Swimming Pools
Swimming pools are usually designed in concept by the landscape architect, but the final detailed design for construction usually comes from the pool sub-contractor. The concept design by the landscape architect should consider:
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the physical space you have for a pool
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shape, size, and functionality of the pool
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proximity and location of pool equipment area/room
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local code fence requirements around the pool
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placement of a cabana near the pool
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ADA compliant entrances to the pool
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heated or not
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concrete color
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decorative tile around the pool (consult your architect and interior designer on the pool concrete color and decorative tile so that it ties into the building).
Swimming pools are a nice amenity to help sell your new residents on signing a lease, but the truth is, pools rarely get used by residents. However, your objective as a developer is to fill up your facility as fast as possible, and if a pool helps you lease up units, it's a worthwhile investment.
Things to keep in mind when designing your pool:
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If the pool is going to have a heater, make sure the plumbing engineer runs a gas line to the pool equipment room.
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Pools should be shallow enough in a section so that residents can do group water aerobic classes hosted by the operator.
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Try to fit in a marked lap swimming lane in the pool. You can do this by putting contrasting tile on the pool floor marking the swim lane.
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In many jurisdictions, if you do a “beach entry” for your pool, you don’t have to install a wheel chair lift alongside the pool. These lifts are ugly and almost never get used.
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You must ground and bond your pool from the potential of electrical shock to swimmers. I won’t go into the complexities of why this is a hazard, and how to mitigate it, but most municipalities require grounding and bonding of your pool, pool equipment and surrounding area. As a developer, it is worth asking you GC to make sure the pool subcontractor designs and installs the proper grounding and bonding. I managed a senior living project where the pool subcontractor did not initially install the bonding, and the city inspector made him install it, Which required saw cutting and installing a copper wire loop around the pool. This caused the pool to open months late after the community was opened.
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Different jurisdictions have different requirements, but some items required to be around the pool are:
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Telephones
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Drinking fountains
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Pool rules signage
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Have your GC get a local pool contractor familiar with local pool ordinances to design-build this pool. You want a local pool expert on the hook for designing and building this pool to pass the local jurisdiction's inspections.
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Fences and Gates
A specific and complex item around the pool that you as the developer need to pay attention to is the fence and gates around the pool. Many local municipalities have specific fencing requirements for pools. Almost 4,000 kids and adults drown in pools every year in the US, so these municipalities have good reason to take pool safety and fencing seriously. Your architect, landscape architect, and pool subcontractor need to figure out how to put a fence and properly operating gates around this pool.
Pool fences are ugly, and you want to avoid having a big ugly fence right around the pool. Many pools are in courtyards, and sometimes the buildings, which make up the courtyard, can act as the barrier to protect the pool. For instance, if you have a U-shaped courtyard, with the buildings making up the U-shape, you might only have to install a fenced at the open side of the courtyard which will act as the pool fence.
The other complex thing to figure out is access and gates to the pool. This is where you may run into some conflicting code requirements. Most local pool codes require that pool gate hardware be up high on the gate, or have some type of access control devise on it. This is intended to keep small children from accessing a pool area unsupervised. However, when you make opening a gate more complex and difficult to keep small children out, you also make it more difficult for senior residents with hand grasping/strength and ADA limitations to open the gate. ADA code requires these gates be accessible by people with limited ability to open a gate. Local pool code and ADA code for gates can sometimes be in conflict. This is an issue you are just going to have to work through by talking with your local pool code authority having jurisdiction, and your ADA inspector.
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Next Section: Punch List (Senior Living)