Mr. J. Que Hales has achieved national recognition as an author, editor, researcher, consultant, and lecturer in the field of swimming pool chemical research since the early 1990’s. He and his fellow research partners Kim Skinner and Douglas Latta have performed cutting edge research and presented that research since 1993. The impact of this research and publication has included the correcting of many fallacies and myths in the industry, and also the development of novel applications of chemistry and filtration in the pool environment.

Mr. Hales has organized and hosted national technical symposia on pool and spa water chemistry, first associated with the Western Pool and Spa Show, then with the National Spa and Pool Institute. Mr. Hales has performed field and laboratory investigations of water chemistry, including the pH dynamics of chlorination, the effect of application methods on acid addition, dosage constants for most common pool chemicals, evaluations of lab and field water testing methods, and analytical surveys of pool and tap water. His pool plaster field and laboratory investigations have covered novel stain removal processes, and the analysis of surface failures such as calcium nodules, calcium sulfate deposition and spot etching, as well as constituent analysis such as cement:aggregate ratio determination and calcium chloride content. In the area of filtration systems he has performed field and laboratory investigations involving nanofiltration, and pathogen and turbidity removal of sand, cartridge and diatomateous earth filters.

As the manager of Pool Chlor in Tucson Arizona for the past 38 years, and as lead author of the NAGC publications “The Chlorine Gas Applicator Study Guide,” “The Sodium Hypochlorite Applicator Study Guide,” “Minimum Safety Guidelines for Residential Gas Chlorination”, and “Minimum Transportation Safety Guidelines for Residential Gas Chlorination,” Mr. Hales has provided chlorine gas and sodium hypochlorite safety and application training for many trade associations, government entities, and private companies. As a partner in onBalance, Mr. Hales served as an expert witness in the states of Arizona and California, including providing expert opinions in written reports, depositions, and on-stand court testimony.

Tenure:

Forty-three years in the pool industry, beginning in May of 1980

Two years as owner of a salt chlorinator business, as well as pool cleaning and minor repairs

Thirty-eight years as manager of Pool Chlor in Tucson Arizona

Education:

Graduated Longmont High School, Longmont Colorado

Graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s Degree in English

Association Involvement:

ca. 12 years as Director and Past President – National Association of Gas Chlorinators (Now the Swimming Pool Water Treatment Professionals

ca. 13 years as Director and past President and Vice President – Southern Arizona Chapter of the National Spa and Pool Institute

Past NAGC liaison to the National Plasterers Council, and voting member of two NPC committees: the Technical Manual revision committee and the Research committee

Past voting alternate (for Kim Skinner) to the NSPI Recreational Water Committee

Member (as manager of Pool Chlor of Tucson, Inc.):

Chlorine Institute, National Plasterer’s Council, Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (formerly the National Spa and Pool Institute), Swimming Pool Water Treatment Professionals (formerly the National Association of Gas Chlorinators), American Concrete Institute

Symposium Founder / Organizer / Moderator Technical Chemistry Symposium of the Western Pool and Spa Show (1995) Intermediate Chemistry Symposium JSPSI / P&SN (1996) Annual Symposia of the NSPI Technical Chemistry Education Series (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)

Editor:

Editor/Publisher of the Journal of the Swimming Pool and Spa Industry

Four years as Editor of the Annual Symposium Proceedings of the NSPI “Water Chemistry and Disinfection” Technical Education Symposia

Publications Author:

“The Post-Application Determination of Cement:Aggregate Ratios in Swimming Pool and Spa Plaster” – JSPSI V1N3 pp. 27-32

various trade publication articles

Co-author:

  • “Dosages for Alkalinity” (with Kim Skinner) – JSPSI V1N1 pp. 14-20
  • “The Addition of Muriatic Acid: Results and Implications of Using Varied Methods of Muriatic Acid Application in Swimming Pool Water” (with Kim Skinner) – JSPSI V1N2 pp. 16-30
  • “New Plaster Start-up Chemistry Using Sodium Bicarbonate” (with Kim Skinner and Doug Latta) – JSPSI V3N2 pp. 12-20
  • “Calcium Nodules” (with Kim Skinner) – JSPSI V3N2 pp. 21-26
  • “New Plaster Start-up Chemistry Using Sodium Bicarbonate” (with Kim Skinner and Doug Latta) – NSPI Symposium Proceedings Volume 2 1997 pp. 34-41
  • “Pool and Tap Water Survey – A Multi-element Study of Tap and Pool Water in Pima County, Arizona” (with Ray Denkewicz, et al) – NSPI Symposium Proceedings Volume 3 1998 pp. 46-56
  • “Evaluation of Swimming Pool Filtration Systems” (with Dr. Charles Gerba et al) – NSPI Symposium Proceedings Volume 4 1999 pp. 18-23
  • “Pool and Tap Water Survey from the Chemical and Microbiological Perspective – A Multi-element Study of Tap and Pool Water in Pima County, Arizona” (with Ray Denkewicz, et al) – NSPI Symposium Proceedings Volume 4 1999 pp. 25-36
  • “A Critique of the Dow Whitney Report” (with Doug Latta and Kim Skinner) – JSPSI V4N2 pp. 29-41
  • Co-author (with Douglas Latta) of the Basic Swimming Pool Water Chemistry teaching curriculum, including teacher’s guide, visual aides and handouts used for teaching Spanish and Korean language courses at the Western Pool& Spa Show
  • Various trade publication articles

Editor or Co-author of the following association publications:

  • Gas Chlorine Pool Applicator Study Guide (approved by State of Florida for pool operator continuing education certification) [NAGC]
  • Minimum Safety Guidelines for Residential Gas Chlorination (approved by State of Florida for pool operator continuing education certification) [NAGC]
  • Minimum Transportation Safety Guidelines for Residential Gas Chlorination (approved by State of Florida for pool operator continuing education certification) [NAGC]
  • Purely the Best [NAGC]
  • Dispelling the Myths [NAGC]
  • Sodium Hypochlorite (Chlorine Bleach) Pool Applicator Study Guide [SPWTP]
  • New Plaster Care Tips [NPC/NAGC/IPSSA]
  • Technical Manual (1998 revision) [NPC]

Symposium / Trade Show Speaker:

Western Pool and Spa Show

National Spa and Pool Institute International Expo

National Spa and Pool Institute chapter educational classes

Independent Pool & Spa Service Association chapter educational classes

National Plasterers Council Annual Conference research session presentations

National Association of Gas Chlorinators Annual Conference research session presentations

National Association of Gas Chlorinators Gas Chlorine Education and Safe Handling seminars

State of Florida pool operator certification classes

SPWTP / onBalance Education Classes – Pool Chemistry and Pool Surface Lecture Series