)

(AD
t h
ep
g eD
at ?
Wh
vera
xA

w
)
(A

o
a

n
re

K
=A

lu m e (V)

ot ta Volti
FR = FA mes FMR or FR = FA x FMR

IG
Vo ume
(V)
g all
ons
= Vo
lum
e (V
)cub
ic fe
et x 7.
5
A Math Tutorial For Prospective
CPO ® Students

y 10
AD BTU
=( ’s =
D1 8.33

ed b
W +D x nu
x 2 mbe
=L )d r of

ivid
A ivi gall
de on s
db x nu
y2

Ad
mbe
r of
°F t

BL =
e mpe
ratu
re rise
©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012
 Getting Ready For
the CPO® Class am
r
You will have to know basic things like: rog
l P
a
• Square Foot – A square that is 12 inches wide nand 12 inches long.
Square Foot is abbreviated (sq.ft.). t io
ca
• Cubic Foot – A square foot that has a depth
E du of 12 inches.
Cubic Foot is abbreviated (cu.ft.). s
t ic of 3.28 feet.
• Meter – One meter is the equivalent
u a
Number of meters x 3.28 = numberA q of feet
al
i c
• Yard – One Yard is the equivalent
p
of 3 feet.
Number of yards x 3ro= number of feet
T
A contains 7.5 gallons (gal)
• One cubic foot of water
Number of Cubic Feet x 7.5 = number of gallons

page i ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010

 Topics
r am
og
Area Pr
Heater Sizing
al
n
Depth it o Turnover Rate
u ca
Volume Ed Flow Rate
it cs
Gallons qua Filter Area
l A
a
pic
User oLoad Media Rate
Tr
A

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page ii

 Area
Knowing how to calculate area is important for determining
r amheat loss, sizing pool
og in pools.
covers, bather loads in spas, and in some states, bather loads
r
P
Things to know n al
Area of a square or rectangle: t io
ca
Area (A) = Length (L) x Width (W) u
s
The x is a way to indicate the word(s) multiply Ed
or times.
t i c
The formula is simplified as: A = L xaW
q u
l A
Area of a circle:
i c a
Area (A) = π x r2 op
Tr
A

page 1 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010

 The π is a constant number 3.14.
The r stands for radius which is the distance from the center of the circle to the
outer edge of the circle. The radius is ½ of the diameter. am
gr
r2 means radius squared, or simply r times r.
Pro
l xrxr
The formula is better understood if written as: A = a3.14
on
t i
Examples:
ca
du
E
(1) You have a pool with a length of 60 feet and a width of 35 feet.
What is the area? t ics
The formula is A = L x W qua Length = 60 feet

l A = 35 ft
L (Length) = 60 ft, W (Width)
a
ic

Width = 35 feet
A=LxW
op
A = 60 ft x 35 ft Tr
A = 2,100 ft2
A

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 2

 (2) You have a circle with a diameter of 8 feet.
What is the area?
The formula is A = 3.14 x r x r r am
og
But what is r? Well, the radius is ½ of the diameter. Pr
Therefore r = ½ of 8, or 4 feet al
on
A = 3.14 x r x r t i
a
A = 3.14 x 4 ft x 4 ft duc
A = 3.14 x 16 ft2 s E Diameter = 8 feet
it c
A = 50.24 sq. ft. ua

4 us
q

et
= adi
A

fe
r
l
ci a
rop
T
A

page 3 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010

 Depth
Depths are never even throughout a pool or spa. They mayrabe m sloped or if the
og wall junctions.
depth is “constant”, there is usually a coved or radius atrthe
l P
Things to know n a
it o
Volume of any pool shape (as measured in cubic ca feet):
u
dor
Depths are never even throughout a pool
s E spa. They may be sloped or if the
depth is “constant”, there is usually taiccoved or radius at the wall junctions.
u a
Volume (V) = Area (A) x Depthq(D)
alA
ic depths?:
What about a pool with different
p
Divide the pool shape T ro areas of constant depth, or constant slopes.
into
A
Then calculate each area separately, using the average depth for each area.

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 4

 Average Depth

m by 2.
Average Depth (AD) = (Shallow Depth + Deep Depth) divided
gra
The Shallow Depth is called D1

The Deep Depth risocalled D2
AD = (D1 + D2) divided by 2 alP
on
t i
a

D1 = 3 feet
Example:
duc

D2 = 8 feet
You have a pool with a shallow depth of 3 feet,
s E
and a deep depth of 8 feet. t ic
u a
What is the average depth?
A q
l
The formula is AD = (D1 + D2ic)adivided by 2
op
D1 = 3 ft, D2 = 8 ft T r
A
AD = (D1 + D2) divided by 2

AD = (3 feet+ 8 feet) divided by 2
AD = 11 feet divided by 2


AD = 5.5 feet
page 5 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010
 Volume
Volume is the space inside of an object. When talking about r amthe volume of a
g
ro would be cubic meters.
pool, we express it in cubic feet. In metric terms, volume
alP
Things to know n
it o
Volume of any pool shape: ca
u
Ed
Volume is the space inside of an object.
t ics When talking about the volume of a
a metric terms, volume would be cubic
pool, we express it in cubic feet. uIn
meters. A q
l
ci a
Volume (V) = Area (A) x Average Depth (AD)
rop
T
Volume is how many cubic
A feet can fit into an object. For the purposes of pools
and spas, all dimensions must be given in feet so as to calculate cubic feet.

