Frequently Asked Questions

The depth of FlooraBounce required is calculated according to the Critical Fall Height (CFH) of any fixed play equipment. This is the height from which a surface will absorb the impact of a child’s fall to reduce the risk of serious head injury. We are happy to advise of the CFH of any existing or planned play equipment.

The extent of safety surfacing required around the play equipment is dictated by the height of any potential fall. Establishing the size of the area that will need soft surfacing differs for stationary equipment and swings. We are happy to advise on the extend of surfacing for any existing or planned play equipment.

In most cases, the coverage rate is dependant on the sub-base type and any critical fall height requirement. As a result, we prefer to tailor any quotation to the individual conditions of the site. Please contact us directly for more details in respect of prices, coverages and mix ratio’s.

Mixing

The mixing process is such that only specially manufactured mechanical mixers will achieve the correct consistency of mixed material. Conventional ‘cement’ type mixers are not suitable for this purpose. Critical aspects of the mixing process are the time taken to satisfactorily mix an individual batch and the time taken to place the material in final position following initial addition of the binder.

Placing

The mixed material is normally transported from mixer to final location by dumper or barrow and placed on the prepared base by shovel, rake and/or loot. Speed of operation is of the essence due to the fact that the material will be gradually curing and will become difficult to work in a period, which will vary depending on the ambient weather conditions, but may be as little as fifteen minutes after mixing.

The finished level is achieved by trowelling off the polymeric mixture and compacting by combination of hand trowelling and/ or rolling with a smooth wheeled roller. Keep your trowel clean and lubricated with a release agent to achieve a uniformly smooth finish. On completion the finished surface should be inspected to ensure there are no roller or trowel marks.

Allow the base layer to cure (or at least partly cure) before the top layer is applied. The top layer must be fully cured before the surface is commissioned, this could take at least 24 hours subject to weather conditions.

It is important to ensure that construction joints or overnight joints are kept to a minimum within each area of surfacing. Construction joints may be required due to the overall dimensions of the area, weather problems etc. All joints should be constructed in a straight or curved line which must be regular in appearance.

Compaction must be ensured at any joints and around equipment legs, edging kerbs, etc. To aid adhesion it is advisable to prime edgings with a diluted binder solution prior to placing the surfacing.

Surface Patterns

it is possible to inlay patterns of different shapes and colours within the wet-pour surface. This may increase the ‘play value’ of the surface and improve the aesthetics of a particular installation. These patterns of contrasting colours may be achieved by using shaped moulds of the same thickness as the top layer, manufactured from plywood, polystyrene or similar. the basic colour of the top layer is installed with the mould in place and when this layer has cured, the mould is removed and the contrasting colour is trowelled into the shape left by the mould. On completion, the installer must ensure that the joint between colours is properly compacted with no trip edges or open areas at the interface.

Cleaning

Clean the mixer and tools immediately upon finishing the installation. Scrape off the thick of the residue and finish with release agent on a cloth. Provided that you clean most of the residue from the buckets, you should be able to peel off the thin skin left inside the buckets once it has cured.

The binder is “messy” when wet, keep it off your clothes and skin as far as possible – further information can be found on the product label. The binder cures to form an inert urea, so there are no special disposal requirements after full cure.

Polyurethane resin mixtures are susceptible to temperature and humidity and it is recommended that the installation of in-situ systems does not take place when the surface temperature of the substrate is outside the range of 5°C to 35°C or the relative humidity exceeds 80%.

Installation should be undertaken in dry conditions (as far as reasonably practicable). Substrate should be as dry as possible (certainly no standing water) and installation in rain/snow should be avoided.

The binders which are universally used are Aromatic, based on MDI-type isocyanates. These chemicals go yellow/brown on exposure to light. The chemistry is similar to the ‘browning’ of peeled apples. The rate of colour change depends directly on UV levels and humidity during the curing period. There is no evidence that this phenomenon causes any deterioration of the physical characteristics of the wearing surface. It is common for the original granule colour to be gradually restored due to the wear on the surface binder. Over the passage of time the effects of UV, natural ageing, weathering, light and shade will have an effect on the overall surface colour.

Aliphatic binder is a HMDI-type isocyanate and has better UV resistance than Aromatic binder. Aliphatic binder should be used during pro-longed periods of high UV levels and / or when installing the lighter shades of coloured EPDM, such as Eggshell, Grey & Blue.

The minimum order quantities are limited to the pack size of the product, so either:

1 x 25kg bag for FlooraBase, FlooraBright & FlooraCoat, or
1 x 10kg bag for FlooraBark, or
1 x 25kg drum of Dow Voramer Binder.

We are happy to consolidate products when packing and despatching to ensure the delivery is as cost effective as possible. We are happy to advise on the delivery costs, depending on quantity, location and time required.

The installer should be consulted on their specific maintenance recommendations as neglecting any maintenance regime may invalid any warranty.

Cleanliness

The surface will become contaminated with dirt from children’s shoes, wind blown dust and various contaminants such as chewing gum, soft drinks etc. The most effective method of cleaning is by use of water jetting apparatus, though chewing gum is best dealt with using a freezing spray to embrittle the gum and make it easier to remove.

Moss and Algae

In certain situations and in some seasons algae or moss can become established on the surface. Since prevention is very much more effective than cure, it is important to treat the affected areas of the surface with a good proprietary moss-killer and algicide at least once a year.

Moss is not usually found on the parts of the surface that are trafficked by ply, and although it may not be essential to treat these areas it is still a wise precaution to do so. However, particular attention should be paid to perimeter and other areas that are not trafficked, especially if they are shaded by walls or buildings or are overhung by trees or are under equipment. Any good proprietary product should be satisfactory provided that it is not oil-based, however, the manufacturers instructions should be closely followed.

Where moss becomes established it should be treated immediately, the application being repeated after the dead spores are removed until eradication is complete. The dead moss may be removed by using water jetting apparatus but care must be taken to ensure that excessive pressure is avoided as this can permanently damage the surface.

Weeds

Weeds may occasionally appear on the surface, usually as a result of wind-blown seeds. Small numbers of weeds can be removed by hand with our damaging the surface. If the weeds are removed by hand, it is important to ensure that the full root of the weed is exacted, not broken off. Some weeds are more prolific if they are simply cut off at surface level. If the weeds are deep-rooted it is advisable to kill them off with an appropriate weed-killer. Localised areas of weed seedling infestation can be treated with domestic weed-killer without causing harm to the surface. Oil-based weed-killers should not be used.

Snow and Ice

Snow and ice are not harmful and can be permitted to melt through. Metal shovels or scrapers may damage the surface and should not be permitted. Rock salt should not be used. In certain cases vacuum-dried salt or urea have been used as effective preventatives when applied in advance of the weather deteriorating. If the play area is used in a frozen state, the degree of shock absorption will also be substantially reduced and clients should be made aware of this fact.