Published in: Das Schwimmbad und sein Personal, edition 11/2022 – Exhibition edition Interbad 2022
... an interim pool was opened.
In·ter·im /Interim/Substandiv, neither [the] 1. meanwhile, 2. Provisional regulation; transitional arrangement
... that's what it says in the dictionary and that's what the inventors of an "interim poolroom" called it. What's behind it?
Berlin Kreuzberg
... is not exactly known for its tranquility. As a hotspot of the nationality mix, this part of the city is probably more for the opposite, composed of business noise, notorious for traffic and occasional Wild West interludes. But there is that here too swimming pool and its staff.
In this article, it is the Prinzenbad, which is only allowed to play a supporting role today, and in the leading roles, the swimming pool-masters Sissy with her husband Jan, who also works as a specialist for pool operations in the same object. Ok, there have been more famous leading roles before these two in front of this beautiful backdrop. But these date from the time of 2003 (Film "Herr Lehmann" with artist Christian Ulmen) and 2006 (Movie "Princess Bath") when the protagonists played themselves.
It's not a game for Sissy and Jan, but the seriousness of life. That's official
Prinzenbad
... of course summer pool Kreuzberg, but in a beautiful spot like this, names are just smoke and mirrors. It is probably one of the largest outdoor pools in Berlin, not only as a water surface (more than 3330m²) but also as a sunbathing area (about 45,000m²). After a few stations, Sissy 2018 took over the management of the Prinzenbad.
Pool-Object 81
... this sober expression is behind the concept of the interim pool-object. On the one hand, the interim pool is a preparation for the closure and renovation of the "Spreewaldbad", it is also in the district of Kreuzberg. On the other hand, the gap in the supply of swimming lessons, which had opened up after several years of work at the outdoor pool on Holzmarkt-Strasse, should be closed.
A new swimming pool, which by definition is “doomed to die” after just a few years, needs especially in our typical German static swimming pool landscape
... new thoughts and ways.
Illustration 2: The interim pool-object from above, Source: Berliner Bäderbetriebe
You have to calculate 3 times this time. What does the construction cost? What does the operation cost? How much does demolition cost?? In addition, the questions about the planned operating time. But
such an interim swimming pool is certainly easier to calculate in terms of time than an airport.
Creativity was therefore required from architects and engineers. On the part of the Berlin Bäderbetriebe, it was also necessary to put a strong foot on the cost brake, because it is well known that the creativity of an architect rarely results in cost savings. At least in hindsight it can be a certain
loyalty to principles
… assume, which could be something like this:
- Only the essentials!!
- Floor plate = pool floor!
- Pool surrounds have to share supports and piping!
- Ban technical systems from the building in containers!
- No concrete raw water storage!
- No pump basement!
The Pool
... could be described as a hybrid, a specialty of the Italian manufacturer Myrtha-pools®. The link Myrthapools® leads to their website. The pool floor is a very stable glass fiber reinforced foil, which is welded in strips. The pool walls plus overflow channel are made of stainless steel plates with a PVC coating. These elements are supported on the outside of the pool. The space next to the pool must have plumbing for splash water, pure water and sample water divide with these supports and the supports of the pool surround lying on them. Since the base plate runs parallel to the pool floor, this division in the shallow pool area is a real challenge.
Illustration 3: The new swimming pool-object, Source: Berliner Bäderbetriebe
The synchronicity of pool floor and floor plate naturally results, that there are no options, to drain the pool water on a geodetic basis. In pairs the
channel drains
… from the Italian manufacturer Myrtapools® combined on a flange connection. Special noise reducers in a spiral shape protect the ears, before the drains are rotated to the horizontal. The discharge to the surge water tank takes place with a very low gradient, in order to save “height” and thus construction costs here as well. Of course, an automatic circuit for the gutter cleaning was not forgotten. The
Raw water tank
… forms a huge plastic cigar. The cigar is over 17 meters long and has a diameter of just over 2 meters. Almost like an old steam train are on top 2 manholes for entry, much like the old chimneys. The cigar was buried right next to the main building. Exactly that high, that the water level of the surge water line harmonises with the filled container and is just as deep, that the cigar fits under the container with the water treatment system.
