Splash January 2014 Issue - 91 by The Intermedia Group

Swimming Pools / Leisure / Aquatics / Spas / Health

Issue 91

December 2013/January 2014

Treating your poolscape to a timber deck Wet’n’Wild Sydney World’s biggest waterpark opens Tiling tricks for swimming pools Aquaculture a new avenue for the industry Fire and water the hot summer

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Contents 68

Treating pools after bushfires While industry volunteers battle the bushfires, pool techs battle to clean up pools affected by ash and debris.

Wiring standards Cal Stanley looks at the crucial issue of electrical standards and equipotential bonding.

World’s biggest waterpark opens in Sydney Wet’n’Wild Sydney – billed as the largest waterpark in the world – opens in Sydney this December, promising to be the city’s newest and most exciting entertainment icon.

Aquaculture in Australia and New Zealand A look at the way the swimming pool and spa industry overlaps with the international growth industry of fish farming.

Geraldton covers up and saves Following extensive efficiency audits, Aquarena aquatic centre implemented a number of energysaving initiatives that also saved it money.

Treating a poolscape to a touch of timber Veda Dante looks at new decking material and treatments that can make timber a better fit with the backyard swimming pool. Tiling to last the life of the pool Fred Gray from Laticrete offers expert advice on making sure swimming pool tiling will last the life of the structure.

Fifty shades of grey Phil Miraglia from Amber attended the recent Piscina show in Barcelona and brought back the latest ideas on European tiling.

Mining for filter media SPLASH! travelled to Werris Creek to observe firsthand the production of the Zelbrite swimming pool filter media.

Australia’s first inflatable waterpark Gold Coast City Council has opened Australia’s first “open water” inflatable waterpark.

regulars News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Industry moves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Pool DAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Commercial news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Tenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Global news. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

New products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Spa tech tip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Ad index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Expo news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF GREAT CHEMISTRY.

After 30 years in Australia we know it all comes down to a clean pool and a happy customer. But it all starts with the great chemistry that we share with our retail partners, that makes us successful. Rest assured, we are as committed to innovation, product development and customer support today as we were back in 1982 and we look forward to keeping your customers safe and happy for many years to come.

Freecall AUS 1800 635 743 or NZ 0800 441 662 for more information. www.bioguard.com.au

Published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd ABN 940 025 83 682 41 Bridge Road, Glebe, NSW, 2037 Australia Ph: (02) 9660 2113 Fax: (02) 9660 4419 Managing Director: Simon Grover Managing Director Interpoint Events: Simon Cooper Editor: Chris Maher Phone: 0412 048 639 Email: chrismaher@intermedia.com.au

editorial The other side of the coin

Contributors: Veda Dante, Cal Stanley, Fred Grey, Phil Miraglia. Advertising Manager: Karen Jaques Phone: (02) 8586 6135 Email: kjaques@intermedia.com.au

Every spring, thoughts turn to the season ahead. And of course, we want it to be hot, hot, hot. But I think a lot of us were surprised by just how hot it turned out to be in September and October. In fact, Australia had the hottest September on record and then October exploded with the earliest bushfire season some parts of the country had ever experienced.

Designer and illustrator: Ben Akhurst Production Manager: Carly Saillard Head of Circulation: Chris Blacklock For Subscriptions Call: 1800 651 422 Copyright All material in this publication is copyright to the publisher and/or its contributors. No material may be reproduced without the express permission of the publishers.

Disclaimer: This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication. This issue of SPLASH! magazine published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (Intermedia) may contain magazine or subscription; offers, competitions, forms and surveys (Reader Offers) which require you to provide information about yourself, if you choose to enter or take part in them. If you provide information about yourself to Intermedia, Intermedia will use this information to provide you with the products of services you have requested and may supply your information to contractors that help Intermedia to do this. Intermedia will also use your information to inform you of other Intermedia publications, products, services and events. Intermedia may give your information to organisations that are providing special prizes or offers that are clearly associated with the Reader Offer. Unless you tell us not to, we may give your information to other organisations that may use it to inform you about other products, services or events or to give it to other organisations that may use it for this purpose. If you would like to gain access to the information Intermedia holds about you, please contact Intermedia’s Privacy Officer at The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd, PO Box 55, Glebe, NSW 2037. Copyright © 2013 - The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd.

SPLASH! contains NO advertorial. Proudly supported by

Chris Maher Editor chrismaher@ intermedia.com.au

I know of a large number of industry people who have been out, risking life and lungs in their local volunteer bushfire brigades. It’s an indication of their commitment to their community and the Australian way of life, and it is definitely not too much to call them heroes. They deserve that title much more than Michael Clarke, Jarryd Roughead or Greg Inglis, who are called heroes but only risk bruises and failure for money. These firefighters literally risk their lives and ask nothing for it. We have some advice about cleaning up after the bushfires on page 29. Ironically, as I write this, New South Wales is on track for the wettest November on record. It’s seems the weather doesn’t know what it’s doing anymore. It might seem odd in the midst of the season to be looking towards next winter with excitement, but we are, because SPLASH! Week is getting even bigger and better. In 2014 it will feature the first ever gala evening for the SPASA Australia Awards. It promises to be a fantastic evening and an excellent chance to network and relax after visiting stands and attending seminars on the days preceding it. Next issue we’ll have another big announcement about a major international conference coming to SPLASH! Something exciting that’s happening right now is the opening of what is billed as the world’s largest waterpark – Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney. As a matter of fact, it is due to open on the same day as SPLASH! publishes. So as you read this, I might very well be out at Prospect, getting ready to take on several thrilling rides. This is something Sydney has long wanted, and I’ll be very pleased to test it out. I hope you all have a busy, happy and profitable season, and a wonderful Christmas and New Year. See you in 2014.

This issue’s cover This Simon McCurdy Landscapes project, photographed by Patrick Redmond, shows how poolside timber can combine beautifully with modern architecture. There is more on timber decking around pools on page 34.

The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the above supporters, nor should any product advertised in SPLASH! magazine be seen to be endorsed by the above.

Members of

Audited Circulation Average Net Distribution Per Issue 6,387 CAB Yearly Audit Period ending 30th September 2013 December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

news

Recognition and promotion

SPASA Australia Awards to be held at SPLASH! on the Gold Coast For the first time, SPASA Australia will be hosting a gala event for the announcement of their awards: the SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence. Aiming to make the biggest possible impact, SPASA Australia has elected to hold the awards at Australia’s largest trade event for the pool and spa industry, the SPLASH! Pool & Spa Trade Show on the Gold Coast. The gala will be held on the evening of Thursday July 17, 2014. National awards have been allocated for many years, selecting candidates from the winners of the State SPASA awards. However, an event has never been held before, and this gala and the subsequent marketing of the winners will significantly ramp up the promotion of the awards. Additionally, there will be an overall Pool of the Year Award, something that had not been judged across state boundaries previously. SPASA Australia CEO, Brendan Watkins, says the SPA-

This Placid Pools project won a national SPASA award in 2012

SA Australia Awards of Excellence will recognise achievement in design, construction, innovation and professionalism across the pool and spa industry, and that the Awards program gives recognition to SPASA members who have demonstrated the highest degree of competency and professionalism.

“This year SPASA Australia has reinvigorated our awards categories and now include various product and spa categories as well as the most prestigious builder award in Australia – the SPASA Australia Pool of the Year,” he says. The SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner will

incorporate the fourth edition of the SPLASH! Environmental Awards. The SPLASH! Environmental Awards were conceived in 2007 and have gained international recognition for their success in promoting achievements in environmental design, construction, manufacturing

Categories 1. Residential Concrete Pools – Traditional or Geometric up to $50,000 2. Residential Concrete Pools – Traditional or Geometric $50,000 to $100,000 3. Residential Concrete Pools – Traditional or Geometric over $100,000 4. Residential Concrete Pools – Freeform or Natural up to $50,000 5. Residential Concrete Pools – Freeform or Natural $50,000 to $100,000 6. Residential Concrete Pools – Freeform or Natural over $100,000 7. Residential Fibreglass Pools – up to $40,000 8. Residential Fibreglass Pools – over $40,000 9. Commercial Fibreglass Pools 10. Residential Vinyl Lined In-Ground Pools – modular or shaped concrete pools finished with vinyl lining 11. Residential Pre-Engineered Aboveground Vinyl-Lined Pools – kit type pools, whether free-standing, incorporating decking or erected partially or fully in-ground 12. Residential Enclosed/Indoor Pools 13. Display Pools – pools built in a display centre, where the prime purpose of the pool/s is for exhibition to potential customers. Entries featuring a pool built for a consumer which the builder has access to for display purposes, will not be accepted

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

14. Commercial Pools or Spas up to $250,000 – built of any material or method of construction 15. Commercial Pools or Spas over $250,000 – built of any material or method of construction 16. Renovations up to $25,000 17. Renovations over $25,000 – renovations include any type of construction, covering significant alterations including additions or alterations to the structure or shape of the existing pools. Photographs showing the pool before and after the alterations, together with a description of the work and history of the pool must be included with the entry 18. Innovative Pool and/or Spa – entry should display demonstrated skills in overcoming a difficult site, developing a new concept, new marketing ideas etc 19. Water Feature – features such as waterfalls, ponds and fountains, either as stand-alone items or part of a swimming pool or spa 20. Lap Pools – pools incorporating lane/s intended for swimming laps 21. Sustainable Pools – any pool construction/installation/renovation incorporating specific features or equipment resulting in energy, chemical and/or water savings

July Aug

Watkins says that SPASA Australia plans to use the awards as a vehicle to get consumers interested in buying swimming pools. “The prime goal of the Awards of Excellence program is to gen-

Year-to-October 2012

Steady as she goes October swimming pool development application (DA) figures show the industry holding steady in comparison with last year. Again, Queensland has shown a surge and anecdotal evidence supports the belief that the Sunshine State might be on the mend, benefitting in large from the increase in sunshine. Please note that total builds for Queensland may be higher that the DA numbers indicate, but the trend data would still apply. See the disclaimer below for more information on how we get these numbers, and what they indicate. Overall, 12-months-to-October figures are steady at -1 per cent compared to the previous period. Queensland is up by 72 per cent off its low 2012 base and Western Australia is continuing its growth with DA numbers up 16 per cent. WA now is the top state with more DAs over the past 12 months than any other state and a 29 per cent share of the new market – at least according to this data. Both New South Wales (-11 per cent) and Victoria (-24 per cent) show a decline against the previous 12-month figures. Meanwhile, the RP Data .Home Value Index rose by 1.3 per cent in October, driven largely by the Sydney housing market.

Comparison Years-to-October

Stimulating consumer demand

erate an amazing array of images to stimulate immediate consumer demand. Our industry competes with many leisure and travel options, and it’s time we stepped up and showed all of Australia the height of excellence that exists within the pool and spa industry.” “The federation of SPASA States, via SPASAC and more recently SPASA Australia, has conducted a national awards program for many years, but rather than continuing with an industry-focused program the intent in 2014 is utilise the awards as a promotional vehicle to consumers,” he says. All award winners will receive exclusive use of a unique digital SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence logo, permanent listing and links on the SPASA Australia website as well as a framed Winner or Highly Commended Award. Watkins says that significant media coverage is assured. The Awards of Excellence will be adjudicated by a panel of high-profile independent judges. All winners of the 2013 SPASA Australia member Awards of Excellence programs are automatically eligible for the national Awards program. Contact: Brendan Watkins or Asher Newton (03) 9501 2040.

Year-to-October 2012

1200

25 900

600

10 300

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct

Year-to-October 2012

Year-to-October 2013

3500

Approvals by State

1200

900

600

22. Best In-situ Portable Spa – this award is open to any compliant 300re-locatable, residential or commercial spa. manufactured There are no limitations on price or size 0 23. Sustainability Award: product thisMar award open to July any new Nov Dec Jan –Feb Apr isMay June Aug Sept product, service, activity or device that demonstrates a saving of energy and/or water. Year-to-October The initiative2012 must haveYear-to-October been released 2013 onto the market3500 less than three years ago, and can demonstrate improvement 3000 to the sustainability of a pool or spa. For example, it could be a new pool water minimisation device, 2500 advances in solar heating products, automation, advances in 2000 pool cover technology, any low energy activity or device, or the 1500 promotion of a more sustainable use of existing systems or processes 1000 24. SPASA Australia500 Pool of the Year Award – all winners of the 2013 SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence are automatically 0 Sept Oct NSW decision VIC QLD solely on WA the eligible for this award. The will be made judges’ discretion. If no pool reaches a level they deem worthy of this high honour, no award will be made. The Pool of the Year will be the pool or spa that that the judges feel is the best example of the pool builders’ art for the year.

Year-to-October 2013

1500

Year-to-October 2013

1500

2000

3000 1500

2500 2000

1000 1500 1000

500

500 0

Oct

Two-Monthly Comparison

ober 2013

and marketing in the swimming pool and spa industry. The double awards night promises to be a highlight of SPLASH Week, which includes pre-show workshops, educational sessions featuring international speakers, a golf day plus more than 100 companies exhibiting at the trade show. “SPLASH! is the ideal occasion for the Awards to be presented,” says Simon Cooper, managing director of Interpoint, organiser of the SPLASH! trade shows. “The week draws more than 2000 attendees from Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. Since the first SPLASH! show in 1998, SPLASH! has become the essential meeting place for pool builders, contractors, retailers, manufacturers, architects and landscapers, and the educational stream is widely respected as the most comprehensive conference program in the Southern Hemisphere,” he says.

NSW

VIC

QLD

September & October 2012

September & October 2013

2000

1500

1000

500

These figures give a valuable indication of the way the market is trending. However, they are not comprehensive. For example, they do not include pool projects that are approved as part of a new home, smaller projects under the cost threshold, or renovations that don’t require a DA. Also, not all councils are forthcoming with data; councils in some states such as Queensland are particularly reluctant. For further information and more complete reports, call Cordell Information on 1800 80 60 60.

December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

news

Safety

Pool drownings double The latest Drowning Report has been released by Royal Life Saving (RLS), showing a concerning increase in deaths by drowning in Australian swimming pools of 95 per cent over the previous year. Also of concern is the increase in one of the key target areas – the children under five category. In all, 291 people drowned in Australia over the 2012/2013 period, compared to 276 over the previous corresponding period (adjusted down from the published figure of 286). This represents an increase of five per cent over the year. However, 43 people drowned in swimming pools compared with 22 in the previous period – a dramatic increase of almost double from eight per cent of the total to 15 per cent.

Under five drownings up A great deal of energy has been expended by industry, regulators, legislators and the community in attempting to curb the drowning deaths of children under five years of age. Sadly, those efforts have not borne fruit in this period and the number of under-five drownings has jumped to 31 – an increase of 48 per cent over the previous period. Significantly for the industry, swimming pool drownings accounted for 61 per cent of all drowning deaths of children under five. An absence of supervision was identified in 94 per cent of cases. Of all the drownings occurring in swimming pools, 44 per cent were of children under five. This category had been targeted by Australian Water Safety Strategy with a decrease to a maximum of 17 drowning deaths per year by 2020. Last year’s figure of eight deaths – though tragic – had seemed an improvement as the numbers had been declining. However, the jump this year to 31 has reversed that seemingly positive trend. Reducng drownings amongst children aged five to 14 is seen as still on track, with nine deaths 12

Rocks 23

Bath 11

Other 5 River 67

Lake 32

Pool 43 Beach 65 Ocean 45 this period and a target of a maximum of eight by 2020.

NSW pool register overwhelmed

In response to the continually high numbers of children under five drowning in home swimming pools, some States and Territories in Australia have, in recent years, enhanced legislation and moved towards increased enforcement around swimming pool fencing and other safety considerations. In the past 10 years, 67 children under the age of five have drowned in backyard swimming pools in New South Wales. To improve child safety and reduce the number of children drowning in backyard pools, the NSW government has recently enacted legislation that promotes the regular maintenance of pool barriers while attempting to ensure those barriers comply with the applicable barrier safety standards. From October 29, 2013, all swimming pool owners in NSW were required to register their backyard swimming pools in an online register provided by the State Government. By that day, more than 155,000 people had registered their swimming pools according to NSW Local Government Minister Don Page, but the fear of facing

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

a $220 fine sent a surge of householders to the registry website, bringing it crashing down. SPLASH! couldn’t get through on the day and the Minister in response asked councils not to impose fines on people who hadn’t registered their pools for a three-week grace period until November 19. Many residents commented in online forums and on radio talkback said they had trouble on earlier occasions, some failing to get through as early as June. The Minister said the website had been processing 2500 registrations per hour, but advised householders to email them if they couldn’t get through or call the Swimming Pools Hotline on 1300 922 310 and leave their details. “The Division of Local Government, which administers the pools registry, has informed me that there have been technical problems with the register because of the large number of people attempting to register their pools at the last minute,’’ he said on the day of the deadline. “In the past 24 hours over 2500 people per hour have been successfully registering their pools. By midday today over 200,000 people had successfully registered their pools – which means over 45,000 people have registered

their pools in the past 24 hours.” He said he will be talking to the people who designed the website to see what the problem was with access but is adamant that once the backlog is cleared, the Government will come after non-compliant pool owners. “Giving people more time to register does not mean letting them off the hook when it comes to pool safety,” he says. “Pool owners have a responsibility to make sure that their pool is safe at all times. As we approach the swimming season, this is as important as ever.” The Swimming Pool & Spa Alliance has released a helpful guide to the pool registry. You can access it at the QuickLink tab at splashmagazine.com.au.

