GROWSPAN
™
GOTHIC COLD FRAMES
7
Revision date: 01.01.16
LAY OUT THE BUILDING SITE
After the site is prepared, lay out the building site.
Taking these steps
before
assembling the shelter saves
time and ensures that the structure is positioned as
desired.
Ground posts must be driven to the proper depth. Width of
the shelter is measured from the center of one ground post
to the center of the remaining ground post.
SQUARE THE SITE
Gather the parts:
• Ground posts
• Post driver
1. Identify a corner where a ground post will be positioned
and drive the first corner ground post into the ground.
NOTE:
Insert the ground post driver into the top of
the ground post to protect the post and drive the post
into the ground.
The top of the post will be one (1) foot
above the finished grade when properly driven.
3. Use a transit or line level to drive the second corner
ground post to the same depth as the first ground post.
4. String a line at least as long as the building 90° from
the line between the first and second corner ground
posts.
NOTE:
A transit can be used to ensure an accurate 90°
angle, or the 3-4-5 rule can be used. Refer to diagram.
Using multiples of 3-4-5 such as 6-8-10 or 12-16-20
helps to maintain an accurate 90° angle.
5. After squaring the position of the building, measure the
length and drive the third corner ground post.
6. Repeat the same step for the last corner ground post.
NOTE:
The distance measured diagonally between
corner ground posts must be equal for the building to
be square.
7. Check all dimensions (and adjust if needed) before
driving the remaining posts to the required height.
8. After all four corner posts are accurately installed, tie a
string line between the tops of the corner ground posts
on the same side of the shelter. The string is used to
identify the tops of all remaining ground posts. The
string must remain tight and level.
9. Use a tape measure to mark the 48" on-center
locations of the remaining ground posts.
10. Drive the remaining ground posts into the ground at the
required 48" on-center width and the height identified
by the string.
NOTE:
Verify that the holes in the ground posts are in
the proper position and that each post is plumb and
driven to the correct depth.
11. Continue with the
Rafter Assembly
steps that follow.
ATTENTION:
Position the pre-drilled holes facing to the
inside/outside of the shelter so they can be aligned with
the bolt holes in the rafter legs.
To align the bolt holes in the ground posts with those
in the rafter
after driving the ground posts,
insert a
tapered rod or pry bar into a ground post bolt hole and
turn the post using the rod or pry bar.
2. After the first corner ground post is in place, string a
line the width of the building (center-to-center) and
drive the second corner ground post into the ground
just enough to hold it in place.
Outside of
Shelter
Inside of
Shelter
Ground
Post
