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The Product
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Starkbulkheads manufacture 100% non-corrosive fiberglass bulkheads without welded seams or nuts and bolts to corrode and deteriorate from stress corrosion due to the pool chemistry. Our one-piece bulkhead maintains its strength and does not have the trampoline effect experienced with metal or sectional bulkheads which have to maintain air at all times for structural integrity
Stark has been building and installing fiberglass bulkheads since 1965. Every bulkhead we have built is still being used today. We own all the molds, tools and buildings, necessary for quality construction, and the average length of time of employment of our employees is over ten years. We are not like other manufacturers that subcontract out their bulkhead fabrication and therefore loose control of time of delivery and quality construction.
We are so confident in our product we offer a twenty-five year structural warranty. This is not a deceptive prorated warranty where you pay all "labor" cost after one or two years, but a full structural warranty. We will send you a copy upon a request.
Starkbulkheads have been tested and used in high schools, colleges, and natatoriums throughout the world, and have received overwhelming approval from design engineers, aquatic directors, swimming coaches, and instructors because of their rigidity, ease of movement, and versatility.
Our monolithic type construction creates strength in our bulkheads far greater than any other bulkheads on the market today. The one-piece unit is built with a horizontal fiberglass shelf at water line, which permits multiple lane lines to be installed without creating side deflections. The take off platform anchors go through the topdeck and continue on through the water line shelf. This makes the starting platforms very rigid and swimmers tell us they have "no give" like on other type bulkheads.
The side walls are solid below the water line, and unlike the lattice type bulkheads where fingers and toes can become lodged, ours are smooth and rigid, allowing strong take-off and kick turns. With full openings at the water line, which not only provides a handhold, but also lets the swimming bow waves pass through without rebounding.
Wheels are not necessary since the bulkheads are made to float, not roll, for repositioning without damaging pool or deck tile. By injecting air into patented air chambers, two people can move them with veritable ease to a new location. Then by ejecting all the air, the bulkheads are anchored firmly into the desired position.
These many unique features of the Stark fiberglass bulkheads give competitive swimmers a greater advantage as they help to create a "fast pool" and give the swimmers that extra fraction of a second needed for the elusive world’s record. This is one of the reasons that the Goodwill Games pool at Federal Way, Washington has set or broken some fifty United States and Worlds records since 1990. Also, St. Peters Rec-Plex near St Louis, Mo. set eleven new records at the 1999 Division 3, NCAA Spring meet. When Stark replaced two stainless bulkheads at IUPUI the very first event held (dual in the pool) out of 26 events there were 6 US records and 1 world record broke.
Ceramic tile can be used for targets, lane markers, and for the topdeck area. A variety of tile colors and shapes are available. School emblems or mascot impressions can be mixed with the tiles to allow creative designs as well. Or simply use different colored gelcoat to match team colors.
Stark fiberglass bulkheads have become the preferred choice for replacing old stainless bulkheads. Many such bulkheads have been replaced that were less than seven years old. The City of Surrey, British Columbia removed two metal bulkheads that were less than six years old. The Govenor Mifflen Middle School in Reading, PA. replaced one metal bulkhead that was six years old. The Kamehameha School in Honolulu, Hawaii replaced their metal bulkhead. The City of Salinus, California replaced a metal bulkhead. The City of Cerritos, California replaced two six year old metal bulkheads. The University of California at Berkley, California replaced their bulkhead. Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri just replaced their bulkhead in August of 2000. T.J. Shelton the Assistant Athletic Director said "the difference in moving the Stark compared to the stainless is the difference between night and day". They love it. The City of Toronto replaced one at the Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre. The County of Las Alamos New Mexico replaced one due to liability claims after 11 years. IUPUI replaced two for structural and movement issues.
During a swim meet at the Eisenhower Pool on Long Island New York, a sectional bulkhead split and came a part while it was in use at a swim meet. At a pool in Nashville Tennessee, the lane line anchors broke during a nationally televised swim meet and the race had to be cancelled. At an international swim meet in Florida, a worlds record was set and when the pool was surveyed by the officials, it was discovered that the stainless steel bulkhead had such a significant side deflection that the worlds record was denied. Sectional bulkheads have proven that they have to maintain air in their chambers to keep from deflecting while swimmers are on them. This causes the bulkhead to have a trampoline effect.
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