“Current Regulations and Standards Are the Most Powerful Tools for Minimizing On-Site Risks”

Anasayfa Röportajlar “Current Regulations and Standards Are the Most Powerful Tools for Minimizing On-Site Risks”

Yazar: Eda GEDİKOĞLU

10 Feb 2026

Swimming pools are high-risk structures where aesthetics, comfort, and technical safety must be ensured simultaneously. Decisions made during the design phase have a direct impact on human health, energy efficiency, and system safety during operation. With more than 35 years of hands-on experience in the pool industry, PROMAK approaches this process not merely as an equipment manufacturer, but through a standards-based, sustainable, and integrated water management perspective. We spoke with PROMAK General Manager and Mechanical Engineer Ziya Çetin about the balance between design and operation in pool projects, the most common technical mistakes encountered on site, the practical importance of standards, and his outlook on the future of the industry.

E-Dergi

Drawing on over three decades of experience in the sector, Ziya Çetin emphasized that a pool project should never be evaluated solely in terms of aesthetics or equipment selection. He underlined that safety, hygiene, and operational efficiency must be addressed through a holistic approach starting from the very first stages of design. Even the most well-designed systems, he noted, can lead to serious problems if operated under improper conditions, which is why design, implementation, and operation should never be considered as separate processes.

Çetin pointed out that the most costly mistakes in projects generally stem from minor details overlooked during the design phase. He stressed that bringing together the project owner, contractors, and the technical team at the very beginning to establish proper planning and coordination is crucial. According to Çetin, aesthetic concerns should never compromise technical infrastructure or user safety, and a healthy project process can only be achieved through mutual exchange of ideas and collaboration.

He also highlighted that many critical details directly affect the success of a project, such as insufficient machine room and balance tank dimensions, incorrectly sized overflow channels, restricted access to the machine room due to aesthetic considerations or locating it farther than necessary, improper drainage slopes around the pool and channels, and sharp corners inside the pool. Çetin stated that these issues must be handled meticulously by designers and practitioners alike, adding that TS EN 15288-1+A1 for designers and TS EN 15288-2 for operators should be regarded as essential reference standards.

Emphasizing the growing importance of compliance with standards, Çetin noted that the EN 17645 standard published by the Turkish Standards Institution in September 2022 represents a significant milestone for residential pools. He explained that this standard evaluates the environmental impact and energy consumption of residential pools, introducing a classification system ranging from A to F. By doing so, it encourages both contractors and employers to use appropriate materials and establish correctly designed systems. Although the standard is relatively new, Çetin stated that it is inevitable that residential pools will be subject to inspections regarding environmental impact and system efficiency in the coming years, both in Europe and in Türkiye.

While technology continues to advance rapidly and expectations continue to rise, Çetin emphasized that the core objective remains unchanged: ensuring that people can swim safely in healthy water. He noted that PROMAK operates with a strong sense of responsibility toward this fundamental goal. Moving beyond the identity of a conventional pool equipment manufacturer, PROMAK has embraced the concept of sustainable water systems, aiming to establish a new approach in the sector through integrated water management encompassing swimming pools, spa systems, and greywater recovery solutions.