5 × 10 m pool: what it means to land exactly on 50 m²
A 5×10 m pool has 50 m² of water, about 50 m³ with 1.10 m panels or 70 m³ with 1.50 m panels. Because the small-scale works approval only applies below 50 m², this size needs a building permit.
Why 50 m² is not "below 50"
The small-scale works approval covers pools with a water surface below 50 m². The 5×10 lands exactly on the limit, so it does not qualify: it needs a building permit, with the studies that come with it. What changes in the procedure and the timing is covered in pools over 50 m². In practice you have two routes: go ahead with a permit or reduce the dimensions slightly.
5×10 or one of the alternatives?
| Dimensions | Surface | 1.10 m panels | 1.50 m panels | Procedure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5×10 m | 50 m² | ~50 m³ | ~70 m³ | Building permit |
| 5×9 m | 45 m² | ~45 m³ | ~63 m³ | Small-scale |
| 4.5×10 m | 45 m² | ~45 m³ | ~63 m³ | Small-scale |
| 4×12 m | 48 m² | ~48 m³ | ~67 m³ | Small-scale |
The 5×9 keeps the width for play and loses a metre of length. The 4.5×10 keeps the length for swimming and gets slightly narrower. If you are mainly interested in swimming, the 4×12 m pool gives even more length. All three are still subject to the other conditions of the small-scale works approval, among them the compact plant room.
When it is worth sticking with 5×10
- When the pool will have a lot of people in it at once, as with a large family with teenagers or a small holiday rental, and the 5 m width matters.
- When a house is being built with a building permit anyway; then the engineer looks at whether the pool can be included in the same design.
- When you want a conventional plant room of about 3×2×2 m next to the pool, with room for more equipment.
Skimmer, overflow and the space around it
At 50 m² a skimmer still performs well, since it works comfortably up to about 60 m². But because a permit is needed anyway, an overflow with a perimeter grating and a balance tank becomes easier to consider, especially if the pool will be busy.
For the space around it, allow about 1.5 m of paving all round (about 8×13 m in total), a 3 m zone for six or more loungers and a shaded seating area on one of the short sides. The plant room goes next to the pool, hidden behind plants, away from the bedrooms. Overall you want about 11×16 m of free space. For the next size up see the 6×12 m pool, and for all of them together prefab pool sizes.
Price of a 5 × 10 m pool
The price is given on request and agreed with you. Each pool is priced individually, depending on its dimensions, depth, system (skimmer or overflow), lining, equipment and access to the plot. For a price and a free quote, call us on +30 212 104 8320 or message us on WhatsApp / Viber +30 693 650 5824. See also what affects the cost.
Questions
Can I build a 5×10 m pool with a small-scale works approval?
No, because the water surface must be below 50 m² and the 5×10 m has exactly 50 m². A 5×9 m or 4.5×10 m pool, at 45 m², stays within the limit.
What do I lose if I reduce the pool from 5×10 to 5×9 m?
One metre of length and about 5 m³ of water with 1.10 m panels (about 7 m³ with 1.50 m). The use stays almost the same: lengths, play and plenty of room for many people.
See also
Pool over 50 m²
A pool over 50 m² needs a building permit with studies. What changes in time and procedure, and when it is…
4 × 12 m pool
A 4×12 m pool: 48 m² of water, volume with 1.10 or 1.50 m panels, how it stays below the 50 m² limit,…
Pool without a permit
A pool of up to 50 m² with no building permit, under a small-scale works approval. All the conditions: area,…