Swimming
Pool Safety in France using an Abris to NFP90-309
Review of Pool Shelters, Enclosures or Abris as they
are known as in France
This is what a telescopic pool shelter or abris
looks like when open:-
And when closed:-
Note the tracks on the deck slabs that are required for this telescopic
type to run on.
There are dozens of types - some very large, very high and very, very
expensive (think 60,000 euros HT +).
They tend to be classified in terms of their height as follows. In France
the planning law is directly related to the Abris size and height.
Abris Planning Laws in France
| Type |
Height |
Area Covered |
| Low (Un abri bas) |
0.6 m - 1.0 m |
Pool basin and pool coping stones |
| Medium (Mi-haut or Semi-haut) |
1.0m - 1.8m |
Varies |
| High (Un abris haut) |
greater then 1.8m high |
Normally covers pool basin as well as the surrounding pa |
One has to say - right from the start that these things are hideously
ugly - no matter how they are dressed up!
BUT - they do have quite a few advantages and from the number that you
see in the French countryside they are regarded as a highly desirable item
in France - where the supreme pragmatists completely ignore the look
of the things because they offer quite a lot more in the way of creature
comfort!
Table of Advantages of a Pool Shelter or Abri
| Features |
Benefits / provisos |
| The greenhouse affect of the abris keeps its internal temperature
up and so the pool water temperature can be kept much higher at no
cost |
Water temperature generally 8 - 10 degrees C higher.
Water heating costs are reduced substantially |
| Pool can be used when it is windy or cold and at night |
24 hour swimming for several months per year and swimming season
extended to 8 - 9 months per year without heating the shelter |
| Air pollution is removed from the pool water |
Pool water algae blooms are frequently caused by wind blown chemicals
being spread by the local farmer.
Pool has to be cleaned out much less frequently |
| Biting and annoying insects are kept away from swimmers |
Horse flies can totally stop use of the pool in some areas in July
and August |
| Pool winterisation my not be required |
Some precautions may still need to be taken |
| Provides an extension to the house that can be used for over-wintering
of frost sensitive plants |
Ditto |
| Is a real safety device in its own right |
Most comply with NFP90-309 if bought in France |
| Balneotherapy equipment is more justifiable in a pool with an Abris |
A seperate spa for all year use is not required if the pool has an
abri |
| Music can be piped around the pool with less annoyance to the neighbours. |
|
Precautions that need to be taken when installing an abris
| Feature |
Issue |
| Wind |
These are just like greenhouses and so need to be well fixed down
with the covering fixed in full compliance with local Codes of Practice
for wind in the installation location |
| Snow |
The structural design needs to comply with the local Codes of Practice
for snowfall in your area |
| Rain |
Rainfall must be collected in drains and directed away from the pool
- any abri that send the water that falls on it to the area around
the pool walls could cause severe structural problems in the pool itself |
| Condensation |
This is it - the Achilles Heel of the Abris or Pool Shelter.
Under certain weather conditions the underside of the abris can
shed water like it is raining - i.e. after a cold night when the
sun gets up in the morning.
The effect can be minimised by always covering the swimming pool
with an insulated floating pool cover and by controlled ventilation
of the pool shelter or abris but it will probably always be a problem
from time to time.
Apart from the inconvenience the main consequence of the condensation
is that the abris structure must be highly corrosion resistant -
many are built in anodised alumimium partly for it lightness and
partly because it does not rust. |
| Planning Consent |
Click on the following links for more information on this issue
Abris or Pool Shelter planning consent in France
Abris or Pool Shelter planning consent in the UK |
|