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 6

From page i:
• Meters times 3.28 = feet
r am
og
• Yards times 3 = feet
r
lP
• Inches divided by 12 = feet (or fraction thereof)
n a
Example: it o
You have a pool with a length of 40 feet and a width c a of 20 feet.
The shallow depth is 3 feet, and the deep depth E du is 7 feet
What is the volume? t ics t
u a 0 fee Length

A q d th
= 2 = 40 fe
et
al W i

p ic
o
Tr D1 = 3 feet
A
D2 = 7 feet

page 7 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010

 r am
The formula is V = A times AD
rog
A=LxW
al P et
AD = (D1 + D2) divided by 2 n fe
it o idth = 20
Length
= 40 fe
A = 40 ft x 20 ft = 800 sq.ft. ca W et
u
AD = (3 + 7) divided by 2 = 5 feet Ed
V = A times AD
t ics
V = 800 sq.ft. times 5 feet u a D1 = 3 feet
q
V = 4,000 cubic feet (cu.ft.) l A
i c a D2 = 7 feet

rop
T
A
Ok. So we have cubic feet, or perhaps cubic meters. What good is it?
The section on Gallons will provide a meaningful use for cubic feet.
©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 8
 Gallons
am So we take it
Cubic feet or cubic meters are not useful in everyday discussions.
r
og know.
one step further and convert to gallons or liters, thingsrwe
alP
Things to know n
it o
The pool volume as expressed in gallons: uc
a
E d
icsx 7.5
Volume (V)gallons = Volume (V)cubic feet
t
u a
The actual number of gallons in a qcubic foot is 7.48. The number 7.5 is used to
al A of error in a 60,000 gallon pool would be
make calculations easier. Thecamount
p i
only 160.5 gallons o
Tr
A

page 9 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010

 Example:

How many gallons are in the pool from the previous section:m
gra
The formula is: Volume (V)gallons = Volume (V)cubic feet xr7.5 o
l P
(V)gallons = 4,000 cubic feet x 7.5 n a
t io
ca
(V)gallons = 30,000 gallons
E du fee
t

i c s 2 0 Length
= 4 0 fe
at Wi
dt h = et

q u
alA
p ic D1 = 3 feet
o
Tr
A D2 = 7 feet

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 10

 User Load
Usually user load is defined by local codes. Commonly, it risamthe number of bathers
g
roall states or municipalities
(or users) in the body of water at any specific time. Not
P
use the same method in determining maximum bather al load (BL).
n
it o
Some illustrations are:
ca
u
Square foot of water surface area Ed
t ics
Flow Rate (usually Flow Rate divided u a by 5)
A q
Gallons of water in the pool al
p i c
o
Tr of shallow, deep and
Different factors for areas
A pool as well as the deck.
diving portions of the

Always operate in compliance

with your local or state code requirements.
page 11 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010
 The commonly accepted bather load calculation for spas is:

10 sq.ft. for every user or BL = A divided by 10

r am
Example: rog
alP
n
You have a spa with a diameter of 11 feet. What it o is the bather load?
ca
The formula is BL = A divided by 10 u what is A?
dBut
E
Diameter = 11 feet Therefore r = ½ ofs11, or 5.5 feet
t ic
A = 3.14 x r x r
a
A = 3.14 x 5.5quft x 5.5 ft
l A Diameter = 11 feet
A = 3.14 x 30.25 ft2 A = 95
i c asq.ft.
p

s
5. iu
et
BL = A divided by 10 ro

= rad
fe
T

5
A
BL = 95 sq.ft. divided by 10 = 9 bathers
(always round in the direction of safety, in this case, down)

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 12

 Heater Sizing
am raise the
A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the amount of heat that will
r
g
ro
temperature of one pound of water, one degree Fahrenheit.
P
al
Things to know n
it o
c
One gallon of water weighs 8.33 pounds. Therefore:a
E du
ics 1 °F in one hour.
8.33 BTU’s will heat one gallon of water
t
u a
The amount of BTU’s necessary to
A q heat water is given as:
al
BTU’s = 8.33 x number oficgallons x number of °F temperature rise.
op
Tr
A

page 13 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010

 Example:

