Technological advancements have resolved inherent dangers of swimming pool lighting around disabled swimmers.
It's a matter of sensitivity
Having consulted, designed, built and remodeled a number of aquatic facilities specifically for disabled persons, I have become aware of a number of issues that most swimming pool designers and builders would never consider - burns.
The lenses on underwater incandescent swimming pool lights, though water cooled, can get blistering hot. A normal person's nervous system would sense the heat and they'd move their limbs away from the intense heat.
However, a paralyzed person does not feel their tissue burning or blistering from contact with the hot glass lens.
Technological innovation to the rescue
Two decades ago, fiberoptic lighting was introduced to the swimming pool industry. I immediately realized that this was the solution to the safety issue of hot glass lenses.
However the lumen output of fiberoptics were limited. To achieve the minimum illumination required in a pool or spa required many lights, large fiberoptic cables and a lot of illuminators (light sources). Sometimes additional overhead lighting was also required.
In the past few years LED lighting has advanced to the point where it is now a viable alternative to incandescent bulbs. Bubble LED's never achieved the light output or lifespan that was required in a commercial application. However, CREE (chip) LED's now rival the output of quartz halogen lighting, without the heat or energy consumption.
The dangers of burns from underwater pool lights can now simply be avoided through the use of CREE led light fixtures. And because they are low voltage fixtures, they are also inherently electrically safe. GFCI and electrical bonding protection is not required on most of these fixtures.
Safety through innovation and application!
Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ©www.aquatictechnology.com
It's a matter of sensitivity
Having consulted, designed, built and remodeled a number of aquatic facilities specifically for disabled persons, I have become aware of a number of issues that most swimming pool designers and builders would never consider - burns.
The lenses on underwater incandescent swimming pool lights, though water cooled, can get blistering hot. A normal person's nervous system would sense the heat and they'd move their limbs away from the intense heat.
However, a paralyzed person does not feel their tissue burning or blistering from contact with the hot glass lens.
Technological innovation to the rescue
Two decades ago, fiberoptic lighting was introduced to the swimming pool industry. I immediately realized that this was the solution to the safety issue of hot glass lenses.
However the lumen output of fiberoptics were limited. To achieve the minimum illumination required in a pool or spa required many lights, large fiberoptic cables and a lot of illuminators (light sources). Sometimes additional overhead lighting was also required.
In the past few years LED lighting has advanced to the point where it is now a viable alternative to incandescent bulbs. Bubble LED's never achieved the light output or lifespan that was required in a commercial application. However, CREE (chip) LED's now rival the output of quartz halogen lighting, without the heat or energy consumption.
The dangers of burns from underwater pool lights can now simply be avoided through the use of CREE led light fixtures. And because they are low voltage fixtures, they are also inherently electrically safe. GFCI and electrical bonding protection is not required on most of these fixtures.
Safety through innovation and application!
Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa ©www.aquatictechnology.com
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