The noodlers have succeeded, again, in getting the pool temperature raised to 86 degrees! :bitching: I have sent an e-mail to the American Red Cross, however, the more information I gather, the better! If any of you have any published articles on this topic, I would greatly appreciate it!
Here is the e-mail I sent to the American Red cross:
Hello,
I live in an adult community with an indoor swimming pool. After doing internet research, I am still not sure of a definitive recommendation of appropriate water temperatures for the following:
1. Adults (55 years old or older) swimming laps and/or participating in water aerobics who have high blood pressure or other heart conditions.
2. Adults (55 years old or older) swimming laps and/or participating in water aerobics who have diabetes.
In addition, what is the recommended air temperature and humidity percentage for an indoor pool?
The pool temperature in our community was raised from 84 to 86, so I am trying to build a case for lowering the temperature to suit the needs of the majority of our residents. And, it is my guess that most of the residents using the pool have either high blood pressure, other heart conditions, diabetes, or other health conditions making it a health risk to exercise in 86 degree water.
Any assistance and documentation you can provide would be most appreciated!
Thank you very much,
Elaine Krugman
Thanks, Forumites, for any documentation you send my way! By the way, if you can post links in the forums, perhaps it would help others, as well, who are battling the same issues. If you have articles to send as attachments, please send me a PM and I will provide you my e-mail address.
Thanks!
Elaine
P.S. Anna Lea: If you see this, does USMS have any "official" documentation at your offices?
This is possibly the best explanation I have ever read for the reasoning behind a facility's choice of water and air temperature. It is from the Lawrence, Kansas, Aquatic Center. (URL: www.lawrenceks.org/.../faq):
Why does the temperature of the water feel cold?
We regulate the temperature of the air and water separately for both the competition and leisure pools at the Indoor Aquatic Center. The competition pool water is maintained at 82°, and the air temperature of the competition pool is approximately 85-87 degrees. The leisure pool water is maintained at 87°, and the air temperature of the leisure pool is approximately 89°-90°. So, the air temperature is generally 2-5 degrees higher than the water temperature.
The digital thermostats that operate the pool boilers function with one degree of differential. Basically, the thermostat is set to 87°. The boiler turns on when the water temperature lowers one degree from the set point, or 86 degrees. The boiler then turns off when the thermostat reaches one degree above the set point, or 88°.
The water temperature is closely regulated for our competition pool. However, everyone’s bodies are different and everyone perceives temperature differently. (It's like in an office building where some people are freezing and others are hot even though they are in the same room). But, if there is a gross change in water temperature due to a malfunction, we generally know about it pretty quick since water tests are conducted bi-hourly.
The competition pools at both the Indoor Aquatic Center and Carl Knox Natatorium are maintained at optimum national standard temperatures for competitive workouts and fitness.
There are some competitions, mostly national meets with specific facility standards, where the water temperature is lowered from its normal 82° down to 80°. However, those meets are held very infrequently, and notices are always posted in advance to alert swimmers of the change. Water temperatures don’t fluctuate quickly, and at the Indoor Aquatic Center, having almost a million gallons of water, it generally takes 24 hours for the temperature to go up or down by one degree.
This is possibly the best explanation I have ever read for the reasoning behind a facility's choice of water and air temperature. It is from the Lawrence, Kansas, Aquatic Center. (URL: www.lawrenceks.org/.../faq):
Why does the temperature of the water feel cold?
We regulate the temperature of the air and water separately for both the competition and leisure pools at the Indoor Aquatic Center. The competition pool water is maintained at 82°, and the air temperature of the competition pool is approximately 85-87 degrees. The leisure pool water is maintained at 87°, and the air temperature of the leisure pool is approximately 89°-90°. So, the air temperature is generally 2-5 degrees higher than the water temperature.
The digital thermostats that operate the pool boilers function with one degree of differential. Basically, the thermostat is set to 87°. The boiler turns on when the water temperature lowers one degree from the set point, or 86 degrees. The boiler then turns off when the thermostat reaches one degree above the set point, or 88°.
The water temperature is closely regulated for our competition pool. However, everyone’s bodies are different and everyone perceives temperature differently. (It's like in an office building where some people are freezing and others are hot even though they are in the same room). But, if there is a gross change in water temperature due to a malfunction, we generally know about it pretty quick since water tests are conducted bi-hourly.
The competition pools at both the Indoor Aquatic Center and Carl Knox Natatorium are maintained at optimum national standard temperatures for competitive workouts and fitness.
There are some competitions, mostly national meets with specific facility standards, where the water temperature is lowered from its normal 82° down to 80°. However, those meets are held very infrequently, and notices are always posted in advance to alert swimmers of the change. Water temperatures don’t fluctuate quickly, and at the Indoor Aquatic Center, having almost a million gallons of water, it generally takes 24 hours for the temperature to go up or down by one degree.
