Recently a video of Tieleman Pool Technology went absolutely viral with over 13 million views on Pool Magazine’s TikTok and over 14 million views on Tieleman’s Instagram account. The video showed a residential movable floor of 8.80 x 5.65m (28.87 x 18.54ft) in an indoor pool located in the United Kingdom. “We know we are engineering and installing a unique product that we felt would amaze many people, but we never imagined it would blow up like this,” says Marijn, Project Manager of the Netherlands-based manufacturer Tieleman Pool Technology.
“This is engineering from another planet… how does that work?”
Just one of the many comments given to the video of the movable floor. Of course, going viral with a video like this will lead to getting countless questions. Questions such as where does the water go when you lower the floor, what system is beneath the movable floor deck and much more. Below you will find some of the most frequently asked questions answered.
- What happens when you lower the floor?
The movable floor is a safe and rigid floating platform controlled by means of a push button, touch screen or a mobile device. When you push the button to lower the floor, the water hydraulic cylinder pulls the movable floor underwater. When the floor is moved, the water will gently flow through the small gap between the floor and the pool wall (so the water always remains in the pool). Within about five minutes your swimming hall, patio or living space is transformed into a full-size swimming pool.
- What if you want to raise the floor? How does that work?
When you want to raise the floor to a higher position, the cylinder pressure is released in a controlled way and the floor will rise automatically as a result of the upward pressure caused by the integrated buoyancy.
- How much weight can a movable floor hold when up?
The bearing capacity of a movable floor starts at a minimum of 100kg per m2 (220lbs per 10.76 ft2). This makes the safe floor deck in a closed position extremely suitable to serve as a patio, party venue or extension of the indoor/outdoor living space.
- How do you clean under the movable floor?
A hatch is made in the construction of the movable floor, the tile located above the hatch can be removed. This allows Tieleman’s service technicians (who are A-1 certified divers) to dive under the movable floor. This way they can easily vacuum the bottom of the pool and inspect and maintain the movable floor system properly.
If your question is not answered here you should definitely check Tieleman’s FAQ page to learn more about the fundamentals of a movable floor.
Definitely not a mainstream product for the average pool owner
A movable floor, as it might suggest, is a product that belongs in the category of ultimate luxury. While the videos are becoming increasingly popular on social media, and homeowners might be wondering if they can have one of their own; this is still a pool feature reserved for the elite. This is not surprising when you consider the level of engineering and high quality materials it takes to manufacture and install this kind of product.
The history of the movable floor
You might not be expecting it, but the product has actually been on the market for quite a long time. For example, Tieleman Pool Technology has been developing customized pool solutions since 1970. To this day, the movable floor has been especially common for hydrotherapy purposes in medical institutions such as rehabilitation clinics, healthcare facilities and hospitals. In order to achieve optimal results with hydrotherapy, variation in depth is the key factor for success. To meet this specific need of the medical sector, the movable floor was developed back in the days.
Over the years, the product has evolved into a state-of-the-art pool solution that is not only suitable for medical institutions, but has also made its way into the public and residential market. Technology has been highly improved and there are countless add-on options for movable floors nowadays. These include integrated stairs (corner stairs, full width stairs and more), integrated sun decks/lounge areas and swim-out benches.
What does a proper movable floor consist of?
There are, of course, plenty of DIY videos of movable floors and other pool solutions. But what should a proper movable floor consist of if it wants to guarantee quality, a long lifespan and low maintenance?
First of all the construction beneath the floor deck must be resistant to corrosion and chlorides. That is why the unique Tieleman movable floor system, in contrast to others, consists of a Marine grade 316L stainless steel construction. For applications with highly corrosive environments, such as swimming pools, Marine grade 316L stainless steel is far superior and will have an extended lifespan compared with 304 grade. This is because Marine grade 316L stainless steel contains high levels of nickel, chromium and molybdenum. The molybdenum is added to protect the stainless steel from the elements such as chlorine and increases corrosion resistance, making this type of steel extremely suitable for use in swimming pools.
Secondly, no oil contamination of the pool can take place. Therefore the unique Tieleman system is powered by a water hydraulic cylinder. This technology eliminates the risk of (oil) contamination to the pool. And last but not least, Tieleman offers excellent service. At Tieleman, we can proudly state that we have been the preferred service provider for decades for our client base. With over 50 years of expertise in all areas of pool technology, Tieleman is your best choice to service your movable floor, says Koen, Marketing & Communications manager at Tieleman.
All the above makes a Tieleman movable floor an extremely durable system with a lifespan of up to 25-30 years.
A great opportunity for high-end U.S. pool builders and contractors to become a certified dealer
The most interesting part for pool builders is that a movable floor not only ensures ultimate safety, it also provides the versatility to create unique pool environments that are multi-use spaces. For example, you can use the floor deck (in a closed position) as a basketball court or even a party venue. This is perhaps the most appealing aspect for pool builders.
Since companies that manufacture, install and maintain movable floors generally do not build the pool itself, this offers excellent business opportunities for pool builders and others. For example the construction of the pool, the water treatment and the tiling of the movable floor needs to be done by a (local) contractor or pool builder. This is most definitely the right time for high-end pool builders, architects and contractors to make their move by partnering with a movable floor builder like Tieleman.
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