Across Australia

Drowning deaths between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 in all categories were (by State): • New South Wales: 104 • Queensland: 64 • Western Australia: 46 • Victoria: 41 • South Australia: 14 • Northern Territory: 9 • Tasmania: 9 • Australian Capital Territory: 4 You can download the full National Drowning Report 2013 at splashmagazine.com.au

exact micro 10

Training

AdvAnced Photometer SyStem

Discounted pool safety program SPASA Queensland has negotiated a special offer through the Accredited Pool Safety Inspector Course (APSIC) to assist pool safety inspector (PSI) members meet their statutory continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for licence renewal. Two CPD points are available from the Pool Safety Council (PSC) for SPASA Queensland PSI members on the basis they receive regular information from the Association and participate in meetings and forums. But the minimum CPD requirement is six points, so PSI members must gain a further four CPD points. APSIC has offered a 50 per cent discount from their distance learning CPD programs plus a reduced charge of $20 to cover administrative costs. This means a member can complete the four CPD point program for the reduced price of $100. APSIC has now added a new four-CPD point program to their offering – Fencing Components and Compliance Considerations. This program includes a detailed discussion regarding fencing components used in pool fencing and those matters which must be considered for compliance with the pool safety standard. Contact: www.apsic.com.au

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High fives all round Former Australian swimming coach and water safety ambassador Laurie Lawrence has joined forces with pool retail franchisor PoolWerx in an effort to improve pool safety education and prevent preschool drownings. Recent research revealed that two-thirds of Australian pool owners wouldn’t know how to resuscitate their own family member in an emergency, and a further 43 per cent don’t have an up-to-date CPR chart displayed in their pool area. The PoolWerx franchisees will stock Lawrence’s educational DVDs, pool safety checklists and provide education at ongoing pool and spa care appointments.

NSW Qld vic SA WA NZ 02 9898 8686 07 3299 9900 03 9764 1211 08 8244 6000 08 9273 1900 09 525 7570

December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH! Exact Micro 10 270mmx90mm.indd 1

11/14/13 11:42 AM

news

Acquisitions

Chemtura to sell BioLab to KIK Chemtura Corporation, the parent company of BioLab, Inc, has entered into a stock purchase agreement to sell its global consumer products business to KIK Custom Products. BioLab is a global manufacturer and marketer of pool and spa brands such as BioGuard, Bayrol, SpaGuard, Omni and Sun and is considered the largest supplier of residential pool chemicals in the world. The purchase price is $US315 million. The sale from Chemtura Corporation includes two dedicated manufacturing plants in the United States (Conyers, Georgia and Lake Charles, Louisiana) and one in Atlantis, South Africa. BioLab Australia and New Zealand Director Lindsay McGrath says he and the team

are very excited about their new investor, KIK Custom Products Inc. “Having a dedicated partner who is another established leader in the global market only adds to our current value offering to the local markets,” he says. “We’ve been owned by multiple players before and this is really just the next stage in the evolution of BioLab. There will be minimal changes, at least in the operation of the business. “Initially it’s quite exciting to go from a being owned by a publically owned group into a privately owned group with an interest in the pool and spa industry. “With the deals and partnerships KIK has made recently with other major brands like Clorox it shows the size and scope that a company like that

can bring. We’ve looked at KIK’s growth over the past several years and seen an expansion to generic household products and then smaller brands, and now they’ve bought the world’s biggest brand in residential pool chemicals. “We’re looking forward to having new owners who are dedicated to the pool industry and expect to have support to expand our own portfolio across the region. The purchase has been well received by our customers and the hands-on and ground-up support will continue,” he says. The purchase is for the entire BioLab network including the 56 Poolside stores across Australia and New Zealand. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is not expected to close before December 31, 2013. excited about this acquisition,

KIK is a portfolio company of New York-based private equity firm CI Capital Partners.and is one of North America’s largest contract and private label manufacturers of consumer, institutional and industrial products. In June 2011, KIK acquired Chem Lab Products Inc. (since renamed KIK Pool Additives Inc.), a regional manufacturer of liquid and dry chemicals for the pool and spa markets including the Kem-Tek label and Easy 123 brand, as well as retail household bleach. KIK recently entered into a partnership to manufacture pool and spa chemicals for giant household chemical company Clorox which will be represented by Easy 123. Between the deal signing and transaction closing, KIK and BioLab will maintain “business as usual” as separate companies.

Acquisition

SA builder lifts game Boutique concrete swimming pool company Marlin Pools has lifted its sales by 500 per cent since being acquired by leading outdoor and home improvements specialist Australian Outdoor Living (AOL). In the six months since becoming part of the AOL group, 14 new swimming pools have been sold against just three installations in all of 2012. “That’s a fantastic achievement, especially when you consider the recent challenges in the building and construction industry,” says AOL managing director, Colin Kuchel. He says the early results vindicate AOL’s decision to purchase Marlin Pools with the goal of re-establishing the brand as a boutique product and aiming at between just 15 to 20 customised installations per year.

Keep informed by subscribing to the free online newsletter. Compass ceases manufacturing in Queensland Compass moves all manufacturing to Newcastle.

“We knew Marlin Pools was a great, award-winning and premium product with a proud reputation of serving the South Australian market for over 50 years,” he says. At the same time, AOL employed Marlin Pools owner Hans Pullens – a man with 32 years’ experience in the swimming pool industry – to head up their new concrete pools division. AOL also handles Barrier Reef fibreglass pools and is a market leader in outdoor lifestyle home improvements, encompassing outdoor blinds, artificial lawn, roller shutters, verandahs, pergolas and timber decking. AOL has recently expanded its national footprint to include every state in Australia, and also plans to be in the Northern Territory and the ACT by the middle of 2014.

Top five online news stories

The most popular online news stories at splashmagazine.com.au were... Industry fights antiinfinity law Peter Glass and industry groups have been lobbying against NSW Government changes to the BCA.

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

1500 people evacuated as SOPAC carpark burns Unseasonally hot weather saw Homebush ablaze and the aquatic centre evacuated.

Evolve buys Poolrite The Poolrite deal was finally sealed with Evolve, Allchlor and Zodiac sharing the assets.

SPASA Court Case resolved After nearly nine months of legal wrangling, the SPASA stoush was officially put to bed.

Upcoming events 2014 Jan 31-Feb 2 Melbourne Consumer Pool & Spa Expo, MCEC Feb 2-4

Spatex, Ricoh Arena, Coventry, UK

Feb 4-7

Aquatherm, Moscow, Russia

Feb 12-15

Piscine Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco

Feb 13-15

Aquatherm Egypt, Cairo

Feb 20-22

Forum Piscine, Bologna, Italy

Feb 22-23

Pool Spa and Outdoor Living Consumer Expo, Rosehill Gardens Sydney

Feb 22-24

UK Pool & Spa, Birmingham

Mar 11-14

Piscina Moscow, Russia

Mar 13-16

Aqua Salon, Moscow, Russia

Mar 14

SPASA Victoria Golf Day, Kingston Links

Mar 28

SPASA Golf Classic, Sydney

May 12-14

Sauna & Spa & Pool China, Guangzhou

Apr 1-3

International Swimming Pool Sauna & Spa Expo, Beijing China

Apr 22-24

Piscine Middle East, Abu Dhabi, UAE

May 3-4

Brisbane consumer Pool Spa & Outdoor Living show

May 7-10

Turkey Pool Expo, Istanbul

May 13-14

AALARA Conference

Jul 16-17

SPLASH! Pool and Spa Trade Show, Jupiters, Gold Coast

Jul 17

SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence, Gold Coast

Sep 12

Bob Stanley Memorial Golf Day, Sydney

Oct 20-24

Interbad, Stuttgart, Germany

Nov 18-21

Piscine Global, Lyon, France

More details, dates and links are available at splashmagazine. com.au. These dates are subject to change and should be checked with the relevant organisation. Please send calendar submissions to chrismaher@intermedia.com.au

December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

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news

Sponsorship

International Quadratics supports safety Considering the recently released drowning figures, it is timely that pool chemical and commercial equipment supplier IQ & Pierce Pool Supplies provided Royal Life Saving NSW with a donation of $7000. IQ marketing manager Eddie Lloyd says that Royal Life Saving is one of the most successful industry and community organisations operating in the Australian aquatic arena. “Their work is second to none in preventing drowning and facilitating a prosperous landscape for companies like ourselves to operate within,” he says. “Organisations like Royal Life NSW are key to ensuring a thriving and professional marketplace. They create safe aquatic environments for our community, lobby to government, market active lifestyles, create employment and train pool operator staff to name just some of their activities.” Lloyd says these activities contribute to the growth of the industry and help popularise leisure swimming for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Eddie Lloyd (left) with David Macallister (centre) and Adam Lloyd

Insurance

Queensland workers comp amendments The Queensland Government is claiming its new workers compensation scheme will be a cheaper system for employers. Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie says the Queensland Workers Compensation Scheme will be the fairest in the nation with the most coverage for workers and the lowest premiums for employers. He says the focus will be on injury management, rehabilitation and return-to-work outcomes along with competitive premiums. Amendments in the legislation will include: • Cracking down on fraudulent claims • Allowing employers to have access to the claims history of applicants • Merging the regulatory functions of Q-Comp into the department “We want workers to be covered, even when

they are travelling to and from work so journey claims will be retained,” he says, adding that Queensland will be the only State to provide this type of coverage. “We are also taking measures to protect businesses from outlandish claims and skyrocketing premiums. Access to common law claims will remain in Queensland, except for those with a medically assessed injury of five per cent or less,” he says. Every injured worker will continue to be covered under the statutory No Fault compensation system which includes payment for lost wages, medical treatment and access to lump sum compensation. Since 2009, the average premium rate has increased by twenty per cent. With the exception of the ACT, Queensland will have the lowest threshold to access common law damages in Australia.

Global news Australian fibreglass pool manufacturing company Leisure Pools has opened a new factory and North America Head Office in Knox County, Tennessee. Leisure Pools opened its first US factory in San Antonia Texas in 2003 and has seen increasing US demand for their technologically innovative composite fibreglass swimming pools over the past 10 years, hence the move to a larger manufacturing facility on the former site of the Sea Ray Island Plant Boat Building factory in Tennessee, which consists of a 32 hectare facility with more than 32,500 square metres of space in multiple buildings. Leisure Pools will invest $6.2 million and create more than 240 new jobs. Leisure Pools is a family owned company that commenced operations in 1999 and is now one of the world’s largest manufacturers of composite fiberglass swimming pools. Editrice Il Campo has published an online publication dedicated to the overseas promotion of the Italian pool industry. Italian Pool Technology is promoted by Piscine Oggi Magazine, is entirely in English and promotes products and accessories, components, building systems, installation technologies, treatment systems and equipment. A printed version will also be published once per year. The PDF version can be downloaded for free at www. italianpooltechnology.com.

December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

news

Giveaway

The drama of a swimmer’s life Spa Tech Tips

Flow/pressure or overheat messages: Error 6, LF, FLO, HL, three flashing dots A lack of sufficient water flow through the spa’s heater may result in either a pressure/flow switch or a high limit sensor registering a fault. It doesn’t necessarily mean the switch/sensor is faulty. Checks to perform if the pump motor is running • Dirty filters: remove filters and test without them. Dirty/blocked filters are a primary cause

Christos Tsiolkas is starting to gain a reputation as one of Australia’s best known and, potentially, most respected writers. He came to notice for his book Loaded that was adapted into the movie Head On with Alex Dimitriades. But he really took off with The Slap. The book received mixed reviews (most of the negative sentiments were due to the unlikability of the characters) but the TV adaptation was a huge success. He is now using the the world of professional swimming as backdrop for his new novel in which the protagonist Danny Kelly battles class prejudice, comes to terms with his sexual orientation, and learns to live with sporting failure. At the heart of the novel is the question of what it means to be a good person and what it takes to

become one. But there is also the relationship between man and water, between Australians and swimming and between serious competitors. If you’re offended by strong language and confrontational subjects, the book may not be for you. But there are plenty of exciting moments as we follow Danny to the pinnacle of his career, while we ruminate with the older man, now called Dan, as he ponders the mistakes he made and how he could have better dealt with his father and his father figure, the gruff man who saw him at a junior meet and became his driven coach. SPLASH! has a copy of Baracuda to give away. Like the SPLASH Facebook page to be part of the competition.

• Air lock or low water level. Ensure adequate water level, and prime pump if running without water flow • Closed valves: open the valves Dealers from around the world gathered to celebrate Maytronics’ 30th anniversary

• Other blockage: check pump/pipes for debris • Pump broken. Impeller may have broken or wear ring is worn out • Failed pressure/ flow switch: test for continuity when the pump is running; and open circuit when the pump is not running. Checks to perform if the pump motor is not running • Pump humming: failed capacitor or seized bearings • Pump motor failure: open windings • No power to pump: blown fuse or failed relay/pcb Contact: Australian Spa Parts technical support 1300 735 025

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

Anniversary

Maytronics looks back to the beginning Maytronics is celebrating 30 years in the industry, over which time they have been first with a number of technologies. Dealers and distributors from around the world gathered at the Maytronics head office and manufacturing facility in Israel to celebrate Maytronics having led the robotic pool cleaner industry since 1983. “It was a really special event, and seeing so many distributors who have grown and been part of the Maytronics family for 30 years was inspiring,” says Dan Kwaczynski, Maytronics Australia Managing Director. “While even now we are seeing strong growth, it’s really important for us to recognise that this comes from understanding and working with your customers, understanding what’s important for them and continually adapting and improving to

meet their requirements – both now and into the future,” he says.

Maytronics’ key milestones

1982 – Electronic robot invented and patented in South Africa 1983 – Maytronics acquires exclusive rights to the technology 1997 – First in the world – dual drive technology launched 2003 – First in the world – top access technology 2005 – First in the world – swivel technology 2009 – Maytronics acquires MGI – world leading alarm technology for both public and private pools 2010 – First in the world – active brush technology 2012 – First in the world – robotic hybrid technology launched

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news

Richard Hounslow, manager of Sunbather WA

Expo News AstralPool Australia has become the Platinum Sponsor of SPLASH! on the Gold Coast, being held in July 2014. Simon Cooper, managing director of Interpoint (organiser of the SPLASH! trade shows) says he is very excited that the largest manufacturer in Australia has supported the event in such a significant way. Also, Bioniser, the manufacturer of the innovative pool sanitisation system, has become a Gold Sponsor and the Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance is sponsoring the poolside welcome drinks. In further good news for SPLASH! Week, Lo-Chlor is once again sponsoring the Andrew Simons Memorial Golf Day. Additionally, BioLab Australia is participating in a substantial way by working in conjunction with Interpoint and various RTOs to present a three-day training program at SPLASH!. An industry training leader for 30 years, BioLab has put together a program covering popular courses and training requirements for industry members interested in the Certificates III and IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Service. There is more on these announcements on page 56. Interpoint is again acting as an international agent for Piscine which will be held next November in Lyon, France. For more information contact Simon Cooper on (02) 9660 2113.

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

Expansion

Sunbather rises in the west In recent years, Sunbather’s strong growth in the eastern states has prompted a concerted push into the trade market in Western Australia, and general manager Tom Boadle says he had been searching for some time for the right partner to take on the Sunbather brand and products. He has now announced that that search is over and the business formerly known as Deluxe Pool is operating as Sunbather WA, offering the full range of Sunbather products from solar pool heating to automatic pool covers. Richard Hounslow has been in business with Deluxe Pool Heating for more than six years and has built a strong trade customer base and loyal network among the leading pool builders and pool technicians in WA. Sunbather can now better sup-

port his trade base with their 40 years’ experience, engineering support, product support, installation techniques and marketing. “It will be a very powerful partnership as I can take the experience and expertise that Sunbather has developed and better service the Perth trade with a greater access to new products and the growing commercial sector,” says Hounslow. Another factor in this move has been the success of Sunbather in the national commercial pool heating and covers market. This has led to a substantial increase in the demand for Sunbather’s solar heating expertise and commercial thermal pool covers in WA, which the new office will be better able to manage. Sunbather recently completed a large commercial job at Geraldton which is featured on page 73.

Safety

Overhead power lines reminder Queensland energy provider Energex has circulated an important safety reminder in relation to working near overhead service lines which run from the street and connect to the front of a house or business premises or private property pole. Energex reminds all pool builders that: • It is critical that persons or objects do not come into contact with any overhead service line; • The black insulation covering on some overhead lines has deteriorated earlier than expected with the potential of exposing live electricity conductors; and • The defective insulation covering can present a risk of injury to persons or damage to

objects coming into contact with the overhead service lines. Energex says they are continuing to take steps to address the potential exposure, but if you identify a service line that may be hazardous, keep away and call Energex on 13 12 53. Recognising the dangers of electricity and staying alert could save your life or that of others. Electrical safety legislation provides requirements in relation to working in the vicinity of powerlines, including overhead service lines. It is also most important that a safe system of work is in place that includes effective control measures that prevent workers, and anything that they are in contact with, connecting with service lines. Contact: www.energex.com.au

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news

Industry moves

New training manager

Simon Peppercorn

Simon Peppercorn is the Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance’s new training manager, taking over from Jeffery Lehrer who has left the organisation to pursue other opportunities after 11 months in the training role. Peppercorn is a practiced vocational education and development specialist with more than eight years’ experience in working across a range of service and technical industries. Among his key strengths is a strong background in the management of registered training organisation (RTO) oper-

ations and regulatory compliance. He will oversee the SPASA Training Division and be responsible for managing the entire suite of nationally accredited swimming pool and spa related courses. One of his first goals will be to undertake the Certificate III in Swimming Pool and Spa Service course as well as getting to know and understand the industry’s educational needs. He can be contacted by phone on 1800 802 482, mobile 0450 589 723 or by email simon@spasa.org.au.

Acquisitions

SR Smith buys Anti Wave Australia US-based international pool deck equipment supplier SR Smith has acquired Anti Wave Australia. Anti Wave branded products will still be available in Australia and the Pacific through SR Smith. Additionally, plans include expanding sales of SR Smith commercial pool deck equipment into Australia to supplement Anti Wave competitive product offerings as well as offering a complete line of residential deck equipment. “Australia presents an exciting opportunity for SR Smith,” says Rich Laitta, SR Smith President and CEO. “We are thrilled to acquire an industry leading brand with a history of innovation and customer service. We hope to build on Anti Wave’s tradi-

tion and deliver the highest quality products to our customers,” he says. Anti Wave products are well known in the competitive swimming world and include starting blocks, water polo goals, racing lane lines, storage reels and complementary accessories; and Anti Wave products have been featured in several Olympic Games, including Sydney 2000. The Australian business will trade under the name SRS Australia Pty Ltd and operate out of the existing Anti Wave manufacturing and distribution facility in Ipswich, Queensland. Founded in 1932, SR Smith is headquartered in Canby, Oregon, USA, with additional manufacturing outside Nashville, Tennessee.

