Jeffrey Hon (Area Sales Manager) Malaysia branch 012-6111030

BASIC SWIMMING POOL EQUIPMENT CALCULATIONS

Correctly sizing the basic pool equipment required for operating a swimming
pool can be quite tricky but not if you follow carefully the simple instructions
indicated below step by step, in which case you will realise that sizing the
basic equipment can be easy. This article is not meant for transforming the
reader instantly into a hydraulic engineer but to enable the non-expert to
calculate his/her filtration and pump requirements for a given pool without
committing errors so common in the swimming pool business. In the
swimming pool there are some dealers who may be offering cheap ready-
made filtration units inappropriate for your particular pool.

Sizing basic pool equipment requires great care, and all the variable factors
should be taken into account, because a small alteration in any one of them
could affect all the rest of the items. As our aim at this moment is not to
discuss pool construction, nor pool design, or its size but rather sizing
correctly the minimum basic equipment required for correct functioning of a
given pool, we shall straightaway tackle the parameters of the basic
equipment needed.

1. POOL VOLUME

The first and single basic datum affecting the entire pool equipment
calculation process is obviously the pool water volume. Let us consider a
pool located in a hotel for its clients, having the following dimensions:
Length = 15 m, Width = 6 m and Depth (average) = 1.5 m, then the water
volume will be 15 x 6 x 1.5 = 135 m3. This water volume will have to be
treated and circulated in a time period known as Turnover Rate and which
will have to be decided by the pool equipment designer.

2. TURNOVER RATE

SPATA (The Swimming Pool and Allied Traders Association) defines it as

“The period of time, usually in hours, required to circulate a volume of
water equal to the pool capacity”. Turnover rate is a factor indicating the
number of hours required for circulating non-stop, the entire pool volume
water through the filtration system. Turnover rate factors vary depending
on the type of swimmers using the pool and their ages, and the values
normally handled by associations involved in the swimming pool industry
and by associations and institutions such as NSPI, CEN (Comitè
Européen de Normalisation), SPATA and others, are the following:

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Private and residential pools = 6 – 8 hours

Public or competition pools = 4 hours
Children’s or paddling pools = 2 hours

3. PUMP SIZE
Since our pool is a public one located in a hotel for its clients, the
turnover factor applicable is 4 hours, and therefore the entire water
volume should be filtered continuously every 4 hours.

Pool Volume (m3) = Flow rate (m3/h) x Turnover rate (h)

Pool Volume (m3) = Flow rate (m3/h)

Turnover rate (h)

135 m3 = 33.75 m3/h

4 h
This hourly flow rate of the pool is the first and most important basic
parameter on which the sizing of all the rest of the pool items will depend.

For filtering 33.75 m3/h a pump has to be selected, capable of pumping

this volume. A pump has to be picked to deliver this flow against a water
head of not less than 10 m. This water head is the resistance the pump
has to overcome because of water friction in the pipe and also the
turbulence caused by the elbows and other PVC fittings. To pick the
pump, the Performance Curve has to be looked into. The entire pipe
installation and its routing should be designed with as few curves, elbows
and bends as possible to avoid increasing water head (pressure drop).

As the pumps have a given amount of flow rate against a given water
head (higher the water head the lower the flow rate for the same pump),
then we shall select a pump (ASTRAL Victoria 23045) that delivers 34 m3/h
of water at a minimum of 10 m head or two Astral Super Sprint pumps
(26632), each delivering 19 m3/h of water (19 x 2 = 38 m3/h). This will be
the hourly flow rate defining sizes and number of filters, pipe dimensions,
inlets, skimmers, drains, etc.

4 FILTER SIZE
The sand filter we choose should be capable of filtering 34 m3/h. If
filtration velocity is high, the filtration cross-section area can be small,
but if filtration velocity is low, we will require a larger filtration area to
enable the flow of 34 m3/h at that specific low velocity, and hence the filter
too will have to be large or more filters have to be installed. Low filtration
velocity obviously yields better water quality. This filtration flow rate

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depends generally on the filtration medium used and the filtration

velocity. The filter manufacturer usually indicates the filtration medium to
be utilised (generally consisting of single or multi layer silica sand and/or
gravel), and also the maximum filtration velocity to be applied for that
filtration medium having a normal filtration bed height of between 0.6 and
1.2 m. The filtration velocity varies between 20 and 50 m3/h/m2 of filtration
surface:

For private residential pools = 50 m3/h/m2.

