How does a movable floor work?

Two types of drive

The operator selects a depth for lessons, aqua fitness or training. At its highest position, the floor turns the pool into a walkable surface. How the floor moves determines what must be prepared in the pool shell, how maintenance works and whether the floor can go into an existing pool. We supply two types of drive.

1. Screw spindles in the wall (Myrtha). Screw spindles built into the pool walls carry and move the platform. Nothing mechanical stands on the pool floor, and the system puts no structural load on it. According to Myrtha, the drive suits both concrete and stainless steel pools.

2. Water-hydraulic (EWAC Medical). For smaller pools there are two versions. The suspended floor (up to 45 m²) hangs from cables anchored in the pool walls; a water-hydraulic cylinder in the frame pulls in the cables. The floating floor (from 45 m², up to about 140 m²) contains buoyancy tanks and is raised and lowered by a water-hydraulic cable system. More on the movable pool floor product page.

Controls, safety and speed

• Preset positions. The operator stores depths for each activity. Myrtha floors are operated with a PLC with touchscreen in a stainless IP56 cabinet, Ethernet remote access and a movement log.
• Visible depth. Poolside LED displays show the current depth and can show a no-diving warning.
• Emergency stops and locking. EN 13451-11 sets the requirements and test methods for movable floors and movable bulkheads in public pools. A control box at the poolside shows the position of the floor and has a red emergency stop button.

Speed and depth range

Myrtha floors move at up to 500 mm per minute. The depth range depends on the pool shell. A floor can travel from full depth to “level zero” (Son Hugo, Palma) or above the waterline to close the pool.

Water quality and maintenance

A floor must not block circulation. Decks are therefore perforated (polypropylene) or have an open, completely water-permeable structure (water-hydraulic floor), so water keeps moving beneath the platform. The water-hydraulic floor meets the EN 15288:2008, Annex A dye test.

Maintenance

We recommend an annual check of drives, cylinders or motors, guides, safety devices and emergency stops. The water-hydraulic floor has a deck of removable polyester tiles, and Myrtha floors have inspection and cleaning hatches. For maintenance over the full service life, see Maintenance and life-cycle cost.

New or existing pool?

In a new pool, recesses, anchors and cable ducts are designed in from the start. For an existing pool, the supplier first carries out a structural survey. This follows fixed phases: survey, design, platform definition, installation, testing and certification.

Frequently asked questions

Does the pool have to be drained to change depth?

No. Water flows through and around the platform as it moves.

Can a floating floor sink?

No. A floating floor contains buoyancy tanks and wants to rise; the cables pull it down to the required depth.

Which floors work in an empty pool?

A floor with screw spindles in the wall. A floating floor needs water.

How thick is a movable floor?

A Myrtha floor is on average about 55 cm thick and needs about 65 cm of extra pool depth. The exact figure depends on the type of drive and the size of the floor; we specify it for each project.

Is there oil in the pool?

Not with the water-hydraulic floor: it works with water.

Choosing a floor for your pool? Read Movable pool floors or get in touch.

Read also: Teaching pool with a movable floor, Movable pool floor cost: what drives it.

Sources

Myrtha Pools, How does a movable pool floor work?
EWAC Medical, Movable swimming pool floor
BSI, EN 13451-11:2022
Myrtha brochure Movable Floor, pp. 4–10

Last updated: 5 October 2026