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