, ozone, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. To varying degrees, all of these disinfectants are effective for controlling microbial pathogens. However, each of these disinfectants, whether used alone or in combination, will also participate in reactions with dissolved constituents in water to generate disinfection byproducts (DBPs). More than 100 DBPs have been identified in swimming pool water. It appears that a large fraction of DBP formation in pools is attributable to reactions between disinfectants and compounds that are introduced to pools by swimmers. Some of the basic chemistry of these reactions will be reviewed briefly, along with a summary of the human health effects that have been linked or associated with these compounds. 3:00pm-3:50pm Disinfection Byproducts in Swimming Pools: Formation and Prevention Part 2 - Mitigating Disinfection By-Products Chip Blatchley, Professor, Purdue University To a large degree, DBP formation in pools is preventable. As such, the best opportunity to improve the swimming environment may be linked to improvements in swimmer hygiene habits. Information will be presented to illustrate the quantities of human body fluids (and their constituents) that are introduced to pools by swimmers. This information will indicate the potential for improvement of swimming pool environments through adoption of appropriate hygiene habits by swimmers. In addition, other measures can also be applied to control or reduce the concentration of DBPs in pools. These include the inclusion of additional treatment processes that complement the effects of disinfectants. Some of these alternative methods will be presented.
4:00pm-4:50pm Vic Policies Rachael Poon, Senior Scientist, Water Program During the 2012/2013 summer period an outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis was detected through the Victorian Department of Health’s surveillance system. An investigation identified swimming in aquatic facilities as a risk factor for the majority of interviewed cases. A Statewide response resulted in the Department of Health working closely with aquatic facilities to minimise further spread of illness. Aquatic facilities and the public play an important role in maintaining water quality. This outbreak is a timely reminder of the importance of preventive risk management, healthy swimming behaviour and ensuring the performance of treatment processes within aquatic facilities.
FRIDAY - 18 July 2014 8:30am-9:20am Developing legislation and a code of practice for aquatic facilities in Western Australia: the journey and lessons learned Llew Withers, , Manager Applied Program / Senior Adviser Environmental Health Hazards Unit, Public Health and Clinical Services Division, Department of Health This presentation describes the pillars of the ‘new’ legislation introduced in 2007 in WA with a Code of Practice designed to encompass all aspects of aquatic legislation in WA for public pools. Classifying all aquatic water bodies based on their risk, introduction of mandatory supervision of swimmers in high risk facilities, trained technicians to maintain pools, at least daily chemical sampling and monthly water sampling for microbial parameters. Issues that continue not to be resolved be will reviewed in 2014 following direction from the State Government and include water samples by other than local government officers, pools used in private dwellings when used for holiday accommodation, incorporating construction aspects of the Code of Practice into Australian Building Codes and managing aquatic risks for aquatic features that are not prescribed in legislation. 9:20am-9:50am Morning tea 9:50am-10:40am Model Aquatic Health Code Michele Hlavsa, Chief, U.S. CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program In 2005, U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) sponsored a workshop for public health officials and representatives of the aquatics sector to develop a strategic plan to countermand the increasing number of outbreaks of recreational water– associated illness annually reported to CDC. Workshop participants identified the lack of uniform national standards and called on CDC to spearhead a national, all-stakeholder effort to create an open-access, science-based model pool code, now known as the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC; www.cdc.gov/mahc). To improve health and safety, the MAHC must address Cryptosporidium, pool chemical–associated health events, and drowning, and improve overall design, construction, operation, and maintenance. 10:50am-11:40am Improving quality and safety in the swimming pool industry through national qualifications Rob Stowell, Director, Learning Australia Rob will provide a brief overview of the reasons for establishing national qualifications for swimming pool technicians and the process involved in developing the qualifications. He will also look at the advantages for both employers and employees of having a national qualifications framework as well as the role that better trained technicians can play in ensuring the safety of pool users. Rob will look at the challenges associated with introducing national qualifications and what the swimming pool and spa industry can do to ensure that it can realise the benefits of nationally recognised training. Pricing: $250 +GST Government & Student. $395 + GST before 29.6.2014 – $495 + GST there after
commercial news
Innovation
Commercial
news Global news . . . . . . . . . 66 New standard for lowbuoyancy safety . . . . . . 66 Third chlorine incident sparks hotel evacuation.67 Pool managers gather on Central Coast. . . . . . . . 67 Who was Annette Kellerman?. . . . . . . . . . 68 Marrickville in dispute with builder. . . . . . . . . . 68 Tenders. . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Safer soft fall . . . . . . . . 70 Innovative hydrotherapy disinfection. . . . . . . . . . 76 Industry helps special kids. . . . . . . . . . 80
The six-month trial at Warringah Aquatic Centre exceeded expectations
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Trial success leads to adoption of new chlorination system For the past six months, Warringah Aquatic Centre (WAC) has been trialling Australian Innovative Systems (AIS) EcoLine in-line water chlorination system through New South Wales based distributor, Poolranger. Now completed, AIS says the trial has delivered outstandingly positive results, not only in relation to water quality but also to the overall operation and general amenity of the facility. The WAC is run by Gary Penfold, well known for his many industry roles over the years, including currently being Chair of the Australian Leisure Facilities Association (ALFA). The popular Frenchs Forest community facility boasts approximately 350,000 visitors annually and has hosted Olympic swimming trials as well as Australian swimming titles. “The WAC’s indoor 50 metre heated pool was the subject of an innovative, onsite trial which employed the latest in Australian designed and manufactured inline technology in an effort to improve our swimmer and staff experience as well as deliver operational efficiencies for the centre,” says Penfold. “Specifically, we wanted to see if the new chlorination system could deliver on the manufacturer’s and distributor’s promises. The claims were that it could improve swimmer, spectator and staff safety and comfort; improve air quality; reduce the consumption and cost of chemicals; decrease workplace health and safety risks; and reduce operational costs associated with maintenance and equipment costs. “I’m pleased to say that the EcoLine chlorinator delivered across all areas and has exceeded our expectations, despite some initial scepticism,” he says.
