Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, Chief….
Terry Brannon, The Brannon Corp
Volume 4 Issue 2 (2001)

Architects. I know some architects. Some of my best friends are architects, however, I would not let my daughter marry one! I mean, in the nicest sense of the word, architects are weird (of course, this is just my opinion).

I do not know how many times I have been introduced as “the architect,” and to tell you the truth, it is an insult to both professions! So I thought in this small space allotted me, I would just tell you the difference between architects and engineers. As an aquatic professional, you may have to deal with one sooner or later if you ever get your dream pool built.

Architects usually get an undergraduate college degree in the school of liberal arts and then a Master’s Degree in Architecture. To be blunt, they study ART. Architects have to learn the building codes especially about access and egress (egress is simply access going out), which way the doors are supposed to swing, and how many toilets and are needed in a women’s locker room. And they learn about history--Dorian columns and the like. I will give them credit, because most architects are terribly creative. I have seen architects take a dilapidated structure and turn it into a Taj Mahal.

Historically, architects have been the “master builders” dating back to the Greek’s 3,000 years ago when the architect was required to stand under the arches of a new structure as the workmen removed the supporting scaffolding. Ironically, this practice definitely got rid of the bad designers and might explain why we never read about old architects in the history books.

Now I know you are dying to know about the engineers (yawn). Personally, I think we get a bad rap. Engineering students were the ones on campus carrying at least one of the following: slide rule, pocket calculator, laptop, or Palm Pilot on his or her belt. In recent polling, engineers are thought to be just one notch above a CPA in personality. But hold the phone because we engineers are people, too! We have feelings! Well, sort of. In essence, engineers are really “applied scientists”.

In college, engineer-wannabes study math, physics, chemistry, thermodynamics, electrical engineering, strength of materials, structural design, and all sorts of useful and fun stuff. It is all science. We never, ever study art unless by accident. Engineers need four years ‘internship’ after college and then take two eight-hour exams before we get a license to practice engineering. That professional engineering license is what the “P.E.” stands for after an engineer’s name. Engineers design the supporting skeletons for structures. We design sewer plants and water treatment plants. We design refineries and piping networks and highways and bridges. An architects will say, “If it looks bad and smells bad, an engineer drew it.” Now you are thinking, “What has any of this got to do with aquatics?” Well, all seriousness aside, it has plenty to do with aquatics.

The new Texas Department of Health Regulations for Public Pools and Spas released in 1999 imply that “you are encouraged” to seek the services of an architect, engineer, or other pool professional for design of your public pool or spa. Obviously, we think that is good advice, being engineers and all. So, we contacted the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers in Austin for clarification. While the new state regulations are nebulous on the subject, the Texas Engineering Practices Act is not. A swimming pool, as aquatic professionals well know, has several components:

• Structural design of concrete walls sometimes 12 to 14 feet tall
• Mechanical and plumbing design; pump design and filter hydraulics
• Chemical treatment systems
• Electrical and lighting systems
• Building foundations

If I can be a little crass, it is a lot like a closed-loop sewage treatment plant. Do you agree? The engineering laws of Texas require an engineer’s seal on public-access swimming pool designs if these designs contain some or all of the elements I mentioned. Your city building inspection department is not supposed to issue a building permit if such seals are missing!

Do you even need an architect or a pool consultant? Well, that depends. An architect is needed if you are going to build a bath house or office where space and form have to be considered and especially if compliance with ADA is an issue. Architects are very adept at designing pool sites and shapes as well. Certainly you need a pool consultant if your chosen architect and engineer do not have this expertise in-house to discuss pool-related issues. Some firms do, while other firms do not.

Be careful though because anyone in Texas can be a pool consultant. For about a hundred bucks you too can be listed in the Yellow Pages as a pool consultant. There are no licensing, education, or insurance requirements. Not even a “code of ethics” is available for ‘pool consultants’. When in doubt, check references. And for heaven’s sake, never, never, ever call an architect an engineer or vice versa!

I said before, I would never let my daughter marry an architect. Well, I would not want her to marry an engineer either but she did. And an AGGIE to boot. Oh, well. life goes on!

EDITORS NOTE: Mr. Brannon’s feeling regarding Aggies are his and his alone. They do not reflect the sentiments of TPPC in any way. Gig ‘em!