PRACTICAL ELEMENTARY FOUNTAIN DESIGN
With growing interest in the use of fountains for commercial and decorative purposes, it has become increasingly important that any person who has a responsibility for the selection, design and/or development of a fountain installation be familiar with the technical fundamentals that govern the basic design of this equipment. This knowledge is essential if proper assistance is to be given to architects, engineers and other clients. In addition, it will enable the fountain designer to transmit necessary information to the factory and expedite the handling of proposals and bids. It will also help materially in making an intelligent appraisal of competitive situations.
Fountains usually develop from one of the following reasons:
- A governmental activity, City, County, or State, where a program of beautification is undertaken in parks, reservoirs, lakes, civic centers or other construction such as traffic circles, malls, etc.
- Interactive playgrounds for public spaces, city parks, theme parks, retail and water parks to cool off, entertain and amuse children of all ages.
- Private grounds of commercial institutions such as manufacturing plants, distribution centers, etc., where the fountain serves a twofold purpose of landscaping and company identifications.
- Hospitals and rest homes where restful fountains and pools have a definite therapeutic effect.
- Cemeteries where subdued fountain patterns lend a quiet dignity.
- Motels, highway hotels and other roadside business establishments where the fountain serves as an advertising billboard.
- Private home gardens or courtyards - apartment houses.
- Many other specialized functions such as water treatment and cooling towers as a means of aesthetically using visual impact from the nozzles to achieve the effects from the use of the application.
DEVELOPMENT OF PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
A fountain transaction can be an experience for all parties involved or it can be one that generates a professional respect for the agent and manufacturer and satisfaction with the end product. It all depends upon how the details are handled and the time to build a sound relationship. Correct and complete initial information will avoid costly and aggravating problems.
DETERMINE FOUNTAIN BUDGET
Many times a designer considering a fountain has a mistaken idea of cost. Excluded and generally overlooked are the operating and the capital expenditure costs. It is therefore important to ascertain the general type of fountain the client has in mind and the amount of money that has been planned for this expenditure and whether this budget is absolute or is subject to revision. This enables design and engineering to intelligently develop the best possible fountain to fit the requirements of application and budget. To have an accurate understanding of this avoids needless "dry runs" and delays.
Many factors control the type of fountain best suited for a particular situation. If the area is large and the pool not limited in size, such as park, race track infield, reservoir or other locations of similar dimensions, and where the viewing points are somewhat remote, then a fountain using heavier spray effects and moving larger masses of water is to be preferred. You will be amazed how distance shrinks the size of a fountain. A fountain of inadequate size and substance is just as undesirable as one that is over sized.
If the pool size is restricted or is in a location where splash out would be objectionable, spray rings, for example, with an inside fall pattern would be desirable. A combination of two rings, one of smaller diameter and inside the other, and rising to a greater height, with or without a center jet, makes a very attractive fountain. Fountains must be designed to conform with their intended importance in the total landscape effect. Proper balance and proportion with surrounding backgrounds is important. Unless a fountain is intended to be the complete center of interest, it should compliment its environment, not overwhelm it. If the client has envisioned a lighted fountain with changing water patterns but there simply are not sufficient funds to provide all of these functions, it would be unwise to reduce the size of the fountain. Rather, it would be sensible procedure to build the basic fountain as planned and make provisions for the addition of the changing water patterns and lights (and light changing sequencing timer) at later dates when additional funds are available. All necessary future services can be stubbed in and capped at the time of initial construction. In extreme cases of austerity, if adequate pump capacity is provided, parts of pre-planned fountain water effects can be added in stages.
Georgia Fountain Company, Inc.™ provides two basic types of fountain services. The first fountain type is the custom fountain. In this area there is no limit to size and versatility. However, it should be borne in mind that a fountain is a mechanical and electrical device and rugged simplicity of the construction is commercially more desirable than some unorthodox creation where enthusiasm has out run sound judgment. This does not mean that the unusual is unsound, but it does mean that in all cases sound engineering practices should be followed. The custom type fountains use the latest technology and are built with more high-tech devices that will have an initial up front cost. Secondly, is the pre-engineered and pre-priced standard fountain kits. There is a wide selection available from these fountain kits. They have been designed as a result of an analysis of the records that reflect the type and size of fountains most commonly preferred. The fountain kits offers more fountain per dollar of investment than any other type because of the saving in engineering and drafting costs as well as assembly. These fountain kits range in price from approximately $200.00 to $10,000.00. More time is required to maintain water features that contain the fountain kits because no filtration is included.
