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Pool Depth - CPO® Math Tutorial

Knowing how to calculate area is important for determining heat loss, sizing pool covers, bather loads in spas, and in some states, bather loads in pools.

Things to know about Pool Depth

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Volume of any pool shape (as measured in cubic feet):

  • Depths are never even throughout a pool or spa. They may be sloped or if the
    depth is "constant", there is usually a coved or radius at the wall junctions.
  • Volume (V) = Area (A) x Depth (D)
What about a pool with different depths?:

  • Divide the pool shape into areas of constant depth, or constant slopes.
  • The calculate each area separately, using the average depth for each area.

    Average Depth (AD) = (Shallow Depth + Deep Depth) divided by 2.
    The Shallow Depth is called D1
    The Deep Depth is called D2
    AD = (D1 + D2) divided by 2
Examples:

  • (1) You have a pool with a shallow depth of 3 feet, and a deep depth of 8 feet.
    What is the average depth?

    The formula is AD = (D1 + D2) divided by 2
    D1 = 3 ft, D2 = 8 ft
    AD = (D1 + D2) divided by 2
    AD = (3 feet+ 8 feet) divided by 2
    AD = 11 feet divided by 2
    AD = 5.5 feet
How about a sample problem similar to a class problem?
What is the surface area of a rectangular pool with a length of 20 meters and a width of
20 yards?
We will use a series of "plug-and play" boxes in the CPO® class. Just plug
the correct number as given by the problem to perform the math (play) as indicated. Let's try it out.
The formula for a rectangle is: A = L x W
A = x
Just Plug the numbers in and Play the formula
Remember the meters and yards conversions.
Number of meters x 3.24 = number of feet (from the Main page)
Length = 20 meters (from the problem) x 3.28
Length = 65.6 ft
Number of yards x 3 = number of feet (form the Main page)
Width = 20 yards (from the problem) x 3
Width = 60 ft

A = x =

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