Altoglass - another thermal shock compliance mystery

Recently a client inquired about using ALTOGLASS.COM glass mosaic tiles in their swimming pool.  The manufacturer's website promotes their tiles as appropriate for use in swimming pools.

But a review of the Technical Area on their website (http://www.alttoglass.com/tech.html) on 12/10/2015 revealed that they do not have any test results indicating compliance with ANSI A137.2 - Thermal Shock Standard for Glass Tiles.

Here is a screen shot of the technical data.

Click on image to enlarge

Thermal shock is not even mentioned.

Makes you wonder why it is not mentioned, since the thermal shock standard has been in existence for a few years?!

How can we endorse a product for use in our projects, if it does not meet their own industry standards?


Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
www.AquaticTechnology.com 
 International Swimming Pool Consulting and Design, Aquatic Consulting, Watershape Consultants, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Design, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management 
Office: 408-776-8220 
 Email: info@aquatictechnology.com 
Major Markets Serviced: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.

Surface efflorescence on ceramic tiles is not a flaw

Recently another tile manufacturer asked us to review a claim of defective tiles.  

The pool owner's representative was making an assertion that the ceramic tiles on the top of a spa dam wall were defective, as the glaze was changing colors due to UV and chemical exposure.

Tiles at tile of installation (click on image to enlarge)

Tiles after repeated wet/dry cycles (click on image to enlarge)

 
After reviewing the images of the tiles, immediately following their initial installation and present day, it became readily apparent what the cause of the discoloration was.

Efflorescence (or mineral build up) is not considered a defect.  It is a due to the lack of routine removal of mineral build up.  Much like the waters spots that form on dishes or glassware in a dishwasher, this mineral build up does not mean that the dishes or glassware are defective.  Some efflorescence may be coming from the grout or thinset.  But in any case, the tiles are not defective.

Special cleaning services are available that will remove calcium and mineral build up.  Most pool service companies offer these services at an additional charge.  Routine weekly brushing of the tile will not prevent mineral or calcium build up, so the pool service is not to blame either.

As the water evaporates, it leaves a film of minerals behind.  Over time these minerals begin to make the tile appear hazy white.

Some white efflorescence is even visible in the grout joints, before the pool was even completed.

The solution?  Pay someone to remove the mineral build up.  It's a maintenance issue!


Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa
www.AquaticTechnology.com
 International Swimming Pool Consulting and Design, Aquatic Consulting, Watershape Consultants, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Design, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management
Office: 408-776-8220
 Email: info@aquatictechnology.com
Major Markets Serviced: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.

Glass Tile - ANSI A 137.2 Cracked Glass

Cracked Glass Tile Mosaics

There are thousands of firms jumping onto the glass tile bandwagon. Of course they all want to sell to the pool industry - 1 tile pool is equal to 1000 tile showers or kitchen back splashes. 

This past week, a client and their interior designer showed me some glass tiles from a national tile distributor. They were told that they "are approved for swimming pools."  The client wanted to move ahead.  I forewarned them, that unless the tiles had passed the tile industry's own thermal shock standards, that we would not touch them.

When I contacted the distributor's technical services department, they advised that the tiles had not been tested for compliance with ANSI A137.2.

It is imperative that swimming pool designers and contractors not be lured by false promises and claims of marketing departments, salespeople and showrooms.  Yes, you can install anything in a pool, but not everything is durable enough!

INSIST that any glass tile you specify or install, has been tested and is in compliance with ANSI A137.2.  It outlines the durability requirements, and most importantly, the tile's resistance to thermal shock.

WARNING: There are many name brand tiles that do not comply with ANSI A137.2.  Big box stores, fashion designers, home improvement stores and national tile distributors all have private label brands that do not meet the standards.  Great for a kitchen back splash - but not thousands of square feet in a swimming pool !

REMEMBER - DO NOT take anyone's word for it.  Ask to see the test results from an independent U.S. testing laboratory. Those that have submitted their products for testing are more than happy to provide you with a copy! And they should be proud of it!

For an article that explains ANSI A137.2 check out this link: https://www.tcnatile.com/ima…/pdfs/IntroducingANSIA137.2.pdf

If a firm wants to sell products to our industry, shouldn't they at least conform to the MINIMUM standards in their own industry ??

Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
www.AquaticTechnology.com 
International Swimming Pool Consulting and Design, Aquatic Consulting, Watershape Consultants, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Design, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management 
Office: 408-776-8220 
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com 
Major Markets Serviced: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.

California Swimming Pool Pumps - Title 20 Energy Efficiency

California Appliance Energy Regulations ( California Code of Regulations, Title 20, Sections 1601-1609), now restricts the sale of inefficient and antiquated pool pumps and replacement motors.