It is helpful for the designer to have a working knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the fountain operation. Take the time to study this discussion of fountain components and how they perform. The general rule of thumb in designing the overall pool size is for every vertical foot of spray there is, there will need to be the same foot distance required horizontally from the jet to the nearest wall in order to contain splash.
JET AND SPRAY NOZZLE CHARACTERISTICS
Fountains are like any other piece of precision equipment. If professional results are to be expected, professional equipment of specific characteristics built by an experienced manufacturer should be insisted upon.
All of the materials and components that go into the construction of a fountain are designed to do one thing, deliver the proper amount of water at the necessary head pressure to the jets. If the jets are not of correct design, then all that has gone into the supporting equipment is wasted and the quality of the effect is ruined.
The term jet is often used in place of "nozzle" but the meaning is the same. The mouth or opening through which the water is emitted is known as an "orifice". The characteristics of jets vary with their design.
The charts in the fountain catalog provide data on each size jet and from this information it can be determined the proper jet best suited for a particular requirement. It will be noted that the chart not only shows the required GPM (gallons per minute) but also the amount of head pressure in feet to raise the stream of water a given distance. The head pressure is shown to be higher than the stream height. A rule of thumb equation for smooth bore jets (nozzles) is; up to 140-150 feet of stream height, the head pressure required to lift the stream is 1.22 times the stream height desired. Above that height, other factors enter into the equation and such problems should be referred to the factory.
There are two different types of jets, water level dependent and water level independent. The water level dependent jet requires that the water level be constant at all time with relationship to the jet. Changing water level, even less than 1/2", will create a different water effect from the originated jet. More water over the nozzle will reduce the overall spray height creating a mound effect of water while less water over the jet will create a higher, thinner stream of water. The water level independent jet can be mounted anywhere with respect to the water level so as the top of the jet is not covered with water. The water level can drop well below the jet without changing the spray effect.
IMPORTANT - Be certain that your customers and clients are cautioned against using home made jets or nozzles not specifically designed for fountain work. If there is any savings (which we doubt) it is false economy and will result in an inferior fountain.
WAVE BREAKERS AND SURGE BAFFLES
Careful design is needed when a single water level dependent jet, cascade or foam jet, is placed in the middle of a circular or small square pools. The result will be that of harmonic wave action created by the jet and intensifying over time. This wave action will cause the jet to "dance" uncontrollably. Another effect from the wave is that of water splashing up and out of the pool causing other potential problems. The wave breaker is a manufactured device that is placed in the water over the spray head. The sides of the wave breaker are usually fabricated to be 2" higher than the operating water level. The turbulence from the jet is kept inside the wave breaker causing the water to flow atmospherically out from underneath the openings in the side. The rough turbulent water is able to calm down as it enters the main pool.
FOUNTAIN PUMPS
Pumps, such as are generally used in fountains, fall into two classifications: Dry and submersible (either single or multiple stage turbines). The general purpose of a dry centrifugal pump is located in a cool dry pit or vault as near to the fountain pool as possible. The suction entrance to the pump must be below the minimum water level of the pool unless some other means of priming the pump is provided. The pumping system is usually isolated from the pool by means of isolation valves (normally a gate valve in the suction line and a ball valve in the discharge line). These serve as barriers to prevent the back flow of water should it be necessary to remove the pumps. When in operation, the suction valve should be fully open. Flow regulation is accomplished through adjustment of the ball or butterfly valve in the discharge line.
The submersible pump is built with a waterproof motor housing and is mounted underwater and connected directly to the fountain through a ball or other regulating valve. The power cord is fed into an underwater junction box through a brass cord seal. While the submersible pump system is initially less expensive then a dry system, a great share of the added cost is offset by lower pool construction and installation costs. The long range costs may exceed the dry system due to the fact that additional periodic maintenance will be required on the fountain kit systems since no filter units are designed. If the submersible pump every needs to be serviced, then the pool or pond must then be drained.