For public pools, it is advisable = 30 m3/h/m2.
For children’s pools, to assure a
thorough filtration = 20 m3/h/m2.

Other filtration velocities can be applied for very specific purposes.

For our pool, we shall apply a filtration velocity of 30 m3/h/m2. In

consequence the filtration surface area required will be:

Flow rate (m3/h) = Area (m2) x Flow Velocity (m/h) or (m3/h/m2)

Area = Flow rate = V (m3/h) = 34 (m3/h) = 1.1333m2

3 2
Filtration velocity FV (m /h/m ) 30 (m3/h/m2)

Calculations of the filter diameter:

Filtration area; r2 = 1.133 m2

r2 = 1.133 = 0.3608 m2
3.14
r = √0.3609 m = 0.6006 m

D = 2r = 2 x 0.6007 = 1.2 m = 1200 mm

The diameter of the filter having a filtration surface area of 1.133 m2 is 1200
mm.

You may not find filters of exactly this diameter, then you will have to
choose one with the nearest larger diameter available. In our case the
diameter of 1200 mm coincides with the ASTRAL 00688 filter.

Should the filter diameter be too large (plant room doors are small), then
we could go in for two smaller identical filters, each having half the surface

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Jeffrey Hon (Area Sales Manager) Malaysia branch 012-6111030

area. Smaller filters and pumps are also more convenient and
manoeuvrable during installation and specially for servicing:

New filtration area = 1.133 m2 = 0.5665 m2 of each of the two filters.

2
To find the diameter of the filters having this new cross-section area, we
shall proceed as before:
Filter cross-section area r2 = 0.5665 m2

r2 = 0.5665 = 0.180414 m2
3.14
r = √0.180414 m = 0.42475 m

D = 2r = 2 x 0.42475 = 0.8495 m = 849.5 mm.

Two filters having a diameter of 849.5 mm would have an area of 0.5665 m2

each, i.e. 0.5665x2 = 1.133 m2 altogether. In this second case, we shall
choose 2 filters, each having a Dia. slightly larger, i.e. of 900 mm
(Cantabric filter 22402) and a total cross-section area of 0.6358 x 2 = 1.2716
m2, (see Annex II) slightly larger than the previous 1.133 m2.

Hence, for our commercial pool of 15x6x1.5 m, we shall either require one
Astral bobbin wound filter 00688 (of 1200 mm diameter and 1.133 m2 of
filtration surface) together with one Astral pump Victoria 23045 (delivering
34 m3/h at 10 m.w.h.) or 2 Cantabric filters 22402 (of 900 mm diameter and
2x0.6358 m2 of filtration surface) and 2 Astral Super Sprint pumps 26632
(delivering 2x19 m3/h at 10 m.w.h.).

For special cases, there are also possibilities of installing low, long,
horizontal filters having a very wide filtration surface area.

Other filtration media too can be used, such as cartridge, Diatomaceous

Earth, etc.

5. PIPEWORK (Plumbing)

PVC pipework requires for its filtration system 2 different flow velocities
in its two sections, i.e. from the pool to the pump (suction side) it should
not be higher than 1.2 m/s and from the pump back again to the pool
(pressure side) via the filter between 1.8 and 2 m/s. The use of any other
type of pipe material may offer greater friction, higher head losses and in
consequence lower water flow rate, and so a bigger pipe size would
perhaps be needed to obtain the same flow rate.

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It must be remembered that the controlled size of a PVC pipe is the

OUTER DIAMETER, because it has to accurately fit inside a wide range of
pipe connections and fittings at different pressures. Depending on the
pressure it has to withstand, the pipe wall thickness will vary and
consequently the inner diameter will vary too. In the pool industry the PN
10 PVC pipe (i.e. 10 Kg/cm2) is utilised.