Effective July 1, 2015 it is illegal and punishable by a $2500 fine, to install a pool pump motor that is split phase or a capacitor start - induction type.  1 HP and greater motors shall have multi-speed capabilities (two or more speeds).

With the advent and popularity of variable frequency drives (VFD), variable speed pumps have proven themselves as more energy efficient - even when operating at their maximum speeds.

Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
www.AquaticTechnology.com 
International Swimming Pool Consulting and Design, Aquatic Consulting, Watershape Consultants, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Design, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management 
Office: 408-776-8220 
 Email: info@aquatictechnology.com 
Major Markets Serviced: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.

Chlorine Free Pools - Totally Possible... at a cost.

There has been a lot of interest in chlorine free pools.  Chlorine has been given a bad rap and is not usually to blame for the public's health concerns.  Regardless, the quest for chemical free pools continues.  And, yes they can be achieved.

Chlorine Free

There are two concerns with keeping swimming pools clear and healthy for bathers.  

The first is a sanitizer - something to kill germs and bacteria.  What ever is used, it must remain present in the water 24 hours a day, every day.  There must be enough already in the water or available for injection to handle spikes in temperature and bather loads.

The second is something to function as an algaecide.  The most effective algaecides are heavy metal ions such as nickle, copper and silver.  In microscopic doses, they work well and are safe for the environment.  However, there is no easy means to measure the levels of these metals.

Ionizers

There are a number of ways to get heavy metals into your pool water.  

Pouring in an algaecide that contains these metal compounds is the fastest.  There are many on the market.  However, they result in a large dose of metals.

Erosion ionizers are cartridges that contain heavy metal compounds that gradually emit metals into the water as the water passes through them.  Cartridge balls can be placed in the skimmers or pump baskets, or in-line cartridge dispensers can be plumbed into the pipes (like an oil filter). 

Active ionizers are electronic devices that use electricity to emit metal ions into the pool water.  These are always plumbed into the pipes at the equipment pad.

Contrary to manufacturer's claims, metal ions do very little to kill bacteria and germs.  They work so slowly on killing germs and bacteria, they are only relied upon to keep algae and plant life at bay.

Ozone

Ozone is the best form of germ and bacteria killer used in swimming pools.  Ozone also breaks down contaminates that bathers introduce into the water - fabric softeners, cosmetics, suntan lotions, soap and shampoo residues, etc.  

A properly sized ozone side stream system can cost $10,000.  As the size of the pool increases, the cost rises exponentially, as they are sized to match the size of the pool and the bather load. 

Ozone is gas that is very reactive and therefore has a very short half life.  Because it does not last, it cannot be bottled and must be manufactured on site. 

Ozone is thousands of times more effective at killing microorganisms that chlorine.  Due to it's short half life, ozone only remains in the water while it is actively being produced.  Shut off the ozone generator and within minutes, the ozone in the water is gone.

Ultraviolet Light (UV)

Ultraviolet light kills germs and microbes using the radiation that exists in UV light.  It does not emit any residual sanitizer into the water.

Because it requires a light source, a device is plumbed at the equipment pad.  The water passing through the device is exposed to the UV light, killing the organisms.  The pumps must be operating for the UV lamps to operate.  And only that amount of water that can pass by the lamps is treated.  

Truly Chlorine Free

To truly achieve a chlorine free pool requires that an OVER SIZED corona discharge ozone system be ran 24/7.  If complemented by a UV system, a chlorine free pool could be achieved.

But it requires that the circulation pump be operated 24 hours a day, everyday.  And it has associated costs - the equipment, maintenance and electricity.

Ultra-Low Chlorine Pool

By contrast, one could operate a properly sized ozone system with UV for 6-8 hours per day... provided that they maintained a very low level of chlorine.

That chlorine level could be so low, say 0.5 ppm (parts per million) and still maintain clear sanitized water.  To keep the chlorine precisely at such low levels would require an ORP/pH controller to micro-dose the chlorine.  As demands increased or decreased, the controller would adjust it's output to maintain 0.5 ppm.

0.5 ppm of chlorine is approximately the level in found in drinking water.  

Safe for human consumption and even for watering plants!

Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
 www.AquaticTechnology.com 
International Swimming Pool Consulting and Design, Aquatic Consulting, Watershape Consultants, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Design, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management 
Office: 408-776-8220 
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com 

Major Markets Serviced: 
San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.

Residential Energy Efficient Swimming Pool Rating System ANSI/APSP-15

The proposed ANSI/APSP-15 American National Standard for Residential Swimming Pool and Spa Energy Efficiency is nothing more than another misguided attempt at justifying improper hydraulic designs.

