Selecting an Expert Witness for Pool & Spa Dispute Resolution

Selecting the best expert witness for your case requires that you know the type of expert you are dealing with.
 
There are 3 kinds of experts in the swimming pool & spa construction fields.  There are practicing experts, professional experts and professionals limiting their liability & financial exposure.

Practicing Experts

Practicing Experts are individuals who are still deriving a majority of their income as swimming pool & spa contractors or construction consultants.  These individuals are at the top of their game, as they are still actively involved in the trade.  They are utilizing modern and state of the art construction techniques, materials and methodologies on a daily basis.

Their active involvement in the construction fields, keeps them appraised of current trends and cutting edge equipment.  Their constant exposure to a multitude of high-end projects keeps them on the cusp of construction technologies.

What they are "doing in practice" defines who they are, what they believe and what they stand for.

Professional Experts

Professional Experts are just that... full-time paid experts.  The problem here may be one of sheer credibility.  They may have been a great builder at a past point in time.  But, there is a high likelihood that they are out of touch with current methodologies, practices, technologies, costs and ever changing codes & standards.  Their budgetary estimations may be outdated, having a basis on historical costs.

Being a professional expert alludes to merely being a "paid prostitute," "willing to say anything for a buck."  There are no current practices or projects which define their work ethic, workmanship, abilities and standards, and which therefore validate their opinions.

Exposure Limiting Experts

Exposure Limiting Experts must remain involved as experts, in order to limit their financial exposure and legal liability for their marginal past practices.

These experts are the most dangerous to a project and pose the greatest risk to the successful outcome of a dispute or litigation.  Many of these experts are "retired" structural engineers or ex-heads of large high volume swimming pool construction firms.  

Their past practices in "volume production" are what pose the greatest risk in the successful litigation of a construction workmanship or defect case.  It is virtually impossible to deliver high quality code compliant construction projects at volume levels.

Therein lies their dilemma as an expert.  They cannot agree that low strength concrete, generic mail-order structural engineering, lack of special inspections and structural engineering not based upon soil conditions are valid construction practices.  To do so, would expose themselves, their past employers, their firms and their past clients to liability and unknown financial exposures.

A structural engineer cannot admit that 1,000's of structural engineering plans that he sold without regard to the soils conditions is irresponsible.  A structural engineer cannot testify that 2,400 PSI concrete is insufficient, when he sold thousands of such mail-order generic plans.  The ex-President/CEO of a large swimming construction company who built thousands of pools based upon those very plans, cannot now testify that soils reports are required to obtain valid structural engineering or that 2,400 PSI concrete is insufficient.

These experts are the most dangerous.  They must protect the firms they used to work for - and in which they may still have a financial interest.  They must protect their professional licenses.  They may make "expert opinions" based upon the potential exposure the answer will create for them - not what is based upon scientific or legal fact.

These "retired" professionals are the ones that require the closest examination.  You may never become aware of their personal "conflicts of interest" based upon marginal past practices.

But other experts will be aware of these conflicts.  And these personal conflicts will be exploited to your disadvantage.  It is what attorney's do!

If an expert's past opinions, construction and business practices were marginal and high volume, then there is a high likelihood that they are not going to be able to act as an "independent expert witness."  In the very least, any "expert opinions" they render will be suspect.  In the very least, their credibility will be called into question.

Practicing Experts are obviously the right choice! 

Paolo Benedetti
Aquatic Artist, Consultant & Construction Defect Expert Witness 
"Creating water as art."™ 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Pools & Spa Construction Defect Analysis - Decades of Experience

Construction Defects Analysis - What exactly is a "construction defect?"

Concrete swimming pool and spa construction expert Paolo Benedetti discusses what constitutes a "defect" or a "deviation" and the related responsibilities.

Exactly what is a defect or deviation?

A "defect" is an aspect of a project that is installed in conflict with any of the following:

• building codes
• local ordinance or law
• industry standards
• accepted trade practices 

A "deviation" is an aspect of a project that is installed in conflict with any of the following:

• manufacturers recommendations or instructions  
• project specifications or designs
• plans
• contractual requirements 

Defects may be further broken down into "lack of knowledge," "installation errors," or "component failures."  Many times there are overlapping causes of project defects - the most common being ignorance that results in installation errors, that then affect the ability of materials to perform properly.

Deviations may affect the performance of materials, the functionality of the project or the project's appearance and finish.  They may eventually cause some sort of failure, whether it be structural, performance or aesthetic. 

A defect is always the result of some sort of deviation.  However, a deviation may not always result in a defect.   For example, if an installation is performed perfectly and the materials fail to perform, then the materials experienced a deviation from the quality standards.

Laws

Building codes are the laws that govern how construction projects are to be designed, engineered and built.  Like traffic laws, how stringently they are enforced is dependent upon the local authorities.  And, just like when there is a traffic collision, various obscure laws may be enforced after the fact... even laws you were not aware of!

Building codes often make reference to or may even directly incorporate various industry or trade standards and workmanship guidelines.  Any referenced standards become a "second tier" of the building codes that are also legally binding.

