Below are the most recent "News Items" and links.
Southington YMCA in Southington, CT eliminates Chloramines
09-27-12: Treatment Specialties of Ramsey, NJ recently provided Southington YMCA in Southington, CT with an NSF/ANSI Standard 50 certified SafeGUARD UV system by Emperor Aquatics. The staff at Southington YMCA installed the cost-effective SafeGUARD system just before the beginning of the busy swim-team season. Results were noticed quickly as chloramines were eliminated and the air quality at the indoor pool improved substantially.
Ursinus College fights back against Chloramines with SafeGUARD UV
09-26-12: An NSF/ANSI Standard 50 certified SafeGUARD UV system was recently installed at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA by Delaware Valley Pool Supply. After only a few days of installation, the chloramine odor that plagued the facility is practically non-existent.
Protection for Pools & Spas Unlimited's Splash Pad
06-06-12: After transforming an old wading pool into an exciting splash feature pool, Pools & Spas Unlimited of Milford, DE installed an EMPEROR AQUATICS, Inc. NSF/ANSI Standard 50 certified SafeGUARD UV system. This corrosion resistant SafeGUARD system will inactivate dangerous waterborne illnesses (RWIs) and eliminate harmful chloramines.
YMCA Sponsorship
 
09-08-11: Emperor Aquatics, Inc. proudly sponsored the 2011 Ambler, Abington, Hatboro Area YMCAs´ 2011 Golf Classic in which all proceeds help the less fortunate participate in YMCA programs, such as a children’s summer camps, daycare for working parents, aquatics for everyone including persons with special needs, and programs that help teens grow and develop in a nurturing environment.
The event raised more than $86,700 for these programs.
We would like to thank the YMCA organization and everyone involved for the opportunity to serve the community and invest in the future of our Nation's youth.
Palm Desert Aquatic Center
07-08-11: Emperor Aquatics, Inc. supplied a NSF/ANSI Standard 50 certified SafeGUARD CLP Series UV System to be installed on a facility pool for bio-security and chloramines control. By installing this UV system in their filter loop the aquatic center will also save up to 30% on annual chlorine expenses.
Huck's Pool Company
07-07-11: Emperor Aquatics, Inc. delivered multiple AquaFOAM Protein Skimmers, Del Ozone Generators and SafeGUARD CLP Series UV Systems to Huck's Pool Company.
SafeGUARD "CLP Series" UV Systems Named MVP
06-09-11: SafeGUARD "CLP Series" UV Systems were named a Most Valueable Product by Aquatics International for 2011. Our SafeGUARD NSF Certified Standard-50 UV systems are the first and only plastic UV system to gain standard-50 certification for use in commercial pools and spas.
Fountain People, Inc.
01-20-11: Emperor Aquatics, Inc. was proud to supply Fountain People, Inc. with a SafeGUARD CLP4520A8-3FN UV System to be install on a Commercial Swim Application.
San Marcos, TX
City of Idaho Falls
11-29-10: Emperor Aquatics, Inc. was proud to supply the City of Idaho Falls with a SafeGUARD CLP62340A14-8FN UV System to be installed on a municipal commercial swim application for the control of Chloramines and the prevention of RWI's.
Idaho Falls, ID
Blue Water Pools
11-22-10: Emperor Aquatics, Inc. was proud to provide Blue Water Pools with a SafeGUARD COM4320HOSS UV System to be installed on a commercial swim application.
Charlotte, NC
Delta Fountains
09-24-10: Emperor Aquatics, Inc. provided Delta Fountains with a SafeGUARD CLS4130A6-2FN UV System for installation on a commercial swim application. The NSF/ANSI Standard 50 certified SafeGUARD UV System will provide bio-security from the risk of RWI's and for control of Chloramines.
Jacksonville, FL
SRK Pool Services
08-30-10: Emperor Aquatics supplied SRK Pool Services with a 130 Watt SafeGUARD "CLP Series" CLP4130A6 UV System.
Wainscott, NY
YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity
05-30-10: Emperor Aquatics supplied these NSF Certified SafeGUARD "CLP Series" UV Systems to the YMCA of Philadelphia for Chloramines and RWI control. In addition, to providing this
facility with improved air quality and bio-security, it also reduced Free-Chlorine usage, saving the facility on annual Chlorine costs.
SafeGUARD "CUS Series" UV Systems
04-09-10: SafeGUARD "CUS Series" UV Systems being delivered for installation on a residential pool
filter system.
Naples Botanical Gardens
7-30-09 CLP61560A- CLP Series UV Sterilizer being shipped to Naples, FL for a decorative fountain at the Naples Botanical Gardens.
SafeGUARD CLP Series UV Sterilizers
Department of Health & Human Services National Institute of Health
12-8-08 Eight Multi-Lamp Stainless Steel UV Systems ready for shipment to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services National Institute of Health.
Bethesda, MD
SafeGUARD CLS Series UV Sterilizers
The Role of UV Disinfection for Aquatic Applications
 11-10-08
While UV has been used for the treatment and disinfection of water for decades by many municipal as well as commercial entities, it has only been the past
few years that the technology has been embraced by the pool and spa industry in the U.S. By now most people are familiar with the term "UV" and understand
that a UV system can disinfect water, but typically, that is where the understanding ends. Fortunately the basic principle is fairly simple and you don't
need to be an alchemist to say: "I get it now"...
View PDF Article
Article by Dan Dycha as published in
Northeast Spa & Pool Association's The Edge magazine.
