In indoor swimming pool environments, the selection of the right grade of stainless steel can be safety-critical. A European standard EN 13451-1 now provides guidance in the choice of stainless steels grades in swimming pool environments. It makes it clear that there is a wide range of corrosive conditions. For accessories in external swimming pools, the conditions are relatively benign and often a standard austenitic stainless steel grade such as 1.4307 (304L) can be adequate.

For equipment and accessories in indoor swimming pools, grade 1.4404 (316L) is a common option in the splash zone or where the material is cleaned regularly. However, load-bearing elements that are not accessible for regular cleaning, for instance fasteners of suspended ceilings, are exposed to corrosive conditions similar to those in road tunnels.

The accumulation of chloride-containing deposits makes indoor swimming pools one of the most corrosive environments to be found in buildings. For these applications, high-alloyed stainless steels should be of the 6% molybdenum type, such as grade 1.4529. The new Euro Inox brochure “Safe use of stainless steel in swimming pool environments” points out what the selection criteria are.

The PDF version can be downloaded HERE.