“It almost sounds too good to be true but we have site-based data to show that the AIS EcoLine system has delivered on all counts. We have outstanding water quality, enhanced amenity and have achieved cost savings across a range of areas all while keeping the pool compliant with health, safety and competition regulations. You can’t ask for more than that.” AIS CEO Elena Gosse says that like most aquatic centres, the WAC had seen a raft of different products come and go but the EcoLine trial has convinced the centre to adopt the technology permanently. “EcoLine offers a completely different solution in that the inline system produces chlorine on-site, automatically, as part of a compact unit and at very low total dissolved solids (TDS) levels,” she says. “As well as delivering superior water quality, our EcoLine technology meets all of the requirements for competition swimming pools for centres such as the WAC. “Additionally, the WAC has informed us that it no longer has any need for chlorine tanks, bunded areas or chlorine deliveries for the main pool and it has seen a reduction in water dumping due to EcoLine’s ability to help keep TDS levels constant and therefore decrease the need for fresh water top-ups.” Installer and distributor, Poolranger general manager, Michael Griffin says that maintenance costs aren’t the only saving. “As well as the chemical and maintenance savings, WAC is expecting a further decrease in plant and equipment costs and an increase in the pool’s concrete lifespan due to the reduction of chloramines in the atmosphere,” he says. Contact: www.aiswater.com
Our business is to deliver good quality healthy water for
In Brief Maribyrnong Council accidentally let slip the details of a proposed $12 million redevelopment of Whitten Oval, home of the AFL’s Western Bulldogs, including the fact it could feature a public swimming pool . The proposal was inadvertantly uploaded onto its website in May . The draft plans propose a community recreation precinct to cater for Footscray’s projected population growth over the next 10 to 15 years . The precinct could have a 25m eight-lane pool, gym and change room near the entrance to the ground, which hasn’t hosted a competitive AFL match in the past 16 years . The new Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney theme park announced a $6m profit in its first period
of operation . Attendances exceeded the company’s expectations with more than 400,000 visitors up to the end of January . Despite a couple of embarrassing situations previously reported in SPLASH!, the park contributed positively to Village Roadshow’s revenue, helping cover the costs associated with its opening . Lismore City Council in NSW is preparing to install state-of-the-art solar heating to its two pools which – combined with the variable-speed drive pumps and LED lighting already installed – could save ratepayers $124,000 per year in running costs . The solar system includes an evacuated tube system installed to replace the Memorial Pool’s existing heating system .
BACKYARD POOLS COMMERCIAL POOLS SPRAY PARKS WATER TREATMENT PLANTS across Australia and in many countries around the world.
Zelbrite is a
Virgin Product
mined in Australia and is NOT a recycled product such as glass and has a far smaller carbon footprint.
Funding
Adelong pool rises above the floods This unique filter media has received accreditation from Savewater W.A.Water Corp Waterwise & Smart Approved Water Mark The new pool was funded in part by the insurance from the 2010 floods Although only a relatively small community of 1000 inhabitants, Adelong in Tumut Shire has a new pool thanks to a unique funding arrangement which included money from the Tumut Shire Council, the federal and state governments, the Bendigo Bank and community members . The $2 .7m cost was also met in part by the insurance money from the devastating floods of November 2010 . The project is multi-functional, with six lap lanes, three leisure areas, excellent access for all patrons and a splash pad for children . Rob Saville from Hydrocare was
responsible for all reticulation, water treatment and filtration for the pools and splash pad as well as the supply of water toys, Heliocol solar heating and the Elite pool covers . He says this project provides a new benchmark for affordable community pools . The Architect was Collingridge and Associates and the lead contractor was Icon Building . The plant consists of Grundfos pumps, Emaux sand filters, a TPS chemical controller and a Prominent Pro Cal disinfection system . The project took eight months to complete .
NO other filter media can make this claim. Unlike many other companies we don’t make claims that can’t be substantiated. Tests conducted by the Australian Water Quality Centre prove that Zelbrite will remove dirt particles as small as 2 microns which will filter out Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
April-May 2014 SPLASH!
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Lifesaving
Global news Australian Innovative Systems (AIS) has scored a coup, being chosen to supply chlorinators to the new 3500m2 Filipino resort, Azure Beach . The Australian designed and manufactured inline Autochlor system will be disinfecting more than 2 .5 megalitres of water at the Paranaque City resort, 16kms south of Manila, including a man-made beach facility complete with sandy beach, waterfalls, a beach cove, lap pool, children’s water slide and a three-level Paris Beach Club designed by Paris Hilton . Autochlor was specified and installed by Chemsphere Corporation of Quezon City . Canadian international water park equipment and slide manufacturer, WhiteWater West, has bought the wave ride FlowRider from Californian manufacturer Wave Loch . The deal includes FlowRider, FlowBarrel, FlowCurl, FlowRider Wave-in-a Box and WaveOz . Wave Loch founder Tom Lochtefeld will continue to market the WaveHouse and work on his surf pool business . Previously, WhiteWater had been the exclusive worldwide licensee of WaveLoch’s FlowRider business . This marks WhiteWater’s third acquisition in the past two years . Engineers Australia Excellence Award winner, elite athlete tracking system ClearSky, has been purchased by the Norway national handball team and Leicester City Football Club .
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New standard for lowbuoyancy safety SAI Global is partnering with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) to develop the world’s first specification for low-buoyancy water safety gear, starting with lifejackets . SAI’s Richard Donarski says that there is currently no floatation garment available anywhere in the world that meets all the needs of lifeguards and water-sports participants . Currently lifejackets restrict movement or have a buoyancy level higher than the current Level 50 Australian Standard, preventing wearers from moving swiftly through water . The new partnership is expected to improve water safety on a global level . SAI Global and Surf Life Saving Australia will pioneer research
and engage manufacturers to develop the first-ever compact, low-buoyancy lifejackets that provide wearers with free movement, agility and speed in the water . SAI Global’s aim is to develop a product that will not only set a new Australian Safety Standard, but will also be recognised on a global level and is calling for lifejacket manufacturers and suppliers of water safety products to work with them and Surf Life Saving Australia on the project . Initial testing and product trials will take place in Sydney in April 2014 in collaboration with SAI Global, Surf Life Saving Australia, James Cook University and Vic Labs .
The Park Hyatt Sydney
Safety
Third chlorine-related incident sparks hotel evacuation In February, six people were taken to hospital and 75 people evacuated after chlorine and hydrochloric acid were mistakenly mixed together at the prestigious Park Hyatt in Sydney’s Rocks precinct. All people were quickly released from hospital after being treated for minor respiratory ailments as a consequence of breathing in the chlorine fumes. This was the third recent incident of a chlorine mixing mishap in Sydney, following two incidents in December: the case of Clinton Maynard previously reported in SPLASH!; and two people being hospitalised after inhaling chlorine fumes and 50 people evacuated from unit block in Potts Point. The Potts Point incident was also due to accidentally mixing chlorine and hydrochloric acid, while the exact cause of Maynard’s backyard incident was unclear, although he did pour pool water into two kilograms of stabilised granular chlorine and stirred vigorously prior to a series of explosions. A Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) spokesperson says the Park Hyatt incident involved a mix of hydrochloric acid, chlorine and approximately 50 litres of water. FRNSW firefighters were called at about 9:30 am. They attended in chemical suits, removed the mixture and dumped it into a pool, which neutralised the problem. However, the smell had already permeated the whole building and forced a full evacuation of approximately 75 guests and staff.
