Fountain Structure Designs & Structural Variations

Fountain Structure Designs & Structural Variations

This section deals with the most frequent and important variations of the fountain structure. It does not lay claim to completeness or degree of urgency. It's intention rather is to illustrate various methods of achieving the objective so that the most suitable for the respective case can be selected. The illustrations are for the purpose of guidance only. In view of the complexities of design and construction of water retaining structures, this is best left to the experts. Only they can provide the data and design advices regarding foundations, reinforcement, weathering qualities, frost resistance, material selection etc. The planning of fountain hydraulics and engineering belongs In the hands of the experts and should be left to those who have been trained specifically on fountain and water display design. Incorrect dimensioning for and of the components, conduits, cables etc often have serious consequences which cannot always be corrected later. Thus, for example, selecting the correct pumps and pipework has a direct influence on the subsequent energy costs. Sensible dimensioning of the fountain basins and water reservoirs has a considerable influence on the regularity and recurring costs of water changing. If this chapter can contribute to the thinking process" and help to eliminate design errors, then we will have achieved our objective.

Above: Most simple type of fountain unit by means of a submersible motor-driven pump. Advantages: Little expenditure. Low costs Disadvantages:

Relatively large basin depth.

Hazard for small children.

High water changing costs.

High cleaning expenditure since nodrainage.

Engineering fully visible Ungraceful appearance.

Risk of accidents since cable and pump directly accessible.

Option: Overflow/drain fitting, freshwater supply fitting, cable inlet fitting, underwater lighting, electrical controls, water level control equipment

Above: Better appointed type of fountaln unIt by means of a submersible motor-driven pump Advantages: Low water depth at the perimeter.

Low water volume.

System under grate cover.

No risk of accidents.

More graceful appearance.

Well-appointed dueto built-in fittings for drainage, overflow and cable entry.

Disadvantage: High expenditure for basin, fittings and leads

Option: Freshwater supply fitting, underwater lighting, electrical controls, electronic waterlevel control equipment.

Above: Most simple type of fountain unit with dry-mounted centrifugal pump Advantages:

Relatively little expenditure.

Relatively low costs, since appointed fittings not used.

No pump dismantling for winter.

Disadvantages:

Relatively large water depth Hazard for small children.

High water changing costs.

High cleaning expenditure since no drainage.

System partly visible.

Ungraceful appearance.

Option:Overflow/drain fitting, fresh water supply fitting, underwater lighting, electrical junction box, electrical controls, electronic water-level control equipment.

Above: Better appointed fountain pump with dry-mounted centrifugal pump.Advantages: Low water depth at perimeter.

Low water volume.

System under grate control.

No risk of accidents.

More graceful appearance.

Well-appointed due to built-in fittings for overflow and drainage.

Pump protected in pump chamber.

Disadvantages: Higher expenditure for basin, pump chamber, fittings and leads.

Option:Fresh water supply fitting, underwater lighting, electrical junction boxes, electrical controls, electronic water level control equipment.

Above: Fountain unit with underground water reservoir as open system. Indispensable for units without a basin water surface.Advantages: System arranged largely covered.

Large dirt absorption capacity due to the large collecting screen.

Little algae formation, since water temperature is lower.

Disadvantages: Higher expenditure for basin, water reservoir, fittings and leads.Slightly higher energy costs do to increased pump size.

Option:Fresh water supply fitting, underwater lighting, electrical junction boxes, electrical controls, electronic water level control equipment.

Above: Fountain unit with free standing water reservoir as a completely ready or pre fabricated unit with dry pump and all fittings. Advantages: Little site expenditure since it's a pre fabricated unit .

Easily maintained.

Large debris screen.

Disadvantages: Higher expenditure for basin, water reservoir, fittings and leads.Slightly higher energy costs do to increased pump size.

Option:Fresh water supply fitting, underwater lighting, electrical junction boxes, electrical controls, electronic water level control equipment.

Technology of Fountain StructureConstruction Principles and Structural Components

The construction principles of fountain technology arise from the desired objective. It always involves putting water into motion in order to produce a beautiful, eye-catching water pattern. To achieve this, adequate quantities of water must first be available. In the ideal case, a natural water reservoir in the form of a pond or lake will be available, Usually, however, a water reservoir must be constructed artificially and be filled from public water supply. Larger basins are mostly of concrete or brick, but there are also ready made basins of considerable size made from fiberglass or similar synthetics. Lakes and ponds are mostly modelled as more or less deep hollows in the ground and sealed with a membrane of bitumen or clay Once the matter of the water reservoir is settled, there is the question of the movement of the water and the water display The water movement can consist of a single, hardly perceptible, flow of waterflowing water in the form of a stream, a spring, a mult-jet fountain, a transparent water bell, a powerful high fountain, or a rushing waterfall. Under the heading 'Typology" the basic variants are described in detail. If the designer has decided on a certain water pattern and therefore on a certain nozzle or nozzle combination, the selection of the "driving force" the fountain pump, then follows. The simplest solution is to use a submersible motor pump directly in the basin. The most important criteria for selecting the pump Is its power and efficiency - How much water can it force-over? What period at which height? - Its corrosion resistance and endurance characteristics, With these three main elements - the water reservoir, the fountain attachment and pump - a fully serviceable fountain installation can be provided. It is important with any fountain installation that these three main elements have an appropriate and harmonious relationship to each other. The size and form of the water pattern should be adapted to the shape and size of the basin. The fountain attachment ultimately selected determines the necessary water and pressure requirements. The pump selected results from the two requirements last mentioned. All other components of a fountain installation should enhance its appearance, simplify its operation and maintenance, and automate certain sequences.