Awards

Brisbane pool shop picks up franchising gong

Paul and Caroline Attard

Paul and Caroline Attard from Mt Gravatt PoolWerx store picked up the National Multi-Unit Franchise Award at the 2013 National Excellence in Franchising Awards held on the Gold Coast in October. The Attards have grown from a single “man-in-a-van” business in 2005 to a $2.1 million enterprise with two retail stores and six vans servicing hundreds of clients across South Brisbane. “I was operations director for an events and experiential marketing company and Caroline was run-

ning her own child care business from home,” says Paul Attard. “However, we wanted to be in control of our own destiny and build a strong future for our children. We started with a van and no customers and after fine-tuning our service delivery and establishing a regular client base we invested in our first retail store in 2006. We’ve since followed PoolWerx’s career pathway, growing through multiple vans and retail stores.” The Attards now employ 11 team members, working across Mt Gravatt, Balmoral, Carindale and Rochedale.

Industry moves Greg Op de Coul has taken up a new position as Davey’s National Product Manager in the Pool and Spa division. The marketing contact at Rheem Pool Heating is now Trevor Llewellyn. Pool Systems has moved to larger head office in Brisbane, having outgrown its Kremzow Road premises. The business is now located at a 9500sqm facility at 27 Strathwyn Street, Brendale, Queensland. Here they can carry adequate stock and process orders efficiently for their customer base. For further information call (07) 3889 6722. Pentair’s President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Schrock will retire his position effective December 31, 2013. He says that now with the one year anniversary of the Tyco Flow Control merger, the time was right to move on. Schrock, 60, joined Pentair in 1998, became President of Pentair’s Pump Group, and went on to lead three additional Pentair businesses. Following his departure, the position of President and COO will not be replaced. Sadly, John Perrey of Sea Clear Pools in Victoria passed away in October. He had been a long standing member of the industry and a long-time member of SPASA Victoria.He will be misssed.

December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

news

This pool designed by Peter Glass could not be built under current amendments, as even though it is on a cliff, it would require a fence on the precipice

In Brief Riversands has issued a warning that sulphuric, or other sulphate-bearing pool acidifiers, must not be used with their products. They say a pool builder had been having problems with pools disintegrating when customers use “no Fume Acid” sold as a hydrochloric acid replacement in pool shops with Aalbourg cement. Riversands chemist Duncan Hywel-Evans says the variant in question was a sulphuric acid variant which is readily available and quite cheap. “Sulphuric acid is extremely destructive to Aalbourg cement among many others and will utterly destroy any pool render based on Aalbourg cement converting the lime to gypsum which then loses its ability bind the sand. The rapid erosion of the pool render is characterised by continuous deposits of sand in the filter.” For further information contact Duncan Hywel-Evans on (07) 3287 6444. The following story might seem absurd, but it shows the benefit of perseverance. Rayna, a 14 year old autistic girl from Macquarie Fields, became distressed when her pet – a blind chicken – was found lifeless in the family swimming pool. Undeterred, her mother Roberta Rapo performed CPR on the pet for a marathon three hours and finally achieved success. The chook came to life, circled her saviour, laid an egg and resumed its normal life.

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

Regulations

Out-of-ground amendments continue to bristle Relations between the NSW Government and some members of the industry have dipped following a failure to reach agreement over amendments to the Building Code of Australia (BCA) 2013. Landscape architect and pool designer Peter Glass has been heavily involved in dealing with the Department of Local Government (DLG) on this issue, as it directly affects the types of pools he regularly designs for top-end clients. In particular, this issue relates to pools built partially or fully out of the ground, and also those on the edge of multi-million dollar cliff-edge properties overlooking Sydney Harbour and the Pacific Ocean. At issue is a NSW variation to the BCA insisting pool fences be built around “out of ground” pools that already have a wall higher than the required 1.2 metres. Part of the problem appears to be confusion about what “out of ground” actually refers to. Spiros Dassakis, in the Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance’s October submission to the DLG, highlights the fact that the term “Out of Ground Pools” is not used or defined in AS1926.1 nor is it generally used within the industry. The only reference to “Out of Ground Pool” is within the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and no-one seems to know who devised this particular phrase. Adding to the confusion is that fact that the BCA offers no definition of an “Out of Ground Pool”. The appropriate terminology is “Out of Ground Walls of Pools” which is captured within the Australian Standard, 1926.1-2012. Many thousands of pools have already been built in NSW using the pool wall as an effective barrier, but the new interpretation could stifle the construction of pools with spill-over walls and infinity edges, lending some in the industry to label the amendments the “anti-infinity laws”. Additionally, it went against an understanding with others States not to “tinker” with the BCA. A series of meetings has been conducted with industry participants such as the Swimming Pool

and Spa Alliance, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, the Australian Institute of Architects, the Institute of Engineers of Australia, the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers, the Landscape Contractors Association, the MBA and the HIA. However, Peter Glass has expressed his dissatisfaction with responses from the department and believes a number of issues have not been addressed despite the ongoing deliberations for the past six months. Among his concerns are that the department has still not clarified where in the NSW Pool Act it says that “Out of Ground Pool Walls” cannot be used as an effective barrier. Glass says that over the past several decades, many thousands of pools have been built with an out of ground pool wall as an effective barrier, and these have been approved by councils in NSW as a being fully compliant with the Pool Act and Regulations. Nowhere can it be found in the NSW Pool Act or Regulations the wording that out of ground pool walls cannot be an effective barrier. Part of the “work around” the DLG is considering is greater use of exemptions, such as the Section 22 exemption that councils can call on to allow projects through. However, Dassakis points out that councils are becoming risk-averse when faced with an application for an exemption or an alternative building solution, even though the exemption or alternative solution satisfies or exceeds the legislative and technical requirements. He suggest the simplest way around the issue is that “Out of Ground Pools” should be removed from the BCA and that the DLG should recognise (as other jurisdictions have done) that “Out of Ground Walls of Pools” are an acceptable barrier. Discussions are ongoing and while Glass is frustrated at the lack of a satisfactory response, Dassakis is a bit more positive. “We are quietly optimistic that a sensible solution will be forthcoming,” he says.

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news

Industry moves

The Glory days of Roger Lefort In Brief The Enviraflo circulation system has capped a successful year by winning the Innovative Product category at the 2013 Powercor/WIN Network Mildura Innovation Awards. The evening brought further success with Cliff Cooke winning the Innovative Person (Business) category and Cooke Industries being named the 2013 Powercor Innovator of the Year. The success follows Enviraflo gaining a commendation at the SPASA Victoria Awards of Excellence. The Pentair Foundation moved quickly after the destruction wrought through the Philippines by Typhoon Haiyan, working with its partners to deploy its Living Water Treatment Systems that can provide emergency water filtration and treatment to people in need. Pentair contributed $200,000 to ensure the delivery of 20 systems to the Philippines within 48 hours of the tragedy. ARC Fences has been awarded the Kidsafe Responsible Retailer Award for their activity in promoting childhood injury/accident prevention and the safety of children via their national water safety campaign featuring Olympic swimmer Samantha Riley. In addition to her role as a mother, the campaign focussed on Riley’s swimming and safety expertise to promote water safety to consumers.

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

Roger Lefort has retired from his role as manager of SPASA WA after 11 years in the job. Originally from England, Lefort started his career in marketing as part of the Mars Group, rising to a senior management position before starting his own business promoting cigarette brands such as Du Maurier and 555. After coming to Perth on a holiday he decided to stay and not long after was offered the chance to help set up a new soccer team to participate in the national competition. With two investors and himself as manager he secured a league licence and set up Perth Glory, the team that is now sitting in the top half of the A-League. “The two owners and myself built Perth Glory up from nothing,” he says. “It was just local players and we didn’t have a particular ethnic background, so we attracted a more varied crowd and quickly became the flavour of the month.” The team made the Grand Final in 2000 and set a record domestic soccer crowd of 43,242 at Subiaco Oval. “Working for a pro soccer club is not easy,” he says. “You’re dealing with the general public which isn’t always easy, the players who can be very theatrical, and the owners who want to make money. I was on tenterhooks a lot of the time but having a real passion for the game I absolutely loved it.” But the work involved travelling to the East Coast every second weekend, so in 2002 he decided to try something different and became involved in SPASA WA. “Initially, they didn’t have a great deal of money,” he says. “The board members had their own jobs and didn’t have as much time as they’d like to spend on Association business. So I came in on a six-month contract, initially to replace the old watertight insurance scheme. I introduced the completion guarantee which replaced it and

Roger Lefort will now have lot more time to spend with his wife Vicki and their grandchildren

created some funds for SPASA. That was eleven years ago.”

Industry insights

Lefort says that over the past decade, the Association has become a lot more professional and now the name SPASA generally means something to the public, and the Association has the respect of the public and the government bodies. He says that when he first started, the industry was in the hands of a few people, but now it is more diversified. “There wasn’t huge encouragement to get new members, but we changed that view and got new members to join as long as they were suitably qualified. You’ll always get one or two who fall through the net who aren’t as good as they purport to be, but on the whole we have some extremely good builders here. The market is strong and shows no signs of diminishing.” He believes there is a lot of merit in having a national body but while stressing that these views are his and not necessarily the Association’s, he says the States should still remain autonomous. “We should be working for one goal and that is to grow the industry and help our members,” he says. “Unfortunately sometimes egos can get in the way of progress. It may sound harsh but

it is a reality. It’s not confined to this industry, it happens in many different ventures all around the world. But we really need to try and keep politics out of it and minimise the red tape. “The priority for the new national body, in my view, should be to look after training, the website and Federal communication. But leave the day-to-day running of the States to themselves. And there is no need to do a national trade show. Why would you want to do that when SPLASH! does it so well and has the respect of the industry? “Training is it. It’s the main one.” He says he doesn’t want to sound religious, but his parting advice comes from the Bible: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. “The best attributes in this business are a good personality, a good sense of humour and some ability. Put the knives away, it’s not necessary.” Although he has finished with SPASA WA, he will not leave the industry as he remains the organiser of the two highly popular Perth consumer shows, which he owns, and will continue to publish the next three editions of SPASA WA’s Choosing Your Pool and Spa consumer magazine under contract. At the time of writing, SPASA WA was conducting interviews for a replacement.

news

Chemicals

Treating pools after bushfires Many brave and selfless members of the pool and spa industry battled bushfires across New South Wales in October as part of the volunteer fire services, and many more will put their lives at risk across the country as we experience our hottest summer in a while. Bushfires also pose problems for pool techs as they try to clean pools affected by the fires. Steven Humphris from Focus says that if the build-up of ash and debris is only minor, you should use a strong clarifier to filter the particles out of the pool using the filtration system. If the build-up is substantial, he recommends the using a liquid flocculant to drop the particles to the bottom of the pool where they can be easily vacuumed to waste. He suggests that one litre of the flocculant should be sufficient for the average 50,000 litre backyard swimming pool. He says that for best results, ensure the pool has a pH of 7.8 or higher (add a pH buffer or increaser if the pH is below this). If the level of debris in the pool is extreme, the use of a heavy duty flocculant (such as a granular flocculant) may be required. If the pool has a media filter installed, select bypass on the multi-port valve and run the pump for three

to four hours. If the pool has a cartridge filter, remove the cartridge and run the pump for three to four hours to mix the flocculant through the entire pool. Once mixed, turn the pool pump off for six hours or until the particles have settled to the bottom. Once settled, move the valve to the waste position and manually vacuum the pool water to waste. If not all the debris is removed in the first vacuum, you may need to allow the particles to settle again for a further six hours and re-vacuum.

Algae

Paul Simons from LoChlor agrees with Humphris but adds that ash and debris from bushfires will significantly increase the phosphate levels in swimming pools in affected areas. “Phosphates are the major nutrients for algae growth and with a very warm start to the season it is crucial to keep these levels to a minimum or pool owners in affected areas will be fighting algae blooms all summer long,” he says. “Algae blooms place a high demand on the chemicals present in your water and cost time and money in clean up. If the consumer can reduce these excessive phosphate levels before the weather really starts to warm up, they

Fire-fighters from the NSW Rural Fire Service

will enjoy their pool at a fraction of what the cost would have been had the pool been left untreated.”

Removing contaminants

BioGuard’s Bill Mansfield says that many pool owners have reported significant problems with dirty and cloudy pools due to ash fallout and other various contaminants from bushfires. BioGuard has put together a technical bulletin on the topic. Excerpts are included below but for more information including recommended products go to splashmagazine.com.au to download the entire bulletin. If the affected pool has been in the direct path of the fire, it is likely to have lost much water from either fire fighting or evaporation, and is now most likely full of heavy debris and excessive amounts of ash. For this degree of severity, it would be advisable to empty the pool taking all precautions regarding this procedure – it is critical not to allow the pool to pop through hydrostatic pressure by taking specific measures including opening the hydrostatic valve. Additionally, all local/state government water restrictions must be taken into account. Then clean the shell, refill and balance the water. Remember to

initially add a strong oxidiser with a clarifying quality, then follow up with your preferred algaecide. For pools that are not directly in the path of the fire but are affected by ash fallout, he has a slightly different approach to Humphris, recommending you adjust the pH to 7.2 to 7.4, then backwash the filter in preparation for treatment. To remove excessive organic contamination, use triple the dose of strong oxidiser. Filter the water for a minimum of 12 hours; monitor the filter pressure and backwash as needed. Then clean the water line with a spa cleaning product or pool tile cleaning product, according to the label instructions, first testing on a small isolated area prior to use. Replace lost water due to backwashing. Balance the water. If the water remains white and cloudy, add clarifier but do not overdose. Filter the water for a minimum of 12 hours; monitor the filter pressure and backwash as required. Clean the filter with a filter cleaning product to remove contaminants. For the next two to three weeks use 1.5 times the usual dosage of your sanitiser. Contact: www.focusproducts. com.au; www.lo-chlor.com.au; www.bioguard.com.au

December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

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Wiring standards A

Cal Stanley looks at the crucial issue of electrical standards and equipotential bonding.

ustralian Standard AS/NZS 3000:2007 Wiring Rules is the “Bible” for all electricians. It is compulsory in all States and mandated by legislation both in Australia and New Zealand. All pool builders should have a copy and understand the rules as they apply to the installation of swimming pools, equipment, etc. You can get the standard from SAI Global. Even those in the service industry need to know at least some of the rules. Since I suspect only a very limited number will actually have a copy and understand it I thought it would be a good idea to summarise the salient points in this article.

Pool and attached spa zones

There are three zones in and around the pool: • Zone 0 is the water inside the pool • Zone 1 extends from the pool edge for 2.0 metres around the pool • Zone 2 extends a further 1.5 metres away from Zone 1 and the pool All these zones extend upwards to 2.5 metres above the pool and the surrounding 3.5 metres. If any part of the pool or the surrounding areas of Zones 1 and 2 are raised then the 2.5 metres in height is measured from those raised areas and not from the paving or the pool levels.

Zone 1 will be extended such that it includes 1.5 metres around any diving board, starting blocks and slides and the height of the zone is increased by the maximum height of these objects above the area around the pool expected to be occupied by any persons. The zones are slightly different for any spa with a water capacity of less than 500 litres. Stand-alone spa zones: Stand-alone spas only have Zones 0 and 1 with 0 being the water body and 1 extending only 1.25 metres.

Electrical equipment and the zones

IP ratings All electrical equipment must have an International Protection (IP) rating. If you don’t know it then your supplier will, so ask for it. IP ratings are generally expressed using IP then two numbers – such as IP63. The first number is a rating for dust and the second for water. The IP rating for dust is not as crucial for the electrical industry and many items may have their rating expressed as IPX3, etc. The X being a non-important or non-existent rating for dust. What can go where? Electrical equipment in the pool zones requires the following minimum protection:

• In Zone 0: IPX8 • In Zone 1: IPX5 • In Zone 2: IPX4 No specific IP rating is required for equipment and electrical devices installed outside Zone 2. Socket outlets and switches Not allowed in Zone 0 nor in other zones unless required for pool equipment. Where required for pool equipment they shall be earthed, protected by an RCD, mounted at least 450 mm above ground level and not less than 1.25 metres from the water’s edge. IP ratings of the sockets shall be the same as for the equipment above. Solid walls A solid wall not less than 1.8 metres in height may enable electrical equipment with lesser IP ratings to be installed in what would otherwise be Zones 1 and/or 2. However all builders need to obtain a copy of Fig. 6.14 from the Standard and see how the pool Zones extend around the end of a wall. For example a 4 metre wide wall right on the edge at the end of a 4 metre wide pool that can be accessed around either side will have the Zones wrap around on both ends to the point that there is no ability to mount controller equipment and the like December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

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out or explain the circumstances under which EPB is not required. They have recognised this error and will be sending out a new directive shortly.

Diagram showing the pool zones. Reproduced with permission from SAI Global Ltd under Licence 1311-c032. The full standard can be purchased online at www.saiglobal.com

on the wall at all. The solid wall works best when removed a metre or so from the pool, extends wider than the pool at both ends and one side abuts another similar wall such as a boundary wall. Equipment installed in a Zone behind a solid wall may be approved if protected by a cover that is sealed or water proof against the wall. You really need to get a copy of the Standard with its illustration on walls to be able to calculate the true Zone limits behind 1800 mm walls. Controllers Most controllers for chlorinators, solar and other items such as gas heaters and heat pumps are generally rated at less than IPX4 making them unsuitable to be installed in either zone. Summary Every piece of electrical equipment is required to have an IP rating so ask your equipment suppliers for the rating for all items, to be sure they are or will be located correctly. Many suppliers may show the rating on the item itself but you may not have that item when planning the job. The more you ask them the more they will start including this information on brochures and technical data sheets.