Local ordinances are laws, codes or requirements that have been adopted by the local jurisdiction.  They create more restrictive standards than those adopted by the broader authority.  An example, is a county that requires stronger glass windows than required by state law.

Industry standards and accepted trade practices only become law when they referenced in an existing code or ordinance.  If there is a dispute regarding workmanship, defects or deviations, then in civil or administrative hearings these are incorporated into the collection of enforceable standards.

Responsibilities

The structural engineer has the responsibility of designing the project to overcome the anticipated loads and to exceed the current building codes.

The contractor then executes the engineer's design.  It is the contractors responsibility to ensure adherance to the applicable codes.  They have the additional burden of ensuring that all work is performed to the highest code or standard that is applicable to any aspect of a project.

When installed materials fail to perform correctly, then the contractor does not bear any liability, provided that they adhered to the highest applicable standard.

This is why, when codes, standards, plans, specifications or manufacturer's instructions are in conflict with one another, the strictest standard shall prevail.

It's all about liability and responsibility!

 
Paolo Benedetti 
Aquatic Artist, Consultant & Construction Management
"Creating water as art."™ 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Cracking Concrete Pool Decks

Cracking Concrete Pool Decks

Swimming pool concrete deck expert witness Paolo Benedetti, discusses improper slab thickness and the lack of proper reinforcement steel placement.

The Concrete Pool decks are cracking
There is no code that requires reinforcing steel within non-structural concrete "slabs on grade."  However, if any reinforcement is used, then the codes are very explicit as to where and how it is to be placed.

There ought to be a law!
The Uniform Building Code makes direct reference to the standards established by the American Concrete Institute.  For slabs poured on grade there must be a minimum of 3 inches of concrete between the reinforcement and the earth.  It also states that there must be a minimum of 1.5 inches of concrete on top of the reinforcement (side exposed to the weather).

ACI Standards require a Minimum Slab Thickness 
Because the ACI specifies the amount of concrete around the reinforcement, it de facto creates a standard for minimum slab thicknesses.

If #4 reinforcement steel is used to reinforce a slab on grade, then the slab must be a total thickness of no less than 5.5 inches.

1.5 inches of coverage over the steel
1 inch of steel (#4 bars are 0.5 inch thick, where two #4 bars cross there is 1" of steel)
3 inches below the reinforcement steel
1.5 + 1 + 3 = 5.5" minimum slab thickness (when using #4 bars).

2x4 Formwork is INCORRECT!
2x4's are actually 3.5" wide.  Therefore there is no means for a concrete contractor to pour concrete slabs of sufficient thickness if they utilize 2x4's as forms!

2x6's are 5.5" wide.  They are the MINIMUM sized lumber that should be used when placing concrete slabs.

The ACI standard applies whenever reinforcement is used within the concrete.  This even means when they use #10 wire mesh, that they must support the reinforcement so that it is placed in the proper location within the slab.

"Hooking" the wire mesh & lifting it up into the wet concrete will not place the mesh in the proper location. 

This is why most concrete slabs are cracking, too thin, incorrectly formed and with the steel in the wrong location! 


Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
 Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Swimming Pool Excellence is the choice of two alternatives

Doctor of Poolology and Swimming Pool Expert Witness, Paolo Benedetti:  Demand Excellence - why settle for mediocrity? 

Mediocrity abounds in our daily lives.  People settle for what they can afford or achieve... making concessions and acquiescing on their personal values. 

Homeowners settle for walls that are out of plum, swimming pools that are not level and rain gutters that leak.  Public school teachers are not challenging our children.  Diners accept substandard service and waiters demand exorbitant tips.  Average has become "the bar" - the standard.

Society has become afraid to say that inferior performances are unacceptable.  Anything other than perfection is "okay."  To say that something is inferior has become insulting.

Raising the Bar

Personally, I disagree with society's acceptance of sub-par performances.  America is a proud and strong country, that for decades has been the leader in many fields. 

I am dedicated to constantly strive to excel, to make each successive project better than the last, no matter how simple or complex the design.  This demands discipline.  The success of any project depends on me - my technical skills and attention to detail.  My education, therefore, is never complete.

Dedication to Clients

Bestowed upon me is the trust of a client and their hard earned money.  Together they embody the faith that they have conferred upon me.  My loyalty to them is beyond reproach.  The clients' welfare is placed before that of my own. 

My character and honor shall remain steadfast.  My word is my bond.  I will lead by example in all situations.  

From our subcontractors I demand dedication and discipline.  The clients expect, and I deliver innovation.  I bring the full spectrum of my training, knowledge and attention to bear upon a project, to ensure it's successful completion.

A Legacy

I have a tradition of excellence and a reputation to uphold.  My past projects and satisfied customers are my legacy.  

This legacy also foretells the future...  demand and accept nothing short of Excellence.  Together we can do amazing things!

"Excellence is the choice of two alternatives."


Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist 
"Creating water as art."™ 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Swimming Pool Structural Engineering - Custom Vs Generic

 Defective Infinity or Vanishing Edge Swimming Pool Expert Witness Paolo Benedetti discusses the importance of using project specific structural engineering and geotechnical reports.

