Instant air cushion sparger systems utilize special stainless steel and PVC sparger nozzles (diffusers) installed in the pool floor directly under the diving boards or platforms to provide a mound of bubbles to cushion the divers impact into the water while providing the diver with a clear visual reference for the water surface.
The bubble action is activated on demand by the coach or trainer using a hand held remote control that starts and stops the release of air. The bubbling action normally lasts for between five to seven seconds, providing adequate time to coordinate the air release with the divers entry into the water.
The sparger nozzles are supplied by a high capacity compressor and storage tank, which are located in a remote mechanical room or service area.
Air safety cushion systems can be installed for permanent or removable use, either during new construction or for existing pools.
The first air cushion was installed at Point Claire, Qubec, and air cushion systems are now installed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Initial installations were typically found in Olympic caliber facilities such as the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis and the King County Aquatic Center in Seattle, Washington. Since the initial introduction in 1971, air cushion safety systems have become a requirement for any facility with a top quality diving training program.
How It Works
An air safety cushion sparger system is a combination of air compressor, sparger diffuser nozzles, control valves, filters and controls individually selected to provide the correct quantity and quality of air to the bottom of the diving pool. A uniform mixture of air and water in the divers entry area lessens the fear of injury during training. The highly aerated foam cushion helps the diver to concentrate on the mechanics of learning new dives, particularly dives with a higher degree of difficulty. The froth of water also helps the diver to judge the water surface accurately.
The coach or trainer communicates with the diver to coordinate the initiation of the bubbling action as the diver leaves the tower of platform, then stops the air flow after the diver enters the water. Operation is simple and easy, and both coach and diver soon learn to maximize the beneficial effects of the system.
Air Safety Cushion Sparger Systems are designed and manufactured specifically for each application. The number, size and location of the aerating sparger diffuser nozzles are designed for specific function of diving pool depths, board heights and locations. Compressor, air storage and compressed air needs are based upon diffuser nozzle requirements and required cycle times.
Typical systems consist of a base mounted compressor with one or more air receivers (air storage units). Depending upon compressor sizing and storage capacity, dives can be completed as often as every two to four minutes. In addition to the air compressor and storage units, a complete air quality and control system is provided including pressure reducing valves, filters, air regulation valves, electric solenoid control valves and control panel. Remote handheld push button control pendants can be radio controlled or cable connected to the control panel.
Typical Air Safety Cushion Bubbler System Specifications
General
The Contractor shall be responsible for the design, supply and installation air safety cushion system described in this performance specification and as shown on the drawings.
The air bubbler system shall produce a highly aerated mound of water at the surface of the diving entry pool to cushion impact with the water surface and assist the divers to see the surface of water more clearly. The system shall provide general water agitation under each board for water agitation to break surface reflection.
The system shall be required to serve the diving boards and platforms as shown on the drawings and shall include air diffuser sparger nozzles located beneath each diving board or platform higher than 1 meter. The system shall provide two air discharge settings as follows:
a.) Water surface agitation flow: a minimal stream of air for general water agitation to break up surface reflections.
b.) Cushion air flow a timed discharge of adequate quantities of compressed air to produce a cushion effect to assist divers in training, which shall be initiated via a hand held remote control unit by the training supervisor/coach.
The Contractor shall submit shop drawings to the Engineer for approval before fabrication or installation.
System Requirements
The system shall include but not limited to the following:
One high capacity rotary screw compressor system adequately rated to provide the required air flow for the air sparger nozzles.
One or more vertical or horizontal air receiver suitable for 200 psig working pressure with a total volume as required by the system design.
Manifold components, valve motorized control valve, control cabinet etc.
Required outlet branches each sparger nozzle delivery pipe with non-return check valves for each line
Pressure switches
Air filter regulators
Pressure regulators
Hand operated push button remote switch
Air line valves
Diffuser sparger nozzle non return check valves for each diving board
Electric or pneumatic actuated valves for each air cushion position.
Each outlet branch shall have regulating valves for water surface agitation discharge rates and actuated valves for cushion air release.
System Controls
The system is to be manually controlled via the air safety cushion control panel located as shown on the drawings to provide control of the water surface agitation and air cushion compressed air to each diving board or platform. The panel shall have all the necessary relays, contacts, transformers etc., to operate the solenoid valve actuator on the sparger control valves and other controls.
When the air pressure within the system reaches a set pressure limit, the pressure switch located in the air storage receiver(s) delivery outlet line shall be activated, which shall in turn activate the system ready lights on the hand held remote control pendant.
A hand held remote unit shall be provided with connecting cable or radio control linkage at the designated poolside location and shall control the distribution manifold and individual operation of the cushion air release system for a designed position. Individual push buttons complete with pressure ready lights shall indicate the availability of adequate compressed air and shall allow the activation of one system at any time.
Each air receiver shall have all necessary safety features including pressure gauges, pressure release vales and pressure switches to prevent operation of compressor if failure or fault occurs.
The bubble action is activated on demand by the coach or trainer using a hand held remote control that starts and stops the release of air. The bubbling action normally lasts for between five to seven seconds, providing adequate time to coordinate the air release with the divers entry into the water.
