From prolonged shutdown due to COVID-19 to reopening, some advice on how to remain vigilant
By Jean Leathers
With many aquatic facilities in prolonged shutdown due to COVID-19, staff members face ongoing maintenance issues to ensure that pools and their environments do not decline. Left unattended, culprits like rust, mold, and algae can wreak havoc on facilities not in use.
Three experts in pool design and construction discuss what operators need to do during prolonged closure and what to consider when reopening: George Deines, Studio Director at Counsilman-Hunsaker; Mike Gartland, Principal and mechanical engineer of Counsilman-Hunsaker; and Eric Roberts, CEO and architect of Knit. Both firms have specialized expertise in aquatic facilities and have collaborated on numerous projects.
What maintenance recommendations do you have for pool operators dealing with prolonged aquatic facility closures?
According to Gartland, “Because indoor pool environments are often corrosive, it’s important to minimize exposure of equipment in the area.” He recommends removing, rinsing, and, when possible, storing all pool and deck equipment, including lane lines, ladders, handrails, and other potentially corrosive pool-equipment items.
In addition to the equipment, Roberts adds, “Any time indoor building equipment and surfaces are exposed to chlorine, there is the possibility of corrosion. For example, handles and door frames may rust, so daily maintenance—even when temporarily shut down—are important. Wiping down handrails and other metal surfaces daily can prevent deposits and rust.”