Spas
Spa"Spa" is the generic term used to describea variety of aquatic facilities which utilizewarm water or heated air for theirtherapeutic value
Benefits of Warm WaterImmersion• Physiologically and psychologically beneficial• Relieves pain from arthritis, stiff joints, sore
muscles, and minor injuries• Warmth causes pores to open, inducing
perspiration, and deep cleanses skin tissue• Stimulates circulation and increases blood
flow to the skin• Reduces tension, stress and fatigue; thereby
heightening mental awareness
Warm Water Problems &Health RisksDiscourage spa, sauna or steam room use by:• Pregnant women in the first trimester (hyperthermia)• Unsupervised small children• Persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol,
particularly those taking prescription or nonprescription drugs that cause drowsiness
• Persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes, bloodpressure or circulatory problems, or takingmedication to control those problems
• Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Types of Spas• Whirlpools• Whirlpool Bathtubs• Ice Baths• Therapeutic
Whirlpools• Hot Tubs• Swim Spas• Flotation Tanks
• EnvironmentalEnclosures
• Mineral Baths• Mud Baths• Saunas• Turkish Bath• Steam Rooms
Whirlpools• Whirlpools are warm water jetted tubs• Whirlpool water is recirculated, filtered, heated and
chemically treated as is swimming pool water
Whirlpools• Venturi or hydrotherapy jets are used to create a
sensation of moving water by restricting and directingwater flow, and increasing water velocity
• An additional pump may be installed to aerate (injectair) into the water, and create forceful bubble activity
• The brand name "Jacuzzi" is often associated with whirlpool spas, because the original whirlpoolsdesigned for other than therapeutic purposes weremanufactured by the Jacuzzi company
Whirlpool Bathtubs• Whirlpool bathtubs are jetted tubs commonly installed
in bathrooms• They are filled before, and emptied after each use• Water is circulated, but is not filtered or chemically
treated
Whirlpool Bathtubs• Whirlpool bathtubs look like slightly larger versions of
a traditional bathtub, and in addition to soaking, canbe used for bathing
• Soap should not be used while hydrotherapy jets areoperating because soap products have a tendency toclog the jets
Ice Baths• Polar plunges are spas in which the water is
refrigerated to around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit• Simulate the popular Scandinavian practice of sauna
bathing then rolling around in the snow to stimulatecirculation
• Commonly found in health club settings, but slowlydisappearing due to fear of litigation
• Although safe for use by young, healthy individuals,when used by unfit individuals who have just engagedin an infrequent bout of exercise, then move quicklyfrom one temperature extreme to the other, heartattack may occur
Therapeutic Whirlpools• Small, single user, stainless steel tubs• Used for rehabilitation or treatment of injuries• Can be filled with either hot or cold water, depending
on the prescribed therapy• A whirlpool pump circulates water at a high velocity
inside the spa• The spa is drained and refilled between users
Hot Tubs• Round or oval shaped spas made out of kiln dried
woods such as oak, redwood or cedar used forsoaking
• The tubs are manufactured like barrels, with hoopsrather than nails used to hold the staves together
• Wood absorbs moistureover time and swellsto prevent leaking
• Descendants of theJapanese furos
Hot Tubs• Water is filtered, circulated, chemically treated, and
heated, but unlike most other spas, is not usuallyaerated
• First popularized in the U.S. during the 1960s. Theoriginal hot tubs were made from recycled Californiawine casks.
