Residential Swimming Pools

Breaking Home Pool Mould

Category: Home Pools & Spas, News, Pool & Spa Business News, Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

Once content with providing only the water leisure cog in a lucrative construction wheel, Aqua Platinum Projects is now offering the complete turnkey package as project management consultants on entire construction projects.

When it comes to breaking moulds – Aqua Platinum Projects is a company that knows no boundaries. Paving the way for a completely new generation of swimming pool specialists, APP is redefining the role for residential pool installers at the same time, elevating themselves into the premier division of property development. Once content with providing the water leisure cog in a lucrative construction wheel, the company is now reinventing that wheel; offering the complete turnkey package as project management consultants on entire construction projects.

THIRD GENERATION
“It is so obvious, I do not know why we did not think of it before,” says Ryan Fronda, who boasts 20 years experience in the pool construction sector, as the third generation of the Fronda pool building dynasty.
“With pool contracting, you invariably have to dove tail with a main contractor and a number of sub contractors – the more factors involved, the more complicated the inevitable blame
culture and the ‘hot potato’ mentality,” Ryan says. “Something goes wrong, the client pulls the pin on a hand grenade and everyone wants to chuck it around. “But clients, particularly top end clients, do not want to know about problems or hand grenades and the collateral damage; they want a minimum aggravation experience. So in this way, we take control ourselves, cut out the communication chain and see the entire project through from concept to completion.”
Strategic Partnership
Grasping the proverbial nettle, APP has established strategic partnerships with architects, builders and developers. The move has catapulted the team from £250,000 bit players to multimillion pound top of the bill listing.
“These sorts of projects are slow burners; from concept to handover can be two years but we bring all the elements to the table; the whole job is our responsibility and the clients are willing to pay for that service,” Fronda continues.
“Instead of extracting the pool part of the job, giving us a price for the piecemeal pool work, we now do the whole lot. Given the size of the projects we are now taking on, it can sometimes feel daunting but it is risk versus reward for us.
“From the client’s point of view they have a smooth, one point of contact, from tender to handing over the key.”
Fundamental to that success is APP’s partnership with London based architect, Julian Amos, a practice that has a vast portfolio of luxury end properties up to £40m. An extended team at APP with strong contract managers ensures top quality delivery at all levels. Projects so far have seen a London bias but the team has no geographic barriers.
An overwhelming trend is the demand for basement projects,typically involving not just pools but also delivering on games rooms, cinemas and wellness suites. APP specialises in the technically challenging field of sub terrain construction. The company is capitalising on the increasing demand for basement work, particularly in mews properties, where planning permission, for anything other than underground development, would be extremely costly and invariably declined.
“Clients are grasping the concept that when it comes to sensible development, the answer lies in the ground beneath their feet,” Ryan explains.
“Clients are seeing massive returns on development of sub terrain developments that heap value on the properties as we
increase the square footage.”
An integral part of the basement pool construction is the tiled Polypool panel system that is ideal for its versatility and quick build potential. Ryan concludes: “We were hostages to fortune if we relied on the liner pool market that has suffered so badly in the economic climate. “We could have just sat back and waited for the economy to improve; instead we are moving forward with the Polypool tiled system as the lynchpin to our sustained success.”
Aqua Platinum Projects
Tel. +44 (0)1489 890800
www.aquaplatinumprojects.co.uk

Speedy Construction Makes Home Pool Build Sense

Category: Pool & Spa Business News, Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

swimming pool built by Orbro Reed Solid Pool method

APS UK is one of the first UK companies to switch on to the potential of the Solid Pool system.

