DDASS swimming pools

If you want a pool for use in the summer of 2007 please contact us as soon as possible as our installation slots for this autumn and next spring are now filling up rapidly

0546 48 37 99

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Bluepools has now launched its new advisory service to help the owners of gite complexes with swimming pools meet the requirements of  the  DDASS (DIRECTION DEPARTMENTALE DES AFFAIRES SANITAIRES ET SOCIALES) rules in France

Owners of  gite complexes in Frances and those considering the purchase of a gite complex in France by their SIPP should be aware that a swimming pool that is to be used by more than one family at a time will be designated a public pool (piscine publique) by the DDASS. The filtration requirements for water sanitation in these pools are very stringent and the cost of upgrading an existing pool to meet the DDASS requirements can be quite expensive. However a new 12m x 6m swimming pool that fully meets these filtration requirements can be installed at an extra cost of less than 3000 euros per pool.

Many of the inquiries that result from the popularity of this website are for pools for gite complexes. It has recently become clear to Bluepools clear that many gite complex owners are entirely unaware of the DDASS rules that are based on the requirements of the EEC commission “Aqua-Europa”. 

This issue is particularly germane to those who are considering the purchase of a gite complex by their SIPP after April 1st 2006. The upgrading of the gite complex pool could be an entirely unexpected extra cost.

The new Bluepools advisory service will help gite complex owners meet the DDASS requirements easily and economically.

What are these DDASS rules?

The rules cover four areas and these are:

1. Hygiene and Safety (Hygiene et Securite)
2. Water circulation time (Circulation d'eau, temps de recyclage)
3. Pre-filtration, pumps and filtration (Prefiltration, pompage et filtration)
4. Cleaning the filters-hydraulic circuits (Lavage des filtres, circuit hydraulique)

Rule 1 requires a shower and disinfected foot washes to be provided and limits the number of bathers using a pool to 1 bather for every 2 square metres of pool area. It also requires a stringent testing regime to ensure water quality at all times.

The requirements of Rule 2 are quite complex - for instance a 12m x 6m swimming pool with a hopper may require 4 skimmers, 6 water inlets, 2 main drains at least 2 metres apart with 2 skimmers feeding a 63mm diameter pipe, 3 inlets fed from a 63mm diameter pipe and a 50 mm pipe from each of the main drains.

Rule 3 requires pumps and filters that will match the filter and purify the water at the rate required by the water circulation requirements of Rule 2. The most economic pump and filter system would probably consist of a two sets each consisting of a 1.5 hp pump and 750 mm sand filter - each set would be connected to 3 inlets, 2 skimmers and one of the main drains via the pipes described above. In broad terms the water in a shallow pool will need to re-cycled faster than the water in deeper pools but for maximum economy each pool filtration system will need to be designed on a bespoke basis.

Rule 4 gives the requirements for washing the filter and flow speed limits in the hydraulic circuits.

What is the practical effect of the DDASS rules?

The main impact of the DDASS rules relates to pool built from swimming pool kits. It is extremely unlikely that any kit pool will meet the DDASS requirements and in most instances up-grading a kit pool to meet the requirements will not be economically viable because of the water circulation requirements. This particularly applies to the pools that do not have skimmers and just circulate the water through the ladders.

If a gite complex owner allows more than one family to use the pool (including his / her own family) then it will be classed as a public pool. If the swimming pool does not comply with the DDASS rules it is probable that the owner will be stopped from advertising the pool and the guests stopped from using it

How will the new Bluepools advisory service work?

Bluepools will visit the pool site and provide a free report on the best way to meet the DDASS requirements either in a new pool or in the upgrading of an existing swimming pool. Contact us on 0546 48 37 99 for further details or fill in our Contact Form