Playground Safety Tiles

Installation Manual

Table of Contents

I.

Delivery and Storage of Materials

II.

Installation Materials

III.

Site Preparation

IV.

Site Layout

V.

Adhesive Application

VI.

Installing PlayFALL Tiles

VII.

Cutting PlayFALL Tiles

VIII.

Cleaning and Maintenance

IX.

Disclaimer

 


I.  Delivery & Storage of Materials

·                   PlayFALL Tiles and accessories must be stored clean and dry at a minimum 40◦F.

·                   Do not take tiles directly from pallet and install immediately. Rubber PlayFALL tiles will expand and contract with changes in temperature, humidity, and from compression while loaded on delivery pallets. To allow tiles to equalize in temperature and pressure prior to final placement, remove all PlayFALL tiles from pallets and spread over prepared installation site.

II.  Installation Materials

·                   PlayFALL Safety Tiles (& Edge Ramps if required)

·                   Tools:

·        band saw (if available) for all cuts

·        sharp utility knife and extra blades

·        carpenters square - for straight edge cuts

·        chalk line - for site layout

·        jig saw with proper blade to cut rubber - for post cuts and curved patterns

·        rubber mallet

·        measuring tape

·        markers - paint and/or felt to indicate cuts

·        rubber gloves

·        safety glasses

·        caulking gun for edge to edge adhesive

·        ⅛” notched trowel for base adhesive

·                   Adhesive:

·        PlayFALL Adhesive 825 ml Tube

·        PlayFALL/SportFLOOR Adhesive 2 part for wet conditions

·                   Interlocking Pins: - 5/8” diameter round x 3” long PVC dowels to insert into preset holes at tile edges for alignment and to secure tiles firmly in place

·                   Geotextile Landscape Fabric: - for use over granular sub-base materials to provide solid clean base for PlayFALL tiles and provide a surface for base adhesive.


III.  Site Preparation

PlayFALL tiles may be installed over both hard surface sub-base such as concrete or asphalt, or over well compacted granule sub-base. PlayFALL tiles are water permeable and liquids will drain through them to sub-base.  In all cases adequate drainage must be provided to ensure that ground and rain water is discharged away from the site, either by mechanical means or positive slope of sub-base (min 2%).

a) Hard Surface Sub-Base

·                   All surfaces must be clean and dry and free of all loose materials, oils, or previous floor finishes that would prevent a secure bond to adhesive.

·                   All bumps, protrusions, cracks or uneven surfaces must be leveled before installation of tiles.

·                   New concrete floors must be thoroughly cured, and not subject to hydro-

·                   Static water pressure, prior to tile installation (min. 28 days cure time).

b) Compacted Granular Sub-base:

·                   Grass, ground cover, soils, and organic fills must be removed to a minimum 4” below bottom of tiles at finished elevation

·                   Place, level, and compact clean and free draining granular material, to a 95% proctor standard. Do not use only sand as the play activity will push legs (stanchions) of PlayFALL tiles into sub-base surface.

·                   Place Geotextile Landscape Fabric over entire site, overlapping min. 12” and tape joints to secure.

IV.  Site Layout

·                   Ensure entire site has been prepared, sub-base completed, and site and materials are clean and dry

·                   All play structure installation should be completed prior to placing of PlayFALL tiles

·                   Remove PlayFALL tiles from pallets and loosely spread them over the entire installation site to allow them to conform and acclimatize to conditions.  If installation is to take more than one day, spread out only as many tiles as are required for that day, repeat procedure on the following work day(s)

·                   Ensure interlocking pins, adhesives, and installation tools are at hand


V.  Adhesive Application

1) Base Adhesive:

·        Choose full spread or perimeter only application method

·        Ensure sub-base is clean, dry and free of all loose materials and dust

·        With notched trowel, spread PlayFALL/SportFLoor base adhesive along selected starting line

·        Ensure that adhesive is applied evenly under tiles to avoid elevation differences

2) Edge Adhesive:

·        Use a caulking gun and PlayFALL Adhesive, apply a bead of adhesive along leading edge face of tile so that subsequent adjoining tiles are securely adhered (and pinned) together

VI.  Installing PlayFALL Tiles

·        Select a straight edge of the site or provide a chalk line as a starting point along one of the perimeters

·        Ensure that all tiles have been pre-placed on site to conform to conditions

·        Apply base adhesive along starting line (min one tile width) and place a straight row of tiles onto base adhesive.

·        Interlocking pin holes should face top and bottom to align with subsequent tile rows. Apply edge adhesive to leading tile edge face and place adjoining tile tight beside it.

·        Insert interlocking pins into installed tiles and, begin the 2nd row with a half tile.

·        Align pins with holes in tile, apply edge adhesive and slide new tile tight to first row.

·        Note: for additional tile security, interlocking pins can also be drilled and inserted to outside perimeter material and connected to first row of tiles. 

·        Continue to use this staggered offset tile pattern to ensure a proper secure installation.

·        As each adjoining row of tiles is installed, ensure that joints are kept tight and install all full tiles first. Any tiles requiring cutting should be set aside, marked and cut to suit after all full tiles have been installed.

·        If tiles are sunk in below adjoining surfaces to create a flush finish elevation, the last row of tiles should be cut 1” oversize and wedged into opening so that all tiles are tightened up across the site.


VII.  Cutting PlayFALL Tiles

·        A band saw is the best tool to cut tiles, ensuring a true clean cut line.

·        After full tiles are installed, mark – cut – and install custom fit and infill tiles. Then install tiles at play structure posts.

·        Measure from edges or post face(s) to adjoining tiles and transfer dimensions to infill tile. Cut with a jig-saw or sharp utility knife.

·        Measurement tolerances should be kept tight to ensure a clean fit.

·        Small gaps (up to 1/4”) can be filled using a polyurethane caulking material.

VIII.   Cleaning and Maintenance

·        All excess adhesive should be cleaned off tiles immediately using a damp cloth.

·        If adhesive has dried onto tile surface, scrape off with utility knife and rub with cloth containing mineral spirits.

·        A regular routine maintenance program will enhance the appearance and performance of PlayFALL tiles.

·        Tile surfaces can be swept, vacuumed, machine scrubbed, hosed-off or power sprayed to ensure a clean and long lasting safety surface.

·        Please note that PlayFALL tiles will allow liquids to pass through them, so site drainage is mandatory for tile performance.  In indoor installations, odor and bacteria may develop if liquids seep into tiles. All spills and excess liquids should be removed/extracted immediately to ensure a clean and sanitary site.

IX.   Disclaimer

·        This manual has been prepared to assist purchasers of PlayFALL Safety Tiles in the recommended installation procedure. It is a guideline which may be used to produce an effective finished installation and should be reviewed in the context of the installation site(s).

·        North West Rubber Mats Ltd., does not warrant any installation work not directly performed by North West Rubber Mats Ltd., and specifically disclaims liability for any direct or indirect personal injury, property damage or other costs or losses resulting from installations or applications by third parties. Please see the North West Rubber Mats Ltd., Limited Warranty for the particulars of warranty coverage relating to North West Rubber Mats Ltd., products.

·        PlayFALL is not to be used for any purpose other than playground covering.

·        PlayFALL must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s published specifications.

>PlayFALL is not to be used for any purpose other than playground covering.

·        PlayFALL must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s published specifications.