As mentioned above, the water velocity in the pipe carrying water from the
pool to the pump (suction side) should not exceed 1.2 m/s (i.e. 4,320 m/h).
If the Astral Super Sprint 26632 pump flow rate is 34 m3/h, then the pipe
inner cross-section area would be:
34 (m3/h) = 0.00787 m2 = 78.7 cm2.
4320 (m/h)

Once you obtain the pipe suction area, its diameter is calculated as
follows:

Pipe inner cross-section area:  r2 = 78.7 cm2

r2 = 78.7 = 25.06 cm2

3.14
r = √25.06 = 5.00 cm

D = 2r = 2 x 5.00 = 10 cm = 100 mm

Hence, a PVC pipe having an inner area of 78.7 cm2, corresponds to Dia. of
100 mm. Since this is not an area corresponding to a standard PVC pipe,
the immediate nearest larger inner area of a standard PVC pipe is 81.03
cm2 corresponding to a standard outer Dia. 110 mm pipe (see Annex III).

To calculate the pipe size on the pressure side of the pipework, from the
pump back to pool after passing through the filter, the flow velocity should
be between 1.8 m/s (6,480 m/h) and 2 m/s (7,200 m/h).

If the flow rate is 34 m3/h, then the pipe inner cross-section areas are:

For a velocity of 1.8 m/s (6,480 m/h);

The pipe inner cross-section area: 34 (m3/h) = 0.005247 m2 = 52.47 cm2.

6480 (m/h)

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Jeffrey Hon (Area Sales Manager) Malaysia branch 012-6111030

To find the pipe diameter let us proceed as before:

Pipe inner cross-section area:  r2 = 52.47 cm2

r2 = 52.47 = 16.71 cm2

3.14
r = √16.71 = 4.087 cm

D = 2r = 2 x 4.087 = 8.17 cm = 81.70 mm

Hence a PVC pipe having an inner area of 52.47 cm2, has an inner Dia. of
81.7 mm. We shall pick a standard PVC pipe with an immediate larger inner
Dia. i.e. 101.6 mm corresponding to a standard outer D 110 mm PVC pipe.
This pipe has an inner cross-section area of 81.03cm2 .
For a velocity of 2 m/s (7,200 m/h).

The pipe inner cross-section area = 34 (m3/h) = 0.004722 m2 = 47.22 cm2.

7,200 (m/h)

To find the inner pipe diameter, let us proceed as above:

Pipe cross-section area  r2 = 47.22 cm2

r2 = 47.22 = 15.04 cm2

3.14

r = √15.04 = 3.8779 cm

D = 2r = 2 x 3.8779 = 7.775 cm = 77.55 mm

Hence a PVC pipe having an inner area of 47.22 cm2, has an inner Dia. Of
77.55 mm corresponding to a standard outer Dia. 90 mm PVC pipe. This pipe
has an inner cross-section area of 52.01 cm2 (see Annex III).

So the PVC pipe carrying water from the pump back again to the pool should
have a standard outer Dia. between 110 and 90 mm.

But if instead of just one Astral 00688 filter together with one Astral 23045
pump, we decide to install 2 Astral Cantabric filters 22402 and 2 Astral
pumps 26632, the dimensions of the pipework in this case will be as follows:

The flow rate of the pumps is of 19 m3/h each.

The water suction velocity from pool to pump is 1.2 m/s (4,320 m/h).

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The pipe inside cross-section area would be:

19 (m3/h) = 0.004498 m2 = 43.98 cm2.

4320 (m/h)

Once you have the pipe suction area, its diameter is calculated as follows:
Pipe inner cross-section area:  r2 = 43.98 cm2

r2 = 43.98 = 14.01 cm2

3.14
r = √14.01 = 3.74 cm

D = 2r = 2 x 3.74 = 7.48 cm = 74.8 mm

Hence, a PVC pipe having an inner area of 43.98 cm2, has an inner Dia. of
74.8 mm. We shall pick a standard PVC pipe with outer Dia. of 90 mm. This
pipe has an inner cross-section area of 52.01 cm2 (see Annex III).