With margins being squeezed and smart thinking companies looking to minimise overheads, panel pool systems like the Solid Pool are looking increasingly attractive for hard-pressed residential pool builders.
Just two people can construct a 10m x 5m Solid Pool in just a couple of days compared with weeks for traditional pool construction methods.
The Solid Pool system comes with simplified pipe work which cuts down the need for specialist technical knowledge on site. For instance, there is no need to render the pool. Add into the
equation, ease of access to site, the ability to cut and shape easily and their lightweight manoeuvrability and you have a winning formula.
PROFIT SAVVY
Comparatively new to the UK, the Solid Pool system has been in use for nearly a decade in other parts of the world with up to 1500 pool installations being completed every year. Now profitsavvy
UK builders are switching on to the benefits of Solid Pool. Companies like APS UK that has just finished a Solid Pool project
in Banstead, Surrey. “We opted for the Solid Pool because the block system allows for bespoke pool construction to the customer’s requirements,” says Peter Taylor of APS UK.
“The Solid Pool system is so much easier for the builder to use than conventional breeze blocks yet they are suitable for any type
of finish such as tiles or liner or reinforced PVC,” he adds.“This was particularly useful on this difficult to access site and saved us a
huge amount of time, let alone money.”

The 30’ x 15’ pool in a suburban location was fully tiled and finished with an Oase automatic pool cover. Equipment included
an X-Stream swim jet, ESPA pump and filter and a Puronizer. “I was not nervous about being one of the first pool builders
in the UK to use this system because it has been used on literally thousands of pools in Europe,” Peter says. “The principle is still the same but the time and margins, definitely are not,” he adds.
Ideal for pool and spa construction for a professional build or self-build, the Solid Pool system has already been exhibited to great
acclaim at high profile consumer shows such as Grand Designs. The system will be on display at Brighton’s SPATEX exhibition in
February but is available instantly through UK distributors, Orbro Reed.
Orbro Reed
Tel. +44 (0)208 669 1913
www.orbroreed.com

Oasis Of Calm

Category: Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

Nearly a year of negotiation over planning issues paid off for the owners of this home in Seven Oaks Kent, now the proud owners of a liner-fitted panel pool installed by Home Counties (Horsham) Ltd.

The owners wanted the pool sited away from the house where family and visitors could escape from the every day intrusions of modern life such as telephones and computers.

A dedicated poolside building includes changing rooms and a full size kitchen so they could be self-contained for a whole day. Safety was a major concern so a Paramount Aquamtic safety cover was fitted as a priority.

The pool setting has become a tranquil oasis, somewhere to get away from the stresses and strains of their hectic lifestyles.

In all, the project was priced at around £43,000 and on site work was completed within seven weeks.

Home Counties (Horsham) Ltd Tel. +44 (0)1403 259755

www.poolboy.co.uk

For more images see Pool & Spa Scene Magazine

Golden Goose

Category: Home Pools & Spas, News, Residential Swimming Pools, Swimming Pools, UK Export | Comment (0)

Traditional residential liner pool building companies are being offered a Golden Goose by thermal-insulation panel pool specialists, Polypool Manufacturing.

Particularly hard hit by the economic down turn, traditional
residential liner pool building companies are being offered a
Golden Goose by thermal-insulation panel pool specialists,
Polypool Manufacturing.
Already cutting an average four weeks off pool building
timelines, the Polypool package is supplied complete with Part L
compliance documentation – an estimated cost saving of up to
£1,500.
But most significantly, after three years of research and
development, the energy efficient pool building system can now
be installed as a tiled finish option – propelling the middle-priced
pool builder into a whole new ‘recession-proof’ luxury end of the
pool building market.
BUSINESS PROSPECTS
“Business prospects for the liner outdoor pool market specialists
are particularly worrying,” comments Phil de Bruderer, of Polypool
Manufacturing.
“The traditional liner market halved two years ago and went
down another third this year, it is a sad state of affairs,” says Phil.
“The local swim pool company, working within a 20 mile radius,
typically building three or four or more liner pools a year have had
to shift their work into refurbishments, maintenance, chemical
sales, well, just anything to survive.
“Offering a tiled finish is particularly significant because it lifts
the low to medium priced builder into a place where they can compete at the luxury end of the market,” Phil adds.
It has taken nearly four years to perfect but the Polypool
System can now be offered with the tiled finish by virtue of an
extra process involving lining the pool tank with a sprayed, sand
textured, rendered finish. This process is carried by Polypool
engineers, as part of the sale price and replaces traditional
rendering.