Generic or Project Specific Engineering?

Generic structural engineering fills a void in the concrete swimming pool construction market by providing cost effective "ready made" and "off the shelf" engineering.  These plans are sufficient for most tract home pools with a flat yard and no surcharges.

Project specific engineering is structural engineering that has been designed FOR YOUR SPECIFIC PROJECT.  This means that the experts have consulted with each other and have designed something that will economically function on your site.

The Dangers of using Generic Engineering

The publishers of generic structural engineering provide a catalog or on-line listing of their various plans and construction details.  This allows the pool builder to select the products that they need & rapidly receive the plans.  Therein lies the whole problem...  the pool builder SELECTS  the engineering, the strengths and what is required.

Soil Conditions

Though the plans are engineered, each is contains details unique to the soil conditions.  Standard plans are designed to accommodate various types of expansive soils.  Many contain three to four various steel schedules, based upon the soil condition on the construction site.  Who determines the soils conditions on the site and the resulting strength of shell to use?   The pool builder, of course.

Without obtaining a soils report (aka: geotechnical report) prior to construction, then your pool builder will select the appropriate (or inappropriate) engineering.  There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY to determine the soil conditions without a soils report.   

Site Conditions

Generic mail order plans also do not take into consideration the "site conditions" on a construction project.  The structural engineer has not reviewed the topography of the site to determine if any surcharges are present.  A surcharge is something that can potentially place stress upon the pool structure.  Surcharges can be nearby up slopes, down slopes, buildings, structures, lakes, retaining walls, surf, snow, wind or even seismic events.

Without a structural engineering review of the project plan, soils report, topographical map and site images, the responsibility of identifying these surcharges is left to the pool builder.  Even if they do identify potential surcharges, do you really want them determining the amount of surcharge?  Are you confident that they identified ALL of the potential surcharges?

Catch-All

Generic engineering is designed to be a catch-all for all geographic regions where the mail order engineering firm is licensed.  This means that the plans may include structural elements that are not required in your local.  This all translates to unneeded additional cost for the buyer.  The plans may also omit items that may be required by local code or ordinance.

Additionally, these plans are only designed to meet the MINIMUM standards.  Though industry standards often utilize 4,500 or even 5,000 PSI concrete, these generic plans oftentimes only specify 2,500 PSI concrete.  

Why?  Because most pool builders who are utilizing mail order plans are cost conscience.  5000 PSI concrete costs more.  Concrete exceeding 2500 PSI also requires that the placement of the concrete be inspected by a special deputy inspector, and in some regions, a quality assurance testing laboratory.  Again, additional costs.  But why wouldn't you want these workmanship guarantees and quality assurances?

Correctly Utilizing Generic Engineering

If you plan on utilizing generic mail order engineering, then there are some things that must occur:

1.  A soils report for the construction site must be provided to the structural engineer.  Test borings must occur in the proposed locations of construction.
2.  The structural engineer must be provided site images, a topographical map and proposed project layout.
3.  The structural engineer must provide a letter or notations on the plans that they actually reviewed the soils report & make reference to the Soils Engineering Report, date and author.
4.  The soils engineer, then must review the generic mail order structural engineering and write a letter stating that they have reviewed the structural engineering and that they agree that the plans meet or exceed the requirements for the site.
5.  The structural steel should be inspected by the structural engineer to verify that the plans were followed.  This can be an in person inspection or through digital photographs.   An "inspection letter" should be obtained, stating that the structural engineer has reviewed and approved the steel placement.
6.  Minimum concrete strengths should be 4,500 PSI.
7.  An inspector should be present during all gunite/shotcrete placement.  Samples should be sent to a testing lab to verify that you're getting what you paid for.

Why not use Project Specific Engineering?

Since project specific engineering requires that the same steps be followed as using generic engineering correctly, why not just obtain project specific engineering?

GOOD QUESTION !

Paolo Benedetti Aquatic Artist, Consultant & Construction Defect Expert Witness
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Consumer Mistakes when Buying a Swimming Pool

Many consumers approach construction projects like they are buying a consumer commodity.... which is the furthest from the truth.

 

You're not buying a TV at Walmart

A swimming pool is a personal item - one that should be designed around the buyer, their lifestyle, how they entertain and the intricacies of the building site.  Unlike consumer commodities like tv's, the quality, design and performance varies by the designer or contractor.  In construction, it is the buried components that determine the long term performance of your project - and the cost of operation.

Not getting educated

Picking companies from the Internet or yellow pages based upon a pretty website or large ad is absolutely wrong.  Most pool construction companies employ a team of salesmen, who's job it is to "sell you a pool."  They are not interested in educating you as to the correct way to build a pool.

They are only interested in signing that contract.

Do your research BEFORE you talk to the first company.  The Internet is full of information, but don't believe everything on the Internet.  Create a list of criteria that you'll use to select your contractor.

Over reaching

It is foolish to call swimming pool contractors and request a "free quote."  You cannot make rational comparisons between different designs and specifications.  Since most swimming pools are built utilizing the lowest quality workmanship & materials without any written criteria or construction specifications, how can you possibly compare bids?

