Fabric Ducts Solve the Humidity Problem at Silainiai Swimming Pool
FabricAir’s fabric-based ventilation system brings corrosion resistance and climate control to a newly renovated facility in Lithuania.
When Šilainių Swimming Pool reopened its doors following a major reconstruction, it came with expanded lanes, children’s pools, whirlpools, and sauna facilities capable of welcoming up to 140 visitors at a time. But behind the upgraded amenities lay a technical challenge that any aquatics facility operator knows well: how to ventilate a space where moisture, heat, and chemically treated air conspire to destroy conventional HVAC infrastructure.
The answer came in the form of fabric ducts.
Combi 70 & Combi 85
50.400 m³/h
SonicFlow, OriFlow, PerfoFlow
Retrofit/Upgrade
A Corrosive Environment
Swimming pools rank among the harshest environments for ventilation systems. Persistent humidity and chloramine-laden air accelerate the corrosion of traditional sheet metal ductwork, shortening its lifespan and driving up maintenance costs. For a facility serving both elite athletes from the Silainiai Swimming School and everyday visitors seeking relaxation, system failure was not an option.
The project team turned to FabricAir, a specialist in textile air distribution, to replace the building’s conventional ductwork as part of the broader renovation. The brief was straightforward in intent, if demanding in execution: eliminate condensation risk, resist corrosion, and deliver consistent, comfortable airflow throughout the entire complex.
Why Fabric, Not Metal
Unlike rigid sheet metal systems, fabric ducts are inherently resistant to corrosion and perform reliably in high-humidity conditions. The permeable fabric surface allows air to disperse evenly along the length of the duct rather than blasting from discrete outlets – a characteristic that reduces drafts in occupied zones and supports more stable temperature and humidity control.
The lightweight construction also simplified the retrofit installation, an important consideration when working within the constraints of an existing building structure.
A Tailored System
FabricAir engineered a solution combining three airflow technologies to address the pool facility’s distinct ventilation zones. On the supply side, SonicFlow and OriFlow fabric duct configurations were deployed to direct conditioned air precisely into occupied areas. For extraction, PerfoFlow units drew air out of the space, maintaining the balanced circulation necessary to manage humidity at scale.
The full installation handles a total airflow capacity of 50,400 m³/h. Supply ducts are suspended using 7 AIO Rapid HE fittings, while extract runs rely on 5+11A HE suspension hardware. All duct sections were fabricated in white using FabricAir’s Combi 70 and Combi 85 fabric types – materials selected specifically for their performance in wet, chemically active environments.
The Result
The renovated Silainiai Swimming Pool now operates with a ventilation infrastructure designed to last. Condensation on surfaces has been managed, the risk of duct corrosion has been eliminated, and the indoor environment meets the comfort expectations of both competitive swimmers and leisure visitors.
For facility managers overseeing similar projects, the Kaunas installation offers a clear precedent: in spaces where moisture is a structural problem, fabric duct systems can deliver where metal cannot.
