Katarzyna Ratajczak, Małgorzata Kieszkowska-Krzewicka
Wydział Inżynierii Środowiska i Energetyki, Politechnika Poznańska
Ciepłownictwo Ogrzewnictwo Wentylacja, 57 (9), 26-33, DOI: https://doi.org/10.65545/COW.2026.09.04
Keywords: swimming pool, ventilation, indoor air quality
Abstract
Indoor swimming pools are characterized by specific indoor environmental conditions resulting from elevated air temperature and humidity, as well as the presence of volatile disinfection by-products formed in pool water. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the mode of use of an indoor swimming pool on selected air parameters in the pool. The study was conducted in an operating indoor swimming pool facility over a six-day period. Three modes of facility use were distinguished: normal use, night-time operation, and intensive use, including swimming competitions. Air temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration, and trichloramine (NCl₃) concentration were monitored continuously, and during the competitions the number of occupants in the pool was additionally recorded. Air temperature remained relatively stable in all analysed operating modes. During the night-time mode, the highest mean relative humidity and the lowest NCl₃ concentrations were observed, with values close to zero during part of this period. During normal and intensive use of the pool, NCl₃ concentrations were clearly higher and showed considerable variability. The highest mean CO₂ concentration was recorded during intensive use, when the number of occupants in the pool was also the highest. The results indicate that the mode of facility use is associated with changes in air parameters, particularly CO₂ and NCl₃ concentrations. CO₂ concentration primarily reflects the total occupancy load of the pool, whereas NCl₃ concentration was more strongly associated with pool use and swimmers’ activity. The results may be useful in developing ventilation control strategies that account for variable occupancy and use of indoor swimming pool facilities.
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