Certain classes of motors require motor starters and they are not normally furnished by motor manufacturers nor are they included in pricing of motors. Starters are available in several types and characteristics and care should be taken to be certain that the proper starter is specified.
ACCESSORIES
The more sophisticated fountains employ supplemental pieces of equipment designed to facilitate the control and maintenance of the fountain environment. Chiefly among these items are water make-up systems, filter systems and wind control units, to name a few.
WATER FILL MAKE-UP SYSTEMS
The water make-up system is either an electrically controlled sensing unit that activates an automatic solenoid valve when the water level drops to a predetermined point or a mechanical float valve, housed in either a niche or exposed in the pool wall. GEFCO's™ electrically controlled water level unit is the #EE115-Series model and is used in conjunction with an appropriately sized automatic valve.
FILTRATION SYSTEMS
Filters are usually of the diatomaceous earth or sand type. The "Hi-Rate Sand Filter" has been quite popular in the past. More recently, the Cartridge Filter is becoming more popular and provides an excellent filter medium. Many designers incorporate provisions for vacuuming the pool as a part of the filter system. Vacuum cleaner outlet fittings with connecting lines can be installed at the time the fountain pool is built. Other accessories, such as "Eyeball Inlet Fitting", to direct the flow of recirculated filtered water, and "Skimmers", to skim off surface floating debris, are all a part of the filtering system.
It is normally good practice to use the filter pump to operate the fountain effects. Very seldom does the required pumping characteristics of the fountain match that of the filter. Further, if there is an attempt to run the filter and fountain simultaneously from the same pump, the fountain effects will not be constant for the reason that as debris accumulates in the filter, the head pressure and flow characteristics change. In a few cases where the pump requirements are approximately the same, a by-pass valve can be used to divert the flow to the fountain instead of through the filter. However, the saving in the cost of the additional pump is hardly worth it and it is not recommended.
WIND CONTROL UNITS
These units are either single stage or two state and are employed to control the modification of the fountain effects under adverse wind conditions. They consist of an anemometer, or wind cups, which is responsive to wind velocity. The rotating cups drive a miniature generator that feeds the current to a remote electronic control unit. The wind monitor is a sophisticated device the reads the wind speed. When a pre-set velocity is reached, the wind monitor will activate an intermediate relay and turn off the pump motor. Once the wind subsides below the pre-set point, the pump motor will be activated. The wind monitor may also work directly with an automatic solenoid valve that will reduce the fountain spray effect to a low height during period of excessive breezes. The two stage wind unit, functions in the same manner except that stage one reduces the fountain effect through automatic valves during periods of intermediate wind conditions and during excessive wind turns the pump off completely. In reverse, as the wind subsides, the fountain returns to normal operation.
FOUNTAIN LIGHTING
There are very few unlighted fountains being installed today. As attractive as a fountains may be during daylight hours, it is immeasurably more beautiful at night with multi-hued lights playing upon it. A few things to remember. You can rarely over light a fountain and under lighting one can completely ruin its potential beauty. Lights with clear lenses when operating in conjunction with colored lenses tend to "wash" out the color. Colored lenses have different light transmission values and for balanced brilliancy this must be taken into consideration. Relative light transmission values are approximately as follows: White (Clear - 100%; Amber - 50%; Green - 25%; Red - 15%; Blue - 15%. Different shades of these basic colors will, or course, affect these percentages.
It is obviously impossible to treat this subject in great depth and detail in such a limited space, but it is hoped that this brief outline will give you the basic working knowledge that will make you feel comfortable when discussing the subject.
Final engineering and design should be referred to the engineers at the factory for their evaluation.
SAFETY WARNING
Electrical equipment installed in the proximity of people and water can cause fatal electrical shock when not installed properly. All electrical equipment supplied by Georgia Fountain Company, Inc.™ must be installed in accordance with the National Electric Code standards by qualified electrical contractors. This equipment must be maintained regularly after installation to prevent accidents.
