Category: Project Showcases
Published by: MosaicPeel Commercial Projects Division
Last Updated: 2026
Reviewed by: MosaicPeel Commercial Projects Division
Quick Answer
This case study covers a municipal public pool retile project where MosaicPeel supplied PEI 5-rated porcelain mosaic for a 280 m² pool interior, including floors, walls, and steps. The project required DCOF ≥ 0.60 for all walked surfaces, frost-proof certification for year-round outdoor operation, and compliance with municipal public facility bid requirements. After two peak summer seasons with continuous daily public operation, performance data shows zero tile failures, zero grout degradation, and the facility manager reported the surface has maintained its slip-resistance rating under continuous barefoot traffic of 150–300 users per day during peak hours.
Table of Contents
1. Project Requirements & Compliance Standards
2. Material Selection for Public Pool Use
3. Bid Process & Documentation
5. Performance Under Peak Season Use
6. FAQ
Project Requirements & Compliance Standards
The client — a municipal parks and recreation department — was replacing the interior tile of a public swimming pool that had been in service for 15 years. Key requirements from the bid specifications:
- Tile body: PEI 5-rated for continuous high-traffic use, DCOF ≥ 0.60 on all wet-walked surfaces
- Water absorption: ≤ 0.5% (impervious) for freeze-thaw compliance — the pool operates year-round in a climate with sub-freezing winter temperatures
- Grout: epoxy grout, NSF/ANSI 61 compliant for potable water contact
- Compliance: ANSI A108 installation standard, TCNA Handbook specification
- Total area: 280 m² (pool floor, walls, steps, and waterline)
This type of project requires documentation beyond what a private residential installation demands. The tile submission package had to include manufacturer test reports for PEI rating, DCOF slip resistance, water absorption, and frost resistance — all certified against the applicable ANSI and ASTM standards.
For detailed specification requirements for commercial public pool projects, see: How to Choose Mosaic Tile for Swimming Pools.
Material Selection for Public Pool Use
| Zone | Material | Specification | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool floor & steps | Porcelain mosaic | PEI 5, DCOF ≥ 0.60 | Heavy barefoot traffic, slip safety |
| Pool walls | Porcelain mosaic | PEI 4 | Vertical surface, lower wear exposure |
| Waterline band | Glass mosaic accent | 0% absorption | Visual depth, chemical resistance |
| Grout | Epoxy | NSF/ANSI 61 | Potable water contact, chemical resistance |
Why porcelain for a public pool floor: while glass mosaic’s 0% absorption also qualifies it for pool applications, porcelain delivers superior impact resistance and slip resistance under the constant, high-volume barefoot traffic of a public facility. PEI 5 testing simulates 50,000+ cycles of abrasive wear — the kind of usage volume a public pool sees in a single busy month.
Why glass only for the waterline: the waterline band is the one zone where glass’s light-reflecting properties create the strongest visual impact (the water surface catches and reflects the tile color), and it doesn’t carry the slip-resistance or impact-resistance demands of the floor zone.
Bid Process & Documentation
The project went through a formal municipal procurement process requiring:
| Requirement | Submission |
|---|---|
| Technical data sheets | Provided per ANSI A137.1 and ASTM C373 |
| DCOF test report | Provided per ANSI A326.3 for wet conditions |
| PEI rating certification | Provided per ASTM C1254 for floor wear |
| Frost resistance proof | Provided per ASTM C1026 |
| NSF/ANSI 61 compliance | Provided for epoxy grout contact with pool water |
| Sample submission | Full-size sample board submitted 30 days prior to bid opening |
MosaicPeel provided all certification documentation in digital format through the bid portal, with physical sample boards shipped to the project specification committee for review. The certification documentation proved decisive in the selection process — the previous tile supplier on this pool had not been able to provide current test reports for all applicable standards.
For certification details, see: Mosaic Tile Quality Certifications: What Every Importer Should Verify.
Installation Timeline
| Phase | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-drain & demolition | Empty pool, remove old tile | 4 days |
| Substrate repair | Patch and level pool shell surfaces | 5 days |
| Waterproofing | Apply membrane to all interior surfaces | 3 days |
| Floor tiling | Install porcelain mosaic on all walked surfaces | 8 days |
| Wall & waterline tiling | Install porcelain walls + glass waterline | 5 days |
| Grouting | Apply epoxy grout throughout | 3 days |
| Grout cure & chemical balancing | Full 21-day epoxy cure + water chemistry | 12 days |
| Refill & reactivation | Fill pool, balance chemistry, reopen | 3 days |
| Total | Pool closure period | 43 days |
The city scheduled the renovation during the facility’s annual maintenance shutdown, maximizing the available time. Even so, the installation team worked extended hours to ensure the 21-day minimum grout cure period was met before refill.
Performance Under Peak Season Use
| Performance metric | Result after 24 months |
|---|---|
| Tile adhesion (pull test) | 95%+ of sampled tiles exceed ANSI 104.5 minimum |
| Grout condition | No staining, no discoloration, no degradation |
| Slip resistance (wet DCOF) | Maintained ≥ 0.60 across all walked zones |
| Visual appearance | Original color saturation and finish retained |
| Maintenance requirement | Standard commercial pool cleaning regimen sufficient |
| Facility manager feedback | “No tile or grout issues to report since installation” |
The facility manager reported that during peak summer months — when daily pool occupancy reaches 250–300 users, including a significant number of children with sandy feet and pool toys that scrape against tile — the surface has shown no visible wear. The city’s maintenance log shows zero tile-related repair calls since reopening.
For a broader look at municipal facility sourcing considerations, see: How to Source Mosaic Tile from a Manufacturer.
FAQ
What tile standard is required for public swimming pools?
Public facilities typically require PEI 5-rated tile for pool floors and steps, with wet DCOF ≥ 0.60 for all walked surfaces. The tile must also be frost-proof (ASTM C1026 compliant) if the pool operates year-round in a climate with freeze-thaw cycles. Epoxy grout meeting NSF/ANSI 61 standards is required for any surface contacting pool water.
How does porcelain mosaic perform under heavy daily public use?
Porcelain’s dense, vitrified body makes it significantly more resistant to impact and abrasion than ceramic or glass. In a public pool environment with 200–300 daily users, PEI 5-rated porcelain mosaic maintains its structural integrity and appearance far longer than lower-rated materials. After two years of peak-season use, the municipal pool in this case study shows no visible wear.
Can MosaicPeel support municipal bid requirements?
Yes. MosaicPeel provides complete certification documentation — including ANSI, ASTM, NSF/ANSI 61, and TCNA compliance reports — for all commercial product lines. We also provide full-size sample boards for specification committee review and can coordinate direct shipping to project sites for bid submissions.
What is the typical closure period for a public pool retile?
A complete pool interior retile — including demolition, substrate repair, waterproofing, tiling, and the mandatory 21-day epoxy grout cure — typically requires 40–50 days. This should be scheduled during the facility’s annual planned maintenance shutdown to avoid revenue loss during peak swimming season.
This case study reflects a real MosaicPeel municipal public facility project with client details anonymized. Municipal procurement requirements vary by jurisdiction — always review current bid specifications and local building codes before finalizing a public pool tile selection.
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