To read the full version of this and other stories make sure you receive your own copy of Pool & Spa Scene magazine.

Subscribe today at:

http://www.poolandspascene.com/payments/subscriptions.html

Home Pool Market Is Hostage To Fortune

Category: Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

The residential pool market once again found itself a hostage to fortune with disappointing weather being blamed for a difficult summer season for most.

Chemical sales were significantly down for most as well as seasonal sales of lines such as above ground pools and toys and games.

The UK experienced the latest in a run of mediocre or poor summers which started in 2007. It was the coolest August since 1993 across Scotland and Northern Ireland, but similar to August 2010 across England and Wales. There was over twice the average amount of rainfall in the eastern half of Scotland and in northeast England.

For more on this story see Pool & Spa Scene Magazine

Drowning In Ignorance

Category: Home Pools & Spas, News, Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

Builder turned pool insulation pioneer, Nigel Rose continues his one-man campaign to educate the pool industry and their customers…

Suitable for indoor and outdoor pools, the Thermapool insulation system will slash overall heating costs for residential and commercial pools.

When it comes to making bold statements – Nigel Rose, builder, turned self-proclaimed pool pioneer is not backward in coming forward.
“The swimming pool industry and the owners of Britain’s
300,000 pools are drowning in ignorance.” says Nigel Rose in his latest PR propaganda.
Traditionally slow to be persuaded to try new concepts, the
pool sector has been reluctant to respond to the bold statements
and claims by the inventor of the Thermapool insulation system.
Yet Nigel’s argument is so persuasive, he has attracted the
attention of The Times, with an article quoting his confident claims
of saving first the pool industry, closely followed by the planet.
So is he really helping his cause by over egging the sales
messages? The pool industry jury is still out; wondering if Nigel
Rose is ahead of his time, a misunderstood messiah of energy
efficiency, or just a clever manipulator of facts and figures to cash
in on the energy efficiency debate?
“I’m often taken to task for my claims – which are totally
backed up with scientific research – that I have developed a
system which can be fitted to new pools, or during renovations, to
heat them for a negligible amount, saving 86% of heat loss with
efficient insulation,” says Nigel.
“The industry just won’t accept the scientific facts and
continues to insulate pools poorly with unsuitable material
like polystyrene and polyurethane foams – and their trusting
customers are the ones losing out, paying a premium to keep their
pools at a comfortable temperature and pushing tons of CO2 into
the atmosphere in the process.”

Home Pool Is Also Water Feature

Category: Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

Howards Hydrocare Ltd of Nazeing, Essex, was contracted to install a combined water feature and swimming pool within a walled area of a Hertfordshire home.

The customers wanted a black finish to the pool – with a sparkle – and after much searching, they settled on a glass mosaic from Bisazza.

The Mask of Neptune water feature was sourced direct from Italy and Howards Hydrocare Ltd set to work with the backing of plenty of experience, working in similar materials for the walls and outbuildings.

Howard’s Hydrocare Tel. +44 (0)1992 893389

www.howardshydrocare.com

For more on this story see Pool & Spa Scene Magazine

Tide Turns

Category: News, Residential Swimming Pools, Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

The one-piece pool tide is turning, buoyed by quality projects like this Monoblock installation by Starline.

The UK water leisure trade has traditionally been unwilling to
overcome its one-piece pool prejudice.
Popular in the southern hemisphere markets such as Australia
and South Africa, the all-in-one option has also gained a
significant following across France and mainland Europe.
Meanwhile, the sceptical UK pool traditionalists stone-walled the
‘washing up bowl’ option in favour of more conventional home pool
building methods such as block and liner and panel pools.