PARTICIPATORY ORNAMENTAL (INTERACTIVE) FOUNTAINS
Georgia Fountain Company is the leader in designing participatory (or interactive) fountains and provides the following information to support and guide any design ideas that designers may have.
When considering an interactive fountain one must ask and answer the following questions.
a) What is the purpose of the interactive fountain?
This question requires careful scrutiny. Is this fountain being designed to be a focal point to entice the viewer to stop, enjoy, relax and if so inclined to spontaneously participate in this ornamental fountain or is this fountain being designed to be a focal point and to invite the general public to actively participate? Is this fountain being designed to be a children’s play area? Will there be an exposed pool (not a reservoir)? Will it be a plaza type environment? The answers to these questions, in a way, dictate the direction of answers to all the other questions. One will understand that more clearly that the most influential decision will be the application of local health codes.
b) What environment must the fountain have?
Regardless of the above answers the environment this fountain must have is the expectation, the planning and execution of an area that is designed to be wet at all operating times. It is best to have a defined perimeter. The perimeter shall be dished toward the center of the fountain. The area beginning at the perimeter away from the fountain shall be down and away.
c) What are the fountain surroundings going to be?
First the fountain area has to be defined. The defined area shall be that area around the fountain that is expected to be wet at all times and the fountain water of which must remain in the fountain area.
For the express purpose of helping the system in its health environment issues it is prudent to consider eliminating ALL planter designs and plant materials in a well defined area well away from the fountain. It would not do to have a planter right next to the fountain where people will be in and out of the fountain and trampling the plants, carrying with them plant material back in to the fountain.
If the fountain is outdoors it is also extremely important to design the fountain surface area elevation to have rain water flow AWAY from the fountain along with a trench drain system around the fountain area.
d) What type of system will be used?
The type of system that should be chosen is on of two:
1) Potable water system.
An interactive system that is to be designed using potable water only is simple. But it is also limited to small nozzles and short spray heights and fine sprays due to the quantity of water needed. It requires no body, reservoir of pool of water. It requires no pumps, filters or chemicals. It requires little maintenance. It will however waste good water coming from a potable water system typically city water. The amount of water is determined by the flow rate for the nozzle designed and the duration time of the presentation of those nozzles during normal operating times.
For instance:
One nozzle operating for 10 seconds one time per minute for 8 hours of operating time per day.
If that nozzle requires a flow rate of 3 GPM (gallons per minute) for the given height and the nozzle is turned on for 10 seconds at a time and only one time per minute then the water going to waste (or carried of by people) will be (3GPM :6 = 0.5 gallon per minute (x 60 minutes x 8 hours) will be 240 gallons per day.
If the system has a total of 10 nozzles and each nozzle presented only once every 2 minutes for 10 seconds the waste would be (10x6 /6 x30 x 8 hours) 1200 gallons per day. Many folks might consider this a waste. Weigh the costs of wasted water versus the costs of re-circulation, chemicals and maintenance to make that choice.
Systems configurations normally consist of a control manifold, hydro static tank, nozzles and an electric control panel to operate the low voltage control valves.
2) Re-circulating systems.
Typical designs include a reservoir of some type, either directly under the fountain plaza or in a separate tank/ reservoir. The re-circ system gets its water from there and returns the water trough the controls to the spray nozzles. The systems will also feature complete NSF approved materials including filters, chemical monitors and chemical control systems along with electrical controls and lighting controls.
e) What health codes apply to an interactive fountain?
This is at present a complicated question to answer and requires the input of City/ Local Health Authorities. Most states
DO NOT HAVE CODES FOR INTERACTIVE FOUNTAINS yet. Debates are ongoing daily about what classification to put participatory fountains in. Some officials, absent a specific code for fountains will just classify them under swimming pool codes, specifically wading pools, not for the pool depth but for its activity or maybe both. It requires upfront understanding by Health Officials that this is not a swimming pool or wading pool but an interactive fountain and application for and approved variances should be made in advance of a project to help the officials in the closeout of the project.
REMEMBER to get a permit not only from the Building Inspection Dept.
BUT ALSO FROM the local Health Inspection Dept.
BEFORE you build the project.
