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Whilst there are not yet statutory obligations governing pool safety in the UK as there are in countries like France or Australia , consideration to pool safety and security must be given , especially where there are young children in the family , to prevent unauthorised access to the pool at times when there is no adult supervision , and therefore minimise the risks of accidental drowning . Measures to evaluate would include fencing the pool area off with a suitable fence and lockable gate , a purposemade safety cover , a certified alarm system , or an enclosure which can be fixed in place and locked .
Any outdoor pool requires some kind of cover which should be in place over the whole surface of the pool at all times when the pool is not in use , primarily to prevent evaporation and therefore the greatest heat losses from the pool surface . There are a range of covering materials available which vary greatly in terms of capital cost , and likewise with quality , efficacy and lifespan . The cheapest available are of the ‘ bubble ’ type , which are made from a synthetic material akin to thick , blue-coloured , bubble-wrap . Not only does this type of cover eliminate evaporation , the trapped air bubbles also offer solargain when the sun shines . Other types of cover include heavy duty foam , which is more resilient in quality than the bubble type , but does not impart any solar gain . At the upper end of the spectrum are the motorised slatted type cover . Here , the cover is made up of a series of many PVC slats with a trapped air chamber . This trapped air chamber gives the cover its buoyancy and also its insulation properties .
Some automatic slatted covers are certified as safety covers , especially when coupled with a ledge or handrail , and some offer translucent slat options to benefit from solar gain . The covers roll and unroll automatically on and off the pool at the flick of a switch via an internal electric motor .
Telescopic pool enclosures have gained in popularity in recent years . They resemble a tapering conservatory which spans the pool and a proportion of its surround . They offer a great solution to those who like the idea of an indoor pool at times when the weather is not being kind , and to extend the length of the swimming season in the Spring and Autumn , whilst at the same time allowing the benefits of an outdoor pool at times when the weather is hot and sunny . An alternative would be a Pool dome , a clear PVC structure which is secured on the deck surrounding the pool by way of steel anchors or integral bags filled with water to weigh it down . The structure is then inflated like a large balloon and is kept up by maintaining a higher pressure within the dome than that outside . Access to the inside is usually via a zipped entrance . As with other enclosures , a dome affords protection from inclement weather and extends the usable swimming season in Spring and Autumn .
In regards to choosing an installer , there is a regulatory body called SPATA ( www . spata . co . uk ). People should choose an installer who is a member as it offers consumers protection and will work as a mediator if things go wrong .
What are you most proud of with the Canterbury pool installation ?
The pool was flawlessly executed and fits perfectly within the immaculate landscaped garden . The choice of simplistic colours give the area a very natural relaxed feel , whilst creating an incredibly inviting space .
What else does XL Pools Offer ?
Other than luxury swimming pool installation , we offer swimming pool maintenance contracts to help keep pools clean , sanitised and serviced . We also offer exercise pools ( above ground installation only ) which can be installed in even the smallest of gardens , with limited access . Endless counter current swim jets are a great solution for a family who have limited space but want to swim to keep fit and also great for kids to play in too .
“ XL Pools installed our pool last year and they were fantastic in terms of delivering the installation well inside the promised timeframe – which for me was one of the main selection criteria . Mike and Terry were great , very polite and professional . We use the pool a lot and it ' s been one of the best investments we have made in the house .”
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