Since the salesman is out to SELL you a pool he is interested in "churning out" a plan or project scheme as fast as possible.  The quality of the design and project specifications are going to be reflect in the "FREE" effort they expended!  You get what you pay for!

Lack of Due Diligence

Everyone is willing to provide you with a list of references.  They are NEVER going to give you the list of people that they pissed off.  But how do you find these people???  Through due diligence and legwork.

Check the local Better Business Bureau.  They will not be able to give you references, but their records may represent a trend.  Where there is smoke there is fire.

Check the local court records.  Many are available for review on-line.  The builder may have been a plaintiff (suing to get paid) or a defendant (sued by an upset customer).  Contact the other party, learn what went wrong, why there was a dispute, why it ended up in court, and if the issues were resolved.  TAKE THE COMMENTS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.  Remember, you cannot always please everyone.  Some consumers are unreasonable.  What you are looking for is a PATTERN of upset consumers in their wake.

Check the Contractors Licensing Board - Not every state requires that contractors be licensed.  Those that do, usually have records visible on-line.  Search other licensed states, as some builders that had licenses revoked in other states merely move to another state.  If a contractor has had any complaints or actions against their license - again, it illustrates that they cannot resolve issues before they get out of hand.

Check out on-line reference websites: The Franklin Report, Yelp, Angie's List and others.  Again, take what you read with a grain of salt.  Remember, you are looking for a pattern of happy or unhappy customers.

Review building permits issued in surrounding communities.  Most building departments have searchable on-line databases.  Search for the last 4-5 years of permits.  Contact these owners.  Most will be happy to provide a candid review of the contractor.

Price Point Decision Making

Warning: The prices are going to be all over the map.  Trying to compare apples, to oranges, to grapes, to lemons will only result in a brain full of fruit salad.  How do you make sense of it all?

It is best to obtain a design package (sometimes called a "bid package").  The entire project will be defined with schematics of the plumbing, high & low voltage electrical and lighting.  It will include illustrations of the minute details that are unique to your project.  It will also include construction and workmanship specifications.

Utilizing a "bid package" allows all possible contenders to provide a quote based upon the same exact set of criteria.  Stand your ground - ensure that they realize that substitutions are NOT ALLOWED.  This will ensure that the design does not get altered and that the performance is not degraded.  It also ensures that you are comparing APPLES TO APPLES !

REMEMBER: 
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!  
IF SOMETHING IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - IT IS!

On-line Quotation or Consulting Services

You cannot design a pool or provide a quotation on-line.  Just like I cannot paint your house or change your car's oil over the phone.

It is impossible for anyone to validate any assumptions that they make over wires.  They must visit your site, sit down with you, understand your budget and needs.  They have to get to know YOU!

Prices are lower in a down economy or in the off season

 Labor expenses, overhead, insurances, fuel, concrete, steel and everything else that goes into the construction of a pool is constantly increasing in price.  

There is no better time than RIGHT NOW to build a pool.  Why?  Because next year those items are going to cost even more!

The best pool designers and contractors are still busy, even in a down economy.  They are not going to "work for wages."  It ends up becoming a losing proposition in the long run, and the smart ones know that.  And you don't want to hire the dumb ones that will work for wages.  They just won't have the resources to perform system tweaks later on or perform warranty repairs.

Failing to Review and Understand the Contracts

A contract is a two-way street.  It should clearly define everything that you are to receive.  It should outline the contractor's obligations.  Anything that was promised during a sales presentation should be included in writing.

Ensure that a dispute resolution process is included.  Know what your obligations are: paying invoices within XX days of receipt; providing a soils/geotechnical report; marking property lines, boundaries and easements; obtaining planning department or HOA approval; providing trash disposal, dumpsters, electricity or toilet facilities; repairing fences, sprinklers, sidewalks and driveways, upgrading the electrical or gas meter... the list goes on and on.

Not obtaining proper structural or mechanical designs

Most swimming pools are design and specified by the salesman.  They have little or no knowledge of structural engineering, proper filtration, circulation or hydraulic designs, mechanical systems, water chemistry management, state of the art controls and automation or alternative energies.

Most select plumbing sized based upon a guess and not sound hydraulic design calculations.  When properly sized, the response from most potential bidders is "the pipes are way too big," "who specified these huge pipes?," "way overkill."  In reality the plumbing should be specified based upon the science of hydraulics (physics), which these contractors and salesmen apparently do not understand.  When you hear these responses, you should have one reaction... cross them off of your list.

Do they require a soils report?
Where do they obtain their structural engineering?  
Does the structural engineer actually review YOUR project plans, site/topographical map AND the soils report, prior to defining the strength of the pool shell and placement of the steel?  
 Will the engineer sign on the plans that they have reviewed those documents?  

This is very important because:
a) it ensures the consumer that the contractor forwarded those documents for review
b) you'll know that the document were actually read by the engineer
c) many contractors just buy random structural engineering on-line or mail-order (based on their best guess)
d) you are guaranteed that your pool is going to be built to withstand the forces from your soil and your site conditions.