At last, the one-piece pool tide is turning; buoyed by
improvements in product quality with the backing of long
warranties and a healthy dose of competition.
Swimtek was one of the first companies to introduce all-inone-
pools to the UK. “The trade has been slow to get involved in
the one-piece market,” says native Australian, Graham Witham ,
the man behind Swimtek.
“Yet the public are better informed than they were 20 yearsago when I started to make the pools in the UK and they are
looking more towards the advantages of a one-piece pool,”
Graham says.
“With the middle to bottom of the market falling away we
are deliberately trying to appeal to a higher end, more discerning
customer who wants and expects a better product,” Graham
continues.
“We took the decision to improve the over-all appearance of
the pools by offering bespoke colour schemes and also by using
a new gel coat system designed in Australia and manufactured
under license in Europe,” Graham explains.
“The manufacturing was moved to a modern new factory
where the pools are manufactured in a climate-controlled
environment and to a much improved heavier lay up (thickness)
for extra strength in transport and life-long durability.”
TOP PERFORMERS
Other top performers in the one-piece sector include Starline
whose strategy of marketing the Monoblock pool directly to the
end user via quality newspaper advertising is raising product
awareness.
“The potential for growth for the one-piece pool market is
huge as product awareness grows for both the trade and end
user,” says Starline’s Darren Brown.
“Also, as the market for new pool installations has its peak and
troughs, the fast installation times of a one-piece pool will allow
the trade to service the peaks much more efficiently and with
fewer staff.
“The one-piece pool principle takes away a lot of the technical
aspects of traditional pool building which opens the market up to
the less experienced installer, especially with something like the
Starline Monoblock which offers the simplicity of a one-piece pool
installation along with a very high specification.”
TRADE BENEFITS
The Starline Monoblock offers the trade many advantages and
selling points to market to the end user whilst also having the
benefit of fast installation times coupled with the ability to fix
costs with a factory-built, quality controlled pool and therefore
better guaranteed profit margins.
Starline also offer help and advice in the transportation and
delivery of the pools, with specially adapted delivery vehicles
which can crane the pools off the trailer and move them
independently on site making the logistics of delivery far easier.
Starline pools can literally go where no other pools can reach.
Along with the benefits of the Roldeck pool cover, Starline have
designed the Monoblock for family use with a constant depth to
enable children to interact and play in the whole pool area with a
standing ledge round the whole pool for younger swimmers.
The pools are available in five colours and come with a range
of overlapping copings which provide a very neat finish to the top
of the pool.

To read the rest of this article subscribe to Pool and Spa Scene magazine today by clicking the button at the top left of this site!

Made To Measure

Category: News, Residential Swimming Pools, Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

Christina Connor reports on the growth of the bespoke automatic pool cover market…

Individuality is today’s watchword when it comes to automatic pool covers.

Gone are the days when home pool owners were impressed simply by the push-button action of the automatic cover.
Now they demand a bespoke product that is precisionengineered not only to automatically exit the pool water but to disappear into a wall or floor; completely invisible when the pool is in use.
Where a standard blue finish once would suffice; now discerning clients want to see an infinite colour palette that will precisely match the tones and finishes of the surrounding pool tiles and themes.
UNIQUE CREATION
“The mass market for automatic covers has reduced significantly,” believes Alan Thorne of Ocea UK. “These days, automatic covers are more likely to be a unique creation,” he says.
“It is ideal for bespoke suppliers like Ocea because others cannot match the diversity of service from initial design, through to manufacture and installation.

“With six full time engineers based in the UK, we at Ocea are passionate about our role to work with pool builders who are looking for something special.”

To see the full article subscribe to Pool and Spa Scene magazine today at www.poolandspascene.com/payments/subscriptions.html

Europe Considers Response To Main Drain Cover Recall

Category: Commercial Swimming Pools, News, Residential Swimming Pools, Swimming Pools | Comment (2)

European suppliers are considering the ramifications of the recall of approximately one million swimming pool drain covers from at least eight manufacturers.
In a landmark move in June, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled the
pool drain covers they say were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water – posing a potential entrapment risk.
The move primarily impacts on pools with a single-drain that do not have an unblockable drain, gravity feed system or drain covers that were fitted before December 2008.

Although SPATA regulations recommended pools should have two main drains; many UK pools with single drain pools still exist. The move is also likely to have repercussions for hundreds of children’s pools, paddling pools and in-ground spas.