Conference
NSW pool managers gather on Central Coast The 2014 Country Pool Managers Conference will be held at Club Macquarie from Wednesday May 14 to Friday May 16 . Club Macquarie is at 458 Lake Road, Argenton NSW . Exhibitors can set up their displays on Wednesday with bulky item access to the trades display area via the front entrance of the club . The Tradies and Delegates Networking Afternoon is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon . Contact: Ben Jenkinson, (02) 4959 9229; 0421 358 265 .
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commercial news
Kellerman the ground-breaker Marrickville’s Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre is named after a disabled local girl who had to wear painful metal callipers on her legs so she could walk. At the age of six she took to the freedom of the water, and it not only strengthened and healed her legs but she went on to become a champion swimmer and a Hollywood movie star. She broke ground in a number of ways. She was the first woman to attempt to swim the English Channel. She designed, wore and popularised the first female one-piece swimming costume and is credited with inventing synchronised swimming. Kellerman was the first film star to appear fully in the nude on screen, in her popular and controversial film Daughter of the Gods – the first ever million dollar movie. Afterwards, she was dubbed “The Perfect Woman” because of her similar physique to the Venus de Milo. Sadly the film was lost, but her other films remain with the US Library of Congress and she is recognised by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She died in 1975, aged 89.
Drowning it’s the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-5. it shouldn’t be. register now to be an official Host Location for wLSL 2014 on Friday, June 20 and help spread the word, Swimming Lessons Save Lives™. Drowning is preventable. Your support can make the difference.
Protect Pool, Protect Your Your Pool, Protect Kids Protect Your Your Kids View our online video showing common pool fencing faults and how to spot them at View our online video showing common pool fencing faults and how to spot them at www.kidshealth.chw.edu.au/projects/drowning-prevention/swimming-pool-fencing www.kidshealth.chw.edu.au/projects/drowning-prevention/swimming-pool-fencing
KIH1025/0811/SC KIH1025/0811/SC
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wLSL.org | +1-913-599-0300
LGA
Upcoming tenders
LGA
Marrickville in dispute with builder Marrickville Council has commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW over a dispute relating to what they claim are defects and incomplete works at the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre (AKAC) in Enmore. ADCO Constructions Pty Ltd (ADCO) constructed the centre which includes an indoor 50 metre pool, program pool and leisure pool,
City of Ballarat
a wellness centre (gymnasium), creche, cafĂŠ, reception and office areas. It opened in December 2010. Since then, the council claims numerous defects and incomplete works have been identified. In March the council put forward tenders for rectification with an estimated value of more than $600,000.
Ballarat 50m Pool and Aquatic Play Space at Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre (BALC). Potential Work Packages include: concreting, electrical, fire services, floor coverings, glazing, hydraulic services, joinery, mechanical services, mechanical services, painting, pool hydraulics, roofing, structural steel, tiling including pool and pool decks, change areas and public areas, and waterproofing. For further information and for registration, please visit: http://gateway.icn.org.au/ Tier 1 Closes: 1 Jun 2014 For more tenders contact Cordell on 1800 674 120.
Hydrocare
Tel 02 9604 8396 E robert@hydrocarepools.com.au
Coonamble
Waterzone Grate Wet & Wild Sydney
Water Parks
Play Pools
Splash Pads
commercial feature
Safety from the ground up By Veda Dante
S
afety flooring innovations are becoming big business as playground equipment design evolves, and councils and commercial operators continue to mitigate exposure to public liability. According to the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia (CAPFA), the most serious playground injuries are caused when children fall from a height onto a hard surface such as compressed earth, bitumen or concrete – none of which offer impact-absorbing properties. First established in 1996 (AS 1924), and then revised in 2004, the Australian Standard for Playground Equipment (AS 4685: 2004) outlines requirements for the “safety, design, construction, installation, and maintenance of playground equipment”, which also includes “under-surfacing” materials. Formulated by industry experts to provide a minimum set of safety and liability obligations, the Australian Standards (which also include AS/ NZS4422-1996: Playground Surfacing), clearly set out detailed duty-of-care criteria to minimise exposure to claims. While none are mandatory, the latter Standard stipulates that an impact-absorbing surface be used for areas where potential falls or spills from public playground or aquatic equipment are possible. Soft and sometimes bouncy underfoot, this surface is commonly referred to as softfall, soft fall, safety flooring, soft floor and rubber flooring. Softfall can be manufactured in the form of synthetic grass, shock absorbing pads, wetpour rubber, artificial woodchips, and even rubber mulch. These impact-absorbing layers are specifically designed to suit different applications, each of them providing a safe surface depending on the height of the play equipment. “The authorities agree – all commercial playgrounds must meet the AS NZ4422:1996 Standards for surface requirements, in particular the soft fall underlay and the top layer in relationship to Critical Fall Heights and Fall Zones, dependent on the platform height of the 70
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play equipment,” says Multisport Concepts managing director George Crofts. “If no equipment is present then generally a critical fall height of 0.5m is assumed, which can be achieved using 15mm wetpour rubber, synthetic grass with underlay, or a 300mm layer of bark or sand. However, we don’t recommend bark or sand due to migration issues,” he says.
Simple safety solutions
At one end of the scale are interlocking jigsaw mats, which are commonly seen in indoor playgrounds, playgroups and gyms – basically anywhere hardwearing, impact resistant flooring options are required. The 1m x 1-2m modular tiles are easy to install and remove, and can often be loose laid with the help of a border edging or fully adhered to a solid sub-base using an appropriate adhesive. For private pool spaces and smaller surrounds, there are a number of low cost options available on the market. Pro-Am’s Aqua-Lock pool matting is an anti-bacterially treated UV-resistant vinyl made from 100 per cent recycled material. The 200mm x 200mm interlocking tiles fit snuggly together to create a soft safety surround.
You will also find an array of rubber flooring options including flooring mats, foam tiles and safety matting at Clark Rubber. “The use of OneSafe wetpour rubber safety surfacing creates a low maintenance, non-toxic, non-flammable, long lasting, highly vandal proof cushioned safety surface,” says OzNorth Enterprises spokesperson Ross Brown. “It also bonds directly to any solid substrate material including concrete, asphalt, stone, brick, steel, bitumen and aluminium.” With its ability to effortlessly mould in place, hugging posts and squeezing into tight corners, wetpour rubber safety surfaces result in a flexible, compliant product. “This creates a seamless one-piece protective surface that keeps these areas easy to clean of debris and free from weeds,” he says. More cost-effective options include loose fill products like soft fall sand and rubber bark, however they tend to come with a more rigorous maintenance schedule. “Soft fall sand needs to be replenished to the correct levels for critical fall height requirements when levels
drop as it tends to be displaced outside of the play area by children,” says Brown. “Both safety sand and bark need to be raked to ensure potentially harmful debris isn’t buried underneath.”
