MEP Design for a 6,633 sq. ft. Swimming School in New Jersey

Project Overview

Big Blue Swimming School was developed as a 6,633 sq. ft. swimming school in New Jersey based on the franchise brand's established prototype design. The prototype provided a starting point for the MEP design, but the site required the engineering to be adapted to its actual conditions and operational requirements.

The project presented requirements that do not typically arise in conventional commercial spaces, particularly around indoor pool humidity, heating, filtration, and drainage. The design also had to coordinate with vendor-selected pool equipment and ensure that the equipment, operating parameters, building services, and client requirements worked together.

The existing electrical service had sufficient capacity, creating an opportunity to organize the distribution around both current requirements and future flexibility.

The Challenge

Fine-Tuning the Prototype Design

The franchise prototype provided standardized equipment and layouts, while the HVAC requirements varied across the facility. The challenge was to optimize unit capacities so the system was appropriately sized for each space.

A Swimming Pool Changes the HVAC Problem

Unlike a typical commercial fit-out, an indoor swimming pool continuously introduces moisture into the building. The HVAC engineering therefore had to account for pool dehumidification in addition to conventional heating and cooling.

Pool Equipment Was Vendor-Selected

The swimming pool vendor had already selected the filtration and related pool equipment. The engineering challenge was to review those selections against the client's requirements, including pool operating temperature and filtration cycle requirements.

Different Drainage Requirements

The prototype included a water holding tank that occupied significant space. The existing sanitary connection created an opportunity to determine whether the tank was necessary for this site. Pool deck drains also had a different invert elevation from the existing sanitary line, creating a separate drainage challenge.

Future Electrical Flexibility

The existing electrical service had sufficient capacity, so the challenge was to organize the available panel capacity to accommodate current requirements while retaining flexibility for future additions.

Electrical Safety Around a Swimming Pool

The swimming pool environment created additional electrical safety considerations. The electrical system needed appropriate grounding provisions to reduce the risk of accidental electrical shock to occupants.

The MEP Engineering Approach

Treating the Prototype as a Starting Point

The franchise prototype established the basic design direction, but the MEP design was reassessed for the actual New Jersey site. Heat-load calculations identified mismatches between the prototype equipment sizing and the project's requirements, allowing the equipment configuration to be adjusted accordingly.

Engineering for the Humidity of an Indoor Pool

An indoor swimming pool creates a continuous source of moisture, making dehumidification a fundamental part of the HVAC design. The dehumidification equipment was evaluated using the project's pool conditions and engineering requirements, which were provided to the manufacturer for appropriate Pool Dehumidification Unit (PDU) selection.

The final design also included a 15-ton RTU, with the building structure confirmed as capable of supporting its weight. The duct layout and thermostat locations were developed around the selected equipment and available space.

Reviewing Vendor Equipment Without Taking Over the Vendor's Scope

The pool filtration system had already been selected by the swimming pool vendor. The engineering role focused on technical oversight and coordination rather than equipment selection or detailed vendor calculations.

Vendor-provided operating information, including pool temperature and backwash requirements, was reviewed against the client's requirements to confirm that the proposed filtration and pool systems were appropriate for the intended operation.

Eliminating an Unnecessary Holding Tank

The prototype's water holding tank would have consumed substantial space. The sanitary invert elevation was checked against the existing sanitary connection, and because the elevations matched, the holding tank could be eliminated and the line connected directly to the sanitary system.

Designing Drainage Around Actual Site Conditions

The pool deck presented a different drainage condition because its drain invert elevation did not match the sanitary line. A separate sump was therefore proposed for the deck drains.

This maintained the distinction between deck drainage and sanitary wastewater while addressing the elevation difference and avoiding potential odor issues associated with routing the water as sanitary drainage.

Making the Electrical Panels Ready for What Comes Next

Because the existing electrical service had adequate capacity, a major service upgrade was unnecessary. Instead, the available panel capacity was deliberately distributed across the panels, using maximum practical breaker capacity to retain flexibility for future additions.

Grounding for Pool-Space Electrical Safety

Electrical grounding was incorporated as an important safety measure around the swimming pool environment, helping reduce the risk associated with accidental electrical faults and potential shock to occupants.