Illustration 4: cigar and container, Source: aqua&pools
But not only the right height was a challenge. The precise horizontal positioning of the cigar also had to be right. Because all the connections were on the ones above
Container for water treatment
… tuned with millimeter precision.
Illustration 5: Filter im Container, Source: WTA Vogtland GmbH
The container itself was prefabricated by the manufacturer WTA Vogtland GmbH. So it was a special challenge, that the pipes of the building and the pipes of the container have matched. Inconceivable, what would have happened, if someone had moved the foundations or the like in between. Even 10cm would have been a disaster.
Illustration 6: Container in working position, Source: Berliner Bäderbetriebe
The circulating pumps are normally located next to the raw water storage tank and therefore only have to be vented at the beginning. What, if the tank is located just below the pumps? A foot valve, which should prevent the return, is unsuitable here because of security.
Therefore, the air from the pipeline and pump is evacuated with a ring-gap pump and only then the
| Jan
Born 1987 in Dresden/Saxony. Grew up in the Ore Mountains of Dippoldiswalde, with 16 came to Berlin years, where he did his apprenticeship at the Berliner Bäderbetriebe. He went through several pool-objects, until he 2012 moved to Kreuzberg and works there as FAB/technician. |
Pump operation enabled. A system, which has also proven itself with frequent switching operations.
The next challenge was to accommodate the filter area required for 200m³/h. The closed quick filter falls down at the back simply because of the diameter. Because to press 2.9m into a 2.0m wide container, rather misses the point of a container. The height of the container would also have to be taken into account. Yes, there are higher containers, called "highcube", but the few centimeters do not bring a dished bottom under the roof. The Link to the website of WTA Vogtland.
This paved the way for the open quick filter. Here the available space (almost) be used optimally. Due to the intervention in the statics, the filter became free-standing, and not connected to the container walls, built-in. The
Open quick filters
... was placed in the middle of the container, so that access from both sides is secured. For this purpose, two additional doors were installed in the container wall and even provided with small steps.
The open quick filter, in a two-chamber design, relies on a filling of glass balls. With the construction and the glass balls, a saving of water in
| Sissy
Born 1983 in Greiz / Thuringia, Member of TSV Nema Netzschkau water polo, high-school diploma, Apprenticeship as a specialist for pool operations in Plauen, later stations in Augsburg, Luckenwalde, Spreewaldbad in Kreuzberg, since 2018 Pool Manager Prinzenbad. |
the backwash can be achieved. Of course, one raw water pump is sufficient for the necessary backwashing speed in one chamber.
Special paths also had to be
success of flocculation
... to be gone. After first attempts it turned out, that the space-saving design of the pipelines led to , that the reaction time of the flocculant was not reached. The flocculation simply wasn't fast enough and developed a certain reaction at most after the filter. As a countermeasure, the pipeline was lengthened, but on the roof of the container.
The roof of the container then became the home of part of the ventilation system for the swimming pool, which also keeps the temperatures in the container within limits. As is well known, it is not so beneficial, to store chlorine bleach at high temperatures. Also because of the limited storage options, a
Membrane cell electrolysis plant
… installed. The system converts softened water and clean salt and "some" electrical energy into chlorine. This chlorine is temporarily stored in a buffer tank for a certain period of time and then measured- and control system sent into the pool with pure water. This return path of the water to the pool is also not entirely without "new paths". Because when the floor plate runs parallel to the pool floor, there is no more space in between for a vertical inflow. The chosen horizontal
Strahlen-Turbulenz-System
... is a specialty of the Myrthapools system. In a PR article in issue 02/2022 he briefly described the schematic function of the system. Who wants to read a detailed comparison of the systems, the contribution “Who can't count, takes Tichelmann*!“ from booklet 02/2019 heartfelt. The Link links to the online version of the article.
With the Strahlen-Turbulenz-System, the nozzles on the wall must follow a specific arrangement and be calculated according to their water supply. After all, at each nozzle, no matter how the pipes run, the same volume flow. The right proportions weren't just for 100% Water flow, but also for the halved volume flow.
Summary
The pool-object is now especially available to the students of the surrounding schools. No matter, whether they come from a large family or a single household. The atmosphere might look a bit dry in the pictures - but as always, the fun is in the water!
Well planned! Well realised! Well operated!
Anyone planning something similar, find more information as always:
Many Thanks!
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