How to Install Aluminium Pool Fence





Plan your Pool Fence



1) First thing you need to read council requirements their specification regarding Pool fence. This report will explain you about positioning of fence and the type of fence that is required to be installed.

2) Before you plan your fence please make sure you have checked your underground services such as pipes for Telephone, water, power and Gas.



INSTALLATION GUIE FOR POOL FENCE

1) Set up for pegs:

First thing you need to set up pegs for installation. Knock pegs about 500mm past where you want the fence to Start and finish. Now run the string line in between the 2 pegs about 200mm above the ground tight enough so that it does not sag in the middle or bend when its windy. Usually its recommended to use the stringline no more than 20m in one go so as to keep the string line as straight as possible. For stretches over 20m use small pegs in the middle to keep the string line straight.

2) Dig your first hole

Mark your first hole right vertically down with the help of level and mark the post position (depending upon the size of post you are using) on one side of the string line. However mark with marking paint the circle. Dig your hole with the twin shovel first to get the hole position right and use 200mm diameter orga to dig about 550mm. Clean the hole completely so that there is no dirt inside the hole. Now stand your first post right in the middle of the hole and level is so that the post just touches the stringline rather stay 1mm away from the string line so that the post does not push the stringline. Make sure the post face is parallel with the stringline and one person is holding the post and other one is ready to pour concrete. Use premix bags of concrete to mix it before hand in a wheel barrow so that it’s ready to pour into the whole. While pouring concrete into the hole make sure the post does not move. Concrete should be poured right up to the top of the whole unless if it’s a grassy area you want to leave some space for the dirt to put after when the concrete is dry so that your grass can grow around the post. Make sure your post is at least 1300mm high above the ground for leveled ground. This will give you 70mm space in the bottom of the panel + 1200mm for the fence panel + 30mm post can stay above the fence panel.

3) Dig rest of your holes

Check the size of the panel first before you dig second hole. Add about 5-10mm in the panels to get gap in between the 2 posts. Now carefully plan all your panels how many panels and how many posts are going to be dug for your fence. Check if there is any panel in the end you need to cut to fit in between the marks designated for pool fence to. Decide if the off cut panel the last panel you want in the beginning, middle or in the end. Then you should start making the rest of the holes. Usually the panels should be 2390 to keep exact gap in between the 2 posts 2400mm. Mark the next hole 2400mm + half the size of post. (If 50mm post then marking should be 2425mm to get the centre of the hole) and post hole shall be dug in the same way the first hole is being dug. Make sure the post should be just 1mm from the stringline and plumb and gap in between the 2 posts is 2400 and the post is 1300mm above the ground level then you should pour the concrete for the next hole as well.

Once all the posts are set into the concrete you should leave them for a day or so that they can get set and hard enough for the panels to be put on.

4) Panels ready to be installed on a level ground

Usually you need 5/16” or 8mm Hex magnetic bit to start installing the fence panels. Use Makita Impact driver Battery drill to screw the brackets. However please keep in mind that you cannot drill too fast and overturn the self drilling screws that you lose the thread on the post. We recommend that you should take the post the part it has to go into the ground and practice few times to drill screws with the screw machine. Now hold the bracket and place it on the post 30mm below from the top of the post and fix the with 2 screws. Now insert the rest of the 3 brackets on to the panels and insert the panel into the bracket that is being fixed on the posts already, now hold the top bracket on the other side of the fence panel and move up and down to make the panel level. Once level then fix the bracket with the self drilling screws. Fix the bottom screws as well on both sides. Please don’t forget to lock the panel with these 4 brackets by putting the third screw on each bracket. Usually the third screw on two top brackets will be put on from the bottom of the bracket and bottom brackets will be from inside from the side. This way the panel will not rattle in the between the 2 posts and will be very securely attached to the posts. If you do not see no third hole on the bracket you need to worry as the screws you are putting in will drill the holes by themselves. Likewise you should keep installing the rest of the panels. This is all OK for a level ground but if it’s a sloping ground please refer the next paragraph what you should be doing.

5) Installation of posts on a Sloping ground

Everything is same as for a level ground except when it comes to a sloping ground you need to find out how much is the drop in between the 2 posts and that’s how the next post where the drop is should be longer by that much as much as the drop is. However keeping in mind that the maximum gap allowed anywhere in the fence is no more than 100mm. So therefore you need to drop the panel from one side down to keep the gap on the other side less than 100mm. So remember on a sloping ground all the posts heights cannot be the same they will vary according to your slope. Sometimes if you want to expedite the installation it is always good to buy longer post and keep posts taller than the required height and after installation of panels you can cut the post to required height.

6) Installation of panels on a sloping ground

Start from one end the first panel exactly the same way as on a level ground. Next panels shall be stepped down or step up (If stepped up then the first post should be higher) as you install the rest of the panels however it is very important to keep the height

7) Installing the gate

By law the pool need to be open outside of the pool area so both Hinges and the lock will be fitted from outside. Now please mark where the gate position will be the fix one side longer post and other side smaller post meaning hinge side post need to be 1.3m above the ground and the lock side the post will be 1.5m above the ground. You need to be careful in deciding gate opening left to right or from right to left. It is very important to keep a clear gap in between the 2 posts 996mm for a gate width of 970mm. Hinges should be put on to the gate first depending which side the gate is going to be opened and the gap in between the 2 hinges should be more than 900mm and the bottom hinge must be fitted with the cone provided with the hinges. Make sure the adjustment for the hinge for tension should be on the top side so that these can be adjusted for the tension. Now it’s time to hang the gate to the posts keeping 12mm gap between hinge and the posts and consistent gap throughout on the hinge side. Clamp the hinges and secure with the screws so that the gate swings freely. Now fit the lock as per the instructions provided with the lock. Make sure long top pull lock sits on the gate post is at least 300mm higher than the gate height. The height for the top pull by law should be 1500mm above the ground. Our Magna latches come with life time warranty and are the only hinges that we recommend you to use for the pool gates.

8) Finishing up the Pool Fence installation

Do the following to finish off your fence:

1) Cut the posts that if they are sticking out more than the fence height.

2) Insert caps on top of the posts to finish of their look.

3) Touch up with spray can if any scratches or screws

4) Finally wash and wipe with the cloth

5) Wash the floor and pick up and debris on the floor.

6) It’s all ready to be used and secured.

9) Our recommendations

1) We recommend the pool fence should be installed by a professional qualified pool fence installer. However if you think you can do it then you must know that you will be liable if not complying with the rules and regulations of council requirements as stated before that you need to check with the council for all requirements.

2) Wash the fence completely every 6 months and wipe with the cloth to keep it free from all salt and chlorine which will give you much longer life of your pool fence.

3) Use only Pool fence panels that are approved as per Australian Standards 1926.1 -2012 including posts, gates, lock and hinges. All pool fence panels look the same but always ask if they have the approval on the panels. If not then don’t buy and look for approved pool fence panels as per 2012 but not 2007 which has changed a lot.

4) Highly recommended NOT to use steel panels as these are not HD galvanised but these are simply pregal material covered with powder coating. These panels will rust within 6 months of installation.

5) Use self drilling screws and pre-painted.

6) Adjust the hinges for self closing the gate according to your wish.

7) If you have any doubt about installation of pool fence always take advice from expert. You can all Narinder on 0412 063 259

8) Happy installation and enjoy your Pool now.