Pool Hall Air Filtration: Dealing With Chloramines in Indoor Aquatic Centres

Indoor aquatic centres bring together warm water, high humidity and constant air movement, which makes air quality a design issue rather than an afterthought. In pool halls, changerooms and spectator areas, the main concern is often chloramine-laden air and the way it spreads through the building. The right filter selection, combined with a well-set HVAC system, can help manage airborne particles and support a more comfortable environment for users and staff.

Why chloramines are a problem in indoor aquatic spaces

Chloramines form when chlorine reacts with contaminants introduced by bathers and the surrounding environment. In enclosed pool buildings, those compounds can build up if ventilation and air distribution are not working well together.

A common mistake is to focus only on the pool hall itself. In practice, chloramine-laden air can move into adjacent spaces, including:

• •changerooms
• •reception areas
• •spectator seating
• •corridors and plant rooms

That is why the full HVAC system matters. Air handling needs to be considered as a connected system, not as separate rooms with separate problems.

The goal is to move contaminated air away from occupied zones, introduce suitable outdoor air where needed, and use filters that can capture the dust and fine particles that travel with recirculated air.

Filter selection for pool hall air handling

Filter choice is not only about dust. In aquatic centres, filters are part of a broader strategy for managing the air moving through the building and protecting HVAC equipment from build-up on coils, fans and ductwork.

What to look for in filters

For indoor aquatic centres, consider filters that suit the system’s airflow, resistance limits and maintenance access. Useful points to review include:

• •particle capture performance for the expected load
• •pressure drop, so the system can maintain airflow within design limits
• •frame and media construction that suits moist environments
• •whether the filters are intended for the relevant application and equipment

If the system uses a mix of pre-filters and final filters, the pre-filter should catch larger debris before it reaches the finer stage. This helps protect the HVAC components and can make servicing more manageable.

In some systems, higher-efficiency final filtration may be appropriate where finer particles are a concern. If HEPA is being considered for a specific area, note that H13 is at least 99.95% efficient and H14 is at least 99.995% efficient at the most penetrating particle size under EN 1822. Whether that is necessary depends on the application, airflow design and project requirements.

When washable products may suit

Some filters are designed to be washable - check the product instructions. That can be useful in certain non-critical pre-filtration roles, but it is not suitable for every application. In humid aquatic environments, the wrong product can lose shape, trap moisture or become difficult to maintain properly.

If you are unsure which filter type is right, our products and custom air filters pages are a good starting point for matching filter construction to the site.

HVAC setup: how air should move through the building

Good filtration alone will not solve an aquatic centre air-quality issue if the HVAC system is poorly arranged. Chloramine control depends heavily on how air is supplied, exhausted and returned.

Pool hall considerations

In the main pool hall, the supply air should support steady movement across the occupied zone without creating uncomfortable drafts over the water surface. At the same time, extract points need to be positioned so air contaminated by chloramines is removed efficiently rather than allowed to linger.

Mechanical services design should also account for:

• •warm, humid air rising from the water surface
• •dead zones where air can stagnate
• •balancing supply and exhaust to avoid short-circuiting
• •corrosion resistance in components exposed to pool air

AS 1668.2:2024 is the relevant ventilation reference point, but site requirements should always be confirmed with the mechanical services engineer or building owner. Aquatic centres often need a tailored approach rather than a standard commercial office setup.

Changerooms and spectator areas

These spaces may not have the same moisture load as the pool hall, but they can still carry odour and fine airborne contaminants if air transfers freely from the pool area.

For changerooms, careful exhaust and return-air planning is important so the room does not become a pathway for chloramine-laden air. Spectator areas need their own comfort considerations too, especially where occupancy fluctuates and there may be less direct air movement than in the main hall.

A well-set system may include separate zones, dedicated exhaust strategies and correctly selected filters to keep recirculated air cleaner before it is delivered back into occupied spaces.

Maintenance planning and pressure drop monitoring

Even a well-designed system will struggle if filters are left too long or if replacement timing is guessed rather than monitored. In aquatic centres, maintenance planning should be based on the site conditions, the dust load and the equipment design.

Where gauges or sensors are fitted, pressure drop monitoring helps identify when a filter is loading up and airflow is changing. That is especially useful in facilities where humidity, aerosols and regular foot traffic place variable demands on the HVAC system.

A practical maintenance approach is to:

• •inspect the system according to the manufacturer instructions
• •check for moisture-related issues around filter housings and ductwork
• •confirm that access panels and seals are intact
• •replace filters when condition and pressure drop indicate it is time

If the system needs servicing support, filter servicing and commercial filter servicing can help keep the maintenance program organised.

Matching the filter to the site, not just the label

Two aquatic centres can have very different needs even if they look similar on paper. Airflow rates, occupancy patterns, water treatment practices, building age and the condition of the ductwork all affect how chloramine-laden air behaves.

That is why filter selection should be tied to the system design rather than chosen by brand name alone. A practical review usually looks at:

• •the existing fan capacity and resistance allowance
• •whether the installation uses staged filtration
• •the access available for changing filters
• •the moisture conditions in plant rooms and filter housings
• •whether custom sizes are needed for the frame or rack arrangement

If measurements are needed for a replacement filter, our guide on how to measure an air filter can help.

Working with a supplier that understands aquatic environments

Total Air Filtration is a family-owned air filter manufacturer and supplier in Hillcrest, Brisbane QLD, established 2009. We work with facility managers, mechanical contractors and aquatic centre operators who need filters matched to real site conditions, not generic assumptions.

If you are planning an upgrade, refurbishment or maintenance review, we can supply suitable filters or make the right filters for your application. For help with indoor pool halls, changerooms and spectator areas, call 07 3800 3448 or request a quote.

You can also contact us or view the industries we supply for more information.