Pool Fence Installation Instructions

ESTIMATING POOL FENCE MATERIALS

1. Measure how much fence will be needed.
2. Choose a starting point (the steps or the easiest access point to the pool usually works best).
3. Use a rolling tape measure (if available), a standard tape measure will work for estimating, Try to stay a minimum of two feet from the water line of the pool and measure around the pool until you are back to your starting point (try to maintain at least the two foot distance to allow access for walking, playing, cleaning, etc.  (If the two foot space cannot be maintained, bring the fence in closer. NOTE: Do not drill closer than 2 inches from the outer edge of a concrete pool deck, next to the waterline or outside edge.
4. Ordering your fence.
5. Decide on type of gate needed. Shelf closing self latching or the Swing Back option.
6. Choose the height required 48” or 60”
7. The length to be ordered is determined by dividing the total footage required and round up to the nearest whole section. Either 6 poles for 36” spacing or 7 poles for 30” spacing, per 15’ section.

1. 48” can be ordered in 30” or 36” pole spacing per section, 15’ sections.
2. 60” can be ordered in 30” pole spacing only per section, 15’ sections.

Example: Using 48” height and 36” spacing. The total length measured is 132 ft. total. You will need to order 9 – 6 Pole Sections, which totals 135 feet. You will need to cut off any excess to make the last section fit.

POOL FENCE LAYOUT

POOL EXAMPLE

1. Using 48” height and 36” spacing, standard 6 pole section (15 feet) manufactured with poles 36” on center.
2. The fence to be located 2’ from the water line of the pool.
3. With one Self Closing Self Latching gate opening at the steps.
4. The pool will kidney shaped entry steps centered at the North end.
5. The fence length is 132’
6. We ordered  9 – 6 Pole Sections, which totals 135 feet of fence and one Self Closing – Self Latching Gate.

INSTALLATION

NOTE: The initial layout is the most important step of the installation. This will determine the location of the holes to be drilled.

REMEMBER: The mesh of the fence will always face the outside of the fence. The poles will always be on the inside or closest to the pool. This Means: When laying out the holes to be drilled, always face the pool as you measure and mark the holes inside your chalk line closest to the pool.

1. Location of the gate and fence. All layouts will begin at the gate section. Gates are setup for easy access for the adults at each location. Normally by the pool steps or ladder leading into the pool. The location of the gate should be decided by the home owner with your consultation. In this example we will use the pool steps.

NOTE: Gates should Not be located near patio steps, retaining walls, or anything a small child could climb and have access to the gate latch.

1. Locate the center point of the steps and measure 2’ away from the water line. This is the center point of the gate opening.
2. From this position, determine how the gate will be placed in front of the steps. If the steps are in a straight line with the gate, measure 2’ back from each side of the steps and snap a chalk line. If the steps are curved, use a straight edge or string line. Line it up with the gate’s center point. Then measure equal distances from each side of the steps, to determine the line of the gate. Snap a chalk line from these 2 points.
3. Along this line, from the center point of the gate, measure 17-1/2” on each side to determine the centerline of the first two holes.
4. Using the Hole Template, draw the hole on the inside of the chalk line and mark the centerline in the front inside of the hole you are facing. A standard section is installed 2-½ inches on center between sections; the gate section is measured differently to allow for easier use by the homeowner. Measure over 2-¼ inches to where the next gate section will start and mark for the centerline only.

NOTE: The centerline of each hole is determined by the location of the previous hole location and next hole location corresponding to the hole you are laying out. This will insure proper distance between each pole section and the correct appearance of the fence.

5. Using 2 - 36” rulers measure over 36” over and 24” back from the pool to determine the next hole location (with a square or rectangle shaped pool use the chalk line, measuring back 2’ from the pool, snap a straight line and measure your hole location on 36” centers). Use the Hole Template to draw the hole and mark the centerline. Repeat this procedure to layout the remainder of the fence.
6. The fence poles are drilled at 36” on center with 2-½” space on center between sections. Use the Hole Template to draw the hole and mark the centerline. Repeat this procedure until your fence layout is complete.