How many BTU’s are required to raise the temperature aofman 1,100 gallon spa
gr
from 94 °F to 102 °F? o r
P
Formula is BTU’s = 8.33 x number gallons x number n al of °F temperature rise
t io
What is the temperature rise? ca
E du
it cs
From 94 °F to 102 °F is 8 °F temperature rise

Number of gallons = 1,100 u a

A q
al x number of °F temperature rise
BTU’s = 8.33 x number gallons
p i c
o
Tr x 8 °F = 73, 304 BTU’s
BTU’s = 8.33 x 1,100 gallons
A

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 14

 Turnover Rate
When the number of gallons in a pool goes through a filter, m 24 hours, that is one
ain
r
og
turnover a day. Most states require 3, 4, or even more rturnovers a day.
alP
Things to know n
it o
Codes require more than one turnover per day. ca The common accepted standards
for one turnover are: E du
t ics
Pools – 6 hours u a
A q
Spas – 30 minutes al
p i c
o
Wading pools – between
Tr 1 and 2 hours
A
Therapy pools – 2 hours

Hospital and health club pools – as low as 3 hours

page 15 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010
 Turnover Rate
The way to achieve turnover rate is with Flow Rate (FR).raThem minimum Flow
g
ro
Rate is that which will realize the turnover rate (TR) requirements.
alP
Formula for Turnover Rate: n
it o
Turnover Rate(TR) = Gallons (in the pool) divided ca by Flow Rate (FR) divided by 60.
E du
Or written as:
t ics
u a
TR = Gallons ÷ FR ÷ 60
A q
al a flow meter.
Flow Rate (FR) is measuredicby
rop
T
A

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 16

 Example:

You have a 65,000 gallon pool, and the flow meter is readingm
240 GPM (gallons per minute). What is the Turnover Rate gra (TR)?
o r
P
Turnover Rate(TR) = Gallons divided by Flow Rate
n al (FR) divided by 60
t io
TR = Gallons ÷ FR ÷ 60 ca
E du
Gallons = 65,000; FR = 240 GPM
t ics
u a
A q
TR = 65,000 al÷ 240 GPM ÷ 60 = 4.5 hours
p ic
Gallons o
Tr Flow rate Answer

A
The standard for a swimming pool is 6 hours. This pool is well
within the code standards. Remember, Always operate in
compliance with your local or state code requirements.
page 17 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010
 Flow Rate
The way to achieve turnover rate is with Flow Rate (FR). aThem minimum Flow
gr
ro
Rate is that which will realize the turnover rate (TR) requirements.
P
al
Things to know n
it o
Flow Rate is expressed in gallons per minute ca
(GPM)
or liters per minute (LPM): E du
t ics
Flow Rate is measured by a flow meter. u a
A q
A decrease in flow rate is usually al caused by some form of obstruction,
p i c
such as a dirty filter. o
Tr
A

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 18

 Formula for Flow Rate:

am divided by 60
Flow Rate (FR) = Gallons divided by Turnover Rate (in hours)
r
g
Simplified:
Pro
n al
The formula is FR = Gallons ÷ TR ÷ 60
t io
ca
Formula for Turnover Rate: u
Ed
s Flow Rate (FR) divided by 60.
Turnover Rate(TR) = Gallons dividedticby
u a
Simplified: q
alA
ic
p ÷ FR ÷ 60
The formula is TR = Gallons
o
Tr
A

page 19 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010

 Examples:

r am
(1) The pool has a volume of 65,000 gallons. The pool has excessive loads on the
weekend, and was designed for a 4.2 hour turnover. og
Pr
What should the flow rate be? l a
n
The formula is FR = Gallons ÷ TR ÷ 60 t io
ca
u
Ed
FR = 65,000 ÷
t cs hours ÷ 60 = 258 GPM
i4.2
Gallons q uaTurnover Rate Answer
l A
ci a
rop
T
A

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 20

 Examples:

(2) The pool has a volume of 65,000 gallons. The pool filter m
r a is dirty from the
weekend, and the flow rate is down to 165 GPM.
rog
What is the actual Turnover Rate? lP a
n
The formula is TR = Gallons ÷ FR ÷ 60 t io
ca
u
Ed
t ics
TR = 65,000 ÷qua 165 GPM ÷ 60 = 6.6 hours
l A
Gallons
i c a Flow rate Answer

rop
T
A
This pool would be out of code compliance.
See the previous section.
page 21 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010
 Filter Area
r am
There are three basic filter types: sand; cartridge; and diatomaceous earth. For the
g
same Flow Rate, each type of filter has a different filterroarea requirement.
alP
Things to know n
it o
The area of a sand filter is measured as the top ca of the sand.
E du
t is
The area of a pleated cartridge filter iscusually taken from the manufacturer’s
specification on the top cap. u a
A q
l surface area of all of the grids that the water
The area of a D.E. filter is theatotal
p i c
flows through. o
Tr
A

