The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008 - (Page 27)

of thumb. The dose delivered by the UV system is directly factored by the UV equipment manufacturers by the UVT percent. Simply put, if you request a UV system based on a 40mj dose and a UVT of 90 percent with a given flow, the unit will be undersized if the UVT turns out to be anything less than that. It is impossible to eyeball a water sample and say that the water is “good” or “clear.” UVT is also not a one-to-one ratio with dose. If the UVT is 5 percent lower than expected, let’s say 85 percent, you can’t guesstimate that a unit specified to give a 45mj dose will even things out. The solution is simple. Call the UV manufacturer and request that it analyze a water sample at their facility. The test takes about five minutes, and a reputable manufacturer will do it free of charge. If they tell you it’s not necessary or they don’t have the equipment, hang up the phone. You’re done with them. UV MYTHS UV is too expensive for the residential or small commercial market: UV systems have been manufactured for decades with PVC materials and simplified controls at a fraction of the cost of many stainless steel units in the industry, without sacrificing functionality or effectiveness. If a stainless steel unit is preferred, then it must be 316L. Chlorine will attack anything less than that at an accelerated rate, and your unit will need to be replaced in a short period of time. Also, do your homework on replacement lamps and electrical requirements. While comparative units may be similar in price, the price to operate a system for one to three years may differ by five to 10 times. Chlorine consumption will increase: As mentioned earlier, a properly specified system will allow UV to handle the disinfection portion, reducing the demand for chlorine and utilizing it for its residual characteristics. UV will also stabilize the pool, eliminating the need to constantly “shock” it. I need a wiping system: An efficiently manufactured UV system does not need a wiping system to clean the quartz sleeves in the unit. Aside from adding 20 percent to 40 percent to the cost of a system, studies have shown that a wiping system often scratches the quartz sleeves, which lowers the UV transmittance, ultimately lowering the applied dose of a system. The quartz sleeves are easily cleaned by hand with a rag once or twice a year. Again, check with the manufacturer for recommended cleaning and maintenance intervals. While there is no magic bullet that will solve every problem in an aquatic application, the addition of UV will certainly eliminate quite a few. Do your homework, and make sure the manufacturers do theirs. This will all be second nature before you know it. | Dan Dycha is the National/International Swim-Fountain account manager/architectural design account manager for Emperor Aquatics Inc. He has been in the UV industry for more than four years, has hosted seminars at WWA and the Atlantic City Pool and Spa show for NESPA, and worked directly on the UV specification, validation and installation for the UV system at Seneca Lake for the State of New York Parks Department. 319340_Advantis.indd 1 THE EDGE 27 2/15/07 4:54:53 PM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008

The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008 Contents The President’s Message New Pool/Spa Federal Safety Act Worried About the 2009 Market? Treating Hot Water? Project Focus The 411 on UV Disinfection for Pools and Spas The Advantages of Seeding Aggregate Surfaces Pool and Spa Industry Wins Gold Choosing a Retirement Plan To Get Best Coverage at Lowest Cost - Shop Now Index of Advertisers

The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008

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