ESTIMATING
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Measuring exactly how much fence will be
required is always the first consideration, of course. Pick a start
point such as the steps of the pool, using the rolling measure stay a
minimum (if possible) of two feet from the water line of the pool and
simply walk the roller around the pool and back to the starting point.
We try to encourage customers to maintain at least the two foot distance
to allow for easy walking, playing, cleaning, etc. on the inside of the
fence so that pool use and care are easily accomplished by just opening
the gate section at the steps. If the two foot clearance can not be
maintained then you will have to compromise and bring the fence in
closer. Do not set up a layout in which you will be drilling closer
than 2 inches from the outer edge of a concrete pool deck.
Fence can be ordered in a variety of section
lengths in multiples of either 36 inch pole spacing or 30 inches
depending on the model chosen. It is recommended that you remain
consistent with full 15 foot sections (All models). Order fencing by
dividing the total footage required and round up to the nearest whole
section.
Example: The job is 129 ft. total. Your order
would be for 9 sections of fence which totals 135 feet. Cut sections of
fence that are left over from this job can be applied to a future job or
cover any errors you may have made in doing your estimate. Keep this in
mind when ordering for your next job, over several jobs you will
accumulate cut sections and may not have to order additional footage. Do
not mix and match the two different pole spacings in one job. This makes
it difficult for the home owner to take up and down their fence and
confuse you on the installation layout.
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INSTALLATION
LAYOUT
For this layout example, we will be using the
installation of Model C fence, standard 7 pole section (15 feet)
manufactured with poles 30 inches on center. The customer has chosen for
the fence to be located 24 inches from the water line of the pool with a
single standard gate opening at the steps. The example pool will be a
elongated style with the entry steps centered at one end.
The most important part of the installation is
the initial layout of where the holes will be drilled. All references to
measurements and the fence are made from the perspective that you are
facing the pool from the outside of the fence. When doing a layout,
always face the pool as you measure and mark the holes. If you must
measure standing between where the fence will be installed and the pool,
be extremely careful in bullseye (turns) measurements. If the
measurement is made from the wrong side of the bullseye template, the
fence will not fit properly.
TOOL LIST: LAYOUT/INSTALLATION
- 48" STEEL RULER (for measuring between
holes)
- BULLSEYE TEMPLATE (3.5"X4.0" piece
of Lexan with a one and a 1/8" hole in the center of it).
- MARKING PENCIL (Magic Marker,grease pencil
etc.)
- STRAIGHT EDGE (8 ft.- 2"x4" / used
to maintain a straight line while sliding your bullseye along
between measuring holes)
- FULL SECTION TEMPLATE (a template which
allows you to mark a full section of fence. This is a must for
Distributors, but optional for a single installation)
- CORE DRILL* (water cooled, and it must be
able to accept a one and 1/8" diamond core drill bit)
*Available at most rental centers
- DRILL BIT (one and 1/8" diamond core
drill bit)
- GARDEN HOSE (used for drilling and rinsing
off the deck )
- EXTENSION CORD (to operate the drill )
- NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS (to remove the cores from
the holes after they are drilled)
- SLEEVE SETTER (a 1" diameter pipe or
wood dowel used to set the sleeves in their holes)
- HAMMER (for setting the sleeves)
- SCISSORS (for cutting the mesh on the fence)
- STAPLER (used in reattaching the border
material after a fence cut has been made)
- CORDLESS SCREW GUN (installing screws in the
poles)
The first consideration for layout is the
location of the gate. Gate sections are
setup so that they are easily opened and closed by the average adult.
The only difference between a gate section and where two standard
Sections meet is the way in which it is
installed. In the majority of your installations, consider an opening at
the steps as the only true gate section specified for the
installation. Special circumstances such as additional openings at the
ladders or skimmers will be covered separately.
- All layouts will begin at the gate section.
Locate the center point of the steps and measure 24 inches straight
out from the water line. This will be where the gate section opens.
Place the bullseye template under the steel ruler with the inside
side of the hole at 24 inches. Draw the hole using the template and
mark the centerline in the front inside of the hole facing you (the
outside of the fence). 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. Put the bullseye template centerline on the mark
you just made, verfiy that the inside of the hole is also 24 inches
(Fig 2, C) from the pool, draw the hole.
- On all section panels except the gate, pole
spacing will be measured and marked at 30 inches on front center
exactly. For the two opposing section panels that form the gate
opening, deduct between 1/8 to ¼ inch from the normal 30 inch
spacing, i.e. when measuring from either gate hole to where the next
pole will be located, measure out between 29 ¾ to 29 7/8 inches
(Fig 2, A) for the centerline of the next pole. Start the
measurement at the front (the side facing you with the holes between
you and the pool) centerline of the first hole of either section.
Don’t forget to also check the distance from the pool, 24 inches
(Fig 2, C) for our example. Rotate the bullseye to maintain the
centerline orientation to the pool maintaining the desired pool
spacing dimension at the front of the hole. A second ridged ruler
can come in handy trying to juggle between placing the bullseye
template properly, measuring for the pole spacing and still
maintaining the desired distance from the pool. Once the bullseye is
set properly, draw the hole and mark the centerline.
- Repeat the same procedure outlined in
paragraph 1b for the other gate section panel (Fig 2, A) going in
the opposite direction.