Equipotential bonding (EPB)

A number of pool builders have contacted me recently about this subject as it has been raised by house builders and electricians. This is because AS/NZS 3000:2007 received a second amendment in December 2012 that become effective on June 14, 2013. Unfortunately this amendment was largely semantics as it simply sought to require what it always did, but is now written in a different manner. To my mind the language of the amendment did nothing at all to make this subject easier to understand either for electricians or lay people like you and me. In June or July, NECA, the electrical contractors association sent out a directive to its members reminding them about the need to carry out equipotential bonding on all swimming pools. Unfortunately that directive was misleading in that it didn’t explain the requirements correctly. To be specific, it failed to set 32 SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

What you need to know about it: The main thing is that EPB is not necessary on many pools because they will have no equipment with “exposed conductive parts” that are “in contact with the pool water”. The modern pump has a completely “plastic” interior and exterior and the pump design separates the water from any internal metal. The exposed surface of the electric motor coupled with a pump is conductive (metal) but as it does not come into contact with the pool water it does not trigger a need for EPB. So, as long as your pool equipment system consists of a filter, a solar pump and little else then no EPB of the pool reinforcement or the equipment or anything else will be required. Any item of equipment, such as a salt chlorinator, that receives power through a transformer is thus electrically separated and deemed to be double-insulated thus not requiring EPB. Gas heaters and heat pump However, this will likely change with the installation of a gas heater or heat pump. These devices typically are enclosed in metal cabinets, they do come into contact with the pool water and many use 240 volt power so EPB will necessary in most cases. Where such an item of equipment is installed the extent of this EPB is considerable. All equipment, the concrete pool reinforcement and any metal items with a dimension of more than 100 mm in any direction, that are either in, attached to or within 1.25 metres of the pool must all be connected together with a common earth (bonding). This includes any metal fence and the metal spigots of glass fences within 1.25 metres.

Can you avoid EPB with heaters?

Yes you can. The Standard says that if power is supplied to equipment that is double-insulated or by way of a “separated circuit” then EPB is not required. Electricity supplied though a transformer is electrically separated and thus the unit is deemed to be double-insulated. It matters not whether a transformer is 240 - 12 volts or 240 240 volts, it is electrically separated. Some heaters that are not fan-forced units use power for an electronic power board and ignition only. This power may be supplied through a transformer. Check with your supplier. We know that these heaters are not double-insulated but making the supply a separated circuit is as simple as putting a transformer between the power socket and the heater’s power lead. At present 240 - 240 volt transformers are not common and not cheap but they may become better priced if our suppliers can order in bulk quantities and supply them. Certainly they are likely to be a cheaper option than the EPB of everything in sight. I hope this clarifies equipotential bonding for you and that it will not be quite as difficult to handle as you may think. Contact: www.saiglobal.com n

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Treating a poolscape to a touch of timber By Veda Dante

imber decking is a great way to make stylish, level areas for all your external entertaining needs. Decking can also invigorate the way you use poolside surrounds, with tricky sites like sloping embankments and uneven ground suddenly made available for entertaining. For Adam McDonald, designer and co-owner of Impressions Landscape Design, timber provides character, structural softening and balance in great garden design. “Timber decking is an important and effective design structure as it is a unique and elegant material that enhances visual contrast with other materials and provides a sleek canvas for virtually any background,” he says.

This East Coast poolscape has become something spectacular in large part due to the creative and extensive use of timber decking, incorporated wide multipurpose steps/seating. A key design element is the mix-n-match approach: it isn’t simply timber but stone and tile was also used to great effect. Photo by Patrick Redmond

34 SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

“Wood is a great material to use around pools, spas and entertaining areas as it naturally absorbs water quickly and minimises slipperiness when wet. It is associated naturally with resort style living and promotes a relaxed holiday vibe, making it perfect for pool areas.” McDonald also says that composite decking in greys and whites work well in contemporary architectural design. “It is low maintenance and more stable and durable as a decking option but can also look great in garden screens,” he says. Award-winning swimming pool builder and landscape designer Cameron Leth says timber is a popular choice for poolscapes as it creates a softer feeling

underfoot, adds warmth to the overall design, provides additional texture, both physical and aesthetically, is a cost-effective solution for pools located on sloping sites and results in a striking design feature. “But there are a few special considerations to factor in when using timber decking for pool surrounds,” Leth says. “One is the fact that good timber costs money, which might affect your budget. Also, it takes longer but screwing your deck is superior to nailing and, if you want to keep timber looking slick for longer, you do need to spend time maintaining it. “Also, timber decking can get really hot underfoot, so if you build seats or day beds into your deck it’s a good idea to add cushions and pillows for comfort.” Timber contains a relatively high tannin content and is prone to discolouration when it comes in contact with iron compounds such as ferrous nails and screws. Tannin stain is not only unsightly but also can clog the timber’s pore structure, which prevents protective oils from penetrating through. “Proceed with caution if you want timber decking overhanging the pool coping as tannin stains will cause some maintenance problems, especially on lighter coloured pool surfaces,” Leth says. “From a low maintenance perspective we advocate traditional pool coping using stone pavers and tiles in conjunction with the timber deck.”

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This Argo job allows the timber to be totally submerged. The designers chose vitex – a New Guinea timber variety that has many of the characteristics of teak – and is in fact used for boat building by our northern neighbours and compares favourably with teak for marine and submerged applications. It was sourced from Agora Timbers in Brisbane. Sizes are 125mm x 35mm dressed down to 123mm x 32mm. Photo by Glenn Weiss

Strength and stability The landscaping around the Compass Pools Victoria gold-winning project also shows how combining materials can free the decking to be at its versatile best without overwhelming the space

Durability is a key factor when choosing timber for a deck, not only for safety reasons but also longevity. Factors like growth rate, harvesting time, processing techniques, and geography can all affect strength so it pays to do your homework before committing to a particular type of timber. David Hayward from the Australian Timber Flooring Association says that while a number of species are suitable for outdoor decking, they do need to be resilient.

36 SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

“This includes many hardwoods with narrower sapwood (outer wood beneath the bark) that has been appropriately treated, as well as many softwoods – as long as the wider sapwood is also appropriately treated.” Argo’s master planner and principal architect Will Marcus says choosing the right timber species, timber sizing, fixing and finish all have an impact on the overall look and feel of a timber deck. “With regards to species, ensure that you obtain durability Grade 1 and no less than durability Grade 2 hardwood such as teak, ironbark or spotted gum,” he says. “Less durable species will splinter and split making them dangerous and difficult to maintain.” When it comes to sizing of timbers, Marcus says deck boards were the most critical because they are often the smallest. “The thinnest timber board that should be used in this type of location is 25mm when dressed, though 32mm is better,” he said. “The thinner boards, which are typically sold at 19mm dressed for verandahs are not suitable and will buckle and pull up their fixings in time. “Thicker boards are necessary for timber decking that is exposed to the elements, as they are with pool surrounds” he says. “For fixings, boards really need to be screwed down – two per joist connection – in this type of location,” Marcus says. “If the screws are within 1.5 metres of the pool water, use 316L stainless steel screws and make sure they are connected through to the joist very well. If the screws are beyond the 1.5 metre water zone, you can use 304 stainless steel instead.

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“Also, countersink all fixings about 1mm to 2mm below the finished deck surface.” While there is no effective way to permanently finish timberwork, Marcus says he’s come up with a pretty close solution thanks to years of building timber decks exposed to the harsh Queensland sun. “It goes like this: use dressed timbers, pencil-round all the edges, then coat the timber with the preservative Cutek Extreme, which is a clear formulation that is easy to apply,” he says.

“The thinnest timber board that should be used is 25mm when dressed, though 32mm is better. Thinner 19mm boards dressed for verandahs are not suitable.”

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■ One Time Zero (OTZ) “After a few days, you would not know that this light oil, which is basically tree sap, has been applied because the timber sucks it right into the grain. The following week, follow this up with a second coat of Cutek Extreme mixed with a triple strength stain of your choice, or stain-free if you want the timber to ‘silver’ in time. Repeat this again the following week.” Thanks to this double dose of wood protection oil and timber stain, the timber deck will go four to five years without fading. It is generally advisable to pre-oil at least one coast prior to installation, and two coats on the ends and edges including notches and holes. After all, it may be very difficult to access the timber after installation, and you’ll want to minimise the possibility of the oil residue going in the pool water.

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It’s easy to see from this Simon McCurdy Landscapes job that timber is just as well suited to modern architecture as to more natural or rustic designs. Photo by Patrick Redmond

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This Coastal Pools & Spas job shows how the timber can create a natural appearance that draws the water and rushes together with the relaxed ambience of the home. It also thematically complements the timber panelling of the home’s exterior walls – and even the interior ones which are visible through the large windows. Note the use of stone coping for easier maintenance

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ABOVE: Spotted gum by Boral Timber making a silvery deck RIGHT: This Impressions Landscaping design shows that timber does work exceptionally well in a garden setting – even if it’s an urban garden

Bushfire compliant

After the devastating Black Saturday bushfires that raged through Victoria in 2009, amendments were swiftly made to the Australian Standard that applies to the use of timber in bushfire-prone areas. Across the country, the construction of new buildings and additions to existing structures are assessed if they’re in a Bushfire Prone Area. AS3959-2009 outlines six Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL), which are based on the determined threat for particular areas; as the threat increases, so do the restrictions on the building materials that may be used. The guidelines known as “LOW, 12.5, 19, 29, 40 and FZ” are designed to reduce the risk of fire and ember penetration. Where there are restrictions on the building materials, timber is permitted in the lower levels provided the timber species meets certain criteria. According to the Australian Timber Database, the following species have been tested and found to meet “the required parameters without having to be subjected to fire retardant treatment”: Blackbutt, Merbau, Red Ironbark, River Red Gum, Silvertop Ash, Spotted Gum and Turpentine. Bushfire Management specialist and GHD Senior Consultant, Dominic Adshead says landscaping around timber pool decks and verandahs also plays a significant role in bushfire management – especially where the pool is situated close to the residence. “Shrubs planted adjacent to a house or [pool fence] in a fire act as ‘ladder fuels’, allowing a ground fire (burning in grass or woodchips) to travel up into the shrub and then into the wall or roof of the house or structure,” he says. “These plants should be trimmed back or removed, particularly those next to an opening such as a window.”

40 SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

Property owners who live in bushfire-prone areas might also want to consider choosing species that are both fire friendly and salt/chlorine hardy to plant around timber decks. “Species recommended are usually rainforest type species, with leaves that have a higher moisture, lower oil content, and don’t generate a lot of bark,” he says. “Most local councils will generally have lists of less bushfire prone species suitable for planting that will grow in a certain area while your local nursery or the rural fire service can also offer assistance and advice.”

Timber TLC

An outdoor deck that has not been protected against the weathering effects of sun and rain will not only fade to a drab, grey colour but also likely split and distort. All timber decks need to be maintained and the frequency depends of the type of protective finish, how exposed the deck is, and the timber species used. One coat of water repellent preservative or oil based primer, along with an additional coat of a timber finish, should be applied to the top surface of joists prior to fixing. After the deck has been constructed, additional coats should then be applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wattle and Cabots produce an attractive array of timber finishes, while brands like Ecowoodoil use natural plant oils to protect timber from wet rot, UV rays and splitting. In fact, Ecowoodoil’s ingredients are CO2 neutral and 100 per cent environmentally sustainable. To prevent timber surfaces from becoming slippery when wet, add Intergrain UltraGrip to your timber finish. This new product creates a textured surface that is ideal for stairways, thoroughfares and pool surrounds.

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Things of stone and wood – a natural combination by Argo. Photo by Glenn Weiss

There are many companies on the market that specialise in designing and building outdoor decks, enabling you to customise just the right look for your residential or commercial poolscape. Go to the online SPLASH! Blue Pages Trade Directory for more – look under Decking, Landscaping and Landscaping Design. You’ll find the Blue Pages at splashmagazine.com.au. Timber Queensland Decks has a useful information sheet titled Residential Timber Decks that outlines key issues such as timber selection, termite protection and maintenance.

Natural versus manmade

If you’re after a deck that requires less work and lasts longer, you might want to check out the latest range of synthetic options. Traditionally made from a mix of waste wood or cellulose fibre and plastic, composite decking mimics the look and workability of wood minus the drawbacks like warping, splitting or decay. While the initial investment in composite materials is likely to be higher than timber, they do last longer. They’re formulated to be fade-, scratch- and stain-resistant. However, like all wood, composite timbers will still show signs of wear over time.

Cameron Leth’s love for timber

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There is no reason why decking can’t be perfectly suited to a curved, freeform design, as this Polar Pools job shows

Contacts: Amber: www.ambertiles.com.au Argo: www.argo.com.au Australian Timber Database: www.timber.net.au Australian Timber Flooring Association: www. atfa.com.au Blue Pages Trade Directory: directory. splashmagazine.com.au Boral Timber: www.boral.com.au/timber Coastal Pools & Spas: www.coastalpoolsandspas.com.au Diamond Deck: www.abbix.com.au East Coast Pools: www.eastcoastpools.com.au

Ekodeck, which is a sustainable alternative to traditional timber, is pre-treated to ensure resistance to rot, decay, mildew, mould and termites. Equipped with anti-UV technology to combat the damaging effects of the sun, the decking and screening ensures long-lasting colour that won’t fade to grey, while minor scuffs and scratches can be smoothed out with sandpaper. “Ekodeck can be installed as easily as regular hardwood timber decking, with no special tools required,” says Bunnings national timber and panel buyer, Adam Morton. “Simply use traditional items such as a saw, cordless drill and decking screws to cut, drill and fasten Ekodeck boards.” Another option is to forsake timber material altogether. Amber’s new Timberstone collection replicates the look of authentic-aged timber sleepers while providing the durability of a concrete paver with a timeless timber finish. “The product is ideal for creating a vintage and rustic look to outdoor retaining walls, garden beds and poolscapes,” says Amber tile specialist Kate Lane.

Impressions Landscape Design: www.impressionslandscape.com.au Karcher: www.karcher.com.au Simon McCurdy Landscapes: www.sml.com.au Timber Queensland Decks: www.timberqueensland.com.au Ultra Deck: www.intergrain.com.au

Cleaning decks the easy way

The T300 patio cleaner or T-Racer is an attachment for a Karcher pressure cleaner, designed specifically to make cleaning decks less of a chore. It can easily clean ﬂat surfaces without splash back and has an additional handle for vertical surfaces. It features two rotating ﬂat jet nozzles for greater cleaning power and a hovercraft effect that creates effortless movement over the surface. It has an adjustable distance between the nozzles and surface, so it can clean either paving or timber. It can be combined with any number of Karcher pressure cleaners, such as the entry level K2.180: a lightweight, high-pressure device pumping out a whopping maximum pressure of 1595 PSI. The K2.180 comes complete with an integrated fine mesh water filter, dirt blaster and four-metre high-pressure hose for all those far away, hard to reach spots around the home. It also features an ergonomically designed handle for effortless transport, and large wheels to help manoeuvre with ease. n 88mm Red Rock composite decking from Ekodeck

Reconstituted timber decking can look great, too, as this Ekodeck installation shows

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WaterLink Spin has cut Tim’s in-store testing time to just 60 seconds. Customers no longer have to wait in long lines and staff can be used for more productive work. WaterLink Spin has also improved the accuracy of Tim’s water testing. The system uses a laboratory-grade photometer. And since users have only one operation to perform there’s no room anywhere for mistakes. WaterLink Spin has made Tim’s life easier in other ways, too. He and his staff no longer have to crush tablets and wash test tubes like cocktail waitresses. They can instead use their testing time to talk to customers. Copper and iron are standard tests in WaterLink Spin and so Tim is now able to test his customers’ water for metals, which he couldn’t easily do before. This means more income for Tim and fewer stains for his customers. Tim is so pleased with his WaterLink Spin that, along with the rest of his PoolWerx colleagues, he has decided to start using it in his service vans, too. The van version is called Mobile WaterLink Spin and it includes a Bluetooth-enabled photometer in a waterproof carry case with a re-chargeable battery and charger that lasts for 150 tests.

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Tiling to last a lifetime By Fred Gray LEFT: Rendered and screeded concrete shell. The precision of the work in this case is to accommodate a waterproof membrane as well as the glass mosaic tiling to be installed over. Renders and screeds must be smooth and flat so the membrane can be installed with the correct planarity for the tiles

ceramic or glass tiled swimming pool interior with epoxy grout is arguably the most cost effective finish over the life of the pool structure – which for me is more than many decades. I think it’s generally the most aesthetically pleasing as well. Achieving a good-looking and functional tiled finish in the pool is not difficult and from my discussions with various pool builders, is becoming even more competitive given the rising costs of other pool interiors. So in a nutshell and a few pages, how do you go about successfully tiling a pool to last the life of the structure? I am not going to say it’s easy peasy but the following basic outline is a good place to start. Having a good analysis of the project data, putting together the right tiling system specification based on this analysis, methodically executing the work according to your tiling system installation specification and correctly maintaining the water chemistry will get you there. A procedure that analyses the pool project data and looks at the factors that impact on the tiling system is relatively simple and mandatory. Documents like AS3958.2 – which includes the Planning and Design of the Ceramic Tile System or Laticrete’s Tiled Swimming Pools, Fountains and Spas manual provide very useful overviews of many of the considerations necessary in this process. Amongst others, the initial headline considerations in my analysis are generally: the nature of the structure to be tiled, its exposure and known issues; the chemical nature and velocity of the water to be contained; external factors that will impact on the installation; selection of the tile and installation materials; complying and qualified trades; and work method statements.

The nature of the project

Some consideration of the nature of the structure to be tiled: • Is it concrete that’s been sprayed or formed and poured, blockwork or CMUs, steel or a polyester shell? • Is waterproofing required? • Is it a new pool or a renovation of an older shell?