To calculate the pipe size on the pressure side of the pipework, from the
pump back to pool after passing through the filter, the flow velocity should
be between 1.8 m/s (6,480 m/h) and 2 m/s (7,200 m/h).

If the flow rate is 19 m3/h, then the pipe inner cross-section areas are:

For a velocity of 1.8 m/s (6,480 m/h);

The pipe inner cross-section area: 19 (m3/h) = 0.0029 m2 = 29.32 cm2.

6480 (m/h)

To find the pipe size let us proceed as before:

Pipe inner cross-section area:  r2 = 29.32 cm2

r2 = 29 = 9.33 cm2
3.14
r = √9.235 = 3.055 cm

D = 2r = 2 x 3.05 = 6.11 cm = 61.1 mm

Hence a PVC pipe having an inner area of 29.32 cm2, has an inner Dia. 61.1
mm. We shall pick a standard PVC pipe of outer Dia. of 75 mm. This pipe has
an inner cross-section area of 36.08 cm2 (see Annex III).

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For a velocity of 2 m/s (7,200 m/h).

The pipe cross-section area = 19 (m3/h) = 0.0026 m2 = 26.39 cm2.

7,200 (m/h)

To find the pipe size let us proceed as above:

Pipe cross-section area  r2 = 26.39 cm2

r2 = 26 = 8.40 cm2
3.14

r = √8.28 = 2.89 cm

D = 2r = 2 x 2.89 = 5.797 cm = 57.97 mm

Hence a PVC pipe having an inner area of 26 cm2, corresponds to an inner

Dia. of 57.97 mm. We shall pick a standard PVC pipe of outer D 75 mm. This
pipe has an inner cross-section area of 36.08 cm2 (see Annex III).

So the PVC pipe carrying water from the pump back again to the pool should
have an outer diameter Dia. of 75 mm.

Incorrectly sized pipework will render the correctly sized filter and pump
useless, thereby causing incorrect operation, water turbulence in the pipe,
pressure drop, poor water filtration and turbid and cloudy water.

After establishing mathematically the sizes for the different basic pool
equipment, it is unlikely that the different sizes of pumps, filters, pipework,
etc. available in the market, coincide with the calculated ones, so in general,
you should always pick the nearest larger sizes, that will obviously offer
higher performances. For good servicing of the different equipment (filters,
pumps) mounted along the pipeline, butterfly valves should be installed on
either side of them.

It is always preferable to pick a pipe with slightly wider diameter but NEVER
smaller. The difference in cost of PVC pipe and fittings is very little but the
possible performance difference from your pump can be massive.

Now that the basic filtration equipment has been calculated mathematically
and their sizes established, the pool equipment is far from being complete.
Water from the pool has to be collected and carried to the filtration pump. In
residential pools, 50% of the water going to the pump has to be collected
through skimmers (~1 Skimmer for approximately every 5000 l/h) and the

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other remaining 50% through the sump. All this water once filtered and
perhaps heated and with the addition of the required chemical additives for
maintaining a balanced water quality, has to be delivered back again to the
pool. The inlet discharge nozzles have to be well spaced and located
opposite the skimmers. This is essential to give the warm, filtered and
chemically treated water ample time to mix itself well with the remaining pool
water before it starts a new filtration cycle.

When handling large pools, generally above 200 m 3 capacity, they should be
fitted with overflow grating instead of skimmers. This overflow water is
collected in a balance tank installed for this purpose. The pump receives
70% of the water from the balance tank and 30% through the drains, This
tank, made of either concrete or plastic, is located in-between the pool water
overflow/drain and the pump. In this case, the filtered water inlets have to be
fitted on the pool floor.

The size of this tank in m3 can be calculated to be roughly equivalent to the

number obtained from 5% of the pool surface. In our case, it could be (5% of
15 x 6 = 90) around 4.5 m3. Whatever be the solution, it should be large
enough so as to hold the overflow water displaced by the maximum number
of swimmers the pool permits at any one time, thus preventing surplus water
overflow from going down the drain.