- The 1/8 to ¼ inch extra allowance on these
two opposing section panels provides for much easier opening by the
homeowner at the primary gate section. Use this technique only where
the two primary gate section panels meet.
- Now select a direction to continue the layout
from. You have two holes each already marked for two separate
sections, select the last hole marked from one or the other section
and proceed in that direction with the layout.
2. For standard elongated and rectangular
style pools you can greatly speed up the layout process by using the
full section (7 pole) template on straight runs. But first, you need
to complete the curved end of the example pool.
- All layout spacing will be standard from this
point on, 30 inches on front centerline between section panel poles
and 2 ½ inches front centerline between joining sections. For the
next four holes the bullseye is still required to measure the
correct distance between holes. This is because of our example
pool’s curvature and the need to maintain centerline orientation
to the pool.
- Place the corner of the ruler on the front
centerline of the last hole drawn. Slide the bullseye template under
the ruler with the front centerline of the template at 30 inches on
the ruler. Measure 24 inches off the pool and position the template
with correct pool orientation making sure that 30 inches is
maintained at the front centerline of the template (Fig. 2,
B). Mark the hole and the next four in the same way.
- You now have marked out holes for a complete
15 foot section of Model C fence. The next step is to mark the first
hole for the next section. The bullseye template measures exactly 2
½ inches from its edge to its front centerline mark. Lay the edge
of the bullseye template along the centerline of the last hole
drawn. Double check the measurement from the pool (24 inches for our
example) to the inside of the template hole. Mark the hole for the
beginning to the next section.
- Lay the first hole of the 7 pole template
over the hole you just drew on the deck and unfold the template in
the direction you’re going with the layout. Measure from the pool
to the inside edge of the template for a reference. Measure again at
the hinge (mid-point) of the template and one more time at the end
of template; adjusting as necessary to maintain a straight line.
Mark all your holes from the template, including the double at the
end of the template for the next section.
- Slide the template down to the start of the
next section and repeat step D above. Continue this way until you
reach a point where turns for the other end of the pool are coming
up. Measure into the turns and mark your holes just as we did
starting with step A above.
- Once you’ve marked approximately half way
around the pool; and have marked the first hole of a new section,
stop.
- Go back to the second hole marked for the
gate section at the pool steps going in the opposite direction and
repeat procedures from steps A to E.
- The final hole you mark on the deck will more
than likely not measure 30 inches from the last hole you marked in
step F. We’ll address this later.
- Mark the extra holes (lay back holes) that
the gate section poles will fit into when the fence is opened.
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DRILLING
Do not attempt to install a fence in a concrete
deck using a hammer drill or hand drill. To maintain a straight fence,
properly angled poles, and complete a professional installation, you
will need a full size diamond core drill setup with leveling
adjustments and a bubble level.
- Setup the drill on the deck. Attach water
hoses, layout enough electrical cord to go around the pool (not
through or across it).
- For a straight run of fence, simply center
the drill bit on the hole drawn, center the leveling bubble on the
drill dead center with the adjustment screws.
- When going around the turns, adjust the drill
to lean away from the pool approximately 7 degrees. The level will
be off center with the bubble towards the pool. Leaning the drill
outward will put the pole in at an angle provide tension at the top
of the fence.
- Taping the drill bit at 4 inches with
electrical tape provides a good method of measurement for drilling
depth.
- Adjust the water flow to meet the application
and drill to the tape line.
- Proceed to the next hole and repeat until all
the holes are drilled.
- Using the long nose needle pliers, go around
and pull all of the cores out of the holes.
- Using the sleeve setter and hammer, set the
sleeve the rest of the way into the deck until the rim is flush
with the deck..
3. Once all of the sleeves are installed, it
will be time to measure for the odd section of fence at the back of the
pool.
- Note whether you will be cutting from the
right or left side of a full
- Measure the outside centerline of the odd
panel. Add ¼ inch to this measurement and write it down.
- Count the number of poles that will be in
this section and again note if the odd panel will be a right hand
or a left hand cut (facing the fence).
- Count poles from the opposite side of where
the cut panel is. Example: for a 5 pole left hand cut section,
count over 4 poles from the beginning of the section starting at
the right. From this pole measure from the centerline on the cove
molding to the point that the panel will be cut. Measure at both
the top and the bottom. Using a straight edge, mark the cut line
with a white china marker.
- Double check that you are cutting the
proper panel (left or right) at the correct pole and make the cut.
- Staple the end cut border material to the
open cut you just made.
- Now attach the end cove molding over the
border to the pole.
4. Now install all standard sections and the
special cut section of fence.
- Turn poles to adjust bottom tension and
bring the cove molding inline as you go.
- Install the latching hardware onto the
fence at each joining section; placing the eye on the left and the
latch on the right.
- Connect the latches and eyes as you go;
turning poles so that the mesh becomes tight at the bottom and the
cove molding is facing out.
5. Instruct your customer on how to open the
main gate.
- Squeeze the poles together using one hand
and open the latch with the other .
- Put one arm over the fence facing the gate
opening and place your thumb and forefinger on the top of the
pole. Push towards the gate opening in line with the fence and the
pole will turn in your hand once it is centered in the sleeve.
Push again on the top of the pole and lift out as the pole centers
in the sleeve. This can obviously be done in one step, but make
sure that your customer understands the process.
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SW 15th Avenue : Delray Beach, FL 33444 : Building E-3