Abu Dhabi pool installations not clearly regulated

Abu Dhabi: Swimming pool installations in the capital are not really governed by many regulations, consultants in the capital have said.

They therefore called on authorities to implement more stringent standards and methods of inspection, especially for pools set up within residential compounds.

“As consultants, we usually find ourselves seeking the assistance of other specialised companies and online sources to help us in determining pool requirements and safety standards. There is no real system to check on pool installations, or to assess their safety,” said Abdul Qader Sweileh, a civil engineer and owner of a consultancy based in Abu Dhabi.

Sweileh said they mainly work on setting up pools in residential areas, which are mainly frequented by families, including small children.

“Pools depths typically range between two and three metres, and such depths are enough to present the risk of drowning. There are not even any measures to ensure that pools are surrounded by safety fences,” Sweileh said.

Once a villa that includes a pool has been constructed, consultants hand it over for approval from municipal authorities.

“The main focus of municipal inspections are the structural elements of the villa, and usually not the pool itself,” Sweileh explained.

Pool structures can either be prefabricated, with only an excavation required to install them, or larger establishments like hotels may choose to custom-make the entire unit based on their requirements, said Rakesh P.C., a general contractor in the capital.

“In villas and buildings, the most common type is fibreglass pools, which come in a set of standard sizes. Installing such a structure, including the excavation, costs from Dh60,000 to Dh90,000,” Rakesh explained.

Otherwise, some villa owners prefer PVC pools, which also require an excavation followed by blockwork before the pool’s membrane can be put in.

“Big pools in hotels, which can vary in size, design, colour and finish, are constructed made from scratch. These can cost from Dh140,000 per pool to about a Dh1 milion,” Rakesh said.

Because of the lack of clear regulations, there are no real guidelines on the kind of lighting, maintenance and water safety that pool owners must follow.

“For smaller pools in villas, we usually install a small motor for filtration, and install a few lights in the area. If the owner wishes, we also set up a fence. In the case of bigger pools, especially the ones at hotels, there are many more devices that are used to ensure adequate water temperature, hygiene and lighting,” the contractor explained.

Rakesh said pools are sourced from an approved list of vendors.