A full list of affected products is included on the web pages of the Association Pool and Spa Professional website at: www.apsp.org/ draincoverrecall. They include specific drain-cover models from the following manufacturers as part of what the CPSC describes as a ‘voluntary’ recall:
• A&A Manufacturing
• AquaStar Pool Products
• Color Match Pool Fittings
• Custom Molded Products
• Hayward Pool Products
• Pentair Water Pool and Spa
• Rising Dragon Plastics
• Waterway Plastics
Earlier this year, the CPSC launched an investigation to determine whether the testing methods used to approve drain covers were sufficient to confirm the safety of the product.
All American-installed covers are required to comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act that came into effect in December 2008.

Exclusive Club

Category: News, Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

When it comes to moving floors, Hydrofloors are seeing an exclusive band of pool builders emerge.

THE UK swimming pool market is witnessing the natural evolutionof a small but elite pool building club.
With just a few of the very highest-end swimming pool builders as exclusive members – each one offers moving floors and walls as the bedrock of their pool-building portfolio.
Delivering multi-functional pools and halls involves the delivery of a precision engineered work of art.
Leading moving floor specialists Hydrofloors agree luxury private pools are becoming increasingly more complex with customers constantly demanding more in search of that elusive wow factor.

They should know. They are working with architects, designers
and specialist builders from London to Geneva and from Hong
Kong to Dubai all in search of global excellence that sets it apart
in a class of its own.
“If I were involved in a swimming pool building company, I would
absolutely focus on the high end,” says Hydrofloors’ Alan Thorne.
“The only thing is, there is only so much room; you have to do
it very, very well,” he adds.
The Hydrofloors team offer a turnkey service working hand in
glove with pool builders and main contractors.
“Close working relationships hold the key to success in bespoke
projects like these,” stresses Alan.

“That hands-on role demands 100% commitment from
Hydrofloors as a key member of the team.
”We have a project manager who is involved from start
to finish. He will attend site meetings and be involved with
everything from lights to ladders – it is a very detailed partnership
throughout the whole project.
“By its very nature – it is only achievable with a limited number
of high end companies,” he adds.
Alan says Hydrofloors has seen subtle changes in the moving
floor and wall market from a discerning customer who now wants a
room that changes function rather than an adaptable pool space.
“These top end clients don’t just want a floor that lifts to
different levels,” Alan explains.
“They want everything from a party venue to a concert hall
that not only converts effortlessly from wet to dry use but also
incorporates dramatic lighting changes and finishing touches that
transform the whole ambience of the room.”
Hydrofloors has earned itself an unrivalled international
reputation for the highest end pools with quality bespoke finishes
from stone to marble.
dramatic effect
“This is a top end market with no room for mistakes,” says Alan.
“We are working to a 6mm tolerance with precision technology
that in essence makes the pool become invisible.
“All our projects are bespoke works of arts with customers
demanding a dramatic effect whether it is separating indoor and
outdoor pools or transforming the pool hall.”
To ensure it can meet these demands, Hydrofloors carries out
all design and manufacture within its own facilities in Belgium.
The company is uncompromising in providing products of
leading quality and together with its attention to detail and
service, is well recognised by our clients in the global markets as
being a class apart.
Hydrofloors
Tel: +44 (0)1865 236 232
E-mail. info@hydrofloors.com
www.hydrofloors.com

To read more on moving floors subscribe to Pool & Spa Scene today!

Top Shelf Option

Category: Home Pools & Spas, News, Residential Swimming Pools, Swimming Pools, Uncategorized | Comment (0)

Our picture diary shows the speed of a Signature Pool one-piece installation.

The only one-piece ‘tiled‘ composite pool currently available in
the UK water leisure sector, the Signature Pool range is a top shelf
option for the all-in-one market.
A range of rectangular, freeform and deck overflow pools are
available as standard but Signature also offer a bespoke design
service to enable the consumer to have a pool custom-built to
their personal specification.
The Signature range can offer any size, any shape, walk-in
steps and bench seat sitting area, tiled skimmers, stainless steel
pool fittings, insulated walls and floors – all backed by a ten-year
structural guarantee.
DECK OVERFLOW
The company constantly invests in research and development.
The latest innovation is a modification of the new deck overflow
channel that now incorporates a balance tank.
Signature Pools are also now able to offer fully encapsulated
insulation to all of their pools achieving a U-value of 0.18W/m2K
– ideal for indoor installations that must now conform with Part L
building regulations.
The pools are supplied with the tiles already in place, applied
using an epoxy tile adhesive and grout as standard ensuring a
very durable and superior finish.

