Testing of one of the tallest fountains in world begins

Testing work of The Dubai Fountain, one of the world's tallest performing fountains, is in progress for the official unveiling. Undertaken zone by zone across its entire length, most of the testing and operations are being executed underwater in a series of electronic, mechanical and process checks, executed by experts from WET, the California-based designer of the project.

At 900ft, or 275 metres in length, The Dubai Fountain is located on the 30-acre Burj Dubai Lake and will be officially launched later this year. It rises up to a height of 500ft, equivalent to that of a 50-storey building.

The current testing, mostly computer controlled with limited human involvement, will feature random water jets that gain momentum as each connection device and nozzle is tested and cleared.

Simultaneously, a team of choreographers will get to work to synchronise the water movement to selected music pieces.

Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said: "Undertaking a project of magnificent proportion demands extensive testing to ensure the smooth integration of its varied aspects.

"The Dubai Fountain is not only a celebration of the affinity for aesthetic water features that is associated with the Arab World. It also creates a new lifestyle destination for Dubai in the 500-acre Downtown Burj Dubai community," he said.

The fountain has a unique construction design, featuring five circles of varying sizes and two arcs. In comparison, the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas has only one arc and three circles. It has double the mass of nozzles including fan nozzles that are not present in the Las Vegas master-piece.

When fully operational, The Dubai Fountain will have more than 22,000 gallons of water airborne at any given moment. Powerful nozzles take the water-jets to heights ranging from three to 500ft. Over 6,600 most advanced incandescent large fountain lights and 25 colour projectors will create a visual spectrum of more than 1,000 water expressions.

"At WET, we aspire to total mastery of nature's elements," said Mark Fuller, WET's founder and Chief Excellence Officer.

"And with The Dubai Fountain, we not only defy gravity, we have utilised the latest technology in lighting, robotics, and our signature water Shooters to create an unparalleled experience."