Oval steel pools

An oval pool with a buried omega-beam system is the right technical choice for narrow, 5-meter-wide patios. This system eliminates visible side support legs, allowing 3.75-meter-wide models to fit without obstructing the walkways around the property.

Unlike oval pools with exterior braces, which need about 100 centimeters of extra space on each side to accommodate the support struts, the omega system secures the pool with concrete-filled trenches below ground. This preserves structural strength against the hydrostatic pressure of the water on the straight, lengthwise walls.

An oval steel-wall pool requires a perfectly level concrete slab at least 15 centimeters thick to ensure stability around its perimeter.

Direct installation on compacted soil causes uneven settling that throws the pool walls out of perpendicular alignment. The required preparation stages include:

• Shallow excavation and removal of sharp stones or organic matter.
• Millimeter-precise leveling with a reinforced, mesh-reinforced H-200 concrete base.
• Laying protective geotextile underlay to shield the liner from rough surfaces.
• Securing the bottom rails before unrolling the steel wall.

A ground slope of more than 10 millimeters puts excessive stress on one of the curved sections, compromising the connection to the vertical fasteners.

The 132-centimeter-high version is worth considering if you want a true water depth of 120 centimeters and more room for family recreation. The nominal commercial height of the steel wall is not the same as the fill level, since the suction level is set by the centerline of the skimmer inlet.

For a 610x375 cm pool, the 132 cm option holds approximately 23,280 liters, while the 120 cm option holds around 20,890 liters. This increase requires a suitably sized filtration system to filter the total volume in 4- to 6-hour cycles. You can equip your pool with the Skimmer + AR100 inlet nozzle to ensure adequate suction to the filter pump.

Oval steel pools counteract hydrostatic pressure using lateral retaining braces and tension beams joined beneath the pool floor. In the semicircular sections, the cylindrical geometry distributes the force of the water evenly through continuous radial tension. However, the straight sides lack this natural physical strength, so the outward pressure would push the walls outward if there were no supporting framework.

To counteract this force, manufacturers use hot-rolled steel profiles anchored to fixing straps that cross the base of the foundation from side to side. This cage-like structure absorbs tons of lateral force without transferring deformation to the perimeter galvanized steel.

The inner watertight membrane can be replaced without dismantling the metal structure by removing the upper coping profiles and completely draining the pool. To renovate a pool of these dimensions, you need to install a liner with the manufacturer's exact measurements, such as the Blue Gre liner for oval pools 610x375x120, ensuring that the fastening profile aligns with the perimeter grooves.

During installation, it’s best to first add 2 to 5 centimeters of warm water to remove all the wrinkles in the bottom by pushing them toward the edges with bare feet. Do not cut out the openings for the skimmer or jets until the water level reaches the bottom edge of each recessed fitting.

Passive chemical treatment, combined with an opaque winter cover and ice-compensation floats, protects the steel structure during the cold months. Leaving the pool completely empty is a serious technical mistake: wind pressure and the loss of hydrostatic containment can dent the flat sheet-metal panels.

The winter preservation protocol consists of four steps:

• Lower the water level to 10 centimeters below the return jets.
• Add a specific winterizing product to the circulating water before turning off the pump.
• Place expansion bottles or floats diagonally to absorb expansion caused by freezing.
• Fit a taut cover secured around the perimeter to block sunlight and keep out external dirt.

Installing a double-access platform with removable or retractable outer steps is the most effective way to prevent children from accidentally accessing the pool. On models with walls 120 or 132 cm high, the wall itself acts as a passive perimeter barrier, provided the ladder is removed after swimming.

It can be fitted with standardized safety features such as the Gre above-ground pool ladder mod. AR11680, specifically designed with removable, non-slip steps and a rust-protected tubular frame. Avoid placing furniture or auxiliary benches near the edge of the pool wall, as they could serve as a climbing point from outside.