What is Chlorine Leak and How to Handle It

The recent chlorine leak at a hotel swimming pool on the Thai resort island of Phuket sparked a lot of questions about pool chemical handling.

he reported cause of the swimming pool explosion was the wrong mixture of chlorine and other cleaning chemicals inside a tank beside the swimming pool.

So, what exactly causes chlorine leak?

Chlorine is a very reactive chemical. It will react with almost all kinds of chemicals and can cause explosion that's why mixing it with other common household cleaners like bleach, detergents and even vinegar is very risky.

Rule of thumb: Do not mix chlorine with acid.

At high temperatures, chlorine reaction can cause metals to catch fire or melt that's why in Water Treatment facilities, carbon steel is used to contain chlorine separated from other chemicals.

In the case of Phuket Orchid Resort and Spa, the pool technician apparently added the chlorine directly into the tank without the process of dilution wherein chlorine is first mixed with water before adding it to the feeder. However, there's also a possibility that chlorine was mixed with acid.

The pressure cracked the tank which possibly created chlorine reaction with moisture in the air to create highly corrosive, and hazardous acid mist which caused sore eyes, breathing difficulty and skin irritation to people around the pool.

This is very dangerous and could have caused death if proper actions were not implemented immediately.

What to do in case of chlorine leak?

Before help arrives perform the following actions as your first aid during a chlorine leak.

Do not panic. This is very important - panic causes disorientation.

Keep yourself away from the pool. Forget those pool toys and pool floats, chlorine "attacks" plastics and rubber, get out of the pool area and look for areas where you can catch fresh air.

In case of exposure:
  • Look for a well-ventilated area.
  • Flush the skin with water for 2-3 minutes then wash with mild soap twice.
  • Flush eyes with water or saline for 15-3o minutes.

In case of inhalation:

  • Place the victim in sitting or lying position while keeping the head and upper body in an upright position.
  • Prevent the victim from coughing.
  • Let the victim perform slow and regular breaths.
  • Perform artificial respiration in case the victim is not breathing.

In case of fire:

  • Don't use fire extinguisher; chlorine supports combustion that's why using fire extinguishers are useless and can only worsen the situation.

Chlorine leak can be prevented with the use of leak detection kits and with constant equipment monitoring.


Accidents do happen unexpectedly and prevention is the best thing a pool operator can do to avoid greater catastrophe in the event that such accidents occurs.

Special thanks to: Epi.PublicHealth.nc.gov, WorkSafeBC.com, StateFundCA.com, and OSHA.gov
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How to Set-up Your Swimming Pool and Spa for Valentine's Day

Thinking of best place to take your loved one this Valentine's day?

If you've ran out of idea or too late to think about one then why not let your swimming pool or spa save you from the panic zone?

Forget about the hotels with heart-shaped pools or fancy restaurants, all you need this Valentine's day is in the comfort of your own home and if you read this now and act fast then you can set-up your pool or spa for a Valentine date before clock strikes twelve.

And without further adieu, here are some quick tips:

Add some lights

Light symbolizes truth that's why using it in any romantic date is very effective.
Turn on your LED pool lights or floating LED lights or if you have none, buy some scented candles, go to the kitchen and gather as many glass as you can. Light a candle put it in a glass and surround your pool or spa with illuminating accent.
Invite her to the backyard, cover her eyes and I'm sure those little things will delight her the moment she sees the mesmerizing pool.

Set-up the table outside
Again, the candle, you can put one in the center of the table and add some flowers if the nearest flower shop hasn't ran out of supplies yet.

In the event that the table and the chairs are not available and you consider yourself a terrible cook then get a hammock, set it up near the pool and put some pillows where the 2 of you can enjoy each other's company like the old days.

If there's no hammock around then, well..., do it picnic style.

Music will set the tone

This never fails.

Play the love songs both of you enjoy, this will bring back the memories and you can talk about those moments when you almost slipped in your first date, the first time you went to a trip together and so on and so forth.

Be creative

No, you don't have to be as artistic as Da Vinci, make it simple yet admiring. Some examples are, putting petals in the pool or spa, if you have stones around your pool are you can arrange them to form a heart or your lover's name, you can invite your partner for a swim.

So, there you have it, I told you it's quick.

You may consider this as cliche but I'll say it anyway; You don't need expensive gifts, all you need is to show your partner how much you appreciate it him/her and your good to go.

Happy Valentine's day and don't forget the wine!
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How to Bring Color in Your Swimming Pool



Listed below are the things you should consider in choosing colors for your swimming pool:



If you would want to choose a color for your swimming pool, then you should get some books. Professional help may be that expensive so why not try to have your books with you and read some of it. It is always best that you do something unique for yourself and for your things at home.


Choose some colored tile for your swimming pool; this is very effective and sufficient because this can last for a long period. These tiles were covered with glass like cover on the top making it shine through the water.



Get some ornamental plants make it greener. Visitors and friends will surely love the ambiance and the collaboration of the green plants in your garden and vibrant colors in your pool.



Lights. Probably one of the best things that you could have in your swimming pool is to add some lights. Swimming pool lights are not that expensive so you can surely have some if you want it. Depending on the color, lights can make your swimming pool look enticing and elegant.

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Swimming Pool Designs You Shouldn't Miss for 2012

This Year of the Water Dragon encourages us to have something unique and exciting in our home. So whether its an indoor or an outdoor swimming pool, year 2012 encourages us to create that element of luck and abundance within our homes. To come up with this aura, we should at least get the latest or the cool tricks for our pool in this very lucky year of 2012.


