Rising to the challenge
In terms of implementing the use of recycled rainwater, the main challenge the designer of the facility’s plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and pool’s filtration and disinfection systems faced was addressing the concerns of Vancouver Coastal Health. After several months of review and ensuring the rainwater collection surface would not contaminate the water, along with the implementation of multiple water treatment stages, the health authority approved the use of the rainwater harvesting system for pool water make up.
The building’s HVAC system is designed to maintain the space temperature, humidity ratio, and temperature in the natatorium, while at the same time provide better air quality for the comfort of the occupants. Air in the natatorium is changed more than six times per hour via two air handling units that have the capacity to provide 100 per cent outdoor air and dehumidification to maintain the relative humidity inside the facility at 60 per cent or lower. The designer worked with the architect closely to layout supply air diffusers that fit in with the architectural ceiling with low-level return at the four corners of the natatorium to ensure air circulation throughout the facility.
Two innovative features that provide enhanced air quality in the natatorium, and thereby a better experience for swimmers and staff, is the trichloramine exhaust system which uses a modern approach in pool design to exhaust this disinfection byproduct from the pool perimeter, while a separate system provides 100 per cent outdoor air to the natatorium via a displacement ventilation system.
The low-level displacement ventilation at the pool deck level with the pool gutter trichloramine exhaust allows ventilation an access to the pool surface to assist with the extraction of trichloramines. The university is performing an ongoing study to analyze the effectiveness of the trichloramine exhaust system implemented at new pool facilities.
Air handling is second to none
The change rooms and basement pool mechanical room are also designed to maximize better air quality by using a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) that supplies 100 per cent outdoor air to these areas, which is pre-heated by reclaiming heat from the exhaust.
Although it is not the building’s only source of heating, the aquatic centre also connects to UBC’s award-winning District Energy System (DES), which provides building heat, as well as pool and domestic water heating. The facility has a chiller plant that supplies chilled water for dehumidification of the natatorium and cooling for the administration area. The hot water byproduct of the chiller plant—which would normally be rejected into the atmosphere—is reclaimed and injected into the heating loop that provides heat for the building, pool water, and domestic hot water. BC Hydro energy model results indicate the heat rejected from the chiller plant supplies more than 90 per cent of the total heating demand for the building.
Thanks to its impressive range of innovative sustainability, water-conservation, and energy-saving measures, the UBC Aquatic Centre is registered for—and on target to achieve—Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC’s) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification. Further, UBC is recognized among the world’s top universities for adopting the most aggressive targets for reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and this aquatic complex fulfils this mandate with its leading-edge technology to reduce its carbon footprint.
Authors’ notes: The UBC Aquatic Centre’s design team was led by the architectural joint venture of MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (MJMA) and Acton Ostry Architects. The AME Consulting Group Ltd. (AME Group) designed the facility’s plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), as well as the pool filtration and disinfection systems. Water Technology Inc., designed the pool tanks, AES Engineering (AES) provided electrical design consulting, and Equilibrium Consulting Inc., was the structural engineer on the project. The construction manager was Heatherbrae Builders and Daryl Evans Mechanical Ltd., was the mechanical contractor.
This article was compiled with additional assistance from Ted Watson, architect AIBC, AAA, OAA, SAA, MRAIC, LEED AP, partner, MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (MJMA).
Rob Walter, Eng.L., AScT, LEED AP, is founder and principal of The AME Consulting Group Ltd. With nearly 30 years’ mechanical consulting experience, he is a recognized specialist in aquatic and recreation centre mechanical design. He can be reached via e-mail at robwalter@amegroup.ca.
Alex Chou, P.Eng., LEED AP BD+C, is an associate with AME Group. His 15 years as mechanical engineering consultant include diverse projects for a range of recreational, civic, post-secondary, healthcare, and commercial facilities. Chou can be reached via e-mail at alexchou@amegroup.ca.
Matt Freeby, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, was the senior project manager for the University of British Columbia (UBC) Aquatic Centre. He is a registered architect in 22 states, a National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) Certified Pool/Spa Operator, and a LEED-accredited professional who has been involved in more than 300 aquatic projects. Freeby can be reached via e-mail at mfreeby@watertechnologyinc.com.