Commercial compliance
At the other end of the safety flooring scale are the applications used for large-scale, high use public waterparks. Contracted installer of the SplashZone water play park at the Gladstone Aquatic Centre in Queensland, Beau Corp Aquatics & Construction utilised a number of commercial softfall flooring materials throughout the new interactive $2.5 million facility. Resistant to steam and water, the high-tech, commercial grade EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) synthetic rubber material is resistant to ageing, weathering, ozone, oxygen and numerous chemicals. It is also designed to remain stable during temperature fluctuations. Recreational Surfaces Australia Pty Ltd (RSA) supplied and installed its SBR4 mesh rubber cushion soft fall system and rubber topcoat application throughout the Gladstone project.
Above. Kids love a safe spray park, as you can see at Argo’s SplashZone at Gladstone Left. The impressive expanse of softfall at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay
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A 1mm to 4mm solid colour granulated rubber was also used to achieve a porous anti-slip surface around play areas. “Fall zones (safety zones that surrounds playground equipment and are free of obstacles), are an integral consideration when building our water parks,” Hoy says. “Water park aquatic equipment that measures more than 500mm above ground level requires a fall zone to prevent injury from falls when children are sliding or climbing.”
High-tech materials
Playscape’s Rubbertech Ultimate
“We chose this product as it is a quality system that meets the Australian Standards AS 4422:1996,” says Beau Corp spokesman Michael Hoy. “It reduces any potential litigation issues for our clients in the event a child falls. The soft fall and rubber granules is Australian made, which ensures a quality product that can be passed onto our client in the form of a strong warranty.”
Another EPDM material used poolside and with patios, splash parks and water parks is Traqua, developed by Queensland company A1 Rubber as an alternative to the commonly used hard granular plastic and painted surfaces. Since its launch on the Australian market two years ago, Traqua, which is bonded in-situ by a special polyurethane binder, has been used in a number of Queensland waterparks and poolside locations including the foreshore at Bowen and Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. “Water play in particular involves risk,” says CEO John Randel. “So in developing the surface, priority was given to impact attenuation and non-slip properties. Traqua achieved this by the use of rubber granules instead of plastic granules, and naturally rubber provided the best result possible in our wet non-slip testing.”
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Developing a rubber granule resistant to chlorine, algae mould and growth was just as imperative as one that offered non-slip soft fall properties. “The EPDM synthetic rubber is commonly used in window seals, pond liners, O-rings and tubing,” he says. “The special version used in Traqua has a high polymer content and pigments that provide excellent elasticity and resistance to weathering.” Installation instructions specify a 1:25 five gradient to increase water movement across the installation and reduce potential issues arising from algae, bacteria and mould growth. “Most existing water play environments channel the water to central surface drains and, as a consequence, don’t offer enough slope for the water to runoff,” says Randel.
New thinking on drainage
Like all surfaces, an effective aftercare program is required in order to maintain the appearance of a product and enhance its longevity. However, when it comes to soft flooring around aquatic areas, John Randel says it’s impossible to talk about maintenance without discussing the sub-base that softfall products are applied onto. “The market challenges that we believe need changing are at the architect level – the sub-base design that has been used over the past number of years,” he says. “That’s because most existing water play environments
drain the water to central surface drains and as a consequence don’t offer enough slope for the water to runoff.” The consequence of this is that surfaces can go mouldy due to insufficient drainage, lack of water force, or low posts. This translates to a more intensive upkeep regime that typically involves a maintenance person manually spraying high dosages of chlorinated water over affected areas.
The Big 4 Park in Swan Hill
Total Surfacing Solu�ons 15 year history of delivery and installation Getting it right - Australia wide Rubbertech Ultimate delivers impact attenuating surfacing for aquatic applications. Meticulous and scientific in our approach, Rubbertech employs state of the art installation and application processes, delivering leading edge aquatic surfacing technology.
admin@cmx.com.au
Tel. 0488 006 992 April-May 2014 SPLASH! 73
Contacts:
A1 Rubber: www .a1rubber .com Argo: www .argo .com .au Beau Corp Aquatics & Construction: www .beaucorp .net .au The Gladstone SplashZone park
Multi Sport Concept: www .multisports .com .au OzNorth Enterprises: www .oznorth .com .au Playscape Creations: 1300 669 074; www .playscapecreations .com .au Pro-Am: www .proamaus .com .au Recreational Surfaces Australia: www .recsurf .com .au
Creative play area in Exmouth Water Playground
Wide Bay Water: www .widebaywater .qld .gov .au
“Traqua is specified to be installed with the surface centre as the high point with no less than a 1:25 slope (4 per cent grade) to a full outer perimeter drainage channel,” he says. “We say build the sub-base like a road – not a dam – with falls to the outer limits. Clients wanting rectification works for mouldy and delaminating water play surfaces are generally unwilling to change the sub-base design due to the costs.” Water play equipment in modern splash parks is advancing from simple jets and sprays to interactive climbing structures, moving displays, tunnels, nets, buckets and slides. Randel says that with this advancement, comes the need for compliance to industry standards that specifically apply to surfacing. “The Playground Surfacing Standard provides a method of test to determine a critical fall height that represents the upper limit of its effectiveness in reducing potential head injury from falls,” he says. “Traditional ‘dry’ play surfaces use recycled tyre rubber as the impact layer, however this rubber type is more susceptible to chlorine degradation. Traqua’s compliance with this Standard is courtesy of a special impact attenuating shock pad layer that is not susceptible to chlorine degradation. “The system is totally porous by its granular nature – and that includes the full depth of the surface all the way to the concrete – so moisture can flow in and out of the entire surface including the concrete,” he says. “This ensures that moisture cannot get underneath sealed layers and cause surface bubbles.”
