Indoor swimming pools are generally characterised by an air temperature between 28 °C and 33 °C, in order to offer bathers a comfortable environment. In principle, the air temperature in the pool rooms is almost always warmer than the outside air. These rooms are also characterised by a high degree of water evaporation which leads to a high level of humidity and an unpleasant feeling of oppressive heat. If humidity is not controlled, not only is the time spent in an indoor pool perceived as unpleasant, but the climate that forms in the environment can also cause real discomfort to the users and the public present. In addition, there is a risk that the moisture contained in the water vapour condenses on colder surfaces, such as metal components, external walls or glass surfaces.
This can lead to the formation of mould and can cause corrosion. If all this were to occur, the building would suffer considerable damage over time, which would lead to costly renovation work, accompanied by business interruptions and economic losses for the site manager. In these applications, room ventilation is mandatory and is strictly regulated by specific international regulations. Ventilation, however, involves considerable energy consumption, and good heat recovery systems combined with advanced controls systems must be used to manage it. The most important aspect of ventilation systems in a public indoor swimming pool are not the investment costs, but the operating costs, for this reason the correct choice of the air handling unit can lead to very important savings in the long term and a recovery of costs in a very short time.