Health, Fitness, Medical Home and Spa
Suspense Aquatic Center

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Suspense?
2. Who manufactures Suspense?
3. How does it work?
4. Why would I purchase a Suspense as opposed to a pool?
5. Is Suspense affordable?
6. How long does it take to fill the Suspense booth with water?
7. Does Suspense use lots of water?
8. Is Suspense hygienic to use?
9. Can Suspense be operated by the bather?
10. Is Suspense safe to use?
11. What if the electrical supply to Suspense is disrupted whilst a bather is in the booth?
12. Does Suspense require regular maintenance?
13. What type of business would install a Suspense?
14. Can Suspense be installed in the home?
15. How long do people stay in the Suspense booth?
16. Are special electrical or plumbing services required?
17. Does Suspense require supported flooring?
18. Can the water temperature be controlled?
19. How much room is required for Suspense?
20. Can Suspense be relocated if my business relocates?

1. What is Suspense?

A world first - Suspense is a unique, patent-protected convenient aquatic center. It has been designed to provide users with the convenience of having a controllable volume of water to exercise or to relax in without taking up a large area of room. It consists of a square glass booth that has a door on one side to allow bather entry. The door is then closed and the booth is filled to the desired level with pre-determined temperature controlled water. When the exercise or relaxation session is complete, the booth is then emptied and the bather exits.
top

2. Who manufactures Suspense?

HydroCo is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative hydrotherapy equipment servicing the Spa, Wellness, Medical and Sport industries. Our equipment is exported to over 40 countries, we have showrooms in Melbourne Australia and Los Angeles USA and distributors throughout Asia and Europe.
top

3. How does it work?

Suspense has water storage tanks, a water treatment powerpack and the glass booth. The storage tanks and powerpack are usually located in an area that is screened off from the booth or in a nearby location - external of the room. The water tanks store the working water that is to be transferred to and from the booth. The powerpack incorporates a water filtration, heating and sanitizing system that constantly monitors and maintains the water quality. When the bather is in the booth the water is then transferred from the storage tanks into the booth at the touch of a button. The water level in the booth can be adjusted at anytime to suit the activity. To transfer the water back into the storage tanks simply press the empty button.
top

4. Why would I purchase a Suspense as opposed to a pool?

Suspense can be assembled and operating within days, and in most case requires very little preparation - only basic plumbing & electrical services. The water in Suspense can be effectively maintained and economically heated as it is stored in enclosed tanks. The area required for a Suspense installation is considerably less than for a pool, and the safety requirements of operating an open pool of water is, in most cases, very extensive and costly. Suspense can be relocated at a later date should it be required. Suspense creates a private environment that can also be equipped with a steam generator creating an inviting steam-room. A body shower is supplied standard with Suspense.
top

5. Is Suspense affordable?

For around USD40.00 per day, Suspense can be leased . The sale of between 1- 2 Suspense sessions per day is in most cases enough to cover all associated operating expenses including consumables, labor and lease payments.
top

6. How long does it take to fill the Suspense booth with water?

The booth can hold up to 3,000 litres (715 gallons) of water. Typically around 2,500 litres ( 595 gallons) is used for bathers up to 1.9 metres ( 75 inches) in height.

It takes approximately 3 minutes to fill the booth and 3 minutes to empty the booth.
top

7. Does Suspense use lots of water?

No - Suspense is water-wise in operation. Even though the Suspense water storage / treatment system holds and utilizes up to 3,00 litres ( 715 gallons), incredibly, only a very little amount of water is consumed during each bathing session – approximately 20 litres ( 5 gallons). This water is automatically drained from the system as part of the filtration / water treatment procedure for optimum hygienic maintenance.

Because the Suspense water is stored in enclosed tanks there is very little water evaporation – unlike open bodies of water such as swimming pools and Jacuzzis that loose considerable amounts of water through evaporation. That can account for thousands of litres ( gallons) per week.
top

8. Is Suspense hygienic to use?

Unlike open pools and Jacuzzis the water used in the Suspense system is stored in food-grade polymer tanks, that are enclosed and not stored in open direct sunlight. Algae thrive in bodies of water that are stored in direct sunlight, and therefore requires higher maintenance to ensure water quality. The Suspense water is automatically filtered during, and after, each and every use of the system. The water is being monitored by electronic probes that are located strategically within the filtration system. These probes sample the water constantly and automatically dose the water with sanitizer and PH balancing solution as, and when, required, maintaining crystal clear hygienic water.
top

9. Can Suspense be operated by the bather?

Suspense is an easy system to operate. It has been designed so that it can be operated by the bather from within the booth or alternatively by a person outside the booth.
top

10. Is Suspense safe to use?

Suspense is a volume of water that is contained within a clear visual glass booth. It is spacious within and allows freedom of movement. If you are generally comfortable bathing in swimming pools, Jacuzzis etc.. you will find Suspense very inviting and extremely enjoyable. It takes approximately 3 minutes to fully empty the booth when full - yet only seconds for the level to drop low enough so that the bathers feet are in touch with the floor. The water level in the booth is variable and it may be filled to a level that still allows the bather to touch the floor but deep enough to carry out a full exercise program.
top

