Caldera Vacanza Series, Vacanza Palatino, Vacanza Marino, Vacanza Vanto, Vacanza Tarino Pre-delivery Instructions

Please take the time to read this booklet carefully, as it will provide you with the information you will need to ensure
the safe, secure, and timely installation of your new spa. The following sections are guidelines on how to prepare for
delivery and set-up of your new spa. Specifically covered are site selection, delivery access, ground preparation, and
electrical requirements.

Remember to carefully read the Owner’s Manual that accompanies your spa, and to complete the warranty card
within 10 days of delivery. These items, along with other valuable information, will be found in the Owner’s Package
which has been placed in the equipment compartment of your spa, where you will also find a serial number.

WATKINS WELLNESS reserves the right to change features, specifications and design without notification and
without incurring any obligation.

DATE PURCHASED: _________________________________________________________________

DATE INSTALLED: ___________________________________________________________________

DEALER: ___________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE: _______________________________________________________________________

In most cities and counties, permits will be required for the installation of electrical circuits or the construction of
exterior surfaces (decks and gazebos). In addition, some communities have adopted residential barrier codes which
may require fencing and/or self-closing gates on the property to prevent unsupervised access to a pool (or spa) by
children under 5 years of age. Your Caldera

®

spa is equipped with a locking cover that meets the ASTM F1346-91
Standard for Safety Covers and as a result, is usually exempt from most barrier requirements. As a general practice,
your local Building Department will inform you of any applicable barrier requirements at the time a permit is obtained
for the installation of an electrical circuit. Your CALDERA dealer can provide information on which permits may be
required.

Vacanza® Series Pre-Delivery Instructions

SITE SELECTION AND PREPARATION

IMPORTANT: Site selection and preparation are your responsibility. Carefully read these instructions and consult
your authorized CALDERA dealer if you have any questions.

You probably have a spot picked out for your new spa, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, on a patio or on a deck. Just
make sure you check the following:

• Always put your spa on a structurally sound, level surface. A filled spa can weigh a great deal. Make certain
that the location you choose can support the weight of your filled spa.

• Locate your equipment compartment, which houses all of the electrical components, in a place where water
will drain away from it. Allowing water into the equipment compartment can damage the electronics, or may
result in tripping your house’s circuit breaker.

• Leave yourself easy access to the circuit breakers in the subpanel.

• Never let water get into the subpanel (230 volt models) or into the GFCI by the end of the power cord
(115 volt models).

• Leave access to the entire front of the spa (the removable panel provides access to the spa’s equipment) for
periodic spa care and maintenance.

I

ndoor

/B

asement InstallatIon

Be aware of some special requirements if you place your spa indoors. Water will accumulate around the spa, so
flooring materials must provide a good grip when wet. Proper drainage is essential to prevent a build-up of water
around the spa. When building a new room for the spa, it is recommended that a floor drain be installed. The
humidity will naturally increase with the spa installed. Water may get into woodwork and produce dry rot, mildew, or
other problems. Check for the effects of airborne moisture on exposed wood, paper, etc. in the room. To minimize
these effects, it is best to provide plenty of ventilation to the spa area. An architect can help to determine if more
ventilation must be installed.

Your CALDERA dealer can help you with local information such as zoning regulations and building codes.

d

eck InstallatIon

To be certain your deck can support your spa, you must know the deck’s maximum load capacity. Consult a
qualified building contractor or structural engineer before you place the spa on an elevated deck or indoors.

To find the weight of your spa, its contents and occupants, refer to the Spa Specification chart on back page. This
weight per square foot must not exceed the structure’s rated capacity, or serious structural damage could result.

o

utdoor and

P

atIo InstallatIon

No matter where you install your new spa, it’s important that you have a solid foundation to support it. Structural
damage to the spa resulting from incorrect installation or placement on an inadequate foundation is not covered
under the spa’s limited warranty (See next page for specifics).

Page 2

Pre-Delivery Instructions

Page 3

G

round and

s

Pa

l

evelInG

P

reParatIon

Your CALDERA spa has been engineered to perform on several
types of common yard surfaces. While a concrete slab is best for
long-term use*, other foundations are acceptable so long as a level
base is prepared prior to delivery. Three foundation base pictures,
shown at right, represent examples of alternatives to a concrete slab
for spas installed without gazebos or other accessories.

*NOTE: A reinforced concrete pad at least four inches thick or
structurally sound deck able to support the “dead weight” (found in
the Spa Specification Chart on back page) is recommended for your
CALDERA spa. The reinforcing rod or mesh in the pad should be
attached to a bond wire.

