Changes to Part L of the Building Regulations due to come into force in October 2010 will require a minimum insulation U-value for heated commercial and domestic swimming pools. Polypool, UK manufacturer of the industry-leading heat-retaining swimming pool panel system, has developed a new insulated pool floor pack to complement its existing thermal wall panel structure, creating a fully insulated pool basin in readiness for the new regulations.  

Polypool’s wall panel system already exceeds the thermal requirements of the current Part L with its advanced polyurethane insulation injection process. Now, with Polypool’s insulated floor panels, swimming pool specifiers and contractors can stay one step ahead of regulations - and Polypool users can enjoy even lower running costs through greater energy savings.

Polypool Managing Director Ryan Fonda claims he is aware that many pool contractors still attempt to design and install traditional concrete pools with little or no insulation against heat loss from the water into the ground. He says, “We developed our insulated pool wall panel system ahead of the requirements of the current Part L, and have over 1,500 installations and a network of experienced installers in place. We’ve now developed the new floor panel pack in anticipation of the new Part L, and have incorporated a number of design features, including tiled finishes, to make it even more attractive to specifiers and professional installers.”

The existing Polypool wall system is formed by a number of full height wall panels which are secured by bottom and top channels, and lock together to form a rigid, insulated pool shell. Panels are factory fabricated to size to suit the individual pool dimensions and include high efficiency polyurethane between two facing skins. There are two standard thicknesses; 75mm which gives a U-value of 0.022 W/m2K, or 125mm which gives a U-value of 0.018 W/m2K. Polypool’s new insulated floor panel features the same construction and offers a U-value of 0.018 W/m2K. This is well within new Part L Building Regulations which will require the minimum U-value of the swimming pool basin (walls and floor) to be 0.025 W/m2K.

Effective thermal insulation of the pool shell makes a huge reduction to heat lost into the surrounding ground, helping to save energy and reduce running costs. Polypool’s patented new total pool system retains up to 96% of heat that would normally be lost through the pool walls and floor using traditional construction methods.