Design Guidelines : Introduction

I. Introduction to Controlling Humidity in Natatoriums Twenty years ago, humidity control for an indoor swimming pool was to bring in outside air while exhausting the warm humid air outside with large exhaust fans. This process can only work effectively when the outside air temperature is cool and dry enough to allow for humidity control. This type of system is the most expensive (in operating costs) and an ineffective way of controlling humidity in a pool enclosure, and cannot maintain the 50-60% RH humidity levels required. When compared to conventional ventilation or “waste ventilation” systems, recycling and dehumidifying pool enclosure air with a mechanical dehumidifier can save 50-75% on energy costs, maintain the 50-60% RH required by ASHRAE, and provide 100% room heating, air conditioning and pool heating. Humidity control in an indoor pool enclosure is a complex endeavor involving many parties and disciplines. EPS, Inc. has taken a very unique approach to high humidity envelopes. As a design/engineering and consulting firm first and foremost, our primary focus is on the initial design of the structure (for new construction). Preventing problems at the design stage is much lower than the costs of correcting problems which occur “downstream”. In order to ensure the pool enclosure is protected from the damage caused by excessive humidity and condensation, the building envelope must be designed and must perform to a much higher degree than structures intended for other uses. To ensure a successful application of DRY-AIR Dehumidifiers to your project, it is crucial that all of the parties involved, from architects to builder to mechanical contracting firms be aware of the importance of the preventive measures that are taken in the planning stages BEFORE applying dehumidification systems to the equation. II. Prevention of Condensation Prevention of condensation is perhaps the most important purpose of all for dehumidifying an indoor pool enclosure. If condensation forms in or on wood, plaster, or other porous materials, it can cause warping, rot, mold, mildew, rust or simply saturate the material until it loses its integrity. Condensation, by nature, is aggressive and will attack many materials by leaching the minerals out of the surface it forms on. Condensation, if allowed to form on ferrous materials, will cause accelerated oxidation of the surface of the metal. If left unchecked, condensation will ultimate compromise the structural integrity of all metal components and eventually lead to the failure of those components. Building considerations such as fenestration, moisture migration, doors/windows/skylights and other openings, exposed structural surfaces, insulation, ventilation, vapor barriers, ductwork, and mechanical space requirements are critical aspects in the design and engineering of each residential/commercial project that must be addressed in the design and planning stages of the project III. Dew Point Temperature As you cool air, it cannot hold the same amount of moisture. At some point, that air will become saturated and moisture will begin to condense out of the air onto any adjacent surface. When it condenses, at that point it is called “Dew Point Temperature”. For example, take a cold can of pop outside and sit it down on a 90 Degree Day. What happens? It begins to sweat, or in our terms it has reached its “Dew Point Temperature”. The Design Objective for pool enclosures is to ensure that no surface within the pool enclosure or within the structural members reaches “Dew Point” and causes moisture to condense. IV. Designing a Clean, Healthy, Stable Environment – IT ALL STARTS WITH GOOD DESIGN The design objective for designing mechanical air handling systems for pool is to ensure that no surface within the pool enclosure or within the structural members of the building will reach “Dew Point” and cause moisture to condense. The DRY-AIR Dehumidifier helps to accomplish this objective by reducing the relative humidity in the pool enclosure and therefore, effectively reducing the Dew Point Temperature. Air distribution also plays a key role in preventing surfaces from reaching DEW POINT TEMPERATURE. There are surfaces, in particular glass surfaces such as windows, door walls and skylights that will reach Dew Point Temperature even with reduced humidity levels affected by the dehumidifier. For these surfaces, the objective is to completely blanket the area with warm dry air supplied by the dehumidifier, thereby increasing the surface temperature to a point above the temperature at which moisture will condense. EPS, Inc. forms a “partnership” with each client. As we interface with architects, engineers, building and mechanical firms, we provide the necessary services to include Design Guidelines, project engineering for the air delivery system, and technical competency in high humidity envelopes that focuses on and addresses all of these issues. Each DRY-AIR Dehumidification system is sized and built to exceed all ASHRAE requirements and ensures maximizing energy and cost savings. You have a complete resource for assistance in the building planning and design stages, engineering of the system for your application, and a Risk Free -- 100% Money Back Guaranty/Warranty on all DRY-AIR products. V. Designing & Engineering the Dehumidification System for the Pool Room To properly design a system, the following information is utilized to engineer your system: Commercial, Residential, School, Medical Facility Size of room in square feet Size of pool(s) in square feet Size of Spa in square feet Design Conditions Air Temperature to be maintained Pool Temperature to be maintained Spa Temperature to be maintained Type of Construction: 2x4, 2x6, concrete block, steel framed, manufactured enclosure, etc. The amount of glass (windows, skylights, doorwalls) within the structure Sensible Calculations (heat loss/heat gain) Will a pool cover be used? Pool Room environments should be designed and maintained as a separate environment from the rest of the commercial or residential structure. Because pool rooms operate at a much high integrity level than non-pool related environments, certain precautions should be taken at the planning and designing stages. Humidity and chlorine can cause serious problems for areas (i.e. commercial -- work-out/fitness areas with equipment, residential – living areas) that are not related to pool room and are not protected by dehumidification, vapor barriers, etc. Indoor pools are treated much the same way you would treat your home. Pool rooms require year round conditioning to prevent condensation, mold, mildew, rot, warping and an overall deterioration of the structure. With new construction, the type of building materials used, the amount and type of glass, insulation, heat gain/heat loss, windows, pool covers, will be taken into consideration when designing the system. The air delivery system will also play a critical role in the overall protection, operation and energy costs associated with indoor pools. The complete environmental control package is a SEPARATE system from office or home systems. 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