Indoor pools offer year-round access and strong community value. But when pool air quality declines, they can quickly become a liability. That strong chlorine pool smell, irritated eyes, itchy skin and repeated swimmer complaints aren’t just inconveniences. They are clear warning signs of poor pool ventilation and chloramine buildup in the indoor pool room.
For aquatics directors, facility managers, and service professionals, this isn’t just a comfort problem. It is a health, maintenance and compliance risk.
The good news: with the right pool ventilation strategy, indoor air quality can improve quickly, often without major structural changes.
Why Pool Ventilation Matters
Indoor pools face challenges that standard buildings do not. Chloramines form when chlorine reacts with sweat, urine, skin oils and other organic contaminants introduced by swimmers. These volatile compounds accumulate in the natatorium air – especially at breathing level.
In poorly ventilated natatoriums, this leads to:
- Eye, skin, and respiratory irritation for swimmers, lifeguards, and staff
- Strong chlorine odors that signal unhealthy air and reduce guest comfort
- Corrosion and accelerated wear on HVAC systems, metal fixtures, and building materials
- Higher risk of non-compliance with indoor air quality and health standards
Without proper ventilation, even a state-of-the-art pool filtration system can’t protect indoor air. Simply recirculating pool air or relying on standard HVAC systems isn’t enough, you need targeted ventilation that actively removes chloramines from the natatorium environment.
How Chloramine Buildup Happens
Chloramines are often misunderstood. They are not free chlorine. They are combined chlorine, formed when chlorine binds with contaminants in pool water.
In poorly ventilated natatoriums, chloramines become trapped in the air just above the water surface – exactly where swimmers and lifeguards breathe. Over time, this creates a stale, harsh swimming environment that frustrates staff and guests alike.
Key factors that accelerate chloramine problems include:
- High bather loads, especially during peak usage
- Warm, humid indoor pool environments
- Insufficient air exchange and poor air distribution
- Inconsistent or poorly maintained ventilation and HVAC systems
Pool Ventilation vs. HVAC: Understanding the Difference
Many facility managers assume HVAC systems alone will solve indoor air quality issues – but HVAC and proper indoor pool ventilation are not the same.
HVAC systems are primarily designed to control temperature and humidity, keeping air comfortable. While important, they are not always engineered to effectively remove chloramines, especially in natatorium environments.
Pool ventilation systems, by contrast, are specifically designed to:
- Capture and remove chloramines and other volatile compounds
- Maintain proper air movement across the pool surface
- Control humidity to reduce corrosion and condensation
- Support compliance with indoor air quality and building codes
A simple way to think about it: HVAC is comfort-focused. Pool ventilation is health-focused. Both are necessary, but ventilation is the critical component for a safe indoor aquatic environment.
Improving Pool Air Quality Requires Two Controls
Improving indoor pool air quality requires addressing both the air and the water.
Pool ventilation systems remove chloramines from the natatorium air, protecting swimmers and staff at breathing level. At the same time, reducing chloramine formation in the water limits how much contamination enters the air in the first place.
Facilities that focus on ventilation alone often continue to experience odor, irritation, and complaints. The most effective strategies combine proper pool ventilation with source control measures that reduce combined chlorine at its origin.
When both controls work together, indoor air quality improves faster and remains stable long term.
Best Practices for Indoor Pool Ventilation
Designing or upgrading pool ventilation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The following best practices have proven effective in commercial natatoriums and indoor aquatic centers.
1. Targeted Air Distribution
- Introduce fresh air close to the pool deck and water surface
- Use high-volume exhaust near the water to remove chloramine-laden air
2. Optimal Air Exchange Rates
- Maintain approximately 4–6 air changes per hour for medium to large pools
- Adjust rates based on bather load, pool size, ceiling height, and usage patterns
3. Humidity and Temperature Control
- Keep relative humidity below 60% to limit condensation and corrosion
- Maintain balanced water and air temperatures to reduce chloramine off-gassing
4. Preventive Ventilation Maintenance
- Clean and replace filters regularly
- Ensure ducts, vents, and exhaust fans are unobstructed
- Inspect diffusers to eliminate uneven airflow and dead zones
5. Smart Air Quality Monitoring & Controls
- Install sensors for humidity, chlorine levels, and air quality
- Automated alerts help prevent issues before swimmers are impacted
Health, Odor Complaints and Reputation Risks
Complaints about chlorine odor, burning eyes and respiratory irritation are often directly tied to pool ventilation failure. Chloramines can linger above the pool and migrate into locker rooms, hallways and offices – creating secondary exposure risks.
Over time, poor indoor pool air quality can contribute to:
- Drop in attendance among staff and swimmers
- Chronic irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat
- Corrosion of pool equipment and structural materials
- Non-compliance with health and safety standards
Fast Upgrades That Make a Difference
Even minor adjustments, when executed correctly, reduce odor and irritation almost immediately.
If your facility is struggling with poor air quality, you don’t always need a full system overhaul to see improvement. These targeted actions can often deliver fast results:
- Increase fresh air intake to flush chloramines out effectively
- Upgrade exhaust fans and air distribution systems
- Implement zone-specific ventilation to target high-use areas
- Regular system audits and preventive maintenance
These adjustments can provide immediate relief, but long-term air quality improvement depends on reducing chloramines at the source.
Clear Comfort’s Role in Indoor Air Quality
By improving water quality and pool ventilation together, many facilities report noticeable improvements in indoor air quality within days.
While mechanical ventilation is critical, facility operators can also take proactive steps with supplemental water treatment to reduce the source of chloramines. Clear Comfort’s advanced oxidation process (AOP) systems work directly in the water, lowering combined chlorine and VOCs before they escape into the air. The result?
- No more “pool” smell, just cleaner, fresher-smelling indoor air
- Reduced chemical stress on HVAC and ventilation systems
- Healthier conditions for swimmers and staff
- Fewer odor-related complaints
By addressing the water quality and ventilation simultaneously, facilities see rapid improvement in indoor air quality sometimes within days of implementation.
Taking Action
Indoor pool air quality isn’t a “nice-to-have.” It’s a critical factor in swimmer safety, staff health and long-term facility longevity. Ignoring chloramine buildup and poor ventilation can lead to unhappy patrons, maintenance headaches, and compliance risks.
The good news? There are practical, fast solutions that work for commercial pools of any size.
Take the first step today
Schedule a consultation with our team to assess your ventilation and water treatment needs. We’ll provide actionable recommendations to improve air quality and create a safer, more enjoyable aquatic environment for your staff and guests.
Arin McNemar
Executive VP of Sales