Almost all states have codes pertaining to public swimming pools and wading pools and as of this writing we know of only 3 states that are making attempts to write codes not only for "interactive fountains" but also "Children’s Play grounds" (such as "Water World", "Six Flags" to name a few and other water concentrated activity areas).
We believe that many portions of all local swimming pool codes do not apply to "interactive fountains". Portions of that code for instance are the requirement for a fence. A fence (in the swimming pool code) is in the code to prevent accidental drowning in pools that are unattended. In an interactive fountain
WHICH HAS NO "POOL" there is
NO WATER for anyone
TO DROWN IN. Diving boards, access ladders etc. all fall be the way side too.
f) What additional code issues require equipment other than fountain materials?
What is a requirement however are ALL items that relate to water quality control and automatic chemical control systems, filters, a possible shower and foot wash station (debatable) and a public rest room close by is a good idea.
Careful attention to other hidden non-common sense items (in the SWIMMING POOL CODE) such as 7 ft head room requirement inside equipment rooms and 3 foot clearance around every piece of equipment in that room have to paid due respect. We believe that equipment rooms for swimming pool systems are different then for fountains. Swimming pool equipment rooms are often used as chemical storage areas and have a great number of chemicals not required for fountains. Fountains require less chemicals and generally have pressurized chemical tanks and pressurized ventilation for the rooms and safety issues should not be governed by how high a rooms ceiling is.
g) What utilities are required?
Utilities required are water supply, drain to storm or sanitary (depending on local codes), power sufficient to drive the systems. Typical design guidelines are: being able to drain, clean and refill a system in an 8 hour workday. Typical designs are: 1 ea. min. 1" or 1-1/2" potable water supply, 1 ea. 4" sanitary or storm drain system for the pumping system and area storm drains designed based on the fountain trench drain system. Power shall be 120/240 single phase or 120/208V 3-phase per NEC SEC.680.
h) What system requirements are there?
System requirements are determined on the design of the fountain and can be quite extensive.
First establish a performance specification. I want this many nozzles to go this many feet high. I want this type of spray. I want this many nozzles to be individually controlled and this group of jet controlled as one. I want lights at each jet I want the lights on all time during night hours or I want each light at each jet to come on with the jet only.
Remember to allow the fountain area design to match the systems requirements, i.e. if I want the jet that is located 5 feet from the perimeter of the fountain area to spray 20 feet high is not a good idea.
i) What safety issues require attention?
Some major safety issues to remember are:
- Public safety.
Allow small sprays on the outside of your fountain area to allow toddlers to
participate, they might be afraid of the taller sprays in center. This will also allow
moms to get to their toddlers quickly.
- Emergency shut-off.
Make sure you locate an emergency cut-off switch near the fountain to allow
to unimpeded help to a person requiring medical attention in the fountain area.
- ADA compliance.
Careful attention to surface design, accessibility and area definition for compliance
to ADA requirements shall not be forgotten.
j) What mandatory maintenance requirements are there?
Daily water quality control, area cleanup, systems review, clean basket strainers, clean filter elements as required.
k) Does the owner understand the operating requirements & costs?
It is one thing to make an allowance in the construction costs of a fountain project as a capital expenditure item. It is an entirely different item to make sure the owner allows a fountain maintenance budget line item in his/her operating costs budget. It is imperative for the designer to make the owner aware of this one single solitary item.
If you need help with the design, budgeting, systems supply or construction with your participatory (or interactive) -, musical show- or other architectural fountain please contact us at (800) 522-3297 or e-mail us at: info@georgiafountain.com. Please visit our website http://www.georgiafountain.com for additional catalog information and photos for ideas.
MUSICAL ORNAMENTAL (SHOW) FOUNTAINS
Georgia Fountain Company is a leader in designing musical (or show) fountains and provides the following information to support and guide any design ideas that designers may have.
When considering a musical/ show fountain one must ask and answer at least the following questions.
a) What is the purpose of the musical fountain?