• High degree of maintenance required to keep theporous wood bacteria free and prevent the spread ofdisease through the water
• Many health departments now require that the insideof commercial hot tubs be lined with vinyl
Swim Spas• Large, elongated whirlpool spas which have an
additional recirculating pump, intake and powerful jetinstalled in one wall
• The jet creates a current against which bathers canswim or run
• The current can be turned on and off, and adjusted tothe swimming or running strength of the user
Swim Spas• Like exercising on a treadmill -- bather doesn't travel
up and down the pool, but rather swims in place• Strokes are not impeded, but swimming against a
current does take some getting used to• Swim spas can be purchased as prefabricated self
contained units• Swim jets can be built into the wall of a new pool
while under construction, or a unit can be purchasedand installed over the deck edge which converts atraditional pool into a swim spa
Flotation Tanks• AKA: sensory deprivation tanks• Shallow egg or coffin shaped spas used for relaxation• Popular with individuals who practice meditation• Popular with athletes who use them for imagery
practice to improve physical performance• After showering, the bather climbs into the tank, closes
the hatch, and floats in ten to twelve inches of waterwarmed to near body core temperature
• Most users prefer the dark, silent environment, butmany tanks can be lit with soft light if desired
• Music or white noise can be piped in throughunderwater speakers
Flotation Tanks• Intercoms or alarms can be installed for safety• Large quantities of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate)
are added to the water, increasing the salinity leveland causing spa users to become extremely buoyant
• Water treatment:• Alternative systems are often used• In-line chlorine generators can be installed to create a
chlorine sanitizer, and sodium hydroxide, a pH adjustmentchemical
• Ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide, non halogensystems are often used
• Hydrogen peroxide or potassium peroxymonosulfate is usedto shock the water after each bather
Environmental Enclosures• Advertised as "ultimate
spas" in which the bathercan experience a varietyof natural environmentsfrom desert heat to typhoon
• User directs the spaexperience or lengthof environmental cyclesfrom a programmedcontrol unit installedinside the enclosure
Environmental Enclosures Composed of several
spa components• Whirlpool bathtub
enclosed by slidingglass doors
• Removable woodendeck which fits over tub
• Steam generator• Sauna heater• Sun lamps
• Waterproof stereospeakers
• Hand held and wallmounted shower heads(capable of providing a Springrain or torrential downpour)
• Thermometer• Timers• Water level switch• Towel cabinet• Subdued lighting
Mineral Baths• Pools or small tubs filled with natural mineral water
that flows out of a superheated spring rising upthrough a fault in the ground
• Mineral water is mixed with cold well water in areservoir, and piped to the spa
• Some mineral baths consist of one person soakingtubs, which are drained and refilled for each user
• If the mineral water is used to fill a pool, the watermust also be circulated, filtered and chemicallytreated
Mud Baths• Single user tubs used for soaking• Filled with a thick mud made from a clay and peat
moss mixture combined with hot mineral water• Not chemically treated• Water is drained and refilled between users• Heats and relaxes muscles, and supposedly helps
remove toxins from the body• Usually part of a spa treatment consisting of a
shower, mud bath soak, hot mineral bath, massageand blanket wrap
Saunas• AKA: dry heat saunas, Finnish baths• Insulated rooms constructed of unblemished, kiln dried,
interlocking tongue and groove wood boards• Prefabricated saunas can be purchased, or they can
be custom designed• Interior surfaces should not be treated with stains or
paint that might emit toxic fumes at high temperatures• Furnished with wooden benches or tiers• Stove holds igneous or metamorphic rocks heated to
between 150 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit• Humidity is maintained lower than 30%
Turkish Bath• Consists of a massage in a steam room• Followed by a shower, rest, and hot tea
Steam Room• Vapor sealed rooms,
furnished with graduatedtiers and covered innon slip tile
• Steam has been usedsince the times ofancient Egyptians forrelaxation andcleansing
Steam Room• Steam is generated by electric generators or gas
boilers at 230-240 degrees• Steam is distributed by means of a steam line from
the generator to a chrome or brass plated steamhead located in the steam room
• The steam cloud raises the temperature of the roomto between 100 and 120 degrees
• Steam is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gasproduced from water
Steam Room• Fragrances and medications such as eucalyptus are
often added to the steam• Commercial steam generators are designed for round
the clock heavy duty operation• Require water, gas or electrical connections, a water
inlet, steam outlet, and drain
Steam Generator Sizing• Construction materials like glass block, marble, and
ceramic tile, windows, and the length of pipe from thegenerator to the steam room all influence sizing
• Generally, steam generators are sized based on theformula that for every 400 cubic feet of steam room,you need a generator capable of delivering 1 boilerhorsepower, 33,478 BTUs, or 10 kilowatts
• Example:• Steam room 15ʼ long by 10ʼ wide by 8ʼ high• 1,200 cubic feet ÷ 400 =• 3 hp or 30 kW or 100,434 BTU generator needed
Air Blowers• Purpose: Inject air into spa water• Creates bubbling action, water turbulence, or enhances
hydrotherapy jet action• Above ground or buried installation• Centrifugal air pump and electric motor encased in
plastic or stainless steel• Operate in a manner similar to vacuum cleaners• Ambient air is pulled under suction through impeller(s),
passed over the motor to help keep if from overheating,and pushed under pressure into the spa through jets orair holes drilled in the shell of the spa
• Typically 1 hp, 1.5 hp or 2 hp (residential) or belt driventurbine motors (large commercial)
Air Blowers• Proper sizing of air blowers is based on:
• Depth of water to point of air introduction• Total length of pipe run between spa and blower• Number and angle degree of elbows• Number and size of holes in air ring• Number and orifice size of jets
• If air blower is improperly sized• Too large: Motor will overheat and burn up• Too small: No air or weak air action in spa
because the air pump is not able to overcomeresistance to flow (TDH)
Air Blowers• Problems
• Noise• Vibration• In-take of contaminated air• If holes in the air ring are too small or blocked, or if
there are too few holes or too much restriction,excessive back pressure will develop and themotor will overheat and be damaged
• Potential danger of mixing water and electricity• Danger of gluing PVC air pipes to the air blower
(fumes, sparks, electrical fire or explosion)• Draws high amperage (ex. 2 hp blower draws 13
amps at 110 volts, or 6.5 amps at 220 volts)
Air Blower• Electrical safety
• To prevent water from accidentally being drawninto the blower• Check valves• Hartford loop• Anti surge valve in the blower discharge port• Install 12 to 18 inches above water level
• Bonding and grounding
Spa Maintenance• Maintenance of spa pools differs from that of
traditional swimming pools, primarily as aresult of the need to correct problems arisingfrom:• High bather load to water volume ratios• Elevated water temperatures
Spa Maintenance• High bather load to water volume ratios
• 5 people in a 500 gallon spa have an equivalenteffect on the water as do 2,500 bathers in a250,000 gallon swimming pool
• 1 bather per 100 gallons of water• Higher level of organic loading
Spa Maintenance• Elevated water temperatures
• Rapid build-up of TDS• Rapid chloramine formation• Favorable conditions for bacterial and algae
growth• Increased likelihood of disease transmission• Heavier filter demands• Foaming• Difficulty in balancing water
(Calcium is less soluble in warm water)
Spa Safety Features• Temperature regulation
• Not to exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit• Temperature regulator must be installed to
automatically shut off the spa heater when themaximum permissible temperature has beenachieved
• Exercising in spas should be discouraged• Rapid dehydration will result from the body's
attempts at cooling itself -- a drinking fountainshould be provided near the spa
Spa Safety Features• Signs
• Warn patrons of the dangers associated with usingwarm water spas
• Specific wording of the signs may be specified bycode
• Timer• 15 minute timer must be installed on all
commercial spas• Located near the spa, but positioned so that it
cannot be reached by a bather sitting in the spa
Spa Safety Features• Electrical safety
• Wired by a registered electrician in compliance withthe National Electrical Code, Article 680
• Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) must beinstalled on all electrical outlets in the spa area
• Electrical wiring should not pass directly over thespa
• Do not permit use of electrical appliances, unlessbattery operated, while in the spa
• Staff members should be reminded of the dangersof using electrical tools while working on or in thevicinity of the spa
Spa Safety Features• Depth markers
• Spa depth should not exceed four feet• Depth must be plainly and conspicuously marked
in feet and inches at or above the water surface onthe vertical wall of the spa, and on the coping oredge of the deck
• Markings should conform to local and state codeas to size, color, and spacing
• Steps, treads, tiers, ledges or any other protrusioninto the spa should be marked with a minimumone inch wide color contrasting coating or tile onboth the top and vertical rise
Spa Safety Features• Safety rails
• Pair of safety rails should be installed to assistpatrons when entering or exiting the spa
• Guard rails should be inspected daily to make surethey are tightly secured in place
• E-switch• Clearly labeled emergency spa
pump shut-off switch must beinstalled on the deck within viewof bathers using the spa
Spa Safety Features• Spacing
• Spa must be separated by a distance of at least10 feet of deck space from the swimming pool,wading pool, or other pool in the same natatorium
• Physical barriers separating spas from pools maybe required
• Separate circulation systems and no directconnection between the spa and other pools in thesame facility
Sauna & Steam RoomSafety Features• Electrical circuits for the stove, control panel, and
lighting should be installed in compliance with theNational Electrical Code
• A pre set temperature regulator should be set toautomatically shut off the heat or steam whenmaximum temperature is achieved
• Thirty minute timers which shut off sauna heaters orsteam generators should be installed immediatelyoutside of sauna and steam room doors
• A protective wood railing should be installed aroundthe sauna heater to prevent users from accidentallyburning themselves
Sauna & Steam RoomSafety Features• Safeguard should be installed to prevent users from
accidentally coming into contact with the steam head• Doors should be designed to open outward, and
hung without locks or latching devices of any kind• Doors should be properly fitted to anticipate swelling
caused by temperature changes• A window of double glazed or double paned
tempered glass or Plexiglas with an air space inbetween panes should be placed in the door
• Subdued lighting, a clock, thermometer, hygrometerand emergency alarms should be installed andchecked daily
Sauna & Steam RoomMaintenance
• Keep the floor, benches or seating tiers free of debris• Wash the door window• Make sure all gauges are in operational order• Wood strips, duck boards, or non slip treads covering
concrete or tile floors should be removed for cleaning• Floor drains should be free of debris• The entire sauna should be wiped down with a liquid
disinfectant and rinsed• Steam room walls, tiers, and ceilings should be
cleaned, disinfected, and rinsed• Doors should be left open overnight and the room
permitted to dry out
Sauna & Steam RoomMaintenance• Manufacturers instructions should be carefully
followed as to preventative maintenance procedureson gas fired steam boilers or electrical steamgenerators
• In electrically fired steam generators, the heatingelement should be removed, cleaned of mineraldeposits and replaced as needed
• Replace sauna heater rocks as needed