Is the TFP method practical for a commercial-sized pool?

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thefloatqueen

thefloatqueen

Bronze Supporter
Dec 24, 2018
1,329
Columbus, Ohio
Pool Size
7500
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
So my community pool (open only to residents of my subdivision) is opening late next month and we’re trying to save as much money as possible due to having to buy a new pump (holy cr*p....I did not know how expensive those things are for a commercial pool!) so I thought about letting them know about this site and the TFP method. Is this practical at all for a commercial pool? I do not know the dimensions of the pool yet but I know it’s a lot of water (it has a high dive so the deepest part of the pool is 13 ft deep). I will find out the dimensions and how many gallons today if I can. We are still painting stuff around the pool (lifeguard chairs, diving boards, etc.) so I know I’m getting ahead of myself here. I just wanted to hear some opinions before even suggesting this and looking like a crazy person lol. I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
Here is a picture of the pool from last summer:
BDC682FE-B8E3-4957-B769-C7D9BD169A90.jpeg
 
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Commercial pools are beholden to local regulations which typically spell out exact levels that must be maintained. Records will need to be kept and subject to inspection. So while the information on TFP is valuable to know, it's virtually impossible to operate a commercial pool using TFPC. Unless you already have a working relationship with the people managing the pool chemistry i would be very careful in offering your input. I know that you know what you're talking about, but if you approach a professional that doesn't know you and you start offering them advice based on your residential 7500 gallon pool and stuff you've read online it's not going to go over as well.
 
Unfortunately public pools have their own set of rules/regulations. Mostly they cannot have CYA and therefore require a lower FC which does the exact opposite of what is actually sanitary. Many rely on Ozone/UV and the high bather load equates to CCs that give everybody the ‘chlorine smell’ and itchy eyes (and unsafe water) that our residential chlorine pools always take the blame for everytime somebody new comes along.
 
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What do you mean by "painting the plaster"? Are they actually painting the pool instead of plastering it?
 
Donldson said:
Commercial pools are beholden to local regulations which typically spell out exact levels that must be maintained. Records will need to be kept and subject to inspection. So while the information on TFP is valuable to know, it's virtually impossible to operate a commercial pool using TFPC. Unless you already have a working relationship with the people managing the pool chemistry i would be very careful in offering your input. I know that you know what you're talking about, but if you approach a professional that doesn't know you and you start offering them advice based on your residential 7500 gallon pool and stuff you've read online it's not going to go over as well.
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Thank you so much for your input! I do know them personally. The pool committee in our neighborhood is ran by folks I’ve known for 15+ years. I completely understand where you’re coming from, though.
 
cowboycasey said:
What do you mean by "painting the plaster"? Are they actually painting the pool instead of plastering it?
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I apologize. The pool was replastered recently, I believe. I didn’t know how to word it lol. I meant to say painting the POOL (not the plaster in the pool) as in the blue border you see on the concrete around the perimeter of the pool, lifeguard chairs, diving boards, etc. I’ll go edit my post! Need my coffee lol
 
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Newdude said:
Unfortunately public pools have their own set of rules/regulations. Mostly they cannot have CYA and therefore require a lower FC which does the exact opposite of what is actually sanitary. Many rely on Ozone/UV and the high bather load equates to CCs that give everybody the ‘chlorine smell’ and itchy eyes (and unsafe water) that our residential chlorine pools always take the blame for everytime somebody new comes along.
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Not sure if it makes a difference, but it is a pool for our small community only. It isn’t open to the public nor does it have the bather load as a public pool. I’ll ask the pool board about the rules and regulations. I’m just thinking out loud here lol. And I had no idea they cannot have CYA!
 

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Before anything contact the local Health Dept as they’re in charge. Develop a good relationship with them. Seeing there’s more than a handful of parties using this pool makes it public, and what the health dept says……goes.

I cannot remember exactly Ohio’s regulation on CYA for outdoor pools. My memory says it’s acceptable as long as your levels are under 100ppm, but I can’t remember for sure.
 
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Newdude said:
It doesn’t. The fact that you know and love everybody is awesome. But they are considered the public either way.
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I got ya. They’re just trying to save money so I didn’t know if directing them to this site would be helpful with that. Based off these replies, I’m going to go with a solid NO lol!!
 
Leebo said:
Before anything contact the local Health Dept as they’re in charge. Develop a good relationship with them. Seeing there’s more than a handful of parties using this pool makes it public, and what the health dept says……goes.

I cannot remember exactly Ohio’s regulation on CYA for outdoor pools. My memory says it’s acceptable as long as your levels are under 100ppm, but I can’t remember for sure.
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Thank you!! I’ll ask the people who have been on the committee for a long time. I know they stay in compliance with the local regulations for commercial swimming pools. I’m going to look them up now just because I’m kind of curious..
 
Newdude said:
Unfortunately public pools have their own set of rules/regulations. Mostly they cannot have CYA and therefore require a lower FC which does the exact opposite of what is actually sanitary. Many rely on Ozone/UV and the high bather load equates to CCs that give everybody the ‘chlorine smell’ and itchy eyes (and unsafe water) that our residential chlorine pools always take the blame for everytime somebody new comes along.
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The chlorine smell was something I loved as a kid. Then as an adult, I learned what it actually meant and ewwww haha
 
Leebo said:
Before anything contact the local Health Dept as they’re in charge. Develop a good relationship with them. Seeing there’s more than a handful of parties using this pool makes it public, and what the health dept says……goes.

I cannot remember exactly Ohio’s regulation on CYA for outdoor pools. My memory says it’s acceptable as long as your levels are under 100ppm, but I can’t remember for sure.
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I didn’t even realize you’re also in Ohio!
 
thefloatqueen said:
I figured why not sign up to help the pool committee when I have the free time lol
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That’s awesome of you and there is still lots you CAN help with. Like teaching the the relationship of TA and PH. Chances are whoever is holding the clipboard is just holding the clipboard without having a clue.
 
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Newdude said:
That’s awesome of you and there is still lots you CAN help with. Like teaching the the relationship of TA and PH. Chances are whoever is holding the clipboard is just holding the clipboard without having a clue.
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Yep and I am not sure how they test the water but I am seriously hoping it’s not via test strips lol it would not surprise me though. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I hope I don’t regret this haha
 
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Just to be clear everyone — I don’t think I’m an expert nor am I walking in thinking I know it all because of this forum and research I’ve done online. I think some may have taken this post the wrong way and I should probably edit the whole thread.
 

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