Once you have established the size of each of the basic items mentioned
above, you will have only finished the preparatory (desk) work. All the items
mentioned above and correctly calculated, have to be located in the plant
room and duly interconnected, in a logical manner, to serve their purpose.
Later they will have to be interconnected also with the pool inlets (water
inlets and outlets). The plant room should be large enough to hold all this
equipment and with enough space all around for servicing.

After commissioning the pool, its water should be analysed and controlled
regularly and it must be corrected automatically and immediately, specially
the pH and residual free Chlorine parameters. The installation of a dispenser
tank for feeding the required chemicals into the water is required. This is of
capital importance once the pool is operating normally, as the water will not
be replaced till the swimming season ends or perhaps after several seasons.

The water quality should always comply with the local health standards. For
maintaining pool water always crystal clear and free from bacteria, debris,
organisms, algae and viruses that eventually could damage water quality and
cause health hazards, ASTRAL offers a complete range of chemical products
and their corresponding dosage and feeding systems, to satisfy all possible
needs for correctly treating water in the most demanding water situations.

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Jeffrey Hon (Area Sales Manager) Malaysia branch 012-6111030

There are yet other important items to be installed such as multiport valve,
skimmers or overflow grating, nozzles, drains, stairs and/or ladders (~1
ladder per every 20 m running perimeter length or concrete stairs),
underwater lights, etc. which are absolutely necessary for completing the
swimming pool installation.

Moreover, there are numerous items of pool-side equipment such as slides,

showers, water games, fibre optic lighting, accessories, etc., and other
decorative items such as synthetic rocks, fountains, waterfalls, etc. for
installing at will, thereby enhancing your pool-side and giving you added
swimming pleasure and fun.

Neither have we mentioned the water pressure drop at different points of the
water circuit, pool water heating, pool hall heating, and dehumidifying,
heating units, water analysis, etc. which also form an intricate part of the
swimming pool equipment, all of which is manufactured and marketed by
ASTRAL and will surely give you complete swimming pleasure and the
security you expect. Getting all your equipment from just one experienced
and reliable source is obviously a big advantage. All these items are dealt
with in Part 2 of this handbook.

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Jeffrey Hon (Area Sales Manager) Malaysia branch 012-6111030

ANNEX I

QUICK EQUIPMENT SIZING, USING ANNEX II AND ANNEX III.

If we have a pool of 15x6x1.5 m, as described in the example in the previous
chapter, the pool water volume is 135 m3.

If we consider the turnover rate to be 4, then we have to install a pump

capable of pumping 33.75 m3/h of water.

We shall pick one ASTRAL Victoria 25045 pump delivering 34 m3/h or two
ASTRAL Super Sprint 26632 pump delivering 19 m3/h each (19x2=38 m3/h, a
flow rate higher than 33.75 m3/h required).

We shall consider 30 m3/h/m2 as an adequate filtration velocity for our

present requirements.

Now we go to Annex II chart where we shall pick a filter capable of filtering 34

m3/h at a filtration velocity of 30 m3/h/m2. A filter meeting these conditions is
one having a diameter of 1200 mm. So you can select the 00688 bobbin
wound Polyester and fibreglass filter from the large amount of filters
ASTRALPOOL offers in its Catalogue.

If we choose to have two smaller filters, then we shall have to pick a filter
capable of filtering 19 m3/h at the same filtration velocity of 30 m3/h/m2. The
filter meeting the above mentioned conditions is Cantabric filter 22402,
having a diameter of 900 mm. So we can either choose one 00688 filter of
1,200 mm diameter or two 22402 filters of 900 mm each.

For sizing the PVC pipework, let us go to Annex III chart, where we have to
determine PN10 pipe sizes, for a flow rate of 34 m3/h, for the suction side
from the pool to the pump at a maximum velocity of 1.2 m/s and discharge or
pressure side from the pump to the filter and back again to the pool at a
maximum velocity of between 1.8 m/s to 2.0 m/s.

