For all pond shapes, support beams are designed to cross the width of the pond. Beams are suspended into the water by the use of support line. Make a start at one edge of your pond. The first beam may need to be cut shorter or extended by use of the beam joiner. Note that beam joiners are not load-bearing:– for maximum strength, legs can be placed at the point of join. The support line is threaded through the beam and through the beam joiner (if applicable).

Beam cleats are provided to protect the liner of your pond and these must be placed into each beam end once the beam has been cut to the correct length. Masking tape wound over the end of the support line will prevent any fraying and enable easier insertion through the cleat.

Rope covers, or 'anti-lift tubes', are provided to protect any exposed sections of support line.  Safapond recommend that grids are placed above the water surface to ensure that no water comes into contact with children at any time.  Should you decide to place grids under the surface of the water, then this can only be done on the understanding that a child would then come into contact with a degree of potentially dangerous water.  Under no circumstances can the grid be placed more than 2cm under the water.  Support line is anchored outside the pond by ground stakes, (for earth, grass or loose rocks), or brass wall fixings (for walls or large secure rocks).  Ensure that you have the appropriate line fixing for your pond and then proceed to consider where and how best to locate your support line.  It is not necessary at this stage to finalise the fixing of the first beam – you may prefer to anchor the line temporarily until such time as you feel confident of its location. Ground stakes require the concave side to face the pond. Pass the support line through the middle hole, round and into the side hole and then over the ‘U’ cut and back down into the loop at the back of the stake. This then will form a self-tightening knot for your later adjustment.

The first line of grids, which may need to be cut to shape, are attached to the top of the beams by using 2 floating beam clips per grid. Floating beam clips are only used for attaching grids to the outermost beams and are clipped into place over the star configuration on the grid.  Grids should be attached in one direction only to maintain the overall pattern across the grid-work. Grids can be staggered to minimise waste. Note that beam clips are only used where two grids meet in the top channel of a beam.  The second line of beams can then be put into place in line with the edge of the first grids.

Continue to build up the SafaDeck in the water across the pond. Additional supporting legs should be introduced to provide additional stability. At the base of the support leg is attached a foot.  The foot prevents damage to the base of the pond.

Into the top of the support leg is inserted a sliding support which runs along the beam. Measure the depth of the pond where the support leg will rest and saw off any excess, making sure that the upper surface of the grid remains level.  Make sure that the area of pond base is level at the point where the foot rests.  Your SafaDeck will be more secure if a single grid crosses any joins in the beams.  It is recommended that all legs supplied are used.

Final adjustments can then be made to ensure that the grid lies level with the water surface. Grid clips must now be attached to provide additional security.

Note that grid clips do not clip to the beams, but instead connect two grids together. Grid clips are designed to work in pairs and are placed in opposing directions.

Cut sections of grid can be protected by cut end bumpers, which ensure cut ends of the grid do not damage pond liners. These can be used one way for thicker cut sections and upside down for the thinner diagonal cut sections. Note that it may be necessary to remove the underside tab near to the end of the cut section, in order to fit the cut end bumper.

Ponds surrounded by fixed slabs are best protected by the removal of mortar between slabs using an angle grinder. The channel created provides a means for receiving the support line which is then re-cemented once complete. Remember to secure the line by retention stakes driven into the ground. For grass edges, simply cut a trench in the turf and sink the rope covers into the trench and re-turf. You may prefer to attach the support line to the vertical edge of the surrounding slabs by use of the brass wall fixings provided.

If your support line is secured by the brass wall fixing, you will need to drill a suitable hole with a 6.5mm masonry drill bit.  Gently tap the fixing into the hole, leaving only the hole in the fixing exposed. The line is then passed through the hole in the fixing and a simple knot tied. Cut off any excess line above the fixing.

Any unsecured or small cut-down sections of grid can be supported by cut end supports. The support line is taken from an additional line fixing to the cut end support as shown. The line is fed through the holes in the cut end support, and a simple knot secures.

All support lines should be hidden or protected to prevent accidents. Retention stakes can be fully hammered into the ground once the grids have been correctly positioned. Make sure that the support line is fully tensioned to eliminate any subsequent movement of the grid work.

TESTING AND MAINTENANCE

It is your responsibility to make sure that the SafaDeck has been correctly fitted. The SafaDeck has been designed to withstand the weight of a small child falling onto the grid. The grid-work should fit the pond neatly so that all areas of pond surface have been made safe. This means that close attention must be paid to the pond edge to prevent a young child entering the water. No gaps greater than 80mm should be permitted between the SafaDeck and the edge of the pond. It is strongly recommended that you test the SafaDeck to your own satisfaction, ensuring all fitting procedures have been carefully adhered to. Take care not to abuse the grid unnecessarily.

Your SafaDeck is UV stable and should be effective for years to come but as with all security measures it is vital to regularly check that it remains correctly installed for maximum performance. Do not forget that children can drown in only a few inches of water and therefore a close watch must be made on rising water levels. Grid sections can be removed individually to allow access to the base of the pond for cleaning etc. A small coin or flat screwdriver can be used to tease the childproof beam clips away from the beams. Replace the grid sections as soon as maintenance is complete.

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