DRILLING

1. USE ONLY A CORE DRILL with a 1-1/8” diamond tipped concrete bit and bubble level. Do not use a hammer drill or hand drill.
2. Setup the drill by using the manufacturer’s instructions. Attach water hoses and electrical cord. Use enough to go around the pool. NEVER place electrical cord in the pool across it.
3. The most important step in the drilling the pool fence holes is the leveling of the drill. Most of the holes drilled on this pool are not perfectly level. They are going to be drilled at an angle. This is because of the fence is tension based. The poles, when installed, need to lean slightly away from the curve of the fences direction. When the fence is completely latched together, it will be pulled up straight and sections will be tight. We only drill perfectly level holes when we drill in a straight line. The degree of lean will vary depending on the angle the fence is turning. The most important, is the direction of the lean. Always away from the curve.
4. Begin by standing at you first hole to be drilled. This is the number 1 hole, each of the holes following will be numbered consecutively 2,3,4,5…
5. To determine the direction of lean of the #2 pole, start at the number 1 hole. Picture a straight line between #1 and #3. Draw a line perpendicular to the line between #1 and #3 to the #2 hole. This line is the direction of the lean. Drawing an arrow by the hole will help remind you when drilling of the direction of the lean. The degree of the lean depends on the angle of the turn. The lean is usually between 3o and 5o. This is judged by the distance from the line to the hole to be drilled. As the distance increases so does the degree of the lean.
6. Place the drill over the hole to be drilled. Place the drill bit 1” to 2” above the pavement.
7. Adjust the drill to the proper angle using the adjustment screws.
8. Turn on water and adjust the flow.
9. Turn drill on.
10. Loosen the drill lock down screw.
11. Slowly lower the drill until the drill bit seats itself.
12. Apply light pressure to the top of the drill.
13. Continue drilling until you feel that the drill is though the deck (usually about 4”) If the concrete is thicker than 6” you can stop drilling at 6”, Remove the drill, chip out the remaining core, and remove it using the needle nose pliers. You may need a Regular screwdriver to pry the cores loose.

NOTE: You must drill a minimum of 4-1/2” to insure that the hole sleeves will properly fit.

• Continue this process until all of the holes are drilled.
• Use the long nose needle pliers to remove the concrete cores.
• Next, Use the rubber mallet to set the sleeve.
• Measure any of the sections that need to be cut (usually the last section(s) at the end of a run)
• Measure the centerline of the last 2 holes of the panel to be cut. Add a ¼” the measurement and make a note of it.
• Count the number of full segment poles needed in the section to be cut. Note in which direction the cut will be made. Right or left from the inside of the fence. Example: a 3 pole left cut section, count over 2 poles from the beginning at the right. Then measure from the centerline on the cove molding to the point that the segment to be cut. Measure at both the top and bottom for an accurate cut. Using a straight edge, mark the cut line with a grease marker (depending on the color of the material, red and white work the best).
• Always double check that you are cutting the proper panel.
• Cut the fence section along the line you just made.
• Unscrew the next fence pole.
• Staple the border material to the edge of the material that was just cut.
• Attach the end cove molding over the border to the pole you just remove from your fence section.
• Install your fence (the standard and special cut sections).
• Slide the poles into the ground sleeves (adjust tension of the fence to bring the cove molding inline.
• Install the eye screws at the end of each section (you may need to pre-drill for each eye screw with a 5/16” drill bit.
• Place latches through the eye screws and connect the sections.
• Train your customer on how to use his new fence. How to open, close, and adjust the Self Closing, Self Latching gate. How to squeeze the poles together and release the latches
• The last step is to teach your customer the proper maintenance for his fence. How to clean and lubricate.

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TOOL LIST

1. 30” and 36" Steel Ruler (for measuring between holes).
2.  Hole Template (3.5"x 4.0" piece of “Lexan” with a 1-1/8" hole cut in center).
3. Grease Pencil, China Marker or Magic Marker.
4. Chalk Line (to maintain a straight line while using the Hole Template between hole locations. Straight Edge may be used - 8 ft.- 2"x4" or similar).
5. String Line.
6. Core Drill (water cooled, must be able to accept a 1-1/8" diamond core drill bit).
7. Core Drill Bit (1-1/8" diamond core drill bit).
8. Garden Hose (for drilling and cleaning the deck).
9. Extension Cord(s) (to operate the drill).
10. Long Needle Nose Pliers (to remove the cores from the drilled holes).
11. Sleeve Setter (1" diameter wood dowel used to set the sleeves in their holes).
12. Hammer (for setting the sleeves).
13. Rubber mallet.
14. Scissors (cutting the mesh when adjusting the fence length).
15. Stapler (to reattach border material to mesh after adjusting the fence length).
16. Cordless Drill/Screw Gun (Extra Batteries)
17. WD-40.
18. Electrical Tape.
19. Quick set Concrete.
20. Post Hole Digger
21. Drill Bits (various sizes).

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