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Basic Components of Fountain Design2018-12-03T22:02:46+00:00

Basic Components of Fountain Design

Long Island Fountain is here to help you with the entire fountain process from design, to supply and installation. We’ve had years of experience helping clients around NY with their fountain projects and we can help you too.

To understand the full scope of what a fountain project entails, it’s helpful to know what components are needed to complete a fountain. We’ve listed out the basic components necessary to design your fountain for your convenience below. Please refer to the list for each component and its function in the overall fountain design.

If you have any questions or are interested in starting a fountain project of your own please give us a call at 631.467.5115.

Pools are the base part of fountains where dispersed water is caught

Pool

  • The size and shape of the pool may be determined by the fountain effects, or the fountain effect may be designed to fit the pool.
  • The water depth should be not less than 18″ for easy installation of the equipment.
Pool filters maintain water quality and ensure water stays clear

Pool Filter

  • Pool filters will maintain water quality.
  • Filter size based on pool capacity must be calculated to enable proper operation of the filter to ensure clear water.
  • Well mounted “IEA” filter returns, circulate filtered water to corners of pools or other areas where water does not move.
There are various fountain effects as pictured here with spray jets

Fountain Effects

  • Spray jets should be selected to give the pattern and effect desired.
Usually two lights per single nozzle is the standard for fountain design

Lighting

  • A standard of two lights per single nozzle is recommended for proper illumination.
  • The wattage is determined on the size and height of the water effect and whether color lenses are used.
Pumps, which provide the pressure to the fountain, come in both submersible and dry types

Pumps

  • Pumps are selected based on water and pressure requirements for the selected fountain effects.
  • Submersible pumps or dry pumps are available for use on fountains.
  • Dry pumps should be equipped with suction strainers.
Junction boxes help house the electronics of a fountain

Junction Boxes

  • Waterproof ‘EBJ’ junction boxes complete with ‘EGS’ watertight cord and mounted on red brass ‘EP’ conduits.
  • The type of junction box will be determined by the number of lights and electrical circuits it will service.
Control panels house the elements that control timings, sequencing valves and more

Control Panel

  • Nema rated electrical panels incorporate the controls for the pumps, lights and water level equipment.
  • Panels also house operating timers, as well as timers and relays for sequencing valves.
The wind controller, measures the wind to control when to keep the fountain on low and when to shut down the jets during heavy wind

Wind Controller

  • A sensing head mounted up-wind from the fountain with the control mechanism in the control panel can reduce the height of the fountain jet in moderate winds by opening a bypass valve or shut down the jets pump completely in heavy winds.
Suction drains with debris screens get water back into the fountain system while avoiding damage to internal components

Suction Drains and Debris Screens

  • Suction drains with debris screens must be provided to prevent damage to pumps and clogging of spray jets.
Excess water isn't a problem in fountains thanks to overflow drains to avoid overfilling of the pool

Overflow Drains

  • Overflow drains remove excess water brought on by rainfall or accidental overfilling of the fountain.
Sleeve fittings provide watertight seals on spray jets

Sleeve Fittings

  • Mechanical ‘IFS’ stub-ups provide watertight sleeves through pools for attachment to spray jets.
Water level controls regulate the levels of the fountain to make sure there's the right amount for optimal performance

Water Level Controls

  • Electronic water level sensors monitoring water make up valves and low water shut down will replenish the water lost due to evaporation.
  • Electronic water level sensors monitoring water make up valves and low water shut down will replenish the water lost due to evaporation.