The importance of the sub-base
Argo Managing Director, Will Marcus, who was involved with both Gladstone Aquatic Centre’s 74
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Argo’s Wetside Park at Hervey Bay
SplashZone and Wetside Hervey Bay Education Park, concurred that a softfall product’s efficacy was dependent on the sub-base construction. “Often the finishes are considered by the client (or changed by them) mid-project and by that time the drainage has been installed and the concrete sub-base poured,” he says. “The best drainage system has slopes that aren’t too long so perimeter drainage is superior, especially for areas that are regularly hosed clean. “Therefore it’s necessary for the finishes to be selected prior to tendering so that all drainage design and slab set downs and falls can be prepared specifically for the product or system.” Playscape Creations Director Marcel Veraart agrees that all softfall surfacing required a suitably solid sub-base. “However, in aquatic applications the minimum requirement would be a pool shell quality concrete base, with low point free-flowing drainage,” he says. “We provide both a porous and a non-porous surface, depending on application. We generally use a porous surface if installing only a surface layer with no impact attenuation. “When impact attenuation is required, we go to great lengths to ensure sub-base drainage, along with minimal ingress of water through the surface by application of secondary and tertiary seal coat application over the impact attenuating base layer and the top coat surface layer.” According to Veraart, there have been a number of softfall installation failures over the past few years – specifically in aquatic applications – caused by the following factors:
• Poor surface preparation where a strong enough bond has not been applied between existing concrete and the new surface; • Poor slab design where water that inadvertently seeps into the softfall matrix cannot escape. This creates hydraulic pressure and causes a rupture within the surface; • Poor choice of materials – regular dry playground softfall is not suitable for chlorinated total immersion environments. “The aquatic play environment is particularly harsh, with high mineral content and heavily chlorinated water used in recirculating systems as seen in Australia,” says Veraart. “Chlorine, heat and high levels of UV play havoc with softfall materials, constantly attacking the plastomers and urethanes used within the matrix. Regular scrubbing and light acid washing is an essential part of maintaining the aesthetics and performance of the surface, prolonging the life of your investment.” Since its official opening in 2009, WetSide Water Education Park in Queensland’s Hervey Bay has upheld a maintenance program for its softfall flooring materials. “The softfall finishes have been in place for more than four years and we have had a few wear issues in the high traffic areas in the vicinity of the tipping bucket,” says Wide Bay Water executive manager of operations Denis Heron. “Consequently, maintenance consists of cleaning a few patches to the high traffic areas during closedown periods.” As softfall manufacturers continue to innovate, the playground area in dry areas and aquatic space such as water parks, pool decks and splash pads is becoming safer for children and easier to manage for operators. n
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commercial feature
Innovation for healthier pools
H
irondelle Private Hospital in Sydney’s northern suburbs is home to an innovative new hydrotherapy pool which makes use of technology not seen in Australia before, and utilises a concept designed to systematically reduce disinfection by-products (DBP). This is the first known installation – not only in Australia, but in the English-speaking world – of the Hydrotech drum filter made in Sweden and adapted by Danish expert Ole Gronborg of Ultraaqua from industrial and agricultural applications for use with swimming pools. It is incorporated into a series of processes designed by Alan Lewis of Aquazure to destroy pathogens while removing the causes of chloramines and the more serious DBPs including trihalomethanes (THMs). As well as the drum filter, it features an air stripper, surface ventilation and a “serpentine” pipe layout which lowers pH to enable the full absorption of the chlorine into the inline water.
The drum filter
The drum filter has been brought in to remove one of the main, previously ignored culprits in generating DBPs: skin cells. “We shed skin cells all day,” says Lewis. “And the skin cells react with free chlorine to create chloroform, one of the group of trihalomethanes.” “Because chloroform is always associated with other THMs, this is a dangerous side of chlorination in generThe dye test shows the direction of the return water as it is propelled – with any skin cells – against the other wall, where it will rebound and flow into the gutters
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al that we’re not addressing,” he says. “If we can get rid of skin cells quickly, then we’re removing one of the group of DBPs that are most dangerous to swimmers’ health. “The way we get rid of the skin cells is though the drum filter – but to first get them into the drum filter is critical,” he says. “With conventional media filters, the skin cells will remain in the filter for a week or so until the filter is backwashed, or until they’re eaten away by the oxidants in the water, all the while creating more chloramines.” In this system, seven return spigots are placed in the pool wall, just above the floor. The return water from the balance tank sweeps the floor of the skin cells, which rebounds from the opposite wall and drives the skins cells into the gutters (which are on the same side as the returns). The water from the gutters goes by gravitation into the drum filter and from there, gravitationally into the balance tank. The drum filter has a five-micron membrane, made from several layers of micromesh overlapped with each other. This will capture down to the level of mature cysts of crypto which are usually six micron to seven micron; and guardia which are nine micron to 11 micron. “Some sporozoites may get through, but they are more easily inactivated by oxidants because they haven’t developed yet,” says Lewis. The filter has a self-cleaning process. As the membrane becomes clogged with skin cells, the water level rises inside the drum. This is detected by a sensor, which sets
The Hirondelle Private Hospital hydrotherapy pool
Top. The serpentine pipework that provides enough time for the CO2 to be fully dissolved before the sodium hypochlorite is injected into the line Above. The chloramine stripper, designed to convert liquid chloramines into gaseous chloramines and remove them April-May 2014  SPLASH!  77
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Credits Alan Lewis, Aquazure Pool Consultant: circulation and total design concept, supervision, monitoring, chemical, management, ozone system design, CO2 serpentine concept, pool hall air treatment design; Ole Gronborg, Ultraaqua (Denmark): circulation design concept; Hydrotech drum filter, chloramine/THM stripper design and manufacture; David Brauer, Operations Manager Ozone1: Ozone1 design & manufacture, Blue-I Hg302 controller supplier;
Above. The drum filter: the blue nozzles spray water on the membrane to wash it as the drum rotates during the cleaning cycle
off a rotation of the drum and a row of high powered, fine jets that clean the membrane during this rotation, sending about nine litres of water to waste. Depending on the bather load, this might happen three times a day.
Three treatment loops
As well as the filtration, there are three treatment loops going from and back to the balance tank: a heating loop, a chloramine stripping loop and a chemical loop. The heating loop draws water through the roof solar or gas heater depending on the temperature required to maintain the pool at 34 degrees. The chemical loop first goes into what Lewis calls the “serpentine”, a 24-metre length of one-inch pipe elbowing backwards and forwards many times. “CO2 is injected at the beginning on the serpentine,” he says. “The first objective is to make sure the CO2 is fully dissolved so it won’t off gas, so lowering the pH from 7.2 to 6.3. At this point the chlorine is injected, converting the sodium hypochlorite to 96 per cent hypochlorous acid. In other systems at a pH of 7.2 it would only be converted to about 66 per cent at this temperature.” Then the water is venturi-fed into the ozone mixers. By forcing the ozonized water together via two different pipes, hydroxyl radicals are formed, intensifying the oxidation process. The stripper loop has been set up with the objective of converting the liquid chloramines in the water into gaseous chloramines, which are then drawn off in the air and expelled to outside air. Further, air is also drawn from the gutters and both are expelled through the one fan to the outside. The chemical dosing system is controlled by a Blue-I
Left. The proprietary Aquazure monitoring system Right. A sample of the water drawn from the drum filter (in a different installation) showing the water murky with skin cells 78
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Ian Jefferson, Aqua Electrics: plumbing and electrical installation, electrical control panel; commissioning; Peter Staron, Pump Engineers Sydney: pump consultant, variable speed control supplier/ commissioner; Glen Leishman, Nebula Consulting: Blue I installer, chemical dosing control, integrated remote monitoring system; Paul Verheyden, Heliocol: solar and gas integrated heating system, motorised pool blanket; Gavin Scott, Oasis Air Conditioning: pool hall ventilation system; Gene Phillips, Geneville Constructions: building supervision; Maytronics: Australian distributor for Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaners and Blue-I controllers .