The "Residential Energy Efficient Swimming Pool Rating System" will assign points a pool or spa hydraulic system for the size of the pipes, style of elbows used, type of pump installed and size of the filter.  These points will be applied towards the energy efficiency rating of the vessel.  Vessels will be rated Gold, Silver or Bronze.

Separate the forest from the trees

On a properly designed hydraulic system all of the components are already compatible and in balance with each other.  This includes the pipe sizing, fittings, filter sizing, pump style and flow rating, flow rates, turn over rates, line velocities, pump curve and the total dynamic head.

The Bottom Line

Properly designed plumbing systems that operate within the acceptable line velocity standards and in the center of a pump's efficiency curve (pump curve) ARE AS EFFICIENT AS THEY WILL EVER GET.

Only utilizing alternative energies to heat and operate a pool will reduce the operating expenses and energy consumption.  Using pumps equipped with Energy Star or VFD motors will also reduce electrical consumption.

True Energy Efficiency Ratings

Energy ratings for a vessel should be calculated by a formula of it's hydraulic efficiency, gallons per minute flow rate and actual kilowatts consumed to move that water.

Poorly designed hydraulics, undersized pipes and filters, substandard plumbing and workmanship, inefficient motors and mismatched components will have a detrimental effect on the calculation.  Assigning "brownie points" for doing things correctly should not factor into the equation.

Vessels should be PASS/FAIL based upon a set standard (around the 80-85 percent level).


Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
 www.AquaticTechnology.com 
International Swimming Pool Consulting and Design, Aquatic Consulting, Watershape Consultants, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Design, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management 
Office: 408-776-8220 
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com 

Major Markets Serviced: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.

Landscape Lighting near swimming Pools - 2014 NEC 680 changes Pool Electrical Expert states

Prior versions of the National Electric Code (NEC) forbid the installation of low voltage landscape lighting within 10 feet of the water's edge.  The 2014 NEC has made changes to Section 680 to allow landscape lighting to be located less than 5 feet from the water's edge, with certain conditions.

2014 NEC Changes

First of all, the light fixture must be of a design that does not require GROUNDING (that third green internal conductor in the power cord).  The new provision does not address metal light fixtures, but assume that if it is metal, that it will need to be externally BONDED to the grid.  Bootleg or homemade bonding attachments are not permitted, so if it is not supplied by the manufacturer, then that fixture is probably not permitted.

The conductors must be ran inside of a conduit - direct burial near the pool is forbidden elsewhere in the NEC.  Granted, at the end, the conduit must stub up to allow the wire to exit.  A compression seal on the end of the conduit will secure and seal the cord's exit.  

Buried wire nut or underground connections are also forbidden.  All of the electrical connections must terminate in an approved pool lighting junction box.  A typical above grade pool lighting junction box would work fine.  One can also use an in-deck junction box, provided it is filled with re-enterable potting compound to prevent water entry.

The transformer must be specifically rated and listed for low voltage lighting around swimming pools (not just fountains).  If you utilize a transformer designed for underwater 12 volt pool lighting, then you're guaranteed success.

Local Adoption - Lead Time

Thought the 2014 NEC has been approved on the national level, regional and local authorities usually operate on versions that are 1 or 2 generations older.  This is because their government councils have not adopted the current versions.  Local authorities have the options of not accepting code changes or making the code more restrictive.  So, before specifying or installing lighting close to the water's edge, be sure to check with the local building department.

Reference:
NEC 2014, Section 680.22(B)(6) states: “Low-Voltage Luminaires. Listed low-voltage luminaires not requiring grounding, not exceeding the low-­voltage contact limit, and supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2) are permitted to be located less than 1.5 m (5 ft) from the inside walls of the pool.” 
NEC 2014, Section 680.23(A)(2) states that transformers used for low-voltage lighting around pools shall incorporate isolated windings with an ungrounded secondary and a grounded metal barrier between the primary or secondary or double insulation between the primary and secondary windings and shall be listed for swimming pool lighting.


Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal 
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
www.AquaticTechnology.com 
International Swimming Pool Consulting and Design, Aquatic Consulting, Watershape Consultants, Expert Witness, Hydraulic Design, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management 
Office: 408-776-8220 
Email: info@aquatictechnology.com 

Major Markets Serviced: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Clemente, Pacific Palisades, Escondido, Scottsdale, Seattle, Phoenix, Tempe, Portland, Aspen, Vail, Park City, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Madison, Detroit, East Hamptons, South Hamptons, Cape May, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cherry Hill, Toms River, Salt lake City, Boise, Denver, Santa Barbaara, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Oceanside, Big Sur, Napa, Sonoma, Sausalito, Danville, Belvedere, Montecito, Palm Springs, Midland, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Osaka, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, London, Seoul, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Lisbon, Bonn.