Here we find that to carry 34 m3/h of water at 1.2 m/s from the pool to the
pump we shall need DN 110 mm standard PVC pipes and to carry the same
volume of water from the pump downstream at a flow rate of between 1.8 m/s
and 2.0 m/s we shall use between standard DN 90 mm and DN 110 pipes.

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 Jeffrey Hon (Area Sales Manager) Malaysia branch 012-6111030

But if on the other hand we utilise two pumps and two filters, to carry 19 m 3/h
each at 1.2 m/s, we shall require DN 90 mm pipes on the suction side, and on
the pressure side we shall require DN 75 pipe.

So, using the two charts, Annex II and Annex III, we can quickly and
unmistakably determine the correct sizes of the basic pool equipment, i.e.
filter size and pipe size.

ANNEX II

FILTER DIAMETERS AND FILTRATION FLOW RATES AT

DIFFERENT FILTRATION VELOCITIES

Diameter Area FILTRATION FLOW RATE in m3/h

in mm. in m2
At 20 m3/h/m2 At 30 m3/h/m2 At 40 m3/h/m2 At 50 m3/h/m2
300 0.0706 1.41 2.12 2.82 3.53
350 0.0961 1.92 2.88 3.84 4.80
400 0.1256 2.52 3.77 5.02 6.28
430 0.1451 2.90 4.35 5.80 7.25
450 0.1589 3.18 4.76 6.35 7.94
480 0.1809 3.62 5.42 7.23 9.04
500 0.1962 3.92 5.88 7.85 9.81
560 0.2461 4.92 7.38 9.84 12.30
600 0.2826 5.65 8.48 11.30 14.13
650 0.3316 6.63 9.95 13.26 16.58
700 0.3846 7.69 11.54 15.38 19.23
750 0.4415 8.83 13.24 17.66 22.07
800 0.5024 10.05 15.07 20.09 25.12
900 0.6358 12.72 19.07 25.43 31.79
950 0.7084 14.17 21.25 28.33 35.42
1000 0.7850 15.70 23.55 31.40 39.25
1050 0.8654 17.31 25.96 34.16 43.27
1200 1.1304 22.61 33.91 45.21 56.52
1250 1.2465 24.93 37.39 49.86 62.32
1400 1.5386 30.77 46.16 61.15 76.93
1600 2.0096 40.19 60.29 80.38 100.48
1800 2.5434 50.87 76.30 101.73 127.17
2000 3.1400 62.80 94.20 125.60 157.00

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2350 4.3332 86.66 129.99 173.33 216.66

2500 4.9062 98.12 147.18 196.25 245.31
3000 7.0625 141.25 211.87 282.50 353.31

ANNEX III

WATER FLOW RATES IN PVC PIPES (PN 10) in m3/h,

AT VELOCITIES OF 1.2 m/s, 1.8 m/s and 2.0 m/s

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Pipe outer Min. Wall Pipe Pipe inner Flow Rates in m3/h
 thickness inner area At different water velocities
(at PN 10)  at 1.2 m/s at 1.8 m/s at 2.0 m/s
2
D in mm in mm. in cm
20 1.9 16.2 2.06 0.28 1.33 1.48
25 1.9 21.2 3.53 1.52 2.28 2.54
32 1.9 28.2 6.24 2.24 4.04 4.49
40 1.9 36.2 10.29 4.44 6.66 7.41
50 2.4 45.2 16.04 6.92 10.39 11.55
63 3.0 57.0 25.50 11.02 16.52 18.36
75 3.6 67.8 36.08 15.58 23.38 25.98
90 4.3 81.4 52.01 22.46 33.70 37.45
110 4.2 101.6 81.03 35.01 52.50 58.34
125 4.8 115.4 104.54 45.16 67.74 75.27
140 5.4 129.2 131.04 56.61 84.91 94.35
160 6.2 147.6 171.02 73.88 110.82 123.13
180 6.9 166.2 216.84 93.67 140.51 156.12
200 7.7 184.6 267.50 115.56 173.34 192.60
250 9.6 230.8 418.16 180.64 270.97 301.07
315 12.1 290.8 663.83 286.77 430.16 477.96