Signature Products Ltd
Tel. +44 (0)1256 748388
www.signatureproducts.eu

Treasure Trove

Category: Residential Swimming Pools, Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

One of four silvers for the multi-award winning Portrait Pools team this boutique pool project was runner up in the category for in ground commercial spas and health pools.

Proving all that glitters is not gold, we bring you a head-turning selection of silver and bronze projects from this year’s UK Pool Designs, the competition organised for members of the Swimming Pool and Allied Trade Association.

For all award winners see Pool & Spa Scene Magazine

Pools – Safest Place To Swim

Category: Commercial Swimming Pools, News, Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

More than 400 people died from accidents or natural causes in water across the UK in 2009, according to the first report from a new incident database.

Of those fatalities just five were in swimming pools compared with 19 deaths of incidents in baths and one involving a water container. Saturday was the most common day and August the most common month for fatalities to occur.

WAID (the Water Incident Database) has been developed by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) to enable greater detail and volume in the collection of data on fatal and nonfatal drowning, other water-related deaths and injuries, and near misses.

David Walker, a member of the NWSF and operations manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: “As the figures for 2009 sadly reveal, drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in the UK. WAID will greatly enhance our understanding of water-related incidents that claim lives and cause injuries across the UK each year.

“Managing water risks is all about a balance between giving people freedom to make informed choices about how to enjoy water and the impact those choices have on society in general.

“By providing better information, WAID will assist in striking that balance and enable us to develop more effective prevention work. Working together to collect and share data means WAID members and communities will be able to better manage risks than if they worked alone.”

Pool Beauty Is Not Skin Deep

Category: Home Pools & Spas, Residential Swimming Pools, Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

UK Pool Contractors of the Year, Portrait pools delivered all the goods with the outstanding barn conversion project in Cumbria.

Proving that beauty is not just skin-deep, the environmental control for an outstanding Cumbrian barn conversion project, by multi-award winning Portrait Pools, was entrusted to the care of a Phoenix environmental control unit from Heatstar.

The client wanted tasked the Portrait team with maximising the use of space and layout within the barn to create a modern contemporary style pool yet still retain some of the original character.

In addition, any ductwork required for the heating and ventilation had to be hidden from view and Portrait’s design had to accommodate the fact that the barn had very little natural light.

Portrait Pools rose to the challenge and met all the criteria. The pitched roof with exposed honey coloured beams showed the buildings origins and original character whilst the rest of the space was given a clean, contemporary look.

For more on this story see Pool & Spa Scene Magazine

Falcon are Early Birds

Category: Home Pools & Spas, International, News, Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

Falcon Pools is the first UK company to adopt the patented Biodesign method of construction for its green credentials and speed of build.

Already boasting some of the most prestigious pool builds in Britain, leading UK swimming pool exponents, Falcon Pools, have become the first company in the UK to back the new low impact Biodesign swimming pool construction method.

Offering a very low environmental impact, without the use of any reinforced concrete, the Biodesign pool is designed to harmoniously blend into the garden landscape. What is more, it is a quicker construction process than traditional methods.

“We feel the Biodesign system bridges the gap between natural pools and standard swimming pools,” says Falcon Pools’ Ian Storr.

“Used in conjunction with the MagnaPool system it also adds ‘green’ appeal which is a growing demand from customers.”

For more on this story see Pool & Spa Scene Magazine

Biodesign Pools Tel. +39 049 886 29 61

Email. international@biodesignpools.com

www.biodesignpools.com

Pool Party Owner Sued For £6m

Category: News, Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

A home pool owner is being sued for £6 million damages claim in a case currently being heard at London’s High Court.