controller, while the Aquazure remote integrated pool monitoring system can keep an eye on the pool from anywhere in the world, with the monitoring service alerting the operators to any problems. The combination of these systems reduces chloramines both mechanically – through the stripper and through ventilation by extracting it from surface of the pool hall air – and by reducing the creation of THMs by removing the skin cells, and further reducing pathogens through the chemical loop. Lewis will make data available after the pool has been running for a reasonable time, to demonstrate the effect of the combination of systems. n
FIRST TIME OFFERED OUTSIDE THE USA
17-18 July 2014 Jupiters Hotel & Casino, Gold Coast, Australia The world needs more people living healthier lives using pools, spas, and aquatic venues. The World Aquatic Health™ Conference (WAHC™) is being held in Australasia for the first time in 2014 and spotlights issues and solutions to help this field gain in relevance. Conference sessions focus on a spectrum of drowning, illness, injury and liability prevention topics and aquatic health benefits. SPLASH! Pool & Spa Expo will host the first World Aquatic Health Conference Symposium down under. “Where Science Meets Policy & Industry” will bring together a dynamic group of world-renowned experts who will spotlight the latest advances in science, industry and regulations to provide a safer, healthier aquatic experience. The event promises practical science, a diversity of thinking and breadth of knowledge – all with an emphasis on useful application. Program details will be released in early 2014 – interested in learning more please email info@splashexpo.com.au to be added to the email list.
For more information or to register visit our website www.worldaquatichealthconference.com.au or phone +61 (0) 2 9660 2113 or 1300 789 845
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One of the most important elements of the pool is the ability for the kids to have fun
Special F kids get a helping hand
ifteen years ago, Terry Keyhoe and Noel Pearce from Dolphin Pools got together and donated a spa to a little school for special kids called the Port Phillip Specialist School, catering for children with mild to severe intellectual disabilities. “The kids loved it so much we got some donations together and with some industry assistance we put a 12 by six pool in for virtually nothing,” says Keyhoe who now runs the Pool Advisory Service. The school had a special place in Keyhoe’s background. In an earlier incarnation, it was the Nott Street primary school and early last century, Keyhoe’s parents had attended school there. Fast forward to 2013 and he was at a Rotary meeting when someone mentioned the pool was looking a little worse for wear. After all, it had been put in 16 years beforehand, and was getting a great workout from the kids. “So Noel and I went down there and had a look and did our best to get it upgraded,” he says. “In reality, I’ve done very little except to talk to people. Bipin from Pentair had a look at it and saw the kids and said it was such a good cause, those kids will never have to put their hands in their pocket again for equipment.” Pentair supplied an Intelliflo pump, filters and an automatic dosing system, while Wally from Crystal Clear Chlorinators provided a 45 Salt Chlorinator. Pentair also supplied a heat pump which the kids definitely need to keep the pool
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warm, in addition to the gas heater. The pool is now being used by 40 to 50 kids per day, seven days per week and the aim is to keep it at about 30 degrees. “It’s a bit like a hydrotherapy pool,” says Keyhoe. “Effectively it’s for the health of the kids.”
Pool makes a big difference
The Principal of the Port Phillip Specialist School, Alison Druce, says that the swimming and hydrotherapy pool is an essential resource, without which her students wouldn’t have the opportunity to develop both physical and functional living skills. “The aquatic program is an engaging experience for students aimed at developing physical, social and cognitive skills in a safe and enjoyable environment,” she says. “Students are given the opportunity and support to build confidence in the pool and gain respect for the water as they participate. The program focuses on play-based functional movements, sensory integration, mobility skills, increased balance and the improvement of body and spatial awareness.” Additionally, she says that communication skills are reinforced through the use of visual pictures to assist in understanding sequencing in activities and choice-making with equipment, games and water activities. Daily living skills such as developing independence in choice-making, dressing and undressing are also incorporated resulting in a comprehensive program that ensures each individual student fulfils his or her potential. The aquatic program serves three primary functions: 1. Swimming and water safety: This includes water familiarisation, stroke development, safety and survival activities. During these swimming sessions, the main focus is on developing independence, exploring the water, active participation, developing water confidence, learning water safety skills and learning how to move through the water. 2. Hydrotherapy: This is an individual therapy program designed for students in collaboration with the physiotherapist and occupational therapist. 3. Recreation: This focuses on improving communication, social integration, body awareness and balance, sensory integration, functional movement and having fun. It includes structured and unstructured play, fun games, and group, individual and peer activities in collaboration with the classroom teacher, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and speech pathologist. “The support we received from Pentair to upgrade our aged and failing system has been vital and has enabled us to continue providing swimming and hydrotherapy programs to our diverse range of students,” she says.
“I’ve been involved with the local rotary clubs to assist with fundraising to help bring the interior of the pool up to scratch,” says Keyhoe. “It’s an old Marblesheen pool, and I’m looking to do a rubberised surface on the pool and the walkways. Hopefully we’ll come up with some funds and some manpower. We also want to get some dehumidifiers and double-glazing and make the whole job mickey mouse. It’s an old building, and there’s still some things that need work. “Reltech has helped with some chemicals and things of that nature, and Bipin is going to try and bring some other companies in too.” Renovations still required include: • The pool interior – looking for a rubberised surface • Air conditioning and an air-to-energy system to take out the humidity and help with the running of the pool • Double glazing for heat retention • Manpower – with Rotary likely to help If anyone can assist with this project, please contact Terry Keyhoe. Contact: Terry Keyhoe: 0413 129 670. n
The industry has got together to help make the refurbishment a reality
The program focuses on play-based functional movements, sensory integration, mobility skills, increased balance and the improvement of body and spatial awareness
Next steps
“After seeing the school, we have decided to take care of all their future pool equipment requirements,” says Pentair’s Bipin Gangadharan. “We have taken this decision because as a company we need to give back to society and do something for the children. They have been struggling all these years with out-dated equipment, hence on advice of Terry we have decided to go in to help the school. I feel the swimming pool industry as a whole should support this kind of initiative. I hope this article will drive similar initiatives across other states.” The next stage is to look at the interior of the pool. April-May 2014 SPLASH! 81
new products
The beauty of basalt
Kiwi tile and paving manufacturer and distributor Middle Earth Tiles (MET) has released a range of Spanish Basalto tiles to the New Zealand and Australian markets. MET says the Basalto clinker tiles have black, grey and metallic shades which suit the new spaces created by modern architecture while displaying the beauty of basalt. Basalto Tiles are manufactured from high-quality clays in a sin-
gle 44 hour firing cycle at a temperature of 1360ºC giving them a natural blend of shades and excellent technical performance. This includes very low water absorption (less than three per cent); and a high resistance to scratching, abrasion, acids, stains, frost, impact, thermal shock and slipping. Contact: www.middleearthtiles.co.nz; sales@middleearthtiles.co.nz
An open and closed case for outdoor cooking Tait’s Tilt Outdoor Kitchen revolutionises homeowners’ enjoyment of their outdoor space. A hide-away in-built barbecue system, it offers a new vision for outdoor cooking and entertaining.