This question requires careful scrutiny. Is this fountain being designed to be a focal point to entice the viewer to stop, listen and enjoy, relax. Is an element desired if so inclined to spontaneously participate in this ornamental fountain or is this fountain being designed to be a focal point and to invite the general public to actively participate or just watch? Is this fountain being designed to be a children’s play area? Will there be an exposed pool (not a reservoir)? Will it be a plaza type environment? The answers to these questions, in a way, dictate the direction of answers to all the other questions. One will understand that more clearly that the most influential decision will be the application of local health codes.
b) What environment must the fountain have?
Regardless of the above answers the environment this fountain must have is the expectation, the planning and execution of an area that is designed to be wet at all operating times. It is best to have a defined perimeter. If the system is a dry system and not a pool then the perimeter shall be dished toward the center of the fountain. The area beginning at the perimeter away from the fountain shall be down and away.
c) What are the fountain surroundings going to be?
First the fountain area has to be defined. The defined area shall be that area around the fountain that is expected to be wet at all times and the fountain water of which must remain in the fountain area.
For the express purpose of helping the system in its health environment issues it is prudent to consider eliminating ALL planter designs and plant materials in a well defined area well away from the fountain. It would not do to have a planter right next to the fountain if the fountain uses a treated water system. Plants do not do well being sprayed with treated water. In an interactive musical fountain where people will be in and out of the fountain and trampling the plants, carrying with them plant material back in to the fountain will burden the system with high maintenance and large down times.
If the fountain is outdoors it is also extremely important to design the fountain surface area elevation to have rain water flow AWAY from the fountain along with a trench drain system around the fountain area.
d) What type of system will be used?
To distinguish what the viewer will see depends on the concept of fast moving visual images or slow moving (flowing) pictures. Also to be taken into consideration is the choreography demands on the issue as well as the level of repeated performance of the water. This really comes to view when the system will in later time require maintenance and may not perform to the same level as once set. Therefore it is important to keep the water moving, to the beat of the music and NOT to give the viewer a chance to sit there and study the long paused pictures or the repeated same motion segments.
The two types of systems to chose from:
1) Digital control system
A system that is to be designed using digital controls basically takes a given number of jets and turns them on and off on rapid sequence to the beat of the music and in the presentation as desired by the choreographer. Digital control gives the programmer the speed and flexibility he needs to control the show as commanded. Digital control jets can be turned on and of in a sequence at a speed as low as 2/10 of one second.
Systems configurations normally consist of pumping systems, electronic motor controls, control manifold, hydro static tank(s), nozzles and electric control valves, lighting, control panel, filtration, show control system and sound system.
2) Analog control system.
A system designed on the principal of analog control is a very pretty but relatively slow system. The efforts for choreography are easily triple that of a digital system because now not only must each jet be addressed but also it height and the speed at which it will reach that desired height.
The calibration of the any given jet can be tedious and time consuming. Depending on the number of jets being controlled this can a full time maintenance job.
Systems configurations normally consist of pumping systems, air systems (for analog control), electronic motor controls, control manifold, hydro static tank(s), nozzles and electronic commanded pneumatic control valves, lighting, control panel, filtration, show control system and sound system.
e) What type of sound system will be used?
Georgia Fountain uses the latest in digital technologies with a system designed originally for animated figures at large and smaller attraction parks. It has a capability of controlling up to 1056 individual digital items such as a combination of jets and lights. It does so while still providing musical show durations of up 30 minutes of MP3 type stored music data along with pre-amplified stereo output. As for the sound system itself this is designed based on the viewer area, criteria and density.
f) What type of control system will be used?
The control system is a real-time data stream system controlling digital or analog outputs (at an 8-bit resolution) Programming can done using lap top computers for smaller shows and programming consoles (rented ones if need be) and a lap top computer for larger systems. Once the programming is complete the shows are stored directly in the control system which is looked upon by Windows Explorer as another external drive (F:\) .
g) What health codes apply to an interactive musical show fountains?
This is at present a complicated question to answer and requires the input of City/ Local Health Authorities. Most states DO NOT HAVE CODES FOR INTERACTIVE FOUNTAINS yet. Debates are ongoing daily about what classification to put participatory fountains in. Some officials, absent a specific code for fountains will just classify them under swimming pool codes, specifically wading pools, not for the pool depth but for its activity or maybe both. It requires upfront understanding by Health Officials that this is not a swimming pool or wading pool but an interactive fountain and application for and approved variances should be made in advance of a project to help the officials in the closeout of the project.