Fountain Components (submersible pump)

1 - BasinLarger fountains and water displays, massive basins of concrete and stone should only be considered after due consultation with the fountain engineer, He can give important advice on the proportions and dimensions and design requirements. For example, the maximum achievable height of any water jet shall not exceed the shortest distance of that jet's base from the nearest edge of the basin. The basin depth or water depth shall be the minimum practical to reduce water usage and cleaning the basin and for prevention of accidents. The required equipment will need to be accommodated at an appropriate depth, preferably in a formed sump which must be covered with gratings. The anticipated equipment system must be taken into account at the planning and design stages.

2 - Pump ChamberIf the pump is to be dry mounted, a separate pump chamber is necessary. Since normal suction pumps are usually used, installation below the basin water level is advisable, it is therefore often necessary to build the pump chamber into the ground, Cellars if suitable, can also be used to house the pump equipment.

3 - Fountain and Nozzle Attachment The fountain fitting models the water to create definite shapes and movements. Sculptures and simple spouts are also included in this group.

4 - Fountain PumpThe fountain pump is the driving force at the heart of the fountain unit. The pump type must be suited to the intended use (wet or dry mounting). The pumping capacity results from the water and pressure consumption of the fountain attachment used, less the friction losses of the pipe work and water distributor.

5 - Suction Filter The suction filter mounted at the inlet of the suction pipe prevents the ingress of dirt in to the pump - nozzle circulation system. To achieve sufficiently long cycles (interval between cleanings), the suction filter should have an appropriately large filter area. Several suction filters can also be connected in parallel,There are suction filters for different nominal bores with corresponding filter areas.6 - Basin Base Inlet The base inlet is for the water tight entry of suction and pressure pipes through the basin base. It is made from highly corrosion - resistant material, such as stainless steel or bronze, It should be firmly cast in concrete with its concrete seal flange.

7 - Suction Pipe

The suction pipe serves the dry-mounted centrifugal pump for the suction of the water out of the fountain basin or water reservoir. lt should be adequately dirnensioned in accordance with the volumetric delivery of the pump. The flow speed in the suction pipe should not exceed 6 ft/sec.

8 - Wall Inlet

In principle the wall inlet fulfils the same function as the basin base inlet. Since there is no water pressure as with pump chamber or cellar wall inlets, the demands are of course not so high. Plastic inlets are often sufficient in this instance.

9 - Shutdown / RegulatlngFrom the point of view of construction, the shutdown and regulating valves are generally the same. Fitted in the pressure pipe they serve for throttling the water volume or the fountain height if the pump is dismantled, they shut off the suction and pressure pipe and so make unnecessary a complete emptying of the basin and system Suction pipe valves should always remain fully open when the unit is operating.

10 - Pressure PipeThe pressure pipe serves for transporting the water delivered from the pump to an outlet, fountain attachment or nozzle combination. It should be adequately dimensioned in accordance with the volumetric delivery of the pump, The flow speed of 10 ft/sec. should not be exceeded.

11 - Water DistributorIn principle the water distributer divides the flow delivered from the pressure pipe into several partial flows The volume of the water distributor should not be designed too small, Regulating valves can be provided at the outlets of the water distributor to enable different large partial flows or fountain heights to be adjusted.

Fountain Components (dry pump)

12 - Overflow / Drain FittIngThe overflow / drain fitting is a type of stand-pipe valve, With the stand pipe inserted it allows excess basin water (rainwater) to exit through the overflow crown into the drain. The basin is emptied when the stand pipe is removed The overflow / drain fitting is the best value solution for achieving overflow and drainage.

13 - Floor Drain with Dirt ScreenThe floor drain, combined with a drain valve, serves for draining the basin, It is frequently used with a wall-mounted combined fitting. The screwed on dirt screen prevents coarse debris getting into the drain pipe.

14 - Overflow Wall-Mounted Combination FittingThe overflow wall-mounted combination fitting is concreted into the vertical wall of fountain basins. It serves for carrying away the rainwater, for filling and refilling, with freshwater, and for mounting a water-level sensor.

15 - Freshwater Inlet FittingThe fresh water inlet fitting for concreting into the base of fountain basins, serves for feeding and refilling fresh water. This should be sized to suit prevailing water regulations.

16 - Overflow / Drain PipeThe overflow / drain pipe, combined with the overflow / drain fitting, serves for carrying away overflow and rain water to the channel.

17 - Overflow PipeThe overflow pipe, combined with the wall mounted combination fitting, serves for carrying away the overflow water (rainwater) to the channel.