• Do they meet the structural requirements for the tiling system? • How dimensionally correct is it? • Its exposure and known issues – is it internal or external? • The need for protection of the construction process is a prime consideration • Are there know issues that have to be accommodated in the tiling system – is it post tensioned concrete or do other drying shrinkage risks exist? • Does the structure contain additives, densifiers or pore-blockers that may inhibit bond? • What level of preparation of the background is required? • Is it subject to constant wetting and drying or extremes in weather?

RIGHT: Membrane over a rendered concrete shell. Achieving good surface tolerances is essential for the integrity of membranes that are only 1mm thick and will be tiled over BELOW: Grit-blasting to expose the original background

The water and other factors

The chemical nature and velocity of water: all the various sanitising systems and the myriad of incorporated water features and design, chemical and physical loads need to be considered: • Are you using regular salt water chlorine generators or sea water; are you using liquid chlorine systems or bromine; are you using carbon dioxide dosing or hydrochloric acid dosing? • Do you require the water chemistry to consider other finishes in or around the pool? • Are waterfalls or infinity edges incorporated in the design? External factors that can impact on the completed installation: • What is the pool going to be used for – hydrotherapy, high usage for training, leisure, children’s activities? • Are parts of the tiling going to be exposed to constant wetting and drying in extreme temperatures – like infinity edges, weirs and the like? Selection of tile and the installation materials: • Is the tile and mounting system in the case of mosaics suitable for the proposed project? • Has the supplier or manufacturer confirmed they are fit for purpose and dimensionally stable? • Are the tile installation system materials suitable for immersion and are they compatible with one another? December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

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Specification and preparation

The finished surface: plumb, flat and true tiling as a result of good surface preparation

Trades should be qualified and compliant to installation guides: • Are the available trades skilled in fixing the selected tiles and are they able to comply with the specification and method statements? • Do they need technical support to understand the installation materials they will work with?

46 SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

Incorporating the above and other job site specific considerations, we can set about at designing or constructing the specification that should include the selection of the tile. Weight is given to the suitability or needs of the tile, the type of background, the need to be dimensionally correct, waterproofing, the type of tile adhesive and grout. The installation system should ideally be from one manufacturer, be compatible as a system and have a history of performance. The execution stage is where it all comes together or not – this starts with the examination of the shell or background. The surfaces should be inspected by the contractor in the presences of the builder to look for any condition that may need correction before the work begins. Of particular importance is the moisture content of the background and they should be dry. This may be problematic particularly with the installation of membranes. The background surface should be structurally sound, correctly dimensioned and free of anything that may inhibit bond. In the case of a concrete shell, this means the surface should be prepared by removing curing compounds, laitance, remnants of old finishes and the like. Typically, sprayed concrete generally needs thorough cleaning whilst formed and poured structures need grit or hydro blasting to remove laitance and other contaminants.

Ideally the concrete surfaces should be sound, clean, open-pored with the fine aggregates exposed. This is an often overlooked process with formed concrete elements.

Rectification

Once the surface is prepared and cleaned it is ready for surface dimension rectification. This is done for both aesthetic and technical reasons – finishing with full tiles, to produce flat surfaces and ensuring a symmetrical tiling finish – but more importantly it’s done to enable the correct bedding of tiles or application of membrane. Tiling with the thin bed method as per AS3958.1 – 2007: Guide to the Installation of Ceramic Tiles, requires a background surface tolerance of 5mm in 3m to achieve a +/- 4mm over 2m tolerance in the tile finish. This is done by the screeding, rendering or skimming of the surface to the desired finish. This should be further tightened with the addition of a shorter straight edge to give a 1.5mm in 300mm where small mosaics are used for greater surface regularity. These tolerances will provide mosaic tiles with substrates that are sufficiently flat to allow for uniform adhesive coverage of the correct thickness. This is very important for the bedding process of small tiles that come in sheet form. Oddly enough with the trend going to large tiles and I don’t see pools being excluded from their use, larger tiles need better surfaces tolerances and flatness as well.

Allow for movement

All pools need movement joints! The basis on which design professionals establish size, spacing and type vary from structure to structure. They may be required over existing structure joints, to accommodate

additional expected or normal drying shrinkage, to take up moisture expansion of some tiles or to cope with thermal effects on the tiling system when the pool is empty. It’s important to make sure they are constructed during the course of the work and not retrofitted. Needless to say, tiles should be impervious and porcelain or glass tile is preferred. I believe the use of natural stones in immersed installations should be avoided unless the stone has similar impervious characteristics to glass and stone and is deemed dimensionally stable. Tile adhesives should be rated C2S1 or better, suitable for immersion, compatible with the substrate and tile and have working properties that allow for a good installation. Follow manufacturer’s instructions and method statements when it comes to the actual process of laying tiles as they vary. For instance, mosaic tile methods will vary depending on the type of tile and their mounting systems. For the best chemical and wear resistance epoxy grout is the best option. These will be the most enduring and exhibit the best colour and colour fastness. They are exponentially better than cement grouts in their performance and some are now very easy to install. Yes they do cost more but they are worth it. Tile adhesive manufacturers are generally the best people to advise on proven installation systems if you provide them with the project analysis. Look for those who have track records and are willing to provide technical support for their products. n Fred Gray is the technical service manager at Laticrete Pty Ltd. For more information go to www.laticrete.com, or go to the QuickLinks tab at splashmagazine.com.au for a direct link to a Laticrete technical sheet.

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December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

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Zodiac TWIST & DOSE is an innovative system designed to help maintain a healthy and sparkling pool. TWIST & DOSE truly takes the guesswork out of chemicals dosing. The patented TWIST device is the key component. It is a simple, yet intelligent, test strip reading device that prescribes end-users which Zodiac chemicals to use and in what quantities. Pool builders will love recommending TWIST & DOSE as the perfect pool maintenance kit to new pool owners, whilst for pool shops TWIST & DOSE is a great opportunity to boost chemicals sales and increase store traffic with all the opportunities that this brings.

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feature

More than 17,000 visitors attended the four day event

hil Miraglia, Amber’s pool and mosaic specialist, attended the recent Piscina BCN – Barcelona’s international aquatic exhibition – scouring the exhibition for the latest and greatest in international pool products and designs. Piscina showcased exhibitors from 26 countries worldwide attracting more than 17,000 visitors over the four day event from October 15 to 18, 2013 held at the Gran Via exhibition centre. More than 60 per cent of the exhibitors and nearly half the visitors came from countries outside Spain such as France, Italy, the UK, Sweden, Israel, Turkey, Germany, Argentina, USA, Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Morocco and United Arab Emirates. Miraglia says the biggest tiling trends of the exhibition was the prominence of grey, black and white coloured glass pool products and digital printing on mosaics. “The exhibition presented a few glass-mosaic suppliers, once again showcasing popular blue colours. However, there was a definite shift to grey, white and black colours and finishes – specifically dark grey,” says Miraglia. “Glass mosaic pool tiles weren’t commonly available in solid colours. There was either a tendency for finishes available in a lustre appearance – more of a metallic look – or a layered finish combining four or five different looks marbled on the one glass sheet. This was definitely the most popular style of finish,” he says. “What blew my mind away was digital printing on mosaics. This opens up the opportunity for individuals to completely personalise their home. Whether they want to create a feature wall in their bathroom, outdoor areas, kitchen – the possibilities are endless.” Miraglia was very pleased to visit the show and says that attending the exhibition allowed Amber to be at the forefront of innovative pool design, as they were talking directly with leading international suppliers and experiencing international trends first-hand. “I look forward to bringing these products into the Australian market and providing our customers with the best in pool products and design,” he says.

50 shades of

grey

international tiling ideas from Barcelona

Round mosaics in an intriguing bed-wall

Examples of digital printing on mosaics

December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

feature

Other observations

Miraglia made some notes for SPLASH! readers based on his observations at the show. • The prominence of glass mosaics mirroring the appearance of bluestone and basalt. Bluestone and basalt products cannot be used in swimming pools due the chemical reactions when introduced to swimming pool chemicals and salt. However Miraglia noted that these colours created a classy, crisp appearance easily matching a majority of coloured tiles, pavers and natural stone. • Round mosaics and Mediterranean-styled and -coloured products had a subtle presence at the exhibition just like its style, “subtle and soft”. • There was a clear distinction between basic and glam products; however there were not many products in the middle of the spectrum. • There was not one supplier of natural stone, only two concrete paver suppliers and around six tile suppliers promoting porcelain pool surroundings and porcelain grates. • There were two level areas dedicated to showcasing pools; one level set-aside to spa-sized products and another level showcasing full-pool sized pools. Contacts: www.ambertiles.com.au; www.salonpiscina.com n

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

ABOVE: Anything can be turned into a mosaic feature, even a car RIGHT: One of the many shades of grey

AstralPool Mac wins BCN innovative product award One of the key events at the Barcelona show is the innovation award. This year the award went to the AstralPool Mac â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a product first shown at Piscine SPLASH! Asia in Singapore earlier this year. The Pool Mac has been designed to perform the physical and chemical treatment of a swimming pool controlled by its exclusive Smart Manager software, enabling users to adjust all pool settings from a touch screen display. It adapts to all conditions (volume of water, number of bathers, surroundings and filtration times) in order to save water, energy and chemical products. It can be controlled remotely via Wi-Fi using a smartphone or tablet. It received the award for most innovative product for opening up a path in the standardisation of pumping, filtering and chemical treatment equipment for private pools in a single, very compact device and for its potential for applications in larger facilities.

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December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

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feature

Mining for ﬁlter media

PLASH! recently travelled to Zeolite Australia’s mining lease in Werris Creek near Tamworth in New South Wales to observe firsthand the operations around the production of their Zelbrite swimming pool filter media. Zeolite is sometimes called “nature’s blotter” because of its extraordinary ability to absorb, hold, release and exchange different chemicals, nutrients, toxins and ions according to need. Zeolite Australia was founded by the Stephen family and is run by Greg Stephen who was present at the discovery of zeolite at Werris Creek. He pioneered the use of zeolite in key industries which provided a solid footing for production. Today, the zeolite mined at Werris Creek is used for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of water filtration, fertilisers, wetting agents, stock feeds, adsorbents, ﬂocculants and many other applications. Zelbrite Australia also has a lease at Emerald in Queensland. The Werris Creek mine manager is Kim May, who has a lifetime of experience in operating and managing mining and processing facilities, with wide experience in varied metals and minerals including tin mining.

millions of years it becomes compressed, forming a layer of zeolite. The volcano in question was possibly in Mudgee about 300 million years ago during the peak of the Carboniferous Period, when most coal deposits were also formed. When the Great Dividing Range was formed it pushed the zeolite layer up, so it is now tending toward vertical, leaving a seam 40 metres wide. Zelbrite sales manager Peter Rabbidge has more than 35 years in the pool and filtration industry. He says that while zeolites are found all over the world, the mineral found in Werris Creek is much harder than any-

ABOVE: Close up of an excavated lump of zeolite, showing the layers in the mineral that were formed 300 million years ago BELOW: Kim May, manager of the Werris Creek mine. In the background is an excavator crushing overburden with a crusher bucket

The formation of zeolite

Zeolite is a volcanic substance, but unlike many other volcanic substances it is not formed by the expulsion of lava from the volcano, but rather the settling of the ash. When volcanic ash settles over a freshwater lake it absorbs the water and sinks to the bottom. Then over December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

feature

LEFT: It looks like a fossil, but it’s actually a mark left by iron in the rock. These are popular decorations for aquaria RIGHT: The production facility at Werris Creek

where else – as evidenced by the fact they have to blast the rock out, while other sites can extract it through simple digging. “The beauty of this is it will last at least 10 years compared to river sand, which will last about five years,” he says. “We do residential pools, commercial pools, spray parks and water treatment plants. It’s a big money saver in the commercial industry because a lot of people don’t realise the cost benefit isn’t simply

in not having to replace the media, but in the lower labour costs associated with less need to suck it out and put new material in.” He says that because of its hardness, their zeolite will last a lot longer than others, and they’d had tests conducted that show it has a wear rate of 10 per cent over 10 years. “So if you extend that out, it will last 15 to 20 years in a filter without any trouble at all.”

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SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

Applications

Nuclear grade cleansing Zeolite’s micro-porous ability to capture some ions while allowing others to pass freely allows many fission products to be efficiently removed from nuclear waste and permanently trapped. Additionally, zeolite’s alumino-silicate construction is extremely durable and resistant to radiation even in porous form. Once the zeolite is loaded with trapped fission products, the zeolite-waste combination can be hot

pressed into an extremely durable ceramic form, closing the pores and trapping the waste in a solid stone block. Zeolite was used in the management of radioactive leaks in Chernyobyl, and more recently in the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster where sandbags of zeolite were dropped into the seawater near the power plant to adsorb radioactive caesium which was present in high levels.

“It’s quite a unique filter media,” says Rabbidge. “Tests show it can filter down as small as two microns. We went to the Australian Water Quality Centre for the tests, and initially we’d hoped to come down as small as five microns, but the tests came back saying two microns. “At that level it filters out Giardia and Cryptosporidium – two of the real nasties, especially in commercial applications. Another benefit is it pulls out ammonia, and will also pull out other heavy metals. This is quite unique as there is no other filter media on the market that will do the same.” Besides water filtration, zeolite is also used for pollution control; in remediation of mines through absorption and retention of dangerous heavy metals and other metallurgical wastes; in farming, horticulture and turfing by making fertilisers more effective by preventing leeching and holding valuable nutrients; in vermiculture making worm farms more efficient and in aquaculture as it decreases ammonia levels in ponds and tanks, and filtrates water for cleaner tanks. See page 70 for more information on its uses in aquaculture. Different grades of zeolite can also be powdered and used in cosmetics. Go to splashmagazine.com.au to see a video of the mining operation. Contacts: www.zelbrite.com n

Because the filtration performance in your pool is critical The performance of your pool filtration system is critical to maintain a healthy environment for your family and friends. When Emaux Pumps and Filters are specified, you can be assured of a filtration system that is of the highest quality. Emaux meets or exceeds Australian and International quality and performance standards at a cost which reflects our international competitive strength. For further information call us or visit our website. www.emaux.com.au.

The clear choice in water technology

1300 293 633 December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH! 55

NOW! 16-17 July 2014 Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino Gold Coast, Australia Australasia’s largest pool & spa trade show has been announced for 2014, SPLASH! will be held on 16th - 17th July 2014, at Jupiters Gold Coast, Queensland. The biennial event draws more than 2000 attendees from Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. Since the first SPLASH! in 1998, SPLASH! has become the essential meeting place for pool builders, contractors, retailers, manufacturers, architects and landscapers. After the success of SPLASH! 2012 which saw more than 1800 people attend the event, SPLASH! 2014 is set to go one step further with new speakers complementing the popular golf day and Environmental Awards. A highlight of SPLASH! is the comprehensive education program which covers many of the major issues within the pool industry. International and local speakers cover subjects such as water chemistry, new industry standards as well as marketing and ecommerce for pool shop owners. The expo is also bigger than ever before, with over 80 exhibitors already confirmed. Exhibitors who are taking part in SPLASH! for the first time include Artisan Stone Pty Ltd, Minder Swimming Pool Equipment Pty Ltd, Hainan Zhongxin Chemical Co Ltd and S.R. Smith.

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Welcome Reception Sponsor

Golf Sponsor

Media Partner

Exhibitor list ABGAL Liners and Covers, Albatross Pools, Aqua Action Slides, Aqua-Quip, Artisan Stone PTY Ltd , Associated Controls, Astra Pool Australia, Australian Energy Systems, Australian Innovative Systems, Australian Leak Detection, Australian Spa Parts, Autopool (Automated Pool Products), BioLab, Bioniser Pty Ltd, Blue Glass Pebble Co PTY Ltd, Boss Polymer Technologies, Classic Pools, Compu Pool Products, Continental Water Systems, Cooke Industries, Daisy Pool Covers, Davey Water Products, Designerite Pty Ltd, Driclad Pool Technology, Elite Pool Covers, Emaux Water Technology, Enviroswim, Evo Industries Australia Pty Ltd, Evolution, Fluid Solution, FOCUS Products, Form and Light, Hainan Zhongxin Chemical Co Ltd, Hayward Pool Products, Heliocol Solar, Hot Water Heat Pumps Au Pty Ltd, Hydrocare Pools, Ian Coombes Australia PTY Ltd, IQ, Jewels 4 Pools, Joy Pool Systems, Just Spas, Lincoln Pool Equipment, Lo-Chlor, Magnum Filters, Master Pebble Australia, Maytronics, Minder Swimming Pool Equipment PTY Ltd, Newline Pool Products, Niagara Pool Supplies, Ningbo Poolstar Pool Products Co. Ltd, Pentair Water, Pool Controls, Pool Pro Products, Pool Systems Pty Ltd, PoolWater Products, Prominent Fluid Controls, Quartzon, Remco Australia, S.R. Smith, Skypebble®, Solartech Pool Heating Pty Ltd, Spa Electrics, SPASA Alliance, Stern’s Pools, Sunbather, Sunlover Heating, Supreme Heating, The Pool Tile Company, Tim Batt Water Solutions/Pulsar, United Media Group, Universal Magazines, Vendart Pty Ltd, VICI, Water Linx/Solar Splash, Waterblade, Waterco Ltd, Waterlilly Australia/ Lovibond, Zeolite Australia and Zodiac. Visit www.splashexpo.com.au for the latest details.

Cert III & IV offered for the first time BioLab Australia is excited to announce that in conjunction with SPLASH! and various Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), it will be presenting a 3 day training program over the SPLASH! Tradeshow in 2014. This is an exciting opportunity for industry members to become aware of the training options available to them and participate in valuable education. BioLab has been the industry leader in training for 30 years, and is eager to continue its dedication to the industry with this program. We will be covering the training requirements and some popular courses for industry members who are interested in the Certificate III and IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Service. BioLab accredited trainers will be presenting some material, in conjunction with various RTOs and other exciting guests. Industry members will be able to sign up for courses and receive some course credits from attending the training. There will also be information on how to complete Required Prior Learning (RPL) packages for those veterans who already have all the knowledge required to complete a Cert III or IV. This process involves providing sufficient evidence to support your industry experience. There will still be ample time to enjoy the tradeshow and talk to your peers. We hope everyone attending the tradeshow will enjoy learning about this new career path for the industry. We hope to see you there!

