“AllChem products play a critical role in putting in systems that are reliable and easy to maintain, repair, and [that] are durable,” he says. “This brings into the equation the importance of a facility operator who has a concrete maintenance program where they are persistently treating the facility.”
Among AllChem products that are industry tested and used nationwide by aquatics facilities in higher education are the Vantage® Poly-A Tablets, which are available in 42 lb. and 10 lb. pails, respectively. Dispensed through a Poly-A Feeder, Poly-A is an integral component of the Vantage® Water Care Program. Poly-A aids in the coagulation and removal of organic and inorganic compounds that can cause dull or even cloudy conditions.
Bokowy says Vantage Poly-A Tablets make more efficient and reliable the tasks with which aquatics facilities operators contend. He also notes the expanse of knowledge required of such operators. “You can’t just be a chemical guy. You need to know how pumps and filters work—mechanical concepts in addition to chemical applications. There are local health code regulations to consider, even the management of lifeguards. Pool operators are required to have multiple skill sets. Our products help them do their jobs better and with more reliability.”
Vantage Poly-A Tablets and Vantage ACF-60
Vantage Poly-A Tablets are a concentrated blend of synergistic polymer clarifiers in a convenient 4-ounce tablet form. Poly-A, used in conjunction with a properly operating Vantage System and as a component of the Vantage Water Care Program, provides a superior level of water clarity and bather comfort in commercial swimming pools, spas, water attractions and features. Poly-A can also be used with sand, cartridge, and D.E. filtration systems. The versatile application of the tablets is essential when considering the growing demand for state-of-the-art aquatics facilities on college campuses.
“Most apparent is that aquatics features are a major draw in student enrollment and retention,” Bokowy says. “We’re seeing a trend of moving to recreation facilities with lazy rivers, indoor water parks, wave riders, hot tubs, zero-entry pools, pools designed to encompass waterfalls and rocks. The options are incredible.” Bokowy is pragmatic about the difficulties of maintaining a diverse range of aquatics facilities. “[The options] do present challenges on the chemical side. Water flow comes into play. Bodies of water are more dynamic. There’s more surface area, more aeration. Addressing all of this is far more difficult at the chemical level than, say, with the classical pool.”
He continues: “These are all separate bodies of water, and each aquatics system is different and must be maintained with its specific needs in mind. AllChem meets the challenges head-on with effective and long-lasting products.”
One of Bokowy strengths in his role as president of AllChem is his talent for adopting multiple perspectives. In addition to anticipating the needs of the chemical industry in aquatics, he always tries to put himself in the shoes of maintenance operators whose daily needs are rigorous. “They are being asked to do more. Imagine inheriting all of these new aquatics spaces, the organization it requires and how intense this must be. Adopting a maintenance approach becomes more important because they may not have the time and energy to tackle all the work, not without products like ours that speed up these processes. Training and education in using simple and reliable equipment is crucial.”
An example of simple and reliable equipment is the Vantage ACF-60, which is easy to install and service. The Calcium Hypochlorite Feeder is designed for the commercial pool operator’s convenience. With a hopper that holds 60 pounds of Vantage® Calcium Hypochlorite Tablets, it can handle pools up to 200,000 gallons. For perspective, the average sized in-ground swimming pool at home contains roughly 20,000 gallons of water. The Vantage ACF-60 can also be easily installed in tandem to provide less frequent filling of the feeder when used on larger pools. For the operator, the design provides valuable safety features. AllChem’s feeder is designed for use with electronic controllers and can deliver up to 45 pounds of available chlorine per day (69.2 pounds of Vantage® Calcium Hypochlorite Tablets.) With the maintenance operator in mind, AllChem provides easy to understand maintenance instructions for plumbing and electrical installation, in addition to operation procedures. For plumbing installation, the operator needs only a separate pump and venturi system to supply the feeder with water and draw the chlorinated solution out of the feeder. Once the feeder is placed in a location that is easy to fill, the operator uses tubing supplied with the unit to connect to the water supply and venture. Electrical installation is also simple. No wiring is necessary. The operator plugs the chlorine feed solenoid directly into the plug from the electronic controller. The final step is to plug the inlet water solenoid valve directly into a 115V GFCI protected outlet. Operation requires only filling the ACF-60 with a lift-off lid that can be secured with a locking bar and pin. The product includes an innovative sliding top which allows you to watch the feeder operate without turning the feeder off. This feature also allows for quick inspection and cleaning of internal components. The maintenance operator doesn’t need to worry as much about the labor that goes into servicing the ACF-60. The process is simple. Two removable panels on the top of the lower tank provide easy access to hose out the basin or remove and clean components. The scrubbing action of the rinse nozzle, combined with the smooth surfaces of the feeder, will reduce scale buildup. The tablet hopper is designed to be removed without tools to facilitate full, easy access to the lower tank. Solenoid valves are installed for easy removal and replacement. Mounting hardware and piping stays in place and the valves simply spin off.
Creating Destination Spaces
Investing in versatile aquatics facilities work as exciting recruitment tools that appeal to students and student-athletes. Aquatics facilities have now become destination spaces. They provide students with opportunities to socialize and improve health and wellness. Such spaces also work as a form of water therapy, a means of helping students to unwind after long days of attending classes and studying. AllChem products are essential in the maintenance of aquatics facilities and play a key role in transforming these facilities into destination spaces.
We often take it for granted, but without modern chemistry, a swimming pool could become more like a giant, germ-filled petri dish. Even a quick swim in unclean water could expose a person to harmful levels of microbes that cause illnesses ranging from swimmer’s ear to athlete’s foot. AllChem provides simple and reliable systems designed with aquatics operators in mind, making operators’ sizeable workload far more manageable. This translates to reliably clean and beautiful water that students and staff alike can enjoy.