18 - Drain PipeThe drain pipe, combined with the floor drain and the drain valve, serves for carrying away the basin water during the draining.

19 - Fresh water Inlet PipeThe freshwater inlet pipe, combined with the freshwater inlet fitting or the overflow wall mounted combination fitting, serves for filling the basin and for refilling the evaporated water In public installations, refilling the evaporated water is usually ensured via an automatic electronic water-Ievel monitoring device.20 - Solenoid ValveThe solenoid valve is controlled by the electronic water-level monitoring device and in its open state serves for refilling the fountain.

21 - Cable Entry FittingThe cable entry fitting for concreting into the basin base or basin wall of fountain basins etc. at the end of the cable duct. It serves for the watertight insertion of electrical rubber cables.

22 - Cable Duct / ConduitThe cable duct / conduit prevents mechanical damage to the cable. Combined with the cable entry fitting. It allows easy insertion and changing of electrical rubber-sheathed cables for the electrical supply to the electric components.

23 - Underwater Cable Terminal ConnectorThe underwater cable terminal connector is the connection and separative element in the electrical supply line, It allows easy connection and disconnection from the electric components.

24 - Cable Protective Rail

The cable protective rail serves for safe and proper laying of the electrical leads in the basin.

25 - Underwater LightsBy using underwater lights it is guaranteed that fountain installations are shown to good effect in the evening and night-time hours also-often more effective than during the day. Additional effects can be produced with color filters and color animation.

26 - Electrical Controls and SwitchesThe electrical controls and switch gear is the switching and control centre of the fountain installation. It contains all components necessary for electrical safety, protection of persons, for equipment protection and for the automatic switching on and off of the pump and the illumination.

27 - Cover Grate The cover grate serves for covering the cavity required for accommodating the submersed equipment. It also prevents direct contact with the electrically operated equipment.

Waterfall Designs & Installations

A curtain of water tumbling down to form a waterfall can have varying widths and heights, As the thickness of the water film depends on these two factors, so will the quantity of water that the pump is required to circulate. Water is pumped by a concealed unit from a lower basin, through one or more pressure lines, into a trough with a shaped overflow, the width and height of which determine the pattern of the waterfall. Most arrangements require an adjustable lip at the beginning of the overflow and a "weir" edge on the other side, With wide waterfalls, the lip should be adjusted perfectly level to prevent the water film from breaking up It is also important that leaves and dirt do not collect on either the "fall-away" or lip, This can be prevented by a cover, Arrangements frequently combine fountains with waterfalls, with a succession of basins placed on intermediate pedestals one above the other and getting smaller in diameter as they get higher. Water, fed into the top basin, flows in steps down to the lower, larger basins, resulting in a neatly proportioned display of constant water curtains.

Important: Trough should be adequately dimensioned.

Lip and weir edge should be kept clean.

Avoid sitting under trees (leaves and twigs).

Try to protect from wind.

Streams and Watercourse Installations

Watercourse installations are usually copies from Nature, but are also, sometimes quite consciously conceived as, concrete stepped installations. The principle is always that water has to flow from a source at a higher level over a more or less long and winding water course - to a lake. pool or water basin. An important aspect in this. is the enrichment of the water with oxygen. The widths of the watercourse can vary considerably - at its widest points a uniformly thin film water flow should be provided. The result is that, at the narrowest points of the watercourse, thicker sheets of water form and the side edges must be shaped deeper, In addition to the watercourse width, the geodetic delivery head(difference in height between the lower water level and the upper supply point of the source) is of decisive importance for the design of the pump. The pump forces the water from the lower water reservoir through a pressure pipe to the upper source. The supply can take place almost imperceptibly as a still source or bubbling vigorously by means of foam-effect nozzles.

Important: For optimum circulation. water suction point in the lower reservoir should be arranged to face inlet from stream. .

Edges should be built up along narrow sections of the stream. .

Ensure pump is correctly sized.

Royal Fountains can provide you with more traditional fountain components to technologically advanced nozzles that can be programmed to excite your sences. You can count on Royal Fountains high-quality products to provide you with years of service. We can also help you select the optimum nozzle effect to suit your application.Don't see it here? We also have custom components available to fulfill any water feature vision!Have a look through our traditional nozzle effects by type:

Foaming Streaming Fanning Simple Interactive

Commercial Fountain Nozzles

General Information on our Nozzles:

Water Level Dependencies:

Throughout the nozzle section of the catalog, you will see reference to either Water level dependent orNot water level dependent. Different water level dependent nozzles requite the nozzle to be fully submerged in order to produce the desired effect. This type of nozzle uses fountain basin water as well as the water from the supply line to create the effect. The effect for a water level independent is produced solely by the supply water line and its water level placement in the basin is less critical.

Spread:

The measured spread on a spray jet includes the splash zone of the nozzle. This measurement is intended to be used when determiningthe position of a nozzle in relation to the pool edge.

Standard Threading:

Standard threading on components shall be National Pipe Thread (NPT) unless requested otherwise at the time of order. All thread sizes less than 1 will be NPT. British Standard Pipe Thread (BSP) is available upon request.

Water Garden Fountain Nozzles