Thorough plans prevent surprises

Having a thoroughly thought out set of plans with defined specifications ensures that there are not future surprises.

The plans should also include any infrastructure required for future projects.  Getting water, gas, sewer & electrical routed under the hardscapes & plantings now, will be less expensive than tearing it all up to install them at a later time when that outdoor kitchen, shower, cabana, guesthouse, garage or barn is built.  Maybe incorporating future connections for alternative energies may be something of interest. 

The safety components of the project, from fencing & gates, door alarms, pool covers or an integrated anti-drowning alarm system should be a part of the plans and contract.  You don't want to miss the final inspection because those items were left off for you to handle.

Best Advice

1) Hire a well respected designer or consultant to design your dream backyard, before you start construction.  
2) Hire the best contractor that you can afford.  
3) And if you are not hiring the BEST AVAILABLE, then come to the realization NOW that everything will not be PERFECT.  Nor should you expect or demand perfection from those lesser contractors.


Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Chlorine: Burning eyes, itchy skin, respiratory distress - Falicies

Simple and plain truth - it is not the CHLORINE that is causing the burning eyes, itchy skin or the "smell of chlorine" around the pool !  What you are experiencing are the negative effects of waste products that accumulate in the pool when there is NOT ENOUGH CHLORINE PRESENT to destroy them.
Skin rashes, respiratory ailments & burning eyes

The facts are plain & simple: it is not the chlorine that causes bather discomfort. It is almost always from other water chemistry issues, and almost always due to the lack of proper chemical maintenance, testing, and the incorrect dosing of chemicals.

Among the most common complaints:
itchy skin (too little chlorine)
burning eyes (bad pH or too little chlorine - ammonia compounds)
green hair (excess copper)

All of these are attributed to other factors... but ignorant people immediately point their finger at the chlorine - because they "smell" what to them must be chlorine.  In actuality, the ammonia compounds and gasses that are formed when chlorine combines with bather waste SMELL like chlorine bleach.

And because people smell a strong "chlorine" odor around a commercial or indoor pool, or worse yet, a health club spa - they immediately (and incorrectly) assume that there is too much chlorine in the pool!

What you are really smelling is actually resulting from the LACK OF CHLORINE! You are smelling the the ammonia compounds, called: chloramines, off gassing.  When there is a sufficient quantity of chlorine in the water chloramines cannot form.  When the bather load exceeds the quantity or feed rate of the chlorine, chloramines begin to form.

This is why you "smell chlorine" on your skin after swimming - but in reality, you are actually smelling your perspiration that has combined with the pool's chlorine that formed chloramines (ammonia compounds) on your skin!  A simple shower with soap and water will remove them.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A CHLORINE FREE POOL

Because of the public's confusion about chlorine and the negative side effects (incorrectly attributed to chlorine), equipment manufacturers started touting "chemical free" pools.  People suddenly all wanted a "SALT WATER POOL," because they are chemical free. 

NEWS FLASH: These are not chemical free!  Instead they are MANUFACTURING CHLORINE from the salt in the water!  Just because you are not dumping powdered or liquid chlorine into your pool, does  not mean that it is not there!  Ha, ha - they fooled you!

As "Chlorine Free" as you'll ever get
The only real "new"technology is ozone (though it has been around for 30+ years). Done properly with sufficient contact time before re-entering the pool or spa - it has awesome effects on the water quality. Ozone works synergistically with the chlorine, taking over the business of oxidizing bather waste. Since ozone is a thousands times better oxidizer than halogens (such as chlorine, bromine, hydrogen peroxide), it takes over those responsibilities, allowing the halogens to work as sanitizers. The ozone will also kill biological pathogens & viruses, which ionizers will not.

Chlorine is Safe
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH USING LIQUID CHLORINE. To be politically correct & environmentally sensitive, we call it "bleach." Chlorine has been used as a pool sanitizer for over 100+ years. It is used to treat drinking water in almost every city in the world. It is used in almost every commercial swimming pool in the world to maintain clear, safe, and sanitary water.

People who do not understand how chlorine reacts with contaminants, heavy metals, and other chemicals, continue to spread myths about what chlorine does & does not do.
For example:
Chlorine does not turn hair green, but copper does (blue staining from copper + yellow (blonde) hair = green).
You cannot smell it around a pool, even at 3-5X the normal dosages, but you can smell chloramines (which are the result of too little chlorine).
At the correct levels (1-3 ppm) it does not burn the eyes, but incorrect pH or chloramines will!
When water containing chlorine must be dumped into a storm drain or sanitary sewer, the chlorine can be neutralized - heavy metals from ionizers cannot!

People who claim that they are "allergic" to chlorine, in almost every case are really experiencing reactions to the chloramines - which can cause itching & rashes.

