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10 important rules for commercial water features.
  
When planning any installation the following should be observed.
1. Avoid trees
Falling leaves, insects and bird excrement pollute the water and can clog the suction filter in the pump circulation. Hence filtration will be required to keep the water clean and healthy. SOLUTION Surface skimmers recommended for areas prone to leaf fall
2. Avoid wind corridors
Unfavorable wind conditions destroy the desired water pattern and can blow the fountain's water out of the pool. The fountains should not be larger than their distance to the edge of the pool. SOLUTION We have a range of pumps which can auto adjust their height depending upon wind speed by using an anemometer and control panel
3. Water-saving pool depth
Because of water changing required to clean the pool/pond, and to avoid accidents, the water should only be as deep as required. SOLUTION We do offer a range of pondless water features to overcome this problem. Alternatively a galvanised steel or stainless steel safety grid can be supllied.. A minimum depth of 200mm is recommended
4. Use protective covering grates
Recessed areas in the pool that are required to house the technical equipment should be covered with grates if it is possible that the public enter.
5. Overflow outlet to the drainage system
For convenient emptying and cleaning of the pool it is imperative that an overflow outlet to the drainage system be provided. A bottom drain combined with an overflow is the optimal solution.
6. Fresh water feed
Particularly for public installations, a fresh water feed should be provided. This may be as simple as a standard ballcock arrangement or a depth probe attached to a solenoid valve. Depth probes are also known as level sensors. Level sensors should not be activated by splashing water or wind movement of water
7. Securing the power supply
Power supply lines should be laid through a cable protection conduit in the fountain pool. Allow separate switchable supplies for pumps, lights and filtration. Seperate RCD device should be used for water features.
8. Selecting the right pump
Fountain pumps are subjected to continuous demands and thus they must be specially developed and manufactured for their intended purpose. A pump that is designed for cyclical use, such as sump pump, may not be capable of running continuously. Very high water jets (over 10m) will usually require a three phase supply. Other pumps are designed for filtration, 24 hours use. Filtration pumps are capable of handling small solids (typically 8 to 12mm). We do not recommend pumps with sponge filters due to maintenance issues or sump pumps due to high running cost and short life span
9. Selecting the right electrical switch gear
The electrical switch gear must be suitable for the pumps and the lighting circuitry, and must be equipped with the particular protection and safety devices requisite for fountain systems. A 30mA rcd will be required and a minimum touch distance of 2 m is required. (Rockworld have a full time electrical engineer who is a full member of Engineers Ireland)
10. Safe wintering
The planning should include fixtures and preparation for safe wintering. Foremost in this regard is safe, frost-free storage of the pumps.(Rockworld supply several pumps which are frost proof to minus 20 degrees Celsius)
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