1.17.01 Swimming Pool Installation 4
1.17.01 Swimming Pool Installation 4
OVERVIEW
Building a pool, either above or below grade, with Fox Blocks Refer to 1.05.08 Swimming Pool Engineering
may be considered a DIY project, but both types of pool wall and Design Guide – Prescriptive Tables
footing constructions must follow an engineered design guide.
Building swimming pools with Fox Blocks is a viable construction
method with lasting benefits, for residential or commercial
projects, big or small.
Fox Blocks' pool installations follow the standard design and install Refer to Fox Blocks Training – Integrated
criteria as detailed for small residential house construction. All the Learning Center for the Primary
Installer Training, recommended for
Fox Blocks products and accessories are compatible for installation procedures.
pool construction.
www.foxblocks.com/ILC
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TECHNICAL BULLETIN . SWIMMING POOLS 1.17.01
It is crucial to take your conceptual design in the initial design stages Check your local bylaws and codes for
to consult with the following experts for confirmation and compatibility pool requirements and permit approvals.
of the design. These consultations may provide excellent advice on
design related to cost items, size, and shape of the pool, plus the
planning for services and installation requirements.
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TECHNICAL BULLETIN . SWIMMING POOLS 1.17.01
Coping Choice – there is a wide variety of pool coping for the top of
the wall. The most common are these different types and materials -
pre-manufactured plastic C-channel, precast, or formed concrete.
Select the coping style and type for the pool. Plan for connection
details into the concrete walls, establish the finished concrete wall
height and pool deck height to suit the coping.
DESIGN LAYOUT
Shape - the shape of a pool is unlimited and can be accommodated Refer to Technical Bulletin
with Fox Blocks straight forms, 90˚ or 45˚ corners, or radius block for 1.01.16 Radius Block
round corners and curved walls.
Radius blocks are available in the 6" form with radiuses of 5', 6', 7',
8', 9', and 10'. Straight forms 6" and 8" can be cut to accommodate
any radius.
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TECHNICAL BULLETIN . SWIMMING POOLS 1.17.01
Depth – below grade pools may vary depending on style for the
bottom–level, shallow to deep, sport type, walk-in, etc.
REINFORCING AS REQUIRED
1'-4" [406mm]
TYPICAL RISE
Height Layout – above and below ground pools are limited per the
concrete core thickness per height as detailed in Prescriptive Tables.
Fox Blocks are 16" in height and are available in half blocks 8" high.
Note that cutting a block horizontally means the interlock is removed
on one surface. Since the blocks are reversible, a half-height block
may be used elsewhere in the wall. The layout is recommended to
place these cut blocks either on the first course, flat cut side down
on the footing, or as the top course, with the flat side up. If a block is
cut horizontally to achieve a specific wall height, other than at the 8"
dimension, that block can be used at the top of the wall or as a
starter course at the bottom of the wall.
Concrete Core Size – pool walls may be either a 6" or 8" concrete Thicker concrete exceeding an 8" core has
core size. Follow the Engineering Design Guide Prescriptive tables little benefit in increasing thermal efficiency.
for concrete core size and reinforcement requirements.
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TECHNICAL BULLETIN . SWIMMING POOLS 1.17.01
ENGINEERING
Pool walls are basically retaining walls, the large offset footings Refer to 1.05.08 Engineered Details
are designed with reinforcement to tie the walls and the footings SPW – 1 to 5
to support the lateral loads on the walls. The flat pool slabs are
connected to the footing and sloped pool slabs are connected
to the walls.
INSTALLATION PROCESS
1. Site Preparation
Stake out the pool location and the equipment location. Ensure
there is sufficient space around the pool to accommodate a pool
deck, fencing, etc. The main issue is getting a backhoe into the
yard to dig the hole and remove the excavated earth. Have a plan
for removing the excavated soil, which may not be suitable
for backfill.
To suit the footing engineering, determine the bearing capacity Minimum Bearing Capacity Soil – 2000 PSF
of the soil and the soil type being used for backfilling. Backfill materials are recommended
to have Equivalent Fluid Pressure of
45 PCF or less.
For below-ground pools, anticipate a perimeter drainage system
around the bottom of the pool walls. This drainage system needs
to drain groundwater away from the pool foundation.
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TECHNICAL BULLETIN . SWIMMING POOLS 1.17.01
2. Footings
Below Grade Pools
The layout and construction of the footings is a crucial building
design element. Follow these construction guidelines:
• Ensure soil bearing surface is acceptable for pool loads. Above ground floor slabs shall have
reinforcement dowels installed to provide
• The footings and pool floor slab can have the concrete placed
lateral support for the wall, as per
at the same time. Engineering Guide drawings.
• Ensure all services, i.e., plumbing, main drain, electrical, are
located and installed under the footings and slab before
concrete placement.
• The pool floor slab shall have a waterproofing admixture in
the concrete.
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First Course
Start by placing the 90˚ corner blocks at each corner, then place
the straight blocks out from the corners. As required, cut only one
straight block to achieve the correct wall length. Cut the block on
a cut line (indented line on the block) to maintain the next course's
interlock or establish a location for a standing seam joint.
If curved or radius walls are in the design layout, work the straight
blocks between the curved section and the corners in that section
of the wall and set up the complete perimeter establishing the
first-row coursing, cuts, and seams before proceeding to the
next course.