Exciting Awards Announcement For the first time, SPLASH! will host the 2014 SPASA Australian Awards of Excellence. To be held on Thursday 17th July on the Gold Coast, the SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence recognise achievement in design, construction, innovation, and professionalism across the pool & spa industry. The Awards program gives recognition to SPASA members who have demonstrated the highest degree of competency and professionalism. “This year SPASA Australia has reinvigorated our awards categories and now include various product and spa categories as well as the most prestigious Builder Award in Australia – the SPASA Australia Pool of the Year. This will be fantastic – it’s truly the Best of the Best.” “The prime goal of the awards of excellence program is to generate an amazing array of images to stimulate immediate consumer demand. Our industry competes with many leisure and travel options, it’s time we stepped up and showed all of Australia the height of excellence that exists within the national pool and spa industry” said CEO, Brendan Watkins. “SPLASH! is the ideal occasion on which the Awards can be presented” said Simon Cooper, Publisher of SPLASH! magazine. The SPASA Australia Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner will incorporate the fourth edition of the SPLASH! Environmental Awards. These Awards have gained international recognition promoting environmental and sustainable achievements.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

www.splashexpo.com.au 1300 789 845

16-17 July 2014

Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino, Gold Coast, Australia

Gold Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Australian Designed and Made Viron eVo Pump Receives International Recognition AstralPool Australia is the leading supplier of energy efficient pumps in the Australia. Viron Pumps were initially introduced in 2007 and have evolved from a simple three speed into the Viron eVo range that is now fully variable speed. Viron eVo enables the flow rate to be tailored to each pool’s filtration and plumbing while maximising energy saving and minimising environmental impact. Through our parent company Fluidra, we have been able to export this leading technology to the world and have recently received a prestigious award at the Piscina Exhibition in Barcelona with the 2013 Sustainability Award. Viron eVo Pumps when installed by an accredited installer, will save up to 80% of your energy costs compared to standard single speed pumps. Already recognised as the most efficient pump by the MEPS Star Rating system, the Viron eVo Pumps are the best investment that can be made on your pool. The Viron eVo Pump has been designed, manufactured in Australia for the harsh Australian conditions and with rapidly rising energy costs in mind. These qualities always reflect well internationally as our products perform stronger, last longer and give better value for money. And we haven’t stopped there.....some further exciting patented innovations are now being released that combine the Variable speeds of the Viron eVo Pump along with the Viron eQuilibrium Chlorinator to create a total water management system.

Choose Bioniser for Your Pool New products on offer from Bioniser, gold sponsor of SPLASH! 2014: • THE SPA STAR which is designed for hot tubs/spas, swim spas and smaller pools whereby it not only ionizes the hot tub/spa it oxidizes it as well with the eco oxidizer technology which is a UV/Ozone Alternative. • The Bioniser range of test kits…pH, Total Alkalinity, Copper, Phosphates and Calcium Hardness. • 3 new Bioniser Pool Supplements: - Bioniser Blue. - Bioniser PFP (phosphate free pool) a phosphate remover. - Bioniser Ionlife+ A product that extends the life of the +ve ions in the pool. This is of course a WORLD FIRST. It is called Ionlife+ and is to our ions what stabiliser is to chlorine. New models of Bioniser: • pH Boss Auto pH control which also treats to 500,000 litres. • Eco Oxidizer which is our UV/Ozone alternative. Treats to 250,000 litres. • The MINI B our “no-frills” ionizer that is designed for above ground pools and budget pools to 30,000 litres Bioniser has now established a sales company in the USA, and has UL Certification. For more information, visit www.bioniser.com.au or call 1800 106 274.

Education program out soon

NEW

hocki

Tom Lac

Alex An

toniou

World Aquatic Health Conference SPLASH! Pool & Spa Expo will host the first World Aquatic Health Conference Symposium down under. “Where Science Meets Policy & Industry” will bring together a dynamic group of world-renowned experts who will spotlight the latest advances in science, industry and regulations to provide a safer, healthier aquatic experience. The event promises practical science, a diversity of thinking and breadth of knowledge – all with an emphasis on useful application.

Venue & Accommodation Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino offers comfort and luxury that never fails to impress delegates. 594 superbly appointed guest rooms spread out over 21 floors with sweeping views across the Pacific to the east, and magnificent hinterland views to the west. We have secured special accommodation rates at Jupiters, exclusive to visitors to SPLASH! 2014. Visit www.splashexpo.com.au or call 1300 789 845 for more details.

International golf pro at 2014 event Lo-Chlor Chemicals is once again very excited to be part of the SPLASH! 2014 Pool & Spa Expo and the major sponsor for the Andrew Simons Memorial Golf Day.

Welcome Reception The Swimming Pool and Spa Alliance (SPASA) is very proud to be the official sponsor of the 2014 SPLASH! Welcome Reception. The reception will be open to all participants at the show including visitors, speakers, exhibitors and training delegates, offering everyone the opportunity to meet and connect at the largest Australian gathering of the swimming pool and spa industry professionals alongside Jupiters award winning pool. We see our involvement as hosts of the Welcome Reception as our way saying THANK YOU to everyone for attending and supporting the Australian swimming Pool and spa industry.

Andrew was a pioneer and a legend of the Swimming Pool and Spa Industry and his passion for the industry was equal to that for his love of the game of golf. Today Paul Simons, Managing Director of Lo-Chlor continues Andrew’s legacy to be the market leader in its field of water chemistry and to still be regarded as the No.1 Specialty Chemical Company across the globe. In 2014 Lo-Chlor aims to lift the profile of the golf day and along with a few exciting golf personalities it has also secured the services of this year’s host Luke Elvy, Golf Commentator and journalist. Luke has been working in the media for 20 years and has spent the last 4 focussed on golf. He has hosted 3 US Masters, 3 Australian Opens & Australian PGA’s & was a part of 7s Summer of Golf commentary team.

commercial news

Competition

Commercial

news

Dutchman named as Aussie swim coach

Adelaide gets Masters. 62 Cairns park EIS . . . . . . 62 Global News. . . . . . . . . 62 Firesafe facility. . . . . . . 63 SOPAC burns . . . . . . . . 63 Cruiseship waterpark . 63 Fanny Durack opens . . 64 Tenders. . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Inflatable waterpark . . 67 Wet‘n’Wild Sydney . . . . 68 Aquaculture & pools . . 70 Geraldton covers up. . . 73

Jacco Verhaeren

After having a Dutchman as Australia’s soccer coach only a few years ago, Australia has again turned to Holland to supply an international leader – this time in the sport of swimming. Swimming Australia President John Bertrand and CEO Mark Anderson announced Jacco Verhaeren as the new national head coach to work under the director of high performance, Michael Scott. The 44-year-old Verhaeren will officially start in the role in January ahead of the 2014 Aquatic Super Series in Perth, with the Australian Swim Team also set to compete at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs on the Gold Coast next year. He has coached seven Olympic medallists, including Pieter van den Hoogenband to dual gold in Sydney 2000 and the 100m freestyle gold in Athens 2004, and had most recently been the technical director of the Dutch Swimming Federation.

Mutitjulu pool opens in shadow of Uluru The traditional owners of Mutitjulu have won their long struggle for a remote community pool, with operational funding to come from rent received for the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The pool opened in September. The project was managed

60 SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

by the Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) Projects, with engineering by FMG Engineers, and pool construction by State Wide Pool Services. Being in a World Heritage Area, the construction had to comply with very strict conditions.

LTS

Community places high value on swimming skills Parents and non-parents chose “learning to swim” as the most important activity for children aged 5 to 14 years when provided a set of seven popular extra-curricular activities in a recent community survey conducted by Austswim and the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia. In addition, when asked to assess the relative importance of a set of eight water safety and aquatic skills, the majority also rated “personal survival skills” as the most important, followed by “water safety knowledge” and “survival swimming strokes”. This survey ﬁnding contradicts the views of swimming teachers from previous research conducted by both organisations

where teachers were asked to rank the same skills from a parent’s perception. Teachers of swimming and water safety believed that parents would value competitive strokes as the most important skills. The 2013 survey Community Perceptions of and Attitudes Towards Children’s Swimming and Water Safety Skills aimed to further understand the eﬀectiveness of swimming programs and characterise the group of children accessing swimming from the general community’s perspective, particularly parents. This is the third research survey conducted by Austswim and RLSSA. Go to splashmagazine.com.au for a QuickLink to the survey results.

Our business is to deliver good quality healthy water for

BACKYARD POOLS COMMERCIAL POOLS SPRAY PARKS WATER TREATMENT PLANTS across Australia and in many countries around the world.

Zelbrite is a

Virgin Product

mined in Australia and is NOT a recycled product such as glass and has a far smaller carbon footprint.

Flippa Ball launches in Joondalup Buccaneer Swimming Pools is sponsoring the Water Polo WA Flippa Ball program at Venues West Arena Joondalup. The program is designed for 8-12 year olds and is an ideal way for young kids to learn how to play junior Water Polo. Water Polo in WA has seen significant growth with overall participation rates up nearly 30 per cent on the previous year, and Flippa Ball participation is up 50 per cent. For more information call (08) 9387 7555.

In Brief In a tragic accident, a young woman died after breaking into the Casino Memorial Pool with two friends Christina Knox, 19, dived into the shallow end of the closed pool at about 11pm and hit her head on the pool floor, leaving her unconscious Her friends immediately called emergency services and attempted to give first aid She was taken to Lismore Base Hospital in a critical condition and died the following day Christchurch City Council is spending $NZ3 8 million on the repair and possible rebuilding of two community pools and a recreation centre The Waltham Lido Pool, the Norman Kirk Memorial Pool in Lyttelton and the Lyttelton Recreation Centre will be repaired and improved or replaced, even though the insurance claims have not yet been settled All three facilities had been closed indefinitely following earthquake damage

This unique filter media has received accreditation from Savewater W.A.Water Corp Waterwise & Smart Approved Water Mark

NO other filter media can make this claim. Unlike many other companies we don’t make claims that can’t be substantiated. Tests conducted by the Australian Water Quality Centre prove that Zelbrite will remove dirt particles as small as 2 microns which will filter out Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Sea World Resort & Water Park has again won the title of Best Family Resort in Australia after taking out the award in the over four-star category in the Holidays with Kids magazine awards for 2013 At the same time it was celebrating the birth of new polar bear cub, which is now frolicking in a $1 5m “pre-school” extension to the polar bear pool

December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

commercial news

Competition

Global news Legoland Malaysia opened in October in Nusajaya With a water volume of three megalitres, this is the largest Legoland water park in the world It includes more than 20 unique water-based rides and more than 70 Lego models in a fully themed environment A highlight is the Build-a-Raft River, a unique concept where children can customise their own raft with soft Lego bricks before floating down a lazy river A Legoland Hotel will also open at the beginning of next year Management at Walt Disney World has decided to station lifeguards at its largest hotel pools during all operating hours, six months after a young boy drowned at an unguarded resort pool Additionally, guests will no longer be permitted to swim in the feature pools after hours War-weary Afghanis now have a water park in Kabul The 2300sqm park is located near the parliament building, and is only open for men and children Entry is $AU10 – about a fifth of an average Afghani’s weekly wage A faulty CO2 tank has been blamed for the sudden loss of body hair amongst the water polo team at Californian Berkeley High School Swimmers also complained of skin irritation and their hair changing colour

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

Adelaide to host Australian Masters Games 2015 More than 10,000 participants from around the nation will gather in Adelaide for the 2015 Australian Masters Games, providing a multi-million dollar boost to the South Australian economy. Tourism Minister, Leon Bignell, says this is the sixth time the biennial event has been held in South Australia. “The Australian Masters Games is the largest multi-sport event in Australia and will feature eight days of competition across 50 sports,” he says. “This event is expected to inject more than $12 million into South Australia’s economy and promotes friendship and goodwill among participants and the community as a whole.” The last time Adelaide held the Australian Masters Games in 2011 it attracted almost 8000 visitors and had an economic impact of $8.9 million. “South Australia is home of world-class events and festivals and we’re delighted to be welcoming the Australian Masters Games back,” says Bignell. “This event will make a signiﬁcant contribution to the local economy and is also a great oppor-

tunity to showcase both Adelaide and our regions to athletes and supporters. “This is an event that celebrates lifelong participation in sport and the enduring friendships fostered in a team environment. Our impressive sporting facilities are an ideal match for the Australian Masters Games, and we’ll be encouraging athletes and supporters to make the most of Adelaide and South Australia’s beautiful regions.” Confederation of Australian Sport president and chief executive Rob Bradley said he was delighted Adelaide would host the event. “Adelaide is arguably the ‘spiritual home’ of the Australian Masters Games having hosted on ﬁve previous occasions over the past three decades, more than any other location,” says Bradley. “CAS is also delighted to be working again with the South Australian Tourism Commission, which has been a driving force in bringing major events to their state.” The Australian Masters Games are open to participants over the age of 30.

Development

Cairns water park lodges EIS The $4 2 billion Aquis Great Barrier Reef Resort – potentially the largest investment in tourism infrastructure in Australia’s history – has taken a major step forward following the lodgement in November of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Plans for the 343 hectare resort at Yorkeys Knob north of Cairns include a waterpark; a 20 hectare reef lagoon; one of the largest aquaria in the world; nine luxury hotels; a 25,000-seat sports stadium; a convention and exhibition centre; an 18-hole golf course; two 2500-seat theatres; a casino and a retail sector The resort is expected to attract thousands of domestic and international tourists each year and provide a significant boost to the local and State economies Aquis Great Barrier Reef Resort Chief Exec-

utive Officer Justin Fung said submission of the EIS was a significant milestone for the project “We engaged a team of expert consultants to address each of the issues highlighted in the Terms of Reference (TOF) issued by the Government,” he says “The team has since prepared comprehensive development and environmental plans which reflect the scope and scale of the proposed project and are designed to minimise or avoid impacts on the surrounding environment ” The Aquis project has been conceived and planned as a fully integrated resort that leverages the stunning beauty of the Great Barrier Reef to draw tourists from Asia and the rest of the world Subject to approval of the EIS and the granting of an appropriate casino licence, the project proponents expect to commence construction in 2014 with an official opening in 2018

SOPAC patrons queue to give statements to police

Heatwave

The curved design means leaf litter can’t collect on the roof or in gutters

Construction

International award for bushfire safe design Although this project in Milsons Island, NSW, doesn’t involve a swimming pool it is worth considering how the architects, Allen Jack + Cottier handled the issue of building a sports facility in the bush, while managing the issue of bushfire prevention. One of the key elements of the design is a lack of guttering. The curved shape of the building means all sticks and leaves fall straight to the ground and don’t accumulate on the roof. Also, materials were carefully chosen to minimise the dangers associated with bushfires. The architects worked closely with bushfire consultants with the objective to maintain as much bushland as possible while ensuring the building complied with current bushfire safety standards. More than 70 trees surrounding the building were surveyed and assessed and about half were lopped or trimmed. They will be maintained to ensure fuel levels are kept to the minimum. The building location was given much thought and consideration. Milson Island is primarily composed of undulating native bushland/foreshore areas. The cleared areas are comparatively small and all have current uses and the original brief was to

site the building within this cleared managed zone. However, this approach would have reduced the existing outdoor sporting space so the architects ultimately chose the fringe of this managed area, allowing the centre to maintain all existing facilities and also effectively grow, by creeping further into the bush. The architects had no resistance from either Council or the fire authorities during the Development Assessment period, but director Rosemary Luker says it was an arduous process to get to this point. “These types of bushland projects require a delicate balance between the need to maintain the native environment while ensuring all bushfire building standards are achieved,” she says. To assist in this process, they engaged environmental and bushfire consultants from the outset. No building plans were completed until a reasonable approach was decided. Once all parties had tentatively agreed with this approach the architects developed the concept further. The design recently won silver at the IAKs awards in Cologne, Germany. Go to splashmagazine.com.au to see a video of the project.

1500 evacuated as SOPAC carpark burns Fire wreaked havoc at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday October 13 as a bushfire spread through a carpark, incinerating cars and sending black plumes of smoke over Homebush Bay Large numbers of schoolchildren and parents were at an inter-school carnival at the adjacent athletic centre and up to 1500 people were evacuated from the aquatic centre No injuries were reported It is believed a dropped cigarette may have been behind the ignition of the grass fire that quickly spread across the car park, incinerating 47 cars and damaging more than 30 others Witnesses reported explosions every twenty minutes as petrol tanks and tyres exploded Extreme temperatures and hot winds contributed to the situation and up to 50 fire-fighters battled the blaze as the wind drove the fire across the parked cars A long line of car owners queued up to give statements to police, and many were left without transport to get home

Carnival Sunshine’s new waterpark Following a massive $US155 million renovation, the cruise ship Carnival Sunshine is now equipped with a new waterpark designed and installed by Polin Waterparks and Pool Systems, totalling a massive 1500 square metres of rides and features. The onboard waterpark includes three spectacular slides and an aqua play structure with 40 different interactive water features. December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

commercial news

1500 residents enjoyed the opening day

Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre Client: Marrickville Council Superintendent: Hirst Architects Architect: Brewster Hjorth Architects

Refurbishment

Revamped pool to foster community spirit The newly refurbished Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre in Petersham opened with a pool party on Sarah (Fanny) Durack’s 124th birthday, October 27, as 1500 residents swam, played and enjoyed the free barbecue and treats. The Mayor of Marrickville Jo Haylen says that the revamped pool, which is right next to the historic Petersham Park, is a real asset to the community. “As mayor, I want to be part of building on the strengths of our community: giving our community what it needs to grow and ﬂourish,” she says. “That includes recreational facilities. Providing quality shared spaces like Petersham pool is a passion of mine because our community gets stronger when we come together and ﬁnd mutual ways to understand our neighbours, build relationships and look out for each other. “Public pools also play an important role to help make sure we have an active and safe community: for example, though low-impact exercise classes for seniors and learn to swim classes for our kids.” As well as the new eight-lane 25m pool, the centre features a small kiddies pool, a barbecue 64

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Structural Engineer: JJ Marino & Associates

The renewed play area in Petersham Park immediately adjacent to the pool

Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic, Pool Structural and Aquatics Engineer: ACOR Consulting Acoustic Consultants: Acoustics Logics Consulting BCA Consultant: Vic Lilli and Partners Access Consultant: MGAC

area with picnic benches, a waterplay area with adjoining benches, a kiosk-café, and plenty of grassed and landscaped picnic areas. Family members of Fanny Durack joined in the celebration and donated some memorabilia which was displayed on the day. At the Stockholm Olympics on 15 July 1912, Fanny Durack became the first Australian woman to win gold at an Olympics, and the first woman ever to win a swimming gold medal. She was a resident of nearby Douglas Street, Stanmore for 35 years. The pool features Prominent chlorine feeders, Accent Air heat pumps and Atlas perlite filters.