UV 101
Ultraviolet light is a spectrum of light just below the range visible to the human eye. It is divided into four distinct spectral areas:
Vacuum UV (100-200nm); UV-C (200-280nm); UV-B (280-315nm); and UV-A (315-400nm). These spectral areas are very specific. UV-C (200-280nm), known as the
germicidal spectrum, is the most lethal range as a germicidal disinfectant. It is within this range that the DNA of a living microorganism can be altered,
preventing it from reproducing and effectively inactivating it. UV-C radiation if used for disinfection is most effective at a wavelength of 264nm.
Why Use UV?
Now that we know how germicidal disinfection occurs when microorganisms are directly exposed to UV-C light, why use UV when chemical
methods such as chlorine, bromine or even salt generators have been around for years? While chlorine and other chemical methods are effective against many
bacterium and viruses, they can be slow to respond to highly resistant chlorine protozoa such as Cryptosporidium, which can take as long as 6.5 days to disinfect.
That is a long time. It also offers an explanation as to why there was a record number of reported Crypto outbreaks last year at facilities that not only met,
but exceeded the local residual requirement.
In Addition to UV's effectiveness in germicidal disinfection, there is also the added benefit of its ability
to reduce chloramines, which are attributed to numerous skin and eye irritants as well as respiratory problems commonly associated with many pool and spa
installations. Chloramines are formed as a product of nitrogen derived from, among other things, sweat, urine, cosmetics and feces, combined with chlorine
based disinfectants, and are measured as combined chlorine.
Combined Chlorine = Total Chlorine - Free-Chlorine
With the proper dose, UV can help reduce combined chlorine by breaking the N-CL bonds of the chloramine molecules, UV indirectly reduces chloramines because less chlorine is used
when a UV system is in place, thereby reducing combined chlorine. Commercial operators will be able to stay as close to their state minimum requirement,
typically 1-2ppm, as opposed to the 3-5ppm usually practiced, and residential pool owners will be able to stay within the 0.5-1ppm range. While UV does
an excellent job, it does have its limitations, and does not offer the disinfectant residual that chlorine-based disinfectants have. It is for this reason
that codes that require UV still require a disinfectant that offers a residual. This practice is strongly recommended for residential applications, even
though they are not subjected to the commercial codes.
In addition to UV's effectiveness in germicidal disinfection, there is also the added benefit
of its ability to reduce chloramines, which are attributed to numerous skin and eye irritants as well as respiratory problems commonly associated with many
pool and spa installations.
UV System Design
While there are many reputable UV manufacturers in the market,
many (even the reputable ones) do not make the effort necessary to properly size a UV system for a pool or spa application. Most of you know your pumps
inside and out. If a pump manufacturer undersized or oversized a pump, you would call them out on it in a heartbeat. Choosing the right UV system is very
similar in that regard. As a consumer, and a voice of your customer, it is your responsibility to ensure that the manufacturer is doing more than just
matching a dose with a flow rate. You can even go so far as to ask them to send you their calculations for how their dose was determined. Don't worry
about the fact that you may not have a clue as to how to read it. If the response is: "That's proprietary information", be suspicious. We'll go through a
short list of criterion that will help you make your choice. Some of these overlap with each other, but it will all come full circle.
Required Dose: This
depends on what you are trying to achieve. Two standard doses often used are 40mj and 60mj. A Fluence dose of 40mj ensures a 4-log reduction (99.9%
inactivation of pathogenic bacteria and viruses). This would be the recommended dose for many outdoor and some indoor applications given that the rest of
the criteria is understood. This dose will also reduce chloramines if the proper recirculation parameters are met. A Fluence dose of 60mj would have the
same germicidal attributes as the 40mj dose, while having the added benefit of reducing chloramines in systems with slower recirculation rates and/or
indoor applications where improving air quality is necessary. Type of pool/number of bathing guests: The following questions must be answered when choosing
a proper UV system. The amount of people using the pool and what use the pool provides all affect the amount of sanitation needed. Is this for indoor or
outdoor use? Is it a spa, wading, exercise or kiddie pool? Is this a residential pool with minimal bathers, or do the homeowners entertain often with large
gatherings? Volume of pool/turnover period: This is a crucial component that somehow is seldom asked, yet is a vital aspect that ties in the above criteria.
Many know that it's necessary to provide the flow, typically in gallons per minute when specifying a UV system. This only paints a partial picture. Take,
for example, a flow of 100 gpm. I have seen this flow used for large spas with a recirculation rate of 30 minutes, to small indoor commercial pools with a
four-hour recirculation rate, to a large outdoor residential pool with a recirculation rate of eight hours. All of these applications vary greatly in the
other criterion already mentioned, i.e., dose, type of pool and number of bather guests. To recommend a UV system based solely on the flow is negligent
and can be costly. If a system is undersized, there's the obvious risk that disinfection and reduction of chloramines are not occurring. If a system is
oversized, then there's the unnecessary equipment expense associated with that.
UV-Transmittance: %UVT (Percent of UV Transmittance) is the percentage
of UV light that can penetrate through 1cm of water. This is a vital factor used in the flow rate calculation and is probably the most crucial yet
overlooked parameter by many substandard UV equipment manufacturers. Some of the factors that effect UVT are dissolved solids in the form of minerals or
suspended solids such as debris from trees and leaves as well as suntan oils from the bather load.
As a general rule of thumb, 90% is often used as the
accepted transmittance for pool and spa applications. Keep in mind that this is simply a rule 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% 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% lower than expected, let's say 85%, 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 for free of charge. If they tell you it's not necessary or they don't
have the equipment, hang up the phone. You're don 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 5
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% to 40% 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.
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