INSTALLATION NOTES:

• Concrete sloped at 1/2 inch per 10 feet is preferred so that rain
water and water spillover will run off and not puddle underneath
the spa (water under the spa for long periods of time may
cause the wood to deteriorate).

•

If stepping stones or railroad ties are selected for the spa

foundation, they should be placed and leveled below the entire
spa to maintain even distribution of the spa weight.

•

It is important to note that soft surfaces, even when stepping

stones are used to distribute the weight of the spa as evenly as
possible, will still have a tendency to settle unevenly, resulting in an unlevel spa.

•

Remember, placing the spa on grass or dirt may increase the amount of debris which is inadvertently

brought into the spa water on the user’s feet.

If you are purchasing a deck package or gazebo with your spa, a solid foundation becomes mandatory. Placing
them on any surface other than a single level pad could create problems with their installation. Pictured at right are a
few of the recommended surfaces.

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to provide a suitable, level foundation for your spa. Keep in mind that most
delivery crews are not equipped to level and prepare spa sites.

If you are interested in having a concrete slab, brick surface, or wood deck installed, your CALDERA dealer should
be able to suggest a qualified, licensed contractor.

d

elIvery

a

ccess

First, locate the dimensions of your spa on the chart on the next page. The dimensions shown are the
measurements of the spa in the vertical position, laid on its side.

Next, contact your dealer to find the height and width added by the delivery cart which the dealer will use to deliver
your new spa. Use the height of the cart plus the dimension shown as H to determine the vertical clearance required
to pass the spa and cart. Use the width of the cart, or dimension W, whichever is greater, to determine the maximum
width of clearance necessary. Use the length dimension L when making any sharp turns to determine the maximum
clearance required.

CONCRETE PADS

BRICK SURFACES

WOOD DECKING

FOUNDATIONS FOR SPAS

WITH ACCESSORIES

(such as gazebo)

Page 4

Pre-Delivery Instructions

How is your width and height clearance?

Protruding electric meters

A/C units

Do you have sufficient
overhead clearance?

Check low roof eaves,
overhanging branches,
rain gutters

Is the path clear?

Move away branches, dog
houses, firewood, etc.

If there is a 90 turn, can we
clear it? (The spa will not bend)

No more than 6 consecutive
stairs without a landing
to accommodate the spa

Gas meters

Check all gates

HOUSE

BACK YARD

STREET

NOTE: It may be necessary to allow for additional over-head clearance if the spa will be rolled up or down an incline
or moved up or down a short flight of stairs.

Use the information below to determine the requirements for
access to your desired location. It may be necessary to remove a
gate, part of a fence, or other movable obstructions in order to roll
the spa to its installation site. About ten percent of the time, a crane
is the only way to install the spa by lifting it to its final destination.

If the spa has to be taken off of the cart to go over a wall (either
because the entry area is too narrow, the eaves are too low, the
corner is too tight, or the stairway is too steep), a crane will be
required. Don’t be alarmed!

The crane has a truck-mounted boom which can fit right in your
driveway. It is run by a licensed and insured operator. For a
charge, the crane operator will lift your spa over walls, buildings, or
any other obstruction and place it as close to the installation site as
possible. The CALDERA spa delivery personnel will supervise the
crane delivery and complete the spa placement.

NOTE: If your spa delivery requires the use of a crane, you may be required to pay for its services at the completion
of the delivery.

Model Width W Length L Height H

Palatino® 38.5" 89" 89"

Marino

®

36" 84" 84"

Vanto

®

36" 84" 84"

Tarino™ 33" 82" 82"

Aventine

®

29" 64" 64"

Page 5

81.375” (214.0cm)

88.75” (207.0cm)

88.75”

(226.0cm)

81.375”

(207.0cm)

4.0” (10.0cm)

38.5”

(99.0cm)

36.0”

(91.0cm)

2.5” (6.5cm)

6.5” (16.5cm)

5”

(12.7cm)

18”

(45.5cm)

NOTE: WATKINS WELLNESS recommends that the PALATINO be installed on a minimum 4”
(10 cm) thick reinforced concrete pad or structurally sound deck able to support the “dead weight” found in the spa
specification chart.

IMPORTANT: The PALATINO must not be shimmed in any manner.

PALATINO

®

NOTE: All dimensions are approximate; measure your spa

before making critical design or pathway decisions.

DOOR SIDE

ELECTRICAL CUTOUT
(BOTH SIDES)

UPSIDE DOWN VIEW OF SPA

ELECTRICAL
CUTOUT

ELECTRICAL
CUTOUT

DRAIN

AIR VENT
DO NOT
BLOCK

DOOR

27.25"

(69.0 cm)

DOOR

20.5"

(52.0 cm)

DOOR

27.25"

(69.0 cm)

FRONT

VIEW