Arborist: Urban Forestry Australia Builder: Rapid Construction Electrical: Touch Electrical Plumbing: Smart Plumbing Services Myrtha Pool Lining: Swimplex Aquatics Screw Piling: Australian Foundation Systems

National aquatic tenders

Tenders City of Ballarat Ballarat 50m Pool and Aquatic Play Space at BALC Potential Work Packages include: Concreting, Electrical, Fire Services, Floor Coverings, Glazing, Hydraulic Services, Joinery, Mechanical Services, Painting, Pool Hydraulics, Roofing, Structural Steel, Tiling including pool and pool decks, change areas and public areas, Waterproofing For further information and for registration visit: http:// gateway icn org au/ Tier 1 Closes: 1 Jun 2014

QLD NSW/ACT VIC/TAS

City of Mandurah

WA SA/NT 0

New construction, management and maintenance tenders and EOIs for aquatic centres and commercial swimming pools for September and October 2013. Data: Cordell 1800 674 120

Tender Number: 16-2013 Construction â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aquatic Redevelopment Project Includes: New 50m outdoor pool, New indoor leisure pool, Renovation of indoor 25m pool, New toilet and change room facilities, New club room facilities, Renovation of existing pool halls, New plant room, Other ancillary works Website: www mandurah wa gov au Contact: Vicki Lawrence (08) 9550 3764 Closes: Thursday, 30 January 2014 5PM

Sports Park 60+ Opens on Gold Coast

Hydrocare Pools Plus TEL 02 9604 8396

robert@hydrocarepools.com.au

December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

commercial feature

The Wibit 60+ installation at Aquasplash Fun Park, Gold Coast

Australia’s ﬁrst inﬂatable waterpark opens in Queensland

old Coast City Council has opened Australia’s first “open water” inflatable waterpark. Aquasplash Water Fun Park on the Broadwater at Southport features the Wibit 60+ inflatable plus two icebergs, a spinner and a rocker, creating the potential for hours of fun for many hundreds of kids throughout each day. Supplied by Hydrocare Pools, this was such a large and complex installation that director Robert Savell had to spend four days at Wibit headquarters in Bocholt, Germany, learning the details of installing the product as well as its maintenance and repair. This is the first Wibit 60+ installed in Australia, but Savell has four major installs planned over the next six months and more by the end of 2014. While this is the first park of its kind in Australia, there have been larger ones built in Europe by combining multiple installs of the Wibit 60+. The park was opened on November 2 by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, joined by councillor Dawn Crichlow AOM, a big supporter of the Wibit installation. The Broadwater Park is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The Park is operated by Aqua Splash and has already been hailed a success by the council, the operator and importantly, the kids. “Gold Coast City council has really got behind it,” says Savell. “They’re one of the big push councils in Australia. They’re leading the trend and it’s a perfect example of how to do it the right way – even down to the way they promote it on their own website.” The Aquasplash Water Fun Park at the Broadwater Parklands is open between 8am to 7pm and costs $15 per person for a 50 minute session, with discounts for families and kids five to 10 years old. Contacts: www.aquasplash.com.au; www.gcparks. com.au; www.wibitsports.com n 66

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

LEFT: Excited kids champ at the bit as Mayor Tom Tate and Counsellor Dawn Critchelow open the park BELOW: The park has already been labelled a great success by the operator, council and importantly, the kids

commercial feature

World’s biggest waterpark opens in Sydney

et’n’Wild Sydney – billed as the largest waterpark in the world – opens in Sydney in December. In fact, the park opens on the day this edition of SPLASH! publishes, so we couldn’t bring our readers pictures of the opening; but we did go to the park beforehand to have a look at what will be available and how preparations were proceeding. The most obvious thing about the new $120m park is its gigantic size. Built over 25 hectares at Prospect in Western Sydney, it features several slide towers each with multiple slides – a total of 42 slides and attractions in all. These include some of the world’s tallest rides, world’s best slide combinations and a number of world firsts. The heart of Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney is the enormous wave pool with a sandy beach as big as Bronte with a two-metre surfable wave. If you want even more surfing, there’s the Australian designed and made Latitube, which replicates the experience of riding a real wave. The park features the world’s first combination of a four-loop and eight-lane racer as well as the world’s tallest double SkyCoaster which lifts passengers higher than 70 metres before they plummet to earth face-first at 120km/h. General manager Chris Warhurst says the park is sure to become a Sydney icon. “First of all it’s the world’s largest waterpark, it has some rides that have never been seen anywhere else in the world. The combination tower with the Aqualoops

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

and a mat racer with a Twister as well as the Wizard is essentially three rides in one and is already receiving industry acclaim. “There’s the complex with the Tornado, the Tornado Wave and the Cyclone; we’ve got the world’s largest double SkyCoaster and the never-seen-before Latitube.” Warhust says there has been a longstanding need for a park like this, and believes it will reinvigorate not just Western Sydney, but the whole city. “The demographic and geographic choice of western Sydney is perfect given the number of people who live directly in this area, but this is a Sydney waterpark and the catchment is greater than just Western Sydney, and the services allow domestic visitation as well as local visitation.” Over 4500 people have been involved in the construction of the park including 2500 workers directly on site. Approximately 300 staff will be employed throughout the season full time. The water is treated with a sodium hydrochloride liquid chlorine sanitisation system and Neptune Benson filtration with perlite media. As it is a seasonal park, there is no need for heating. It also features advanced ride control systems and park-wide RFID, for everything from entering the park to purchasing food and opening lockers. Go to splashgamagazine.com.au to see a video interview with general manager Chris Warhurst. Contacts: wetnwildsydney.com.au n 1

ABOVE: The incredible eight lane loop racer LEFT: One of the many towers full of slides and rides No1: The park will draw people from all over Sydney and beyond No2: A tornado of fun No3: Thrills and spills for all ages No4: The Aussie designed and built Latitube being finalised

December 2013-January 2014â&#x20AC;&#x192; SPLASH!â&#x20AC;&#x192; 69

Almost 75,000 tonnes of product was harvested in Australia in 2010/11

Aquaculture in Australia and New Zealand

he swimming pool industry doesn’t exist by itself, but overlaps with a number of other industries. One such industry that many people may not have considered is aquaculture: the farming of aquatic creatures. According to the annual market report published in aquaculture industry magazine Austasia Aquaculture, almost 75,000 tonnes of product was harvested in Australia in the financial year 2010/11, and more than 11 million juvenile finfish were produced in hatcheries for recreational and conservation stock including for aquaria. The total farm gate value of production was $910.6 million, with the ten most valuable sectors being Salmonids ($394.9million, up 6.7%), Southern Bluefin Tuna ($125.1 million, up 22.5%), Pearl Oysters ($104.3 million, down 0.1%), Edible Oysters ($94.2 million, down 2.5%), Prawns ($57.3 million, down 24%), Barramundi ($38.2 million, stable), Abalone ($24.4 million, down 6%), Yellowtail Kingfish ($23.9 million, up 3.4%), Mussels ($9.8 million, up 4.2%) and Crocodiles ($8.8 million, stable). Tasmania had the highest production by value ($416.8 million), followed by South Australia ($207.1 million), Western Australia (100 million), Queensland ($89.2 million), New South Wales ($46.29 million), Northern Territory ($28.15 million) and Victoria ($22.8 million). This is an industry that is growing not just in Australia and New Zealand, but internationally, and is likely to become ever more important as ocean fish stocks deplete, and the global food shortage worsens. Aquaculture is developing, expanding and intensifying in almost all regions of the world. It continues to be the fastest growing animal food-producing sector and on a global scale, the growth in aquaculture is outpacing population growth. Sectors where there is some overlap with the swimming pool industry include pumping, filtration, vinyl liners, heating and shade covering among others. 70 SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

Oxygen cones

Aquasonic is based at Wauchope near Port Macquarie, NSW, and has been manufacturing, supplying and installing aquaculture products to the Australian market since 1976. Bruce Atkinson from Aquasonic says he uses some filters from the swimming pool industry and sometimes pumps, but usually not if they are dealing with sea water, as most swimming pool industry pumps are not rated for it and would need serious mechanical seals to handle it. He often uses sand filters with different media, including zeolite, and also cartridge and canister filters, but this is often for the supply lines, to filter water prior to entering the tanks. Regarding the removal of ammonia, he says zeolite can work but he prefers to use moving bed biological filters with several strains of nitrobacter. Recently, Aquasonic was brought in to increase the number of fish per cubic metre and increase profitability at the Marianvale Murray Cod Fish Farm. For two years, Australian cleantech company Sustainability Ventures has worked with Marianvale Murray Cod Fish Farm in a joint venture with the land owners and in its capacity as a specialist in the research, development and commercialisation of water technologies in industrial, municipal and agricultural sectors. “Our focus is to provide solutions for efficient water use,” says Ayal Marek, director of Sustainability Ventures. “For a farm to be profitable in any capacity, the ratio of stock level to area is an essential calculation. The concept of an oxygen cone to increase quantities of fish was very desirable and we made inquiries about how it could be employed.” An oxygen cone is shaped to optimise the saturation of gases in water – up to 100 per cent. Water and oxygen enter at the top of the cone at relatively high speed and the stream of water pushes the oxygen bubbles down until they completely dissolve.

commercial feature

The industry standard for most species of fish is up to 50kg of stock to 1000 litres of water. The oxygen cone enables stock levels to be increased by directly infusing pure oxygen into the water column. This involves pure oxygen being injected, under pressure inside the cone, into the water delivery line and into the fish culture tanks. Aquasonic was employed to deliver the solution. “We work with Waterco for industrial water solutions such as pumps, sand, cartridge and bag filters, so we were familiar with the organisation and knew they could supply a solution,” says Atkinson. “We selected two Waterco oxygen cones that increase oxygen content by three or four times. The stock levels that were previously limited to 50kg can now be increased to at least 80kg per 1000 litres,” he says. “The design and shape of the oxygen cone ensures the water released from the cone with the oxygen solution is bubble free and no ‘gas bubble’ stress is inflicted on the fish.”

Waterco’s oxygen cones at the Goulburn fish farm

Dissolving oxygen

Peter King from Air Supply International (ASI) is known in the swimming pool and spa industry for his Spa King (SK) blowers and the Peacemaker blower featured in Issue 90 of SPLASH! King also has 30 years’ experience in the application of blowers in aquaculture including prawn farms, crayfish, holding tanks for live exports, and closed systems for barramundi and eels. He provides blowers that can run 24/7 under maximum resistance. He says this is managed by the diffuser system making smaller bubbles which take longer to rise to the surface, and therefore have more surface area to dissolve into the water, increasing the level of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water. Aquatic creatures breathe oxygen just as land creatures do, only they get it from the water through gills rather than lungs. Oxygen levels in water are crucial for healthy fish. “The Spa King was the first blower to be extensively used in the aquaculture industry because the blower provides clean air with no carbon dust or gasses usually associated with high performance motors using brushes,” says King. “The SK is happy to run for extended periods of time – 24/7 if required. It is easily transported to site, holds very good pressure without overheating and can service quite a large area of water or holding tanks.” ASI also supplies modified commercial air blowers to perform in excess of factory specifications when the installation of blowers is difficult. “A number of criteria need to be taken into account,” he says. “Not least of which is the available voltage (single or three-phase) the reliability of supply, quality of water, performance, distance for delivery of air and average temperature (hot air pumps less than cold air). “We have also given assistance to numerous councils in Queensland which dabble in aquaculture and require blowers specifically designed or modified to perform different tasks under hostile conditions.”

Removing ammonia

One of the big issues with aquaculture is the removal of fish and feed waste. As well as the problem of its physical mass, it is laden with ammonia which can be very harmful to the stock. One product used in swimming pool filtration – zeolite – is also used extensively in aquaculture, and Zeolite Australia has a relationship with many aquaculture suppliers. When maintaining fish ponds or aquaria, ammonias have to be oxidized to nitrite-nitrate, but if nitrite levels exceed 0.1-0.5 mg/L, the pond environment starts to become toxic to fish and other aquatic life.

“Presently the approach of many aquaculture institutions is to use biological filters to facilitate removal of ammonia by complete nitrification,” says Peter Rabbidge of Zeolite Australia, manufacturer of Zelbrite. “This requires a high energy input for many passes of ammonia rich water to accommodate full nitrification. In the process of nitrification the water becomes acidic (through loss of ions) which requires costly pH adjustment.” However, he says by using zeolite in static beds, either in ponds or in shallow submerged filtration systems, the ammonia can be removed without conversion to nitrate. “This means energy requirements are substantially lowered as little or no pH correction is required, and subsequent ammonia-charged zeolite is a valuable by-product for use in horticulture.” He also says that at some prawn farms, fine-size zeolite has been sprinkled over the water. The prawns eat the zeolite and their excreta contains it, making for efficient adsorption of the ammonia.

The New Zealand industry

Aquahort Ltd was founded by John Seccombe to consult to the aquaculture industry in New Zealand. He says the New Zealand aquaculture industry is extremely small compared to Australia or the rest of the world. “This is because of the very strict biosecurity laws introduced some 40 years ago,” he says. “If it’s not a native of NZ, you can’t import it, even if it can swim from Australian waters into New Zealand waters, for example kingfish and tuna – so to import a new species to grow on a fish farm is near impossible.” He says the most popular forms of aquaculture are salmon, oyster and mussel farming, although he does have the only prawn farm December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH! 71

commercial feature

Swimming pool pumps are used in some applications, but generally need modified seals if seawater is involved

in New Zealand as one of his customers, where he upgraded their pumps with Waterco Aquamite pumps and PVC fittings, improving survival to 40 per cent. “I was using Waterco equipment in aquaculture long before Waterco got serious about the commercial application in aquaculture,” he says. “I imported the special seals to make the Waterco pumps last, then finally Waterco took on board my advice. I exported their equipment around the world before Waterco Australia did, putting Waterco pumps into Hong Kong/ China, Canada, Pacific Islands, Falkland Islands and South Africa before Waterwww.aquahort.com co ventured into those countries.” www.aquasonic.com.au Seccombe also says he showed www.austasiaaquaculture.com.au Waterco how he used US swim jets for www.waterco.com.au aeration venturis, selling 200 units per year in the early 90s, and now Waterco www.zelbrite.com features them in their catalogue just for that purpose.

Contacts:

72 SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

He uses swimming pool pumps as they are mass produced, reducing the cost, and have plastic bodies suitable for use with corrosive seawater. Also, they are simple and fast to service with some pumps needing only four bolts to undo. On top of that, they have an inbuilt pre-filter priming pot which commercial pumps don’t generally have. But he rarely use sand filters for seawater systems as they tend to block up and he is concerned about them possibly harbouring bacteria. He says one of the big differences between aquaculture filtration and swimming pool filtration is that the solids in swimming pool will sink, but not in aquaculture. “In fish farming it’s a huge mistake to suck up fish poo or waste feed and fire it through a pump impeller at 200mph to emulsify it into minute pieces – just making the situation worse – then firing that into a sand filter.” Corrosion is a big issue in aquaculture. Recycled seawater systems don’t use chemicals or carbon to filter, but washable pre-filter pads and biological filtration. However, this can form extremely corrosive action. First, there is the electrolytic corrosion of dissimilar metals and residual currents of between 300 milliamps to 100 milliamps via the electric motor shafts and seals. Then there is the seawater chlorine/chlorides corroding the metals. Also, as the seawater deoxygenates it gives off gasses. And in the biofilters, aerobic bacteria nitrobacter producing nitrites/nitric acid under the biofilm slime which makes stainless steel and aluminium lose its protective oxide coating. “Nitric acid will corrode 316 stainless steel, so I use titanium in my Aquahort heat pump heat exchangers,” he says. n Industry data is from: Savage, J., 2013. Status of Australian Aquaculture in 2010/11. Austasia Aquaculture Trade Directory 2013, Turtle Press, Hobart, Tasmania, pages 6-25.

