Test facilities

Water quality, air quality, performance and thermal comfort: the CSTB responds to the challenges of the stakeholders of public pools and recreational waters, to help them master the complex interactions between energy, water, air and materials. The experimental pool closely reproduces real conditions, so that the performance of the systems and equipment can be estimated. The CSTB focuses on the design (new construction and renovation) and operation in order to determine which problems may arise, to provide decision-making support and optimize project management.

Experimental pool for recreational waters

Maintaining the sanitary quality and comfort of covered pools

In order to guarantee the sanitary quality of the water and air during operation, the experimental pool measures the emissions of disinfectant sub-products. Several actions are performed:

  • Simulation of microbiological pollution from swimmers, thanks to the mechanical reproduction of the movements of 6 swimmers and the introduction of BFA (Body Fluid Analog).
  • Control of the disinfection treatment with a controlled water recirculation system.

In situ measurements are used to assess summer and winter comfort in dry and wet areas, so as to ensure optimal thermal comfort for the swimmers.

Optimization of the energy used for heating and water

The experimental pool assesses the performance of the systems, taking account of the thermal and chemical parameters, as well as of the consumption of fluids.

The CSTB guides the stakeholders of public pools and recreational waters, to size the systems optimally.

  • Integrated approach: energy, air and water
  • Heating and summer comfort
  • Treatment of air and water
  • Effectiveness of disinfection products
  • Optimization of load losses and networks
  • Durability and performance of submerged lights

Technical characteristics of the facilities

  • Pool with a usable capacity of 42 m3
  • Dimensions: 8 × 4 × 1.3 m, equivalent to a leisure pool, or 1/10th of a public swimming pool
  • Control of the water recirculation flow rate between 15 and 40 m3.h-1
  • Mechanical actuators, to simulate swimmers (up to 6 swimmers per hour)