Firehouse – Authorised Jacuzzi® Dealer for Cumbria and the North West

There is hardly a better way to cope with the daily stresses of the 21st century than regular hydrotherapy. Installing a Jacuzzi in your backyard or entertainment area will help rejuvenate and revitalise your body and soul.

If you are in the hospitality industry, a Jacuzzi will exponentially increase the satisfaction of your guests.

This Guide will help you through all the steps from selecting the right Jacuzzi until you can experience the joys of hydrotherapy.

Before Installation

Water Quality and Maintenance

• Water treatment of Jacuzzis is very different from swimming pools because of the smaller volume of warm water. It is necessary that you understand the chemicals you use and how to use them
• Your Jacuzzi comes with a state-of-the-art water purification and sanitising system, but it will still be necessary to complement this system with small amounts of chemicals to balance the pH, calcium hardness, and total alkalinity.
• It is not quite as daunting as it sounds. If you take the trouble to understand the process at the beginning and develop a water maintenance routine, it will become easier and you will not have any problems with it.
• Water maintenance routine
  • Keep your filters clean.
  • Test your water with a test strip once a week, or each time the Jacuzzi is used.
  • Balance the pH before you add any other chemicals.
  • It is recommended that you use bromine in preference to chlorine, as it is less inclined to cause skin and eye irritation. Add bromine in small doses directly to the filter compartment with the pump running, until the level is between 1-5ppm.
  • It is recommended that you change your water at least every three months. In commercial properties, or if a lot of people frequently use the Jacuzzi, it is recommended that you change the water as often as once a week to avoid contamination.
• Bathers should not use any oils or cosmetics before using the Jacuzzi as this clogs the filters and throws out the chemical balance of the water. It is recommended that bathers shower before using the Jacuzzi.
• Keep your Jacuzzi covered when not in use to keep out debris and avoid accidental drowning.

WATER QUALITY CHART

Water Terminology

Understanding the meaning of these chemical terms will help you to better understand the water maintenance process:

Bromamines: These are compounds formed when bromine combines with nitrogen from body oils, urine, perspiration, etc. Unlike chloramines, bromamines have no pungent odour and are effective sanitisers.

Bromine: A halogen sanitiser (in the same chemical family as chlorine). Bromine is commonly used in stick, tablet, or granular form.

Calcium Hardness: The amount of dissolved calcium in the spa water. This should be approximately 50 -150 ppm (ACE: 25 – 75 ppm). High levels of calcium can cause cloudy water and scaling. Low levels can cause harm to the spa equipment.

Chloramines: Compounds formed when chlorine combines with nitrogen from body oils, urine, perspiration, etc. Chloramines can cause eye irritation as well as have a strong odour. Unlike bromamines, chloramines are weaker, slower sanitisers.

Chlorine: An efficient sanitising chemical for spas. We recommend the use of sodium dichlor-type granulated chlorine. This type is preferred because it is totally soluble and nearly pH neutral.

Chlorine (or Bromine) Residual: The amount of chlorine or bromine remaining after chlorine or bromine demand has been satisfied. The residual is, therefore, the amount of sanitiser which is chemically available to kill bacteria, viruses, and algae.

Corrosion: The gradual wearing away of metal and plastic spa parts, usually caused by chemical action. Generally, corrosion is caused by low pH or by water with levels of TA, CH, pH, or sanitiser which are outside the recommended ranges.

Halogen: Any one of these five elements: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine.

MPS: Monopersulphate is the non-chlorine oxidiser used with the FRESHWATERAG+ silver ion purification system as a shock alternative. It is not a sanitiser.

Nitric Acid: The formulation of nitric acid, a highly corrosive chemical, is a by-product of the ozone generating process. Nitric acid is produced in very small quantities and is readily dissolved in the water stream with ozone.

Oxidiser: The use of an oxidising chemical is to prevent the build-up of contaminants, maximise sanitiser efficiency, minimise combined chlorine and improve water clarity. See MPS and Ozone.

Ozone: Ozone is a powerful oxidising agent which is produced in nature and artificially by man. Ozone forms no by-products oxidises chloramines, and will not alter the water’s pH.

pH: The measure of the spa water’s acidity and alkalinity. The recommended pH for the spa water is 7.2 to 7.8. Below 7.0 (considered neutral), the spa water is too acidic and can damage the heating system. Above 7.8, the water is too alkaline and can result in cloudy water, and scale formation on the shell and heater.

ppm: The abbreviation of “parts per million”, the standard measurement of chemical concentration in water. Identical to mg/l (milligrams per litre).

Reagent: A chemical material in liquid, powder, or tablet form for use in chemical testing.

Sanitiser: Sanitisers are added and maintained at recommended residuals to protect bathers against pathogenic organisms (such as bacteria or viruses) which can cause disease and infection in spa water.

Scale: Rough calcium-bearing deposits that can coat spa surfaces, heaters, plumbing lines, and clog filters. Generally, scaling is caused by mineral content combined with high pH. Additionally, scale forms more readily at higher water temperatures.

Super-Chlorination: Also known as “shock treatment.” Super-Chlorination is a process of adding significant doses of a quick-dissolving sanitiser (“dichlor” is recommended) to oxidise non-filterable organic waste and remove chloramines and bromamines.

Total Alkalinity (TA): The amount of bicarbonates, carbonates, and hydroxides present in spa water. Proper total alkalinity is important for pH control. If the TA is too high, the pH is difficult to adjust. If the TA is too low, the pH will be difficult to hold at the proper level. The desired range of TA in spa water is 40 to 120 ppm.

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN, LEGENDARY PERFORMANCE

This is a true pinnacle of form & features that sets the bar for all hot tubs to aspire to. The cabinetry and lighting are unlike anything in the collection.
The flagship of the Jacuzzi® hot tub collection has 2 superb models and we have both within the Manchester Showroom. Get an idea of what the future looks like by seeing the J-500™ today.

ELEGANT STYLING, SUPER HYDROMASSAGE

These are some of our most luxurious hot tubs, incredibly comfortable lounger seats and double high level waterfalls exude indulgence.

This superb range within the Jacuzzi® collection exudes luxury and when you walk around them in our showroom you will immediately see & feel the difference.

SMART ENGINEERING & PREMIUM JETTING

Every feature here is that bit more innovative and exclusive. This is the right range to look at when complete hydrotherapy is your main purchase reason.
Each of the hot tub ranges supplied by Jacuzzi® is well represented within our showroom, in particular the J-300™. This hydrotherapy specialist can be wet tested at your leisure to help you understand just how good these hot tubs really are.

QUALITY & VALUE