11. What if the electrical supply to Suspense is disrupted whilst a bather is in the booth?

The booth relies upon electricity to operate the pumps that fill & empty the booth. In the event that the electrical supply to Suspense is disrupted eg.. power failure etc.. then the booth has a manual gravity drain option that can be operated easily from either within the booth, or from outside. The booth will empty without an electrical supply.
top

12. Does Suspense require regular maintenance?

Suspense is low maintenance. It has been designed for commercial use and incorporates only heavy duty commercial grade components. The automatic sanitizing / water treatment system incorporated in Suspense is the same control system used in Olympic size commercial swimming pools. Suspense’s water treatment system is ‘state of the art’, and enables operators to visually monitor water quality at a glance and record the status that is clearly displayed on an LCD screen. All commercial facilities that incorporate swimming pools, Jacuzzis etc.. are obligated to monitor and record the water condition on a regular basis eg…every three hours - and with Suspense it’s made easy. For crystal clear water - Suspense relies upon a sand filtration system that will require regular back washing – a 2 minute process. Replacement of filter sand will also be required at least twice annually, or four times annually in a ‘heavy traffic’ environments. For ultimate hygienic conditions the booth will require washing down and rinsing following each use.

A basic maintenance schedule should be adhered to incorporating the manufacturers guidelines.
top

13. What type of business would install a Suspense?

Suspense can be installed within a variety of business’s .

Fitness & health clubs may offer Suspense for private aquatic work-outs, making aquatic exercise more appealing to those that would not normally enter public pools to exercise. There is a large number of people that are self-conscious about their appearance and therefore would not expose themselves in a bathing suit, in a public area. Pools may be over-crowded, too many people swimming in lanes etc. – too much distraction for those that want to exercise. A Spa or Wellness center may utilize Suspense to provide vertical floatation , seaweed & mud masks, thermal transfer treatments etc.. Bathers may be placed within an ‘aqualiner’ with solutions applied over their entire body. The water lifts them into vertical floatation and the water pressure compresses. No mud’s or solutions come into contact with the water - simply dispose of the ‘aqualiner’ after use.

Physiotherapists may use Suspense for injury recovery, strengthening etc.. The clear glass panels enable visual monitoring by the therapist. The water level in Suspense is totally variable and can be filled waist high for concentrated lower limb exercise.

The warm water assists in the relaxing and stretching of muscles.
top

14. Can Suspense be installed in the home?

Absolutely - The home is an ideal location for Suspense. Aquatic exercise is extremely beneficial for building fitness levels of all ages. The elderly may require a more convenient and enjoyable way to exercise - aquatic exercise, including deep water running, is low impact so it is easy on muscles and joints - as opposed to many high impact land-based exercises. Suspense is equipped with a body shower so home users may exercise in Suspense every morning, shower off and then carry on with there daily activity. Suspense’s convenience will definitely encourage use, and will become part of your every day lifestyle.
top

15. How long do people stay in the Suspense booth?

Depending on the activity – for an energetic, express aerobic workout using aquatic resistance aids - a 10 – 15 minute session will do the job. Extended work-outs with breaks can take 20 – 30 minutes. Sessions can be tailored to suit individual fitness level and objectives. Vertical flotation / relaxation treatments can last from 15 – 30 minutes - or extended sessions may be enjoyed.
top

16. Are special electrical or plumbing services required?

Electrical:

1. A standard 208 – 240 Volt, single phase, 50 / 60Hz, 25 Amp dedicated GFCI protected supply is required – ( available in most buildings throughout North America, Europe, and Asia )
2. A standard 120 or 240 Volt, 50 / 60 Hz, 10 Amp dedicated GFCI protected supply is required

Plumbing:

1. A Standard 40-50mm (1/12 - 2 inch) drain line is required - rigid or flexible Connection.
2. A standard 15mm (½ inch) Hot & Cold water supply is required.

top

17. Does Suspense require supported flooring?

Typically any solid ground level floor will support the weight of Suspense. If it is intended to locate Suspense on a suspended floor (not ground floor) then additional support structure may be required e.g.: support columns etc..

As with all heavy items that are intended to be placed on flooring, it is required that a structural engineer be consulted to ensure suitability.
top

18. Can the water temperature be controlled?

The control panel allows system control settings, including the water temperature. The water temperature can be adjusted from ambient up to 40 Celsius ( 104 F) Suspense has a in-built heavy duty stainless steel water heater. The water stored in the tanks is constantly monitored and the heater is automatically activated when required, in order to maintain the set temperature. Generally for aquatic exercise, the water temperature will be set at 31- 33 Celsius ( …. - 91.4F) - and for relaxation / vertical floatation treatments, the water temperature will be set at 36- 38 Celsius ( 96.8 – 100.4F) For chilled water set-ups, chilled water packages can be supplied.
top

19. How much room is required for Suspense?

The water storage tanks and the equipment powerpack can be located within the room that the booth is located – a room of approximately 4.3 x 3.5 metres ( 14 x 11.6 ft) in size is required. If the tanks and powerpack are located remotely, then the booth will require a room of approximately 2.5 x 3.0 metres ( 8.3 x 10 ft). in size.
top

20. Can Suspense be relocated if my business relocates?

Yes, in the event that Suspense requires relocating at a later date, the entire system can be dismantled and re-assembled.
top