Someone experiencing "allergic reactions to chlorine" (actually the ammonia compounds/chloramines), could additionally be experiencing an allergic reaction(s) to any of the countless biological contaminants that accumulate in a pool (or worse yet, a spa) when the chlorine levels drop too low:

• Molluscipox virus.
• Mycobacterium spp.
• Verrucas.
• Staphylococius aureus.
• Cryptosporidium.
• Leptospira interrogans.
• Trichophyton spp.
• E. Coli
• Pseudonomas
• Human pathogens: blood, saliva, feces, urine, perspiration, mucus
• Epidmerophyton.
• Acanthamoeba spp.
• Human papilloma virus.
• Legionella pneumophila

In asthmatics the inhalation of chloramines can aggravate asthmatic symptoms. But because chlormaines "smell like chlorine," patients report that the chlorine caused the asthmatic attack.  Their doctor, not knowing about chloramines, reinforces the myth, and the MYTH GROWS.

Carcinogen
Additionally, alternative treatment manufacturer's and environmentalists point to the fact that chlorine is a carcinogen. Yes it is, but if the studies are investigated, one will note that the prolonged exposure, dosage quantities, and chemical concentrations of chlorine are way beyond what any normal human being will ever ingest over many lifetimes.

Again, it is the "chicken little syndrome" - "the sky is falling, the sky is falling..." Did you know that ingesting too much water, too quickly, can kill you??? Does that mean that we should outlaw the drinking of water??? Of course not, but in moderation, the exposure is more than acceptable.

The Secret is Even & Consistent Micro-Dosing
Depending on the scope of the project & chlorine needs, we use barrels to store liquid bleach that is delivered. Where large quantities are needed, say for example on Olympic sized swimming pools, we'll install an on-site electrolytic production. The electrolytic production also creates sodium hydroxide, which is collected for use in buffering the pH.

On site production doesn't always generate enough sodium hydroxide, so pH buffering is augmented with either C02 gas (it forms carbonic acid when injected to the pool water) or a 4:1 muriatic acid solution (4 parts water:1 part acid). At this ratio, the "boiling point" (vapor point) of the acid is reduced, so that caustic fumes are not generated. As an added precaution, the chlorine & acid barrel bung openings are kept sealed & barrels are vented to the outdoors with a 1/4" vent tube.

For water chemistry management and to provide an automatic & instantaneous responses to the demands for additional (or fewer) chemicals (due to 30 kids in the pool, a 100ºF+ heat spell, or a cool weather front), my preference is an automatic ORP/pH controller (CAT Controllers & Acutrol are my 2 brands of preference). It monitors the water, responding to the additional demands placed upon the pool by the environment or bathers, by controlling 2 fixed rate peristaltic pumps (Stenner is my brand of preference)- delivering chlorine & the 4:1 acid solution. 


A water chemistry monitoring system coupled with slightly over-sized ozone system, will provide you with as close to a chemical free pool as is humanly possible.




Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Dr. Paolo Benedetti, Swimming Pool Expert, Dr. Pool-ology

What does it take to earn a Dr. Pool-ology degree?  Become Certified by the Society Of Watershape Designers (SWD).

But as in any professional trade, someone who has been practicing for decades is usually more proficient than a recently credentialed rookie.  The same applies to the swimming pool design and construction professions.


Education

Obtaining a professional credential involves major investments.  Investments in time, money and lost income.  In business school this is called an "opportunity cost."  The student is foregoing earning income (the lost opportunity) to attend courses, in addition to the travel, lodging, food and course expenses.


But earning a professional credential illustrates to the industry and to consumers that this person is serious about their chosen profession.  They are willing to invest in themselves, in order to provide a better service to their clients.


Society of Watershape Designers
 
The curriculum of the Society of Watershape Designers is the ONLY accredited program of it's kind in the world.  Though there are a few other programs in the swimming pool industry, none is an accredited program - PERIOD.


Collegiate Level Courses

The courses in the curriculum of the Society of Watershape Designers are taught by college professors, college educated professionals or trades people with decades of experience - many times they are a combination of the above. They are not taught by the sales or marketing staff of a manufacturer.  Each courses requires a passing score on the exit examination - not the mere presence of a warm body playing on their I-Phone.


Course of Study

Just like in college there are mandatory "core" classes, followed by electives.  And like any professional certification, continuing professional education, within or external to the SWD, is required to maintain one's certification.


HEADS & SHOULDERS BEYOND

In the swimming pool industry there is a very select group of individuals who have taken their education and craft lightyears beyond that of their closest peers.  Those individuals are the Platinum Members of the Genesis 3 Design Group.


In addition to possessing their SWD Certification, this select group has demonstrated a track record of exemplary execution in aquatic design.  They have opened the finances of their business to review, provided references from past clients, permitted peer reviews and site inspections of prior projects, submitted plans and photographic documentation as to their construction practices and have pledged their strict adherence to the highest possible standards in design, construction and ethics.


Paolo Benedetti is proud to be a member of the first group of people to obtain their SWD Certification (#009) and a Platinum Member of the Genesis 3 Design Group - since it's inception.


Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

So you want a Chlorine Free Pool? What you don't know may harm you!

 So you want a chlorine free pool?
You have heard so many bad things about chlorine and the environment...
how chlorine burns the eyes, causes itching skin and respiratory ailments...

You don't know, what you don't know
 The "negative effects" of chlorine are spread by Suzy's mom down the street, the lady at the beauty parlor and even your pediatrician...  all people who mean well, but do not understand the science of swimming pool water chemistry.

