Structural Engineers for Commercial Swimming Pools

SWJ are structural engineers with experience in both residential and commercial swimming pools. Designing a commercial swimming pool is a complex task, whether indoor or external, and often involves the need for a large plant room. All swimming pools must meet rigorous safety standards, withstand significant stress with high-volume usage, and integrate into their existing or planned environments.

Our experience with reinforced concrete swimming pools and the structures that house them ensures the durability, safety, and overall success of commercial swimming pool projects.

Structural integrity when full and empty

Structural integrity of the swimming pool, when either full or empty, is critical. It is obvious the structure needs to be able to handle the immense loads created by the water in 10m+ long pools. Additionally, commercial pools often experience heavy usage, which means the structure must be robust enough to withstand constant stress from users and the constant use of chemicals such as chlorine which is corrosive.

The pressures an empty pool is under is often overlooked by designers and installers that don’t appreciate the potential for hydrostatic uplift of the base slab when the weight of the water is not holding it down.

Designs also need to include the way the pool is drained for maintenance or repair.

We will look at the existing environment including access to the site, and ground conditions to advise on the best type of swimming pool structure and calculate the required thickness of the pool walls and floor. We will specify the right materials, and any design reinforcement strategies to ensure the pool can endure these pressures over time.

Part of our role with commercial swimming pools is to assess potential risks and design solutions to mitigate them. For example, slip-resistant surfaces around the pool deck, ensuring the pool is properly grounded to prevent electrical hazards, and design a safe but accessible plant room so placement of large filtration tanks or heating systems don’t add undue stress on the pool’s structure.

A commercial swimming pool is more than just its structural shell; it is a complex system that includes plumbing, filtration, heating, and sometimes even wave generation or other special features. We collaborate closely with mechanical engineers and other specialists to integrate these systems into the pool’s design.

Design requirements

We appreciate that swimming pools are often key attractions in hotels and leisure centres. As such, they often designed with unique features to make them visually appealing. If engaged from the early stages we can work with architects and designers to bring their visions to life, whilst ensuring they are feasible and can be safely achieved within the given budget.

Whether it’s a 25m size pool, an infinity pool, a wave pool or a feature hotel pool with intricate shapes and varying depths, we’ll provide the technical expertise to make these designs a reality.

Long-term durability and maintenance

Longevity and reducing the lifecycle costs of a commercial swimming pool is a significant consideration for us when selecting materials and construction techniques, so that they will withstand years of use and exposure to water and chemicals. We will also consider the practicalities of maintenance, to ensure the pool can be easily inspected, cleaned and repaired as needed.

It is never too early to speak to us about your plans for a commercial swimming pool as we can ensure that the needs and design of the pool is considered from the initial stages, that the plans for the pool are feasible and that they will not hamper or affect the designs of any surrounding buildings or structures.

Our Guarantees to Clients