Flotation

1. Only AmerenUE approved encapsulated flotation may be installed at Lake of the Ozarks. See the list of approved encapsulated floatation manufacturers. AmerenUE will maintain, and periodically update, a list of approved flotation manufacturers for distribution to Certified Dock Builders and interested property owners.

2. A “Float Replacement Notice” to Ameren will be required for any flotation replacement. Proof of appropriate waste foam and/or debris disposal is required.

3. Flotation shall be made up of a flotation material and an encasement around the flotation material. The use of new or recycled plastic or metal drums for encasement or floats is prohibited.

4. Flotation material shall be extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, or a copolymer of polyethylene and polystyrene. Flotation material shall have a minimum density of 0.8 lbs./cu. ft., be of consistent quality throughout the float, beads shall be firmly fused together, and there shall be no voids inside the encasement.

5. Flotation material shall have a water absorption of less than 3.0 lbs./cu. ft. at 7 days when tested by “The Hunt Absorption Test.” The float being used must be certified to meet this test either by a statement in the float manufacturer's literature or by a letter signed by the president of the float manufacturing company. Certification must also contain a statement which guarantees the minimum thickness of the encasement.

6. The encasement shall be solid polyethylene or a polyurethane type coating, both of which shall be watertight and have a minimum thickness of 0.125 inches. All floats shall be warranted for a minimum of eight years against sinking, becoming waterlogged, cracking, peeling, fragmenting, and losing beads and shall not be subject to damage by animals. A copy of the manufacturer's warranty shall be included with the certification of water absorption and encasement thickness. Existing floats that become inadequate to carry the existing design loads shall be replaced with totally encapsulated floats meeting these new requirements and outlined on the AmerenUE approved flotation list. If floats furnished under this new specification become punctured exposing the foam to erosion or deterioration, they shall be replaced immediately.

7. AmerenUE reserves the right to field-test any float to assure compliance with these float requirements. All flotation manufacturers are subject to annual and random testing. Floats will be tested by an independent testing source at the manufacturer’s cost.

8. A float manufacturer that believes it has floats which are equal to or superior to floats meeting AmerenUE’s specifications may submit sample floats and documentation and reasoning for waiving AmerenUE’s specification. AmerenUE may require the float to be tested by an independent testing company at the manufacturer’s cost.