Over the years, this misinformation has compounded itself - to the point where businessmen have seized upon this "the sky is falling"mentality and introduced "chlorine free pools. 

Skin rashes, respiratory ailments & burning eyes

The facts are plain & simple: it is not the chlorine that causes bather discomfort. It is almost always from other water chemistry issues, and almost always due to the lack of proper chemical maintenance, testing, and the incorrect dosing of chemicals.

Among the most common complaints:
itchy skin (too little chlorine)
burning eyes (bad pH or too little chlorine - ammonia compounds)
green hair (excess copper)

All of these are attributed to other factors... but ignorant people immediately point their finger at the chlorine - because they "smell" what to them must be chlorine (but are actually chloramines).

People sense the strong "chlorine" smell around a commercial or indoor pool, or worse yet, a health club spa - and immediately assume that there is too much chlorine in the pool!

What you are really smelling is actually resulting from the LACK OF CHLORINE! You are smelling the chloramines off gassing.  Chloramines are ammonia compounds that are formed when chlorine combines with bather waste.  When there is a sufficient quantity of chlorine in the water chloramines cannot form.  When the bather load exceeds the quantity or feed rate of the chlorine, chloramines begin to form.

This is why you "smell chlorine" on your skin after swimming - but in reality, you are actually smelling your perspiration that has combined with the pool's chlorine that formed chloramines (ammonia compounds) on your skin!  A simple shower with soap & water will remove them.

As "Chlorine Free" as you'll ever get
The only real "new"technology is ozone (though it has been around for 30+ years). Done properly with sufficient contact time before re-entering the pool or spa - it has awesome effects on the water quality. Ozone works synergistically with the chlorine, taking over the business of oxidizing bather waste. Since ozone is a thousands times better oxidizer than halogens (such as chlorine, bromine, hydrogen peroxide), it takes over those responsibilities, allowing the halogens to work as sanitizers. The ozone will also kill biological pathogens & viruses, which ionizers will not.

I have personally been toying with ozone for over 18 years. I have 2 separate systems on my personal pool, plumbed into the filtration & vanishing edge systems. I have tweaked my own contact chambers & ozone destruct units to provide additional contact time & to be more effective.

Chlorine is Safe
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH USING LIQUID CHLORINE. To be politically correct & environmentally sensitive, we call it "bleach." Chlorine has been used as a pool sanitizer for over 100+ years. It is used to treat drinking water in almost every city in the world. It is used in almost every commercial swimming pool in the world to maintain clear, safe, and sanitary water.

People who do not understand how chlorine reacts with contaminants, heavy metals, and other chemicals, continue to spread myths about what chlorine does & does not do.
For example:
Chlorine does not turn hair green, but copper does (blue staining from copper + yellow (blonde) hair = green).
You cannot smell it around a pool, even at 3-5X the normal dosages, but you can smell chloramines (which are the result of too little chlorine).
At the correct levels (1-3 ppm) it does not burn the eyes, but incorrect pH or chloramines will!
When water containing chlorine must be dumped into a storm drain or sanitary sewer, the chlorine can be neutralized - heavy metals from ionizers cannot!

People who claim that they are "allergic" to chlorine, in almost every case are really experiencing reactions to the chloramines - which can cause itching & rashes.

Someone experiencing "allergic reactions to chlorine" (actually the ammonia compounds/chloramines), could additionally be experiencing an allergic reaction(s) to any of the countless biological contaminants that accumulate in a pool (or worse yet, a spa) when the chlorine levels drop too low:

• Molluscipox virus.
• Mycobacterium spp.
• Verrucas.
• Staphylococius aureus.
• Cryptosporidium.
• Leptospira interrogans.
• Trichophyton spp.
• E. Coli
• Pseudonomas
• Human pathogens: blood, saliva, feces, urine, perspiration, mucus
• Epidmerophyton.
• Acanthamoeba spp.
• Human papilloma virus.
• Legionella pneumophila

In asthmatics the inhalation of chloramines can aggravate asthmatic symptoms. But because chlormaines "smell like chlorine," patients report that the chlorine caused the asthmatic attack.  Their doctor, not knowing about chloramines, reinforces the myth, and the MYTH GROWS.

Carcinogen
Additionally, alternative treatment manufacturer's and environmentalists point to the fact that chlorine is a carcinogen. Yes it is, but if the studies are investigated, one will note that the prolonged exposure, dosage quantities, and chemical concentrations of chlorine are way beyond what any normal human being will ever ingest over many lifetimes.

Again, it is the "chicken little syndrome" - "the sky is falling, the sky is falling..." Did you know that ingesting too much water, too quickly, can kill you??? Does that mean that we should outlaw the drinking of water??? Of course not, but in moderation, the exposure is more than acceptable.

The Secret is Even & Consistent Micro-Dosing
Depending on the scope of the project & chlorine needs, we use barrels to store liquid bleach that is delivered. Where large quantities are needed, say for example on Olympic sized swimming pools, we'll install an on-site electrolytic production. The electrolytic production also creates sodium hydroxide, which is collected for use in buffering the pH.