Make colorful tiles in your pool, colorful things invite the luck and abundance that will surely bless your year.



Make sure you have the organic elements in your pool. Indulging yourself in a salt water will bless your mind and body.



Make sure you have the balanced energy in your swimming pool. Make sure there is element of water, fire and air in your swimming pool . This will help you a lot in gaining what is the best for your home for the whole year.
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Swimming Pool Trends for 2012

2011 have gone so fast that we are now facing the year 2012. Among the changes and development, we have witnessed in the year 2011, 2012 requires more realistic, efficient yet elegant looking swimming pools thus we gathered all the designs and techniques that will surely be a hit for this year.



Bring On the Elements.

Designing your swimming pool with different elements like water, fire and earth elements will surely be a blast. Torches and waterfalls are among the earthlings you could have in your pool. Add some rocks and beautiful landscape near your swimming pool to complete that enticing look you want to achieve.



Bright and Inviting Swimming Pools.

LED technology allows us to have beautiful and inviting lights shows in our pool. There are many available systems now offering synchronization from the pool to the spa and the landscape. Worry no more because these systems are surely energy savers unlike the other.



Pools With Cool Features.

Maximize your pool for 2012 by reinventing the whole trend. Make wading areas to allow your swimmers to enjoy the shallow edge of the pool. Make sure your pool if filled with features that makes it more inviting than boring. Eliminate the stairs and steps and make way for entries allowing your bathers to wade in.



Retro Taste Rocks.

Make your year colorful by putting more colors in your swimming pool. Though colorful tiles were not in last year, 2012 invites bright colors, which will help your pool look better. Create illusion and retro taste in your pool this year.



Saltwater Taste Just Like the Beach.

Create a beach like atmosphere with your saltwater pool, which is, consist of one-tenth of the total volume of water in your water. This gives soothing and relaxing effect that will cut down your maintenance expenses.



Greener Pools for 2012.

In the midst of sky rocketing expenses and other costs you will shoulder, bear in mind that going green for 2012 is the best way to compliment all the material things that we have. Using pool products and equipments that compromise good service and less damage to Mother Earth is still the best.

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Swimming Pool Forecasts for 2012




2012 is a year where we could renovate our swimming pools. Listed below are the forecasts for what is in for your swimming pool this year.


In Shape Swimming Pools.

As we put up swimming pool spot in our area the tendency is for us to extend the entire floor area making it quite expensive on our costs. Well in shape swimming pools like plunge pools and lap pools, will surely be in demand this year.



Easy Ways in Cleaning.

For sure, no one wants to spend his time cleaning the pool the entire day. This year calls for another easy trend in doing the maintenance for ourselves. Infloor cleaning system collaborated with automatic fillers and automatic chemical dosing systems with salt chlorination is one of the easiest ways to cut down the maintenance time and enjoy your leisure time.


Energy Savers.

Lessen your expenses and save money-using pumps like Pentair Intelliflo. Pumps like provides excellent performance while giving you an extra savings of 50-90% on your electric bills. In a span of five years, pumps like will set the customary pumps we would all love.



Appealing Colors.

Since you would like to create a pool that will likely be your paradise, choose light and inviting colors that look calming and soothing. For the swimming pools interior colors, provide white colors collaborated with materials like stone and plants to achieve an elegant look like no other.



Entertaining Swimming Pools Are In.

Since swimming pool are design to provide fun for your family and friends, come up with a pool that looks friendly and accident free. Include medium size swim outs and ledges, soft edges, spas and add some water fountain.



Viewing Panels Not Made of Glass.

Create scene in your swimming pools with an acrylic viewing panels which is proven to better than glass pane. Elevated pools with soft edges featured a great viewing panels made of acrylic panels.



Backyard Pools Are In.

For 2012, the best location for your swimming pool is right at the backyard associated with an outdoor room where you could set up small gathering. You could also have an entertainment set within the outdoor room as to not make the scene boring and lifeless.

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Top Four Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving



Thanksgiving in America has been one of the most important day because this is the only time when the busy cities, work places and offices cools down to celebrate this very wonderful day.Since this day is important, then you should also come up with important activities to do for this Holiday.

Listed below are the ways on how you can celebrate Thanksgiving:


Celebration in the Pool.During this time, we are surely enjoying the sun kiss sun and the very fair weather, so its best to maximize your pool and do the celebration there. You can invite your friends and relatives over to celebrate with you, a simple pool party in the morning or at night will be perfect. Aside from spending it wisely, you are sure you are safe because you are staying inside your house.




Feast in the Morning. Have a little sort of feast in your house with your family. Set an outdoor table where all the family members and friends can join you for a big breakfast in the morning. You may also invite your friends to come over and bring something they can share with you during the breakfast, this may be in the form of pot luck which is absolutely fun.


Revive the Aura in Your House. Since this a holiday, it is also the best time for you to attend in house maintenance matters in which you cannot do during your regular days. You can start redesigning the house, do the general cleaning or even change the swimming pool look in an instant. Make revisions to revive the good energy and throw away all the negative energy in your house.


Reach Out. Help those in need. Make sure you let yourself help those who are in need. You may try to visit like orphanages or houses for the aged to visit people who are often forgotten. Make them happy by bringing something for them, you can do this with your friends or relatives.You can also do this with your classmates and other social group. Reaching out and helping other people shows how grateful you are with your life.

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