Kitchen as a compact, discrete box which opens out to form an al fresco kitchen with integrated state-of-the-art kitchenware, including an Electrolux barbecue and a Häfele sink.
The Tilt Outdoor Kitchen marries elegance and practicality to create a system that is easy to install into outdoor spaces and easy to maintain.
Sophisticated Accoya timber battens conceal Tilt’s high quality kitchen amenities when not in use and, when opened, transforms into a 2.2 metre-high awning which shelters users from Australia’s harsh sun.
Melbourne studio Urban Commons, headed up by design director Justin Hutchinson, has designed the Tilt Outdoor
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Contact: www.madebytait.com.au
Lightweight stone walling
Boral Cultured Stone cladding is engineered to look like traditional stone, while actually being an affordable, adaptable and easy to work with manufactured stone product. As a manufactured material, Cultured Stone is light in weight and requires little maintenance after installation, making it versatile and practical for a variety of residential building projects. It complements materials such as brick, timber and glass and can be integrated to achieve dramatic visual appeal. It is well suited for use with outdoor kitchens, integrated barbecues and landscaping elements, especially around swimming pools as seen here. It comes in eight distinct ranges and a wide variety of stone shapes, colours and textures. It contains 54 per cent recycled content and is supplied with a limited 50-year warranty . Contact: www.boral.com.au
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Enter the draw to WIN one of 4 SEADOO® Seascooters™ at the SPLASH! Trade show! 1X DOLPHIN
1 x LIION POWERED RS3
RRP $296.00
2X AQUANAUT RRP $218.90
RRP $989.00
There is nothing ordinary about the way it looks… Or the way that glides in that matter… You submerge and it reacts and adapts… You toggle into gear, it comes to life… With its environmentally friendly LI-ION power source and unique, instant neutral buoyancy system, the SEA-DOO® Seascooter™ RS Series offers a bold new way to experience the big blue.The Seascooter™ RS introduces the first LIION battery system in a lightweight recreational DPV. It is also removable for external charging and simple battery replacement. An ECO friendly alternative to other battery types, the Lithium-Ion battery provides double the lifespan of conventional batteries and significantly reduces charging time. It is compact and light weight making the Seascooter™ RS Series the first serious lightweight-recreational Seascooter™.
SEA-DOO® SEASCOOTER™ DOLPHIN packs thrust for a speed of up to 2mph / 3.2km/h in a very compact, lightweight design. With safety features including protective grilles, auto shutoff, dual trigger control and positive buoyancy, the DOLPHIN is a must for every child, or child at heart.
The SEA-DOO® SEASCOOTER™ AQUANAUT is great for snorkeling, swimming or playing in the pool. This smaller, lighter model for adultsupervised youngsters ages 8 to 10 (up to 100 lbs. / 45.4kg) is waterproof to 10 feet and you can enjoy an hour of play on a single charge.
*The RS3 will not have the GoPro camera attached, so take out and replace with GoPro mount (RRP 39.95), the Aquanaut will be the green version.
Simply fill out the entry form* and drop it into the barrel at the SPLASH! show café in the marquee for your chance to win! Distributed by
10 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay, NSW 2481 - contact: http://underwater.com.au http://seascooters.com.au/seadoo - 02-66809410
Get the SPLASH! online newsletter
Simply go to splashmagazine.com.au and subscribe. It’s free! Each fortnight you’ll get the latest news and breaking stories about your industry. It’s a handy way to keep in touch with what’s going on in-between your printed editions of SPLASH! Join SPLASH! on social media Did you know SPLASH! has a growing online community? “Like” the SPLASH! Facebook page to have a chance of winning our regular book giveaways. Facebook and Twitter are easy ways to keep in touch and keep on top of the news. LinkedIn is an essential tool for businesses to connect online. Join any or all of the SPLASH! social media platforms by going to splashmagazine.com.au and clicking on the relevant icons at the top of the page.
new products
Geothermal heating loops Easy pool access
The Kingfisher is an access hoist manufactured in Australia by Para Mobility. It allows easy access to a pool where traditional methods cannot be used. The hoist was designed in close consultation with occupational therapists and other industry professionals. It features simple and safe operation that is both comfortable and dignified. The Kingfisher is ideal for home pools, retirement villages, hotels and resorts. It is user-operated and secured to the pool deck with minimal fuss. A trolley is also available which allows it to be easily moved between locations or to a storage facility. Contact: www.paramobility.com.au; (07) 5549 3106
IQ launches mineral pool system International Quadratics (IQ) has launched a residential swimming pool equipment division called Theralux. IQ director Adam Lloyd says the range – and specifically the advanced mineral pool system – encompasses some of the most innovative, eco-friendly and easy-touse pool filtration technologies available on the market today. The mineral based system utilises the fully automated and easy to use Therachlor chlorinator which can run at an impressively
The QPS geothermal direct exchange system is an efficient and cost effective way of heating a pool. Regardless of the pool’s size, the system provides year round heating at a significantly reduced cost. QPS says their system is one of the most technologically advanced geothermal systems in the world. It uses the earth’s constant temperature as a heat source, essentially providing “free” heating to the pool. They say the result is the highest known efficiency of any pool heating system on the market at a fraction of the cost. The QPS geothermal direct exchange system operates using three main components: copper loops that are installed 50m into the ground, held in place using patented geothermal grout; refrigerant gas and a heat pump. The system can operate efficiently in any climate, every hour of the year. Contact: www.qpsgeothermal.com.au
low TDS level of 3000ppm. The Therachlor chlorinator works with the Theraflo variable speed pool pump, an 8-star energy rated pump with a digital RPM display. The next component in line is the twin layered durable Theraclear filter utilising Theraclear recycled glass filtration media providing fine porosity filtration. The range also includes the Theratherm heat pump. Lloyd says the Therachlor system utilises magnesium chloride, providing a number of
substantial wellbeing and water clarity benefits. He adds that magnesium has been used in the market for more than 25 years to reduce calcium scale, assistance with flocculation and produce soft feeling water. To assist Royal Life Saving NSW to reduce the number of drowning deaths and create everyday lifesavers in our community, Theralux is giving away a free “CPR in a Box” with every Theralux advanced mineral pool system purchased. Contact: www.theralux.com.au April-May 2014 SPLASH!
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POOL & SPA TRADE SHOW 20-21 May 2013
Pool & Spa Trade Show 27-28 May 2015 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
For more information visit www.piscinesplashasia.com or call SING 8006 163 169, AUST 1300 789 845, NZ 0800 451 590 Platinum Sponsor
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new products
Sipping in the pool
Now a solution to the age-old problem of how to enjoy a drink while in the swimming pool: a pool noodle and esky rolled into one, with a straw! The Sip-N-Oodle lets you easily enjoy a cold refreshing beverage while floating in the cooling confines of your pool, without the danger of spilling the drink or breaking glass. It contains a flexible, silicone tube through the centre of the foam pool noodle. Simply pour any beverage you like into the tube and secure the cap. It goes in cold and stays cold. This US invention was launched to much acclaim at the 2013 Las Vegas International Pool and Spa Show. Sip-N-Oodle is gearing up for production and they are interested in dealers and distributors coming on board in Australia.