On site production doesn't always generate enough sodium hydroxide, so pH buffering is augmented with either C02 gas (it forms carbonic acid when injected to the pool water) or a 4:1 muriatic acid solution (4 parts water:1 part acid). At this ratio, the "boiling point" (vapor point) of the acid is reduced, so that caustic fumes are not generated. As an added precaution, the chlorine & acid barrel bung openings are kept sealed & barrels are vented to the outdoors with a 1/4" vent tube.

For water chemistry management and to provide an automatic & instantaneous responses to the demands for additional (or fewer) chemicals (due to 30 kids in the pool, a 100ºF+ heat spell, or a cool weather front), my preference is an automatic ORP/pH controller (CAT Controllers & Acutrol are my 2 brands of preference). It monitors the water, responding to the additional demands placed upon the pool by the environment or bathers, by controlling 2 fixed rate peristaltic pumps (Stenner is my brand of preference)- delivering chlorine & the 4:1 acid solution. 


A water chemistry monitoring system coupled with slightly over-sized ozone system, will provide you with as close to a chemical free pool as is humanly possible.




Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com

Infinity Edge Swimming Pool Spa Watershape Consulting Design Construction

Infinity Edge Swimming Pool, Spa and Watershape Consulting, Design and Construction is a specialty within the aquatic construction field.

Tom, Dick and Harry
Not every Tom, Dick and Harry can build one of these complex pools.  On many expansive estate development projects, the general contractor insists on controlling everything on the site. 

While they  are entitled to earn a living managing the overall project, certain specialty trades are best left to those with decades of experience.  A general contractor is a generalist - much like a family practitioner doctor.  But construction, like medicine, contains many specialties.  If you were sick, wouldn't you insist on the best specialist available?

So why leave the construction of a $250,000 - $1,000,000 to a general practitioner???

Specialized Training
Swimming Pool contractors, designers and consultants who specialize in complex infinity edge or hillside pools should have countless hours of training in geology, engineering (though they are not structural engineers), hydraulics, waterproofing, architectural and landscape design and construction methodologies.

Their decades of experience on various prior projects oftentimes involved a team of experts.  Soils engineers, structural engineers, world-class architects, landscape designers and interior designers often collaborate on complex projects.

The experiences gleaned from being a member of these world-class design teams, can oftentimes save a property owner tens of thousands of dollars.

Case Study:

The soils report on a recent project specified drilled caissons and a mat slab or grade beam foundation for the swimming pool, due to an overlaying layer of expansive clay soils.  The structural engineer was already in the process of designing an expensive foundation system, when I was retained to consult on the project.

Upon reviewing the soils report, I noted that the clay soils were only 4-6 feet deep.  Seeing that the pool varied in depth from 4-9 feet in depth, there was a good chance that most of the clay soil would be removed from the pool area merely through the process of excavating the swimming pool.

I raised this point and suggested that the complex and expensive foundation be abandoned.  Instead I suggested that any deeper pockets of clay soils be over excavated and back filled with a suitable material. It would be less expensive to over excavate the pool & to build it with vertical free-standing walls.  The areas around the completed pool could be back filled with other suitable excavation spoils from around the site.

The soils and structural said, "Ah, ha" when the lights suddenly went on.  Though I am not trained in either of their specialties, I have the experiences to draw upon.  Those experiences saved the client $50-60,000 - 10X my initial consulting fee!

Another Case Study:
On a hillside project, the top 4-5 feet of the site was overlaid with organic material and lose soils that could not support a pool.  The existing pool was cracked in 5-6 places and was rotating out of level.  A geotechnical investigation revealed that this top layer of material was actually sliding down the hillside.

The soils engineer and structural engineer both initially recommended a drilled caissons and gradebeam foundation.  Having worked on prior projects with similar conditions, I suggested that they explore a deepened step foundation.  Again, the hillside could be over excavated, removing all of the incompetent material.

The hillside would then be "benched," like a series of large steps, though with a slight backwards slant.  The downhill wall of the pool would be constructed on a trenched foundation.  The void behind the wall would be filled with an engineered fill, consisting of a cement slurry.  This engineered fill would have a bearing capacity over 100,000 times the minimum required to support the pool.  The installation of the slurry would be faster and less expensive than importing and compacting soil in 2-4 inch lifts.

Again, the client would have realized a savings of $60-80,000 on the foundation design alone!

Experience has Value
This prior experience can only benefit the client.  It brings a sense of reason to the engineers, balanced by the logic of the "person who has to build it."  Efficiency and economy are not sacrificed for quality.  Rather, unexplored viable options are presented that serve the project needs and benefit the client's budget.

The Long Haul
Yes, though I work on a "cost plus" basis, saving the client money means that I make less profit on a job.  However, this newly found money might allow the client to upgrade the finish materials or include design elements that were previously deleted from the project.

Being able to demonstrate to a client that I am willing to forgo a quick profit, to gain their long term trust, is what it my business all about.  Oftentimes as a result, I find that they will broaden my scope of work, refer me to their friends and include me in future projects.

Now, that's really the BIG PICTURE!


Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
©www.aquatictechnology.com