For curved walls, ensure the rebar is bent precisely, or it may act
Refer to Technical Bulletin 1.01.09 HV Clips.
as a spring moving the wall assembly.
Second Course
The blocks are installed in a running bond pattern to lock the
courses together, so starting at the corner, place the block's short
leg over the long leg of the 1st corner block.
Once the 2nd course is in place, check the dimensions, and level
the walls' top as required. Either add shims under the 1st course or
shave some EPS to level the wall. If walls are not level, the forms
will not align correctly as the walls are built higher.
After the 2nd course is complete, with HV clips and rebar, use a Review Spray Foam Video
spray foam adhesive to tack the first course to the footing. This https://foxblockstraining.com/videos/#
will eliminate the movement of the walls.
Final Courses
After the 2nd course is complete, the 3rd course will match the Fox Blocks does not require adhesives
to bind the blocks together horizontally
1st-course layout, and the 4th course will match the 2nd-course
or vertically
layout and similarly on to the top course.
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TECHNICAL BULLETIN . SWIMMING POOLS 1.17.01
Top Course
The top course may be influenced by the coping design, the
skimmer/scuppers, perimeter drains, etc. The top form could
be a standard, taper form, or a custom form to suit the design.
Once the top form has been installed, insert the vertical
reinforcement as per the engineering design guide.
4. Services
In the design stage, select all the pool service equipment and
understand the installation requirements. Organize the exact sizes
and locations for any penetrations through the concrete pool
walls. Review with manufacturer’s the installation of sleeves and
seals through the wall.
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Pool Floor Slab – to assist in the floor slab's placement, mark the Refer to 1.05.08 Engineering Design Guide
Drawings – SPW – 1 to 5
top of slab lines on the ICF walls around the complete perimeter.
For sloped slabs, ensure the cut-outs are in place to connect the
pool floor slab to the wall assembly, and the rebar connections are
in place. For flat slabs, rebar connections to footing are required
as per the engineering drawings.
6. Concrete Placement
Above Grade Pools
Concrete will be placed as a continuous pour. Start about 4' from
a corner and allow the concrete to flow into the corner. Depending
on the wall height, place concrete around the entire perimeter in
continuous lifts, not exceeding 4'. Follow the concrete placement
consolidating each lift with a vibrator.
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Once the concrete height in the walls has partially covered the slab
connection holes, leave the walls and place the pool slab concrete.
Once the pool slab is placed, go back to the walls and place
concrete in 3' to 4' lifts until top of the wall. The first lift will have
started to set up, ensure the next lift is consolidated into the
first lift.
Allow at least 2' or more for a top of wall pour. This will eliminate
splashing concrete during placement. Ensure concrete at the top
of wall allows for coping installation.
Trowel the top of walls and form or install coping. Ensure any trim
attachment items that need to cast into concrete are ready
and installed.
7. Exterior Pool Walls Any part of the ICF that is above grade
and exposed to the sun must be covered
On above grade pool walls any exterior finish may be applied. with some type of exterior finish.
Stucco type finishes may be directly applied to the ICF walls.
Other finishes that require fastening, screw into the fastening
strips on the Fox Block which are spaced at 8" o.c.
On below grade walls, if a waterproofing admixture is part of the Refer to Technical Bulletin
1.02.16 Below Grade Waterproofing
concrete mix, in the walls as well as the pool floor slab, then no
exterior finish is required on the exterior face.
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8. Backfilling
Before backfilling, ensure any services – plumbing and wiring are
completed and working.
The first layer will be a minimum of 6" gravel base over the
perimeter drainage system. Backfill in layers approximately 2' at a
time and manually tamp or compact in stages. Dampen the backfill
to aid in compaction. Be careful not to damage the waterproofing
on the pool walls or services. Do not use heavy equipment near
the pool walls or to compact backfill.
9. Pool Finishes
Wall preparations and the application of any pool finish must follow Fox Blocks walls with Type II EPS
the finish manufacturer’s installation instructions. insulation is a compatible substrate
for any pool finish.
Prep the walls before any finish coatings are applied. For better
adhesion, clean and lightly rasp the walls before applying a plaster
basecoat. Fill any significant gaps with a low expansion spray foam
and rasp flush. Apply coves, as required, between walls a pool
floor slab for easy transition of finishes.
Vinyl liners are one of the most common finish applications for
pools. Typically, to strengthen the surface of the EPS layer, a base
plaster coat or sheet material is applied over the EPS prior to the
vinyl liner. Confirm all finishing materials and applications with the
pool finish supplier.
Most finishes require a solid base coat
Pool walls may be finished in various materials – tile, vinyl liner, over the EPS of the wall assembly.
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SIDER-CRETE Inc.
www.sider-crete.com
A cement-based polymer-modified, waterproofing cement plaster
system for ICF swimming pools comprising a flexible ICF mesh
reinforced basecoat and a Roll-On Cement Plaster.
EcoFinish™
www.ecopoolfinish.com
EcoFinish is a polymer, thermoplastic flame spray system. The
flame sprayed application requires a cement board finish over
the ICF walls to prevent the EPS' melting.
PEBBLE TEC
www.pebbletec.com
DIAMOND BRITE
www.diamondbrite.us
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