Aquatic Engineering Plans
Engineered, permit-ready plans for commercial pools, spas, and water features — DOH and Florida Building Code compliant.
What We Do
Aquatic engineering is the design and permitting of commercial swimming pools, spas, and water features — the structure, the circulation and filtration systems, and the safety features — to meet Florida Department of Health Chapter 64E-9 and the Florida Building Code. Advanced Structural Solutions prepares signed and sealed aquatic engineering plans for condos, hotels, and community associations across South Florida.
A public or community pool is a regulated structure, not a backyard project. In Florida, the plans must be sealed by a licensed engineer, and the Department of Health has to approve an operating permit before the building department will issue a construction permit. Miss a requirement — turnover rate, circulation, ADA access — and the project stalls.
We design the pool shell and structure, size the circulation and filtration to meet code turnover rates, and prepare the drawings DOH and the building department require. Whether it's a new amenity deck, a renovation, or bringing an aging pool back into compliance, we handle the engineering end to end.
How We Deliver Results
Assessment & Feasibility
We review the site, existing conditions, and your goals, and confirm the DOH and building-code requirements that will govern the design.
Structural & Circulation Design
We design the watertight pool structure and size the circulation, filtration, and mechanical systems to meet code turnover rates.
DOH & Building Permitting
We prepare sealed drawings and coordinate the Department of Health operating permit and the local building permit.
Construction Support
We review submittals and answer field questions so the built pool matches the approved design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is aquatic engineering?
Aquatic engineering is the engineering design of pools, spas, and water features — the structure, the water circulation and filtration systems, and the code-required safety features. In Florida, commercial and community pool plans must be prepared and sealed by a licensed engineer.
Does Florida require an engineer for commercial pool plans?
Yes. Under Florida law, drawings for public and community pools must be signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer licensed in Florida. It is not something a pool contractor can permit on their own.
What is the difference between the DOH permit and the building permit?
The Florida Department of Health issues an operating permit for public pools under Chapter 64E-9, and that approval is required before the local building department will issue a construction permit. Both are needed, and we coordinate both.
What is a pool turnover rate?
Turnover rate is the time it takes to cycle the entire pool's volume through the filtration system. Florida requires a minimum turnover of about 6 hours for conventional pools and 2 hours for spas and wading pools. Circulation and filtration are sized to hit that rate.
Do we need engineering for a pool renovation, not just new construction?
Often, yes. Resurfacing, equipment changes, structural repairs, or modifications that affect the pool's circulation or safety systems can trigger DOH review and require engineered, sealed plans.
Do commercial pools have to be ADA accessible?
Public and community pools must meet accessibility requirements, including compliant access such as lifts or sloped entries. We incorporate ADA access into the design and permit set.
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Whether it's a 40-year recertification, concrete restoration, or a new MEP design — we're ready.