Geraldton covers up and saves

n the 1970s, the coastal Western Australian town of Geraldton gained an outdoor 50m pool with some small wading pools. In 1999, the City of Greater Geraldton upgraded the facility with the indoor facilities now known as the “Aquarena”. Now, Aquarena has undergone major upgrades and renewal to ensure the facility’s longevity and sustainability. To manage this, the council first undertook extensive efficiency audits. Several initiatives arose from these audits including the addition of: • Variable speed drive pool pumps • Geothermal heating to the indoor pools to offset gas heating • Thermal pool blanket installation to the multi-purpose pool • Sensor showers and basins with timers and heat regulation • Waterless urinals • Solar power Aquarena manager David Emery says that they needed thermal blankets to mitigate the expense of heating the pools. “Cost was the biggest hurdle as we had covered the smaller pools with thermal pool blankets, but the largest heated pool had the largest price tag,” he says. “However, changes in operational energy costs such as gas heating made it imperative to start taking measures to become a more sustainable facility.” The City of Greater Geraldton had a number of projects in the pipeline, and the latest one was the installation of the Sunbather thermal pool blankets which were installed over the multi-purpose pool and replaced the hydrotherapy pool blankets. The installation was completed in October with very minimal disruption to programs and services at the facility. With the completion of the project, the centre

should begin to see a reduction on gas heating and a return on its investment, although at this early stage those figures are yet to be determined. Emery had not worked with Sunbather prior to this project, and says he was at first a little apprehensive because of this. “However, their tender submission was very professional their price was very competitive, and now seeing their products used in the installation and the works completed I am more than satisfied with the result,” he says. “The choice to install a mounted unit on the wall as opposed to a floor unit has ensured the space along the walkway is clear,” he says. “And the motorised rollers have reduced manual handling of the blankets. The simple-to-use controls have been great once the lifeguards and duty supervisors were trained in their use.” Although cost savings have yet to be analysed, there is one figure that has proved highly positive already. “With the centre now completing a number of its major projects, it has seen a resurgence and been embraced by the community,” he says. “Over the past twelve months the patronage has increased by 16 per cent with figures continuing to climb.” Contacts: www.cgg.wa.gov.au; www.sunbather.com.au n

MAIN: The thermal covers over the big pool are one of the measures to create a more sustainable facility LEFT: The covers were also replaced on the hydrotherapy pool RIGHT: The automated, wall-mounted rollers are easy to use and keep the deck space free

December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

new products

Swim and swivel Jumbo pattern sandstone

Natural stone wholesaler Cinajus has a new product called Teakwood Sandstone in a jumbo pattern which creates a powerful impression around swimming pools and in landscaped gardens. It can also be used for cladding. The 30mm thick sandstone is sandblasted and comes in jumbo pattern sizes 900mm x 600mm, 600mm x 600mm, 600mm x 300mm and 300mm x 300mm to form a stunning irregular pattern. It is in stock now at the display centre at Padstow, NSW. Contact: www.cinajus.com; (02) 9773 5677

Painting paving and poolside

Luxapool Poolside and Paving is a new painting concept for hard surfaces around the pool and home. It is a versatile, innovative and environment-friendly coating system easily applied by the homeowner or contractor. It comes in a range of â&#x20AC;&#x153;safe surfaceâ&#x20AC;? textures in a durable, water-based technology and is available in a range of 14 stylish colours. The technology is based on membrane products that have a record over 30 years performing under the harsh Australian sun. This new release, however, consists of a specific primer and base-coat system, with optional clear glaze for enhanced durability, stain resistance and ease of maintenance. The system approach is fundamental to achieving a long life surface which is safe for use even under wet poolside conditions. It will tolerate normal movement in the concrete substrate at a cost of less than $30 per m2 (DIY basis). Now old pebblecrete surfaces can be changed in both colour and texture, with a colour choice to complement either the pool colour, home decor, or both. Contact: www.colormaker.com.au, (02) 9939 7977

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Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than one way to laze by a pool, as this swivelling pod demonstrates. Australian summers are made for outdoor living and specialist outdoor furniture supplier, The Outdoor Furniture Specialists, is releasing a new range to enhance our enjoyment of the season. The Cosy Wicker Swivel Pod swivels on its own free standing base, and makes a stylish outdoor statement, while adding to the overall comfort of the space. Contact: tofs.com.au

Fabulous Fauna fabric

Extex has launched a new deluxe fabric range called Fauna: a deep pile chenille, suitable for the indoors and outdoors. Fauna instantly adds a comforting opulence to residential projects with its sumptuous soft downy texture that evokes the velvety feel of fur and feathers. Available in nine restful colours and accented with a deep navy and a rich chocolate brown, Fauna is inspired by the inhabitants of the enchanting English woodlands. The fabric is suitable for â&#x20AC;&#x153;severe contractâ&#x20AC;? upholstery and all soft furnishing applications. It is machine washable, stain-resistant, water repellent, light-fast and remarkably hardwearing. Extex has a long-standing history with architects, specifiers and superyacht interior designers. Extex fabrics are available in Australian through Southern Cross Textiles. Contact: www.sctextiles.com.au; (02) 9832 0848

Make your own dry workspace

With the Apple Pools inflatable tent, you can turn a wet, unworkable space into a busy hive of activity.

Lower porosity rubber for wet play areas

Traqua is the latest innovation in wet area rubber surfacing specifically designed for poolside, patios, splash parks and water parks or wherever a wet/dry outdoor protective surface is required.

Within five minutes you can create a barrier against the wind, rain, sun, leaves and dirt while keeping the warmth in. No longer will you have to spend hours putting up structures that take longer than the actual job, or sitting around waiting for the rain to stop then having to repair the damage the weather has caused.

It is an intricate, close knit network of small EPDM granules that form a durable, less porous surface than conventional rubber wetpour and is applied directly onto prepared concrete sub-bases.

This is great for pool builders, renderers, tilers, pool plumbers and pool painters. As long as you can carry the lightweight but sturdy 50kg inflatable tent, you have a ready-made portable structure that will suit most pools.

Traqua is available in several light pastel colours which enables the surface area to remain at its lowest temperature possible to accommodate bare feet, and gives a bright, attractive, modern finish. A specially developed range of bright UV-resistant candy colours for features and cut-ins is also available.

It suits any pool size up to 12m x 5m, has a one-metre gutter on each long side, allows for weights and has ample D-rings for added fixing. It comes with a blower and tent bag and your own logo can be included. Go to splashmagazine.com.au for a link to an instructional video.

Contact: www.a1rubber.com

Contact: www.applepools.com.au; (03) 9890 0778 December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

new products

Xtreme in-floor cleaning

QuikClean Xtreme is the only infloor cleaning system powered by venturi cleaning heads, a venturi skimmer and a channel drain. The venturi powered components and channel drain operate on a single, variable-speed pump to save thousands of dollars while cleaning pools like they’ve never been cleaned before. Available in blue, white, black and grey, these stylish new cleaning heads increase flow by 23 per cent and increase the cleaning zone by 33 per cent. The venturi cleaning heads thrust unwanted dirt, leaves and debris to the channel drain for quick and effective removal. All water drawn through the channel drain is filtered before returning to the pool and surface debris is quickly swept away by the venturi skimmer which operates on the power of return water instead of suction.

Making water wetter

Given the horrendous bushfires already this season, it is worth mentioning a product that is not pool-related but is supplied by a pool industry company – Davey – and comes recommended by pool industry people who are also fire-fighters. Foam-fast provides a simple way to improve the effectiveness of water in protecting homes and properties from fire. The Foam-fast nozzle is fitted with an easy-to-use solid foam stick which produces foamy water three- to five-times wetter than normal water.

QuikClean Xtreme combines unique advancements to deliver reliability, bold performance and incredible efficiency.

This makes it last longer when used as a wetting agent on homes, structures and in fact on any standard combustible materials. It can even be used to spray around the garden to increase the resistance of shrubs and trees to fire and heat.

Contact: www.QuikClean.com.au, 1300 652 076

Contact: www.davey.com.au

Simple, reliable chlorinator

The Australian made Noria ROK:X series salt chlorinators have been designed to offer simple operation and high levels of reliability even in the most demanding situations. Compatible with both salt and mineral pools, they come in 20g/hr, 30g/hr and 40g/hr sizes and operate at low salt levels of 3000ppm to 3500ppm.

Fine-element filtration

All sizes have reverse polarity and feature an additional hard/soft setting to help reduce calcium build-up on the cell if the water is hard. The analogue time clock can be replaced with a digital time clock if required.

The EVO:C has a unique locking ring ensuring the cartridge lid is sealed even under high pressure and high temperatures, as well as 50mm connections for fast installation and the ability to handle high flow rates.

The chlorine output adjustment is a simple turn of a dial and an easily read chlorine output gauge displays the performance of the chlorinator. The power pack is fitted with readily accessible circuit breaker instead of a fuse for ease of use.

Compact in design yet adaptable, the EVO:C cartridge filter allows for varied output configurations with up to three outlets and one inlet. As it does not require a backwash line, it is efficient at water conservation making it a waterearth recommended product.

Contact: 1300 1 FOCUS (36287)

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

The Noria EVO:C has state-of-the-art Dupont Reemay cartridges, enabling it to filter fine particles without embedding them, meaning the EVO:C cleans very thoroughly and easily.

POOL & SPA TRADE SHOW 20-21 May 2013

Pool & Spa Trade Show

Tile installation app

Laticrete Australia has updated its Tile and Stone Installation Materials App to include new useful and powerful features based on user feedback, including adhesive coverage calculations and full information on the Laticrete product line from underlayments to membranes, and from adhesives to grouts. This app is an industry-first, full-service reference tool. Contractors, tile shops, distributors and dealers will find the application a welcome addition to their tool kit. It is available for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android and Windows phones. Contact: 1800 331 012

27-28 May 2015 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore For more information visit www.piscinesplashasia.com or call SING 8006 163 169, AUST 1300 789 845, NZ 0800 451 590

Speedy testing on the run

LaMotte has released the portable version of its popular WaterLink Spin photometer, available through exclusive Australian distributors, Vendart. WaterLink Spin does eight different tests in only 60 seconds. For a mobile service technician doing six jobs a day, five days a week and using a conventional photometer, water testing can take 3Â˝ hours or longer. With the new Mobile WaterLink Spin that time can be reduced to just half an hour. The photometer is a laboratory-grade instrument capable of making accurate readings with almost no opportunity for user error. It runs entirely on software â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all users need do is inject water into a disc.

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The new photometer comes in an attractive and hardy waterproof carry case with foam inserts and a battery with charger that lasts approximately 150 tests. The photometer is Bluetooth-enabled and can be operated using laptop computers and Android phones and tablets. Contact: (02) 9450 0466; info@vendart.com.au December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

new products

Simplifying pool care

BioLab has simplified their product labelling. Under BioGuard Care, each BioGuard product will now be labelled using one of three key ranges: Test and Add, Maintain or Problem Solver. Test and Add products include most balancers to make water more comfortable to swim in and protect the pool surface and equipment from scaling and corrosion. Maintain products will be a sanitiser, oxidiser or algaecide. Combined, these products form the weekly BioGuard three-step pool maintenance program. Problem Solver products tackle problems like cloudiness and unwanted stains.

Zodiac’s summer giveaway

Zodiac is rewarding pool owners and pool dealers this summer with a daily rewards promotion. By purchasing selected Zodiac pool health products until the end of December, consumers have the chance to win from a range of great prizes. Not only is this an incentive to get customers in the door, but pool dealers also have the chance to be rewarded if the winner is one of their customers.

The new system makes it easier for consumers to understand a product’s role and demystifies the world of pool care by using plain English rather than technical or scientific language. It also helps consumers navigate a BioGuard Approved Retailer store to quickly and easily find what they’re looking for.

Consumers can win a great range of summer products including Gasmate pizza ovens, golf clubs, mountain bikes, BBQs, camping equipment and more.

Contact: www.bioguard.com.au

Contact: www.zodiac.com.au/pool-health

LET A ROBOT TAKE THE HARD WORK OUT OF CLEANING YOUR POOL Its smart, its powerful and it looks great, but best of all, it really works!

If you’re going to invest in a robotic pool cleaner, you deserve the whole package: • A quality Wall and Floor cleaning robot • A sturdy aluminum caddy to transport and store the I-Cleaner • A full function wireless remote control, for the pool owner that wants to take charge • A 24 month manufacturer’s warranty • Outstanding after sales service that is second to none.

By To take a closer look at the I-Cleaner go to www.roboticpoolcleaning.com.au or call 1300 88 66 09

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

Store staff can win daily gift card prizes of up to $200 and go into the draw to win a major prize of $2500 cash.

Easy topping up

No-one likes to have to sit and watch their pool fill or worse, forget about it and let it overfill. The Australian designed and made Topperupper is an affordable, automatic answer to that problem. It weighs itself down on the coping, so there is no need for bricks to hold it in place, and it easily clips to the hose system, so it can be left next to the pool until the in-built indicator shows that the pool is full. Contact: www.topperupper.com.au; 0429 623 955

A touch of solar

The new SolarTouch swimming pool solar controller from Pentair offers full digital control for precise, efficient swimming pool heating. Just set the digital thermostat and SolarTouch will monitor the temperature of the pool water and solar collectors. SolarTouch can run a traditional separate solar pump system, and it also integrates with IntelliFlo and IntelliPro variable speed pumps – providing possible savings of up to $1000 on energy bills. It includes nocturnal cooling and recirculation freeze protection, with filter-pump timer override. Contact: www.pentair.com.au; 1300 137 344

Premium Australian Pebble WHEN QUALITY AND COLOUR MATTER…….

Master Pebble manufacture a range of pebble and sand products suitable for a wide range of industries. All pebbles and sand are washed & dried, bacteria free and environmentally friendly. Various sizes of 1, 2, 3 ,4, 5, 7 and 10mm.

Product is carefully sorted by colour and graded in size, and is available in a choice of 8 and 20 kg bags, Bulka bags and in bulk. Able to transport anywhere in Australia with non-returnable pallets.

AVAILABLE IN ■ Bush Honey ■ Desert Rose ■ Ghost Gum White ■ Sunset Gold

Master Pebble Pty Ltd 2, 3 & 4 Wills Road, Emerald QLD 4720 | Phone: 07 4987 5178 | Fax: 07 4982 2758 Email info@masterpebble.com.au

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20/09/13 2:20 PM

new products

Avoid mandatory dosing fines

Waterco is reminding public pool operators about NSW sanitation regulations and the introduction of heavy penalties for pools without automated dosing systems. Waterco’s water treatment product manager Victor Quijada says that all public pool owners in NSW must switch to an automated or continuous metered disinfectant dosing system following NSW Health regulation changes made in September 2012. Certain other states and territories also recommend their use. Under the NSW health regulations, pools that are required to use an automated system include pools in hotels, motels and other accommodation, clubs, workplaces, schools, holiday units and hospitals. Non-compliance with the new regulations can result in penalties of up to $17,000 for an individual or $85,000 for a corporation. Waterco’s Digichem Plus+ can provide a reliable automated dosing solution for commercial applications such as public pools. The Digichem Plus+ constantly monitors and doses the pool with the appropriate chemicals to keep it at a healthy level. It will also send an email or text to a nominated person when the pool needs correction. Contact: www.waterco.com.au

Precise to 0.01

Waterco’s new eXact Micro 10 is the first digital meter to read combined chlorine directly with 0.01 precision and has patented procedures that test for up to 40 water parameters. No time-consuming colour matching is required to determine water quality levels, and most testing is achieved with exact results in under a minute. With a 4mL sample cell, it uses fewer chemicals than the ordinary 10ml test. The meter provides accuracy, minimum variation, and fast results using a 20-second test method at 0.01 resolution. It is suited to residential, commercial and municipal pool water testing, reading alkalinity, calcium hardness, chloride (salt), combined chlorine, free chlorine, total chlorine, copper, cyanuric acid, pH and phosphate. Contact: www.waterco.com.au 80

SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

Smart pipe sweeps smoothly

Waterco’s 50mm PVC Sweep Elbow features a long radius that results in superior water flow. Research comparing the 50mm PVC Sweep Elbow to traditional 90° elbows shows a marked difference in water flow and head loss. A pool filtration plumbing system using 10 x 50mm PVC sweep elbows in place of 90° elbows would reduce the overall system head loss by 1.5m and improve the pool’s hydraulic efficiency. And improving the hydraulic efficiency, it enables a multispeed or variable speed pump to operate at a lower speed without sacrificing flow rate or reducing the turnover rate. Contact: www.waterco.com.au

BALI SWIMMING POOL BUSINESS This privately owned, Australian managed business has been operating for 25 years from Bali and has an annual turnover in excess of $ 2 million. There are six branches in Bali and Lombok. THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS INCLUDE:

Slim lighting for fibreglass pools

Specifically designed for easy installation into fibreglass pools and spas, Waterco’s new Britestream Slim90 fibreglass niche LED has been designed to provide a low profile as well as an energy efficient solution. Flush-mounted with just a 14mm projection, the light has been designed to minimise intrusion in the fibreglass shell. The Britestream Slim90 is also energy efficient; it requires only 15 watts of energy to deliver up to 128 lumens of light, plus it lasts 35 times longer than a traditional halogen light. It also includes built-in heat management, a triple seal connection, and a precision printed circuit board totally encased in a waterproof housing.

• Pool construction and renovation • Equipment sales, installation and service • Chemical sales and pool maintenance This is a unique opportunity to own and operate a profitable business and also enjoy a quality lifestyle in Bali. For confidential inquiries (no brokers please), please email: poolinquiry@yahoo.com

Contact: www.waterco.com.au

Pre-bagged pebble mixes

Emerald Quarries is a family company operating for more than 30 years out of the Gemfields in central Queensland. Recently they have ventured into the pool industry though their Master Pebble Australia business, bagging and supplying pebble products. They manufacture a range of naturally rounded quartz pebbles, washed and dried, bacteria-free and environment-friendly. Colours include Bush Honey, Desert Rose, Ghost Gum White and Sunset Gold available in all sizes. 1ml, 2ml, 3ml 4ml, 5ml, 7ml and 10ml and will be available in 8kg bags. Two new products are One Step Quick Mix and Rock Hard Post Mix, supplied in 20kg water soluble bags for ease of use. Contact: www.masterpebble.com.au; (07) 4987 5178 December 2013-January 2014 SPLASH!

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SPLASH! December 2013-January 2014

AUSTRALIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LEADING POOL BUILDERS CHOOSE PARAMOUNT IN-FLOOR CLEANING SYSTEMS

Image courtesy of Coastal Pools & Spas

Paramount In-Floor Cleaning Systems offer you and your customers the perfect cleaning solution when working together to create the perfect outdoor oasis. Astonish your clients with the incredible effectiveness of an in-floor cleaning and circulation system. Create a vanishing edge, add bar stools, benches, swim-outs and spas to your favourite pool design. Our systems will clean any pool you design every day.

Pool-Water Products | P: 03 9873 5055 F: 03 9873 4746 | Email: info@poolwaterproducts.com.au Web: www.poolwaterproducts.com.au