Now confined to a wheelchair, Kylie Grimes, was paralysed from the chest down when she dived into the indoor pool at the home of David Hawkins, the managing director of a forklift truck business, during a party thrown by Mr Hawkins’ daughter Katie.

Miss Grimes, 23, of Farnham, Surrey, claims that the accident was caused by Mr Hawkins’s negligence or breach of his duties under the Occupiers’ Liability Act. The Court has heard the incident might have been averted by either locking the pool house or by putting up warning notices, he said.

Mr Hawkins and his wife were away that night but had given permission for their daughter to have two friends over. Katie Hawkins told the court that she telephoned her father for permission to bring three more but, in the end, about 20 people came back to the house from the pub.

Mr Hawkins, who denies liability, agreed that things got ‘out of hand’ but said he was not present so could not take steps to prevent it. He said he had never had locks or security for the pool house as the property was protected by electrified gates and a high fence.

Mr Hawkins defence is that he could not be held liable for the accident which happened in an “unremarkable swimming pool on domestic premises when the claimant, an adult, chose to do something which involved an obvious risk”.

The hearing continues and updates will be posted on www.poolandspascene.com

High Achievers

Category: Home Pools & Spas, Pool & Spa Business News, Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

Creative Ceilings’ stretch ceiling systems have excellent thermal and acoustic properties, provide value for money and will last for many years.

As finishing touches go, stretch ceilings offer a wealth of design potential to water leisure projects.

Installed as simplistic flat finishes, stretch ceilings are also available as pitched, curved, vaulted, domed or even circular ceilings.

The distinctive ceiling system offers an infinite palette of colours and a choice of texture in a host of finishes such as matt, satin, lacquer and metallic.

It is also possible to paint, screen print, inkjet print or use vinyl graphics on the stretched fabric diffuser for corporate logos or infinite images and individual creations.

As impressive as the design features are, good looks are only half the story. Entirely waterproof, washable, non toxic and impermeable to vapour, stretched ceilings are capable of supporting weights up to 150 kg without breaking. If pushed out of shape, they simply revert back to their initial form with an ease that has to be seen to be believed.

Only 02mm thick and very lightweight, at about 180gms per m2, stretch ceilings offer approximately 75% light transmission. This makes them the perfect partner for diffusing light as well as being ideal for back lighting and front and rear projection.

Any type of fittings can be accommodated within the material and any light fitting can be used behind the stretched fabric including fluorescent, cold cathode, LEDs, colour change fibre optics, light cannons and spots to create unique lighting designs and features.

For more on this story see Pool & Spa Scene Magazine

Barrisol Tel. +33 (0)3 89 83 20 20 www.barrisol.com

Creative Ceilings (UK) Ltd Tel: 0871 222 2026 www.creativeceilings.co.uk

Stretch Ceilings Limited Tel. +44 (0)1276 681000 www.stretchceilings.co.uk

Waxman Works Of Art

Category: Home Pools & Spas, Pool & Spa Business News, Residential Swimming Pools | Comment (0)

Straight from the pages of a glossy magazine, the Waxman Ceramics Design Centre team was able to create a Versaceinspired designer look to complete the floor of this awardwinning swimming pool, in a luxurious carpet of tiles.

State of the art technology allows the Waxman Design Centre to recreate virtually any image and colour combination to achieve a truly individual finish.

Working from detailed drawings or just a sketch or a picture, Waxman’s highly skilled creative team will produce bespoke, avant-garde designs using only the highest quality products including ceramic, porcelain, glass and natural stone.

“Waxman prides itself on providing a truly individual service for all customers with an all-embracing design service backed by an extensive product choice and good stock levels” said Julian Garlick, Waxman Ceramics’ national sales director.

For more on this story see Pool & Spa Scene Magazine

Waxman Ceramics Ltd

Tel: +44 (0)1422 377123

Email. info@waxmanceramics.co.uk

Residential Swimming Pools

To see the full article subscribe to Pool and Spa Scene magazine today at www.poolandspascene.com/payments/subscriptions.html