FOUNTAINS & SWIMMING POOLS - 6
Gutters and drains
Public and other
large pools are regularly equipped
with scum gutters on all four sides.
These gutters carry off floating dirt
and debris. They are sometimes
omitted altogether in private pools,
and pool designers generally
agree that in such pools they need
be included, if at all, on only
the two long sides. If they are included,
it is very important to have
them level throughout their lengths.
In fact, they are often ground
down to level after the concrete has
hardened. The gratings which cover
the openings in the gutters and also
in the drain
Illumination
Many private swimming
pools are not lighted at all. When used
at night, starlight or moonlight proves
quite adequate. On the other hand,
some homeowners do desire more brilliant
lighting. There are two systems of
artificial illumination. In one the
pool is lighted by means of fixtures
actually under the water and arranged
so as to make the water luminous. Some
light is cast on the diving board and
surrounding pavement by the luminous
water, but, generally speaking, the surroundings
of the pool are in
darkness. In the other system, outdoor
floodlights are supported around the
pool in such positions that they illuminate
the pool environs and the surface of
the water. Because this arrangement does
not light up the water, the two systems
are often combined. Underwater illumination
is best when it is planned before the
pool is built. Niches must be cast in
the pool sides for the recessed, waterproof
fixtures, and conduits must be included
for the wires. Switches for turning the
lights on and off should be located conveniently.
One good arrangement is to provide them
at two points, one near the pool
and another at the house. The location
near the pool makes it possible to turn
the lights on without going to the house
when darkness comes on during a swimming
party. The second location enables the
host to turn off the lights after all
his guests have left the pool. Illumination
for a particular swimming pool should
be designed by someone who has had considerable
experience with it. An adequate system
costs a fair amount of money, but it
will not be efficient if it is inexpertly
designed or installed. A simple outdoor
spotlight fastened to the house or a
tall post and placed so that it will
not shine in the eyes of persons using
the diving board is adequate lighting
for small pools built on a limited budget.
An important point in relation to the
overhead illumination of swimming pools
is to place the lights back of the pool
and the curbing or pavement which surrounds
it so that the swarms of bugs which are
attracted will not find their way into
the pool.
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