Hobbies And Interests
Basic Slide Materials
Pool slides are made of fiberglass over a metal section. The sections are held together by connecting and bolting them into place. Pool slides are supported by metal frames. Residential or pool-side slides are usually held in place by mounting to a deck on the pool. Weights are added to hold the pool slides in place.
Industrial Slide Design
Giant slides are used for pools at water parks and theme parks. These slides are like small pool slides, except that the slides are larger and are made of more materials. Large amounts of fiberglass are stretched over a wider and longer area of the slides. Unlike residential pool slides, water parks employ many sections of fiberglass. The sections are fitted together by mounting the lip of one section over the step of another section (similar to connecting toy train tracks). The sections are held together through a series of heavy duty bolts and industrial metal frames. A cantilever supports the underside of the metal frames, and is attached to a girder. The girder hoists the slide up above the ground. Girders can also be positioned directly below a slide for greater support. Acquiring great heights, and the right angles, allows for a longer ride to the pool at the end of the slides.
Types
Pool slides range anywhere from plastic toy pool slides to water park style pool slides erected on high, steel girders. There are slides that rely entirely on gravity, while some of the high tech slides have enough water pressure to push a slider over hills and dips. Water park pool slides conserve water by running a pump and filter for each slide. Pool slides for residential use can be installed professionally or purchased from a store. Residential pool slides can be fitted to a pipe near the pool if installed by a professional, or connected to a garden hose. Pool slides come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small pool-side slides of three feet, to pool-side slides of several feet high. Straight pool slides are best for younger children, and the height is best if it does not exceed 3 feet from the ground. Small children may be intimidated by larger slides. Twisting slides appeal to older kids who get bored easily with the straight slides. Typhoon pool slides feature greater height than average pool slides. Some pool slides are configured for connecting a garden hose, which will give the slide a continuous water flow.
Considerations
Building your own slide, and even riding on a water park slide, requires some consideration to the safety of the slide design. For example, sharp angles are dangerous, especially to anyone coming down the slide at high speed. To avoid the loss of life or injury, most pool slide manufacturers will erect enclosures around all sharp angles. These enclosures are usually transparent tubes which cover the slide.
Safety
The depth of a swimming pool is a significant consideration for safety. Slide manufacturers have specifications for the setup and installation of pool slides. Pool slides are positioned over the deeper end of the pool to ensure the amount of water is suitable for sliding into the pool. Typically, pool slides require a pool that is build into the ground (below the ground level). The safest slides are permanently constructed or installed into the deck of the pool. This prevents the slides from slipping out of position. In-ground slides should never be used with pools that are constructed above ground level. No one should slide head first down a slide, and children should not use pool slides without an able-bodied adult supervising them. Heed directions and warnings regarding weight limits on manufactured slides for home pool use.
How Pool Slides Are Built for Water Parks
In the case of major theme parks or water parks, the owner of the park will hiring a manufacturer to design, and create parts for each individual slide. A consultant or contractor then assembles the supports and sections of the slide based on the design of the manufacturer.
Water Systems
Pool slides have become more complex over the years, with innovations for both form and functionality. The actual structure of the slides is just the visible part of a pool slide. Water pumps and filters are at work constantly in water parks. Some parks have an entire room dedicated to the pumps and filters for their pool slides. Even the newer slides manufactured for residential use have running water systems. Running water reduces friction and provides a smooth transition from the top of the slides to the pool of water. In order to provide water at the top of the slides, the water system requires a pump. At the base of the pool slides, the pump rotates a propeller to move the water forward. The rushing water is pushed up to the top of the slides. Also, the propeller pulls water from the pool. In this way, the water from the pool slides is constantly recycled. In large water parks, the water is recycled from multiple pools through one filter and pump.