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 22

 Example:

20 circular D.E. grids measuring 19 inches in diameter.

r am
Each grid has 3.75 sq. ft. of total surface area. rog
alP
n
What is the filter area (FA)? it o
ca
One grid is 3.75 sq. ft.
E du
There are 20 grids t ics
u a
FA = 20 grids x 3.75 sq. ft. per grid A q
al
FA = 75 sq.ft. p i c
o
Tr
A

page 23 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010

Filter Area is very much related to the manufacturer’s r am
rog
specification for the amount of waterl flow P through the
n a
filter in question. These specifications it o are governed by
standards as established by theduNational ca Sanitation
Foundation International (NSFI). s E The CPO ® student
ti c
should review the next section u a covering Filter Media
q
Rates before any further al A examples are offered regarding
p ic
filter sizing. o
Tr
A

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 24

 Filter Media Rate
am how fast water can
Filter Media Rate (FMR) is a NSFI standard that determines
r
g
flow through a given filter type. ro P
al
Things to know n
it o
The flow rate through any filter should not uexceed ca the filter’s capacity to handle
the water. Filter areas are calculated to handle E d the maximum possible flow of
water through the system. t ics
u a
Manufacturer’s develop specifications A q for the amount of water flow through the
al
i c
filter in question. These specifications
p are governed by standards as established by
o
Tr
the National Sanitation Foundation International (NSFI). These standards are
A Rate also known as FMR. The chart shows the FMR
referred to as Filter Media
for the various filter types.

page 25 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010

 Filter Type Filter Mediaam
Rate
ogr
Pr
High Rate Sand l GPM/ft2
5 – 20
a
n
it o
Cartridge
u ca 0.375 GPM/ft2
s Ed
tic
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) 2.0 GPM/ft2
q ua
la A (DE)
Diatomaceous Earth
2.5 GPM/ft2
ic
with Slurry
p
ro
RapidTRate Sand 3 GPM/ft2
A

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 26

 Filter Media Rate Formulas
amRate (FMR)
Filter Area (FA) = Flow Rate (FR) divided by Filter Media
r
g
Consider what we have already discussed. Turnover Rate Pro is a minimum code
n al
established by health officials for the purpose of maintaining a healthy swim
o
ti Flow Rate calculations are
environment. As you saw on the Flow Rate page, a
based on Turnover requirements (FR = Gallons duc ÷ TR ÷ 60). Pumps are sized to
provide the Flow Rate to meet Turnover. s ENow, the filter must be sized to handle
t ic
the Flow Rate, as pump output. The u afilter size will depend on the type of filter, or
the Filter Media Rate. Therefore, A qFA = FR ÷ FMR. This will determine the
al Flow Rate.
minimum Filter Area for anyicgiven
rop
T may be written so as to express the Flow Rate:
The Filter Area formula
A
FR = FA times FMR or FR = FA x FMR.

page 27 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010

 Examples:

(1) Your maximum pump output is 275 GPM and you wishamto change to a sand
filter rated at 15 GPM/sq.ft. filter media rate. gr
ro
How much filter area do you need? l P
n a
The formula is FA = FR ÷ FMR t io
ca
FR = 275 GPM; FMR (from chart and problem) E du = 15 GPM/sq.ft.
t i cs
FA = 275 GPM divided by 15 GPM/sq.ft.
u a
A q
FA = 18.33 sq.ft.
al
p i c
o
Tr
A

©Tropical Aquatics Pool Education, Inc. 2012 page 28

 (2) Your pool has a cartridge filter of 851 square feet.
What is the maximum flow rate allowed?

The formula is FR = FA x FMR

r am
og
FA = 851 sq.ft.; From the chart for a cartridge filter FMR Pr = 0.375 GPM/sq.ft.
n al
t io
ca
FR = 851 sq.ft. x 0.375 GPM/sq.ft. du = 319 GPM
s E
Filter Area
t ic Media Rate
Filter Answer

q ua
alA
p ic
ro
T
A
This Is The Conclusion of The Math Tutorial
page 29 ©Tropical Aquatics Marketing, Inc. 2010
 We are here to serve your needs.
Our CPO® students deserve continuing support. Call
Tropical Aquatics us or email us with your questions. We will get an
PO Box 1946 • answer back to you as soon as we are able. If you
Dunedin, FL • 34698 haven’t done so already, visit our reference library at
Phone • 727-786-1912 http://web.me.com/ronfunwater/Library_List/Library_List.html
Fax • 727-266-4381
scott@thepoolclass.com Thank you for your interest in pool operations.
ron@thepoolclass.com Scott Ford
Ron Ford