Tangle-free underwater iPod
This Apple-made latest generation iPod has been professionally waterproofed by AudioFlood so you can listen to your favourite music while swimming laps. The tiny AudioFlood can be clipped securely to your goggle strap and the bundle comes with a short waterproof headphone wire so nothing gets in your way when swimming – no matter what stroke you use. It also has six soft rubber earpiece options to ensure a perfect fit. With 2GB storage for more than 500 songs and a 15-hour battery life, you could just about swim the Channel before you have to recharge. Depth rated to more than over 75m and impervious to salt water and pool chlorine, the AudioFlood is backed by a two-year warranty and a 100 per cent satisfaction guarantee. AudioFlood welcomes trade enquiries.
Contact: www.sipnoodle.com; info@avenel.ca
Contact: www.audioflood.com; david@audioflood.com
Easy installation with compact heat pump
Airius comes of age with designer range
Waterco has expanded its heat pump range with the Electroheat MKIV which combines compactness and performance to effectively heat both spas and pools. It is suitable for two-person spas, swim spas, plunge pools and residential swimming pools. The Electroheat MKIV incorporates dual coil titanium heat exchanger technology, which provides a greater surface area for increased heat transfer performance while ensuring total protection against erosion and corrosion. The MKIV uses ozone-friendly R410A refrigerant.
Thermal de-stratification and air circulation fan manufacturer Airius has launched a new designer range to make its indoor pool fans more aesthetically pleasing. The new fan is enclosed in a cylindrical housing and can be painted to match any colour making it better suited to architecturally sensitive installations.
There are four models to suit both spas and pools: 12kW, 15kW, 19kW and 23kW. All models operate down to 10 degrees Celsius.
In an indoor pool application, air circulation and de-stratification can minimise pool heating energy by keeping the heat in the pool water, significantly reduce condensation on indoor surfaces and markedly improve thermal comfort in the concourse area.
Flexibility is a key feature of the MKIV, and its compact design makes it easier to install in difficult places.
Airius systems may qualify for ESCII energy saving certificates in NSW, reducing the implementation cost.
Contact: www.waterco.com.au
Contact: www.airius.com.au April-May 2014 SPLASH!
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new products
New reagent disc
LaMotte has released the latest version of reagent disc WaterLink Spin, a new photometer that gives accurate measurements of nine different water quality parameters in only 60 seconds and with little user effort. It includes a borate test along with the current tests for free and total chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, cyanuric acid, copper and iron. The accuracy and sensitivity of the tests have also been improved. Additionally, the new “baffle” design reduces any chance of air bubbles making their way into its reagent wells – helping avoid testing errors. LaMotte has developed yet another disc which includes a test for phosphate rather than borate. This disc is being tested and Vendart, exclusive Australian distributors, expect to have it available in Australia before the start of next summer. Contact: (02) 9450 0466; terry@vendart.com.au
Modular marble grating
Poolstones by Sofikitis has recently launched an innovative modular drain grate to fit both rectilinear and free-form overflow pools. The marble module pieces are joined together on the underside and can be made from marble in any colour or size. The easily assembled modules can be installed in the overflow channel by anyone and are easily replaced following routine cleaning of the channel. This modular grate has been designed to offer durability, efficient drainage, safety and anti-slip properties. It is a reasonably priced luxury finish. Sofikitis says the product has anti-slip properties and requires less maintenance than plastic while also being more pleasing to the eye. Contact: www.poolstones.com
Posi-Track gets the job done
The Terex PT-50 Posi-Track mid-sized compact track loader has great stability front and back when lifting, and also has excellent ground clearance. Because the PT-50 compact track loader uses the patented Posi-Track suspended undercarriage technology, the machine’s 2812kg operating weight is evenly distributed down to an impressive 24.1 kPa. With such low ground pressure and excellent traction, the PT-50 loader is ideal for working on soft, wet or sensitive surfaces, as well as rocky and uneven sites. Smooth turf tracks or extreme terrain tracks with aggressive treads are also available for more specifically demanding sites. Contact: www.terex.com 88 SPLASH! April-May 2014
Wading pool makes an L of an impact
Narellan Pools has introduced the Harmony Pool – a wading pool that can transform a pool into the coveted “L” shape.
21-23 June 2015 ABS Showground, Auckland New Zealand
Perfect for children or lounging, the Harmony Pool can be run on a separate water circuit with its own heating system, allowing the owners to vary the temperature between the wading pool and the main pool. It can be colour-matched to all 15 different colours and finishes available at Narellan Pools, or made in a contrasting colour for a more striking look. Spa jets, swim jets and lights can also be added. The Harmony is a standalone module that can be mounted onto
any Narellan Pool during construction. It is 0.4m deep by 2m long by 3.49m wide. Contact: www.narellanpools.com.au
Cleaning up the spa
ScumBoss says their cleaning pads beat traditional foam-based devices in their ability to collect the particles and body oils that taint even the most well-kept portable spas. “Unlike foam bugs and balls that collect scum via tiny pockets, ScumBoss traps scum on each and every microfiber. These microfibers are extremely thin which results in a vast dirt-collection surface. And when that surface is sullied, a quick trip to the washing machine is all it needs. You can use your ScumBoss again and again,” says Murray Feick.
ScumBoss is currently looking for a master distributor for Australia. Contact: murray@sentex.ca; www.scumboss.com
Petrol-powered cleaning
Karcher has released a new petrol powered high pressure cleaner for large properties and serious cleaning jobs or where electricity is not an option. The G2.500 DCE is purpose built for heavy duty tasks with a 5hp engine providing a whopping 2500psi of pressure, putting out 9L/ minute, which is enough to easily remove the most stubborn dirt, mould and grime. This is especially good for tradies getting mud off equipment and cleaning out their sheds, as well as for consumers blasting mould off paving. At a weight of 23kg and a height of 63cm, this high pressure cleaner can easily fit in the back of a ute. Contact: www.karcher.com.au
For the second time SPLASH! New Zealand will be co-located with buildnz & designex, offering pool manufacturers access to more than 5000 industry professionals. SPLASH! is a must attend event for manufactures, pool builders, water consultants, architects and pool service companies.
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To exhibit at buildnz|designex within the SPLASH! pavilion please email Karen at kjaques@intermedia.com.au or phone +61 2 8586 6135 NZ 0800 451 590
www.splashnzexpo.co.nz
April-May 2014 SPLASH!
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