REMEMBER to get a permit not only from the Building Inspection Dept. BUT ALSO FROM the local Health Inspection Dept. BEFORE you build the project.
Almost all states have codes pertaining to public swimming pools and wading pools and as of this writing we know of only 3 states that are making attempts to write codes not only for "interactive fountains" but also "Children’s Play grounds" (such as "Water World", "Six Flags" to name a few and other water concentrated activity areas).
We believe that many portions of all local swimming pool codes do not apply to "interactive" "musical" or "show" fountains". Portions of that code for instance are the requirement for a fence. A fence (in the swimming pool code) is in the code to prevent accidental drowning in pools that are unattended. In an interactive fountain WHICH HAS NO "POOL" there is NO WATER for anyone TO DROWN IN. Diving boards, access ladders etc. all fall be the way side too.
h) What additional code issues require equipment other than fountain materials?
What is a requirement however are ALL items that relate to water quality control and automatic chemical control systems, filters, a possible shower and foot wash station (debatable) and a public rest room close by is a good idea for musical show fountains in which the public is invited and encouraged to participate in.
Careful attention to other hidden non-common sense items (in the SWIMMING POOL CODE) such as 7 ft head room requirement inside equipment rooms and 3 foot clearance around every piece of equipment in that room have to paid due respect. We believe that equipment rooms for swimming pool systems are different then for fountains. Swimming pool equipment rooms are often used as chemical storage areas and have a great number of chemicals not required for fountains. Fountains require less chemicals and generally have pressurized chemical tanks and pressurized ventilation for the rooms and safety issues should not be governed by how high a rooms ceiling is.
i) What utilities are required?
Utilities required are water supply, drain to storm or sanitary (depending on local codes), power sufficient to drive the systems. Typical design guidelines are: being able to drain, clean and refill a system in an 8 hour workday. Typical designs are: 1 ea. min. 1" or 1-1/2" potable water supply, 1 ea. 4" sanitary or storm drain system for the pumping system and area storm drains designed based on the fountain trench drain system. Power shall be 120/240 single phase, 120/208V 3-phase or 460V 3phase per NEC SEC.680.
j) What system requirements are there?
System requirements are determined on the design of the fountain and can be quite extensive.
First establish a performance specification. I want this many nozzles to go this many feet high. I want this type of spray. I want this many nozzles to be individually controlled and this group of jet controlled as one. I want x-number of lights (colored?) at each jet. I want the lights on all time during night hours or I want each light at each jet to come on with the jet only. Remember to allow the fountain area design to match the systems requirements, i.e. if I want the jet that is located 5 feet from the perimeter of the fountain area to spray 20 feet high – that is not a good idea.
k)What safety issues require attention?
Some major safety issues to remember are:
- Public safety:
Allow small sprays on the outside of your fountain area to allow toddlers to participate, they might be afraid of the taller sprays in center. This will also allow moms to get to their toddlers quickly.
- Emergency shut-off:
Make sure you locate an emergency cut-off switch near the fountain to allow to unimpeded help to a person requiring medical attention in the fountain area.
- ADA compliance:
Careful attention to surface design, accessibility and area definition for compliance to ADA requirements shall not be forgotten.
l) What mandatory maintenance requirements are there?
Daily water quality control, area cleanup, systems review, clean basket strainers, clean filter elements as required.
m) Does the owner understand the operating requirements & costs?
It is one thing to make an allowance in the construction costs of a fountain project as a capital expenditure item. It is an entirely different item to make sure the owner allows a fountain maintenance budget line item in his/her operating costs budget. It is imperative for the designer to make the owner aware of this one single solitary item.
If you need help with the design, budgeting, systems supply or construction with your musical show -, interactive or other architectural fountain please contact us at (800) 522-3297 or e-mail us at:
info@georgiafountain.com. Please visit our website
http://www.georgiafountain.com for additional catalog information and photos for ideas.
PRACTICAL ELEMENTARY FOUNTAIN DESIGN 
Elementary Fountain Design Info
