Rubber Playground Mat Instalation

Rubber Playground Surface Installation

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR PLAYGROUND
(Rubber Bounce Back Tiles)

Upon Delivery of Product:

1. Verify packing slip matches with product and order.
2. Inspect delivered product thoroughly. Report any discrepancies of originalorder, product defects, etc. No reimbursement/warranty claim will be given for labor on material installed with visual defects. Any defects – size, color, or otherwise – must be reported to the place of purchase prior to installation.
3. Store product and adhesives in clean, dry,environment with temperatures between 70° and 95° F.
4. Read product and sub surface floor preparation,instructions, warranty and other disclaimers carefully and completely before beginning any installations.

WARNING
DO NOT use recycled rubber products in conjunction with any petroleum based products. This includes solvents, adhesives or sealants. All substrates (especially new concrete) must be fully cured for 45 to 60 days prior to installing rubber products.

Recommended Tools:

*Measuring tape or ruler
*Metal straight edge
*RBN Knife or non-retractable utility knife with extra blades
*Jig saw
*White marker or chalk
*Chalkline
*2 x 4 wood block
*Cellophane, masking or packing tape
*Mallet

Adhesive Options: List of Adhesives

*CX-941 Polyurethane Adhesive:
Mineral spirits and rag, rubber gloves and a “V” notched trowel 3/16” x ¼” x ¼”

*CX-948 Seam Sealant
*Commercial grade caulking gun

ADHESIVE

Protect unopened containers from heat and direct sunshine. In cool weather store containers at temperatures of 70° to 95° for at least 24 hours before using. Adhesive CX-941 has a shelf life of one year when stored at this temperature range. Apply in temperatures above 40°F.

*Wear gloves during application. CX 941 is difficult to remove from skin and clothing. If adhesive gets on skin, immediately wipe if off with a dry cloth.
*Do not apply on frozen surfaces or standing water.
*Avoid contact with water or alcohol before use and before completely cured.
*Do not use in areas subject to hydrostatic head pressure.
*Do not use on wet, contaminated, or friable substrates.
*It is the user's responsibility to check adhesion of the cured adhesive on typical test areas at the project before application.

CLEANING

Indoors, sweep, sponge mop or vacuum rubber flooring for everyday maintenance. Outdoors, spraying with a water hose, leaf blower or broom is usually sufficient.

Use RBN clean/deodorizer, disinfectant or a mild detergent with a sponge mop and water for more extensive cleaning.

DO NOT USE petroleum based products to clean rubber.

OPTIONAL SEAM SEALING

RBNN offers CX-948 adhesive for creating the performance of a one-piece floor: CX-948 acts as a bonding agent that will waterproof flooring seams, and will be as flexible as the rubber it bonds.

CX-948 is available in a 10 oz gun-grade form. To bond the rubber together it is necessary to leave a ¼” gap between seams for adequate adhesive to penetrate adjacent pieces. Application must be allowed to cure for 48 hours prior to use.

PREPARATION

Product:

Playground should be protected from weather and other damage prior to application, during application and while curing. Rain and/or sprinkling should be avoided during and for 12 hours after installation.

Sub-Surface:

Requirements for all sub surfaces are as follows:

1.All play structures should be in place prior to Playground installation.
2.Structurally sound and fully cured for 45 to 60 days (concrete or asphalt)
3.Good drainage with a gradient (2% is suggested)to prevents the pooling of water.
4.Be reasonably flat and free of holes or variances of more than 1/8” in 10 feet.

Concrete & Asphalt

1.New concrete must be allowed to cure thoroughly prior to installation (45 to 60 days). If sealants are used DO NOT use one with a petroleum base.
2.Old concrete must be repaired and have joint sealants and fillers installed necessary. All cracks or flaws should be filled in or repaired prior to covering with rubber products. Use patching materials as appropriate. (Mechanical surface profiling is the preferred floor preparation method. It is the only acceptable preparation method where warranties are issued with CX-941 adhesives. Acid etching is not recommended. Mechanically profile the floor to medium grit sandpaper texture. Remove curing and parting compounds and other surface hardeners and floor coatings in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.)
3.Surface must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt, dust, grease, or other foreign matter by shotblasting or other mechanical means with a commercial degreaser. Any bumps or debris will cause excess wear and or cushion damage.
4.Allow the surface to completely dry before beginning installation.
5.Asphalt may require a re-surface coating for best results. Due to variations in asphalt substrates, it is the user's responsibility to check the adhesion of the cured adhesive on typical test areas at the project before application.

Compacted Surfaces

1.Subsoil (existing dirt) layers must be free from large rocks and any organic material such as leaves, peat, wood or other materials which could decompose over time, potentially causing settling of the matting surface.
2.Subsoil should be flat and level. Compaction of the subsoil with a compactor or roller may be required where subsoil is unusually soft or loose.
3.Install the first layer of 5/8” minus or ¾” minus crushed rock, approximately 2” thick, and compact the material using a plate compactor to a 95% compacted rate,sprinkling water as necessary to get the crushed rock material to compact tightly. Surface should be hard and flat after compaction. A slope of up to 2% may be desired for drainage. Verify that this slope will not affect the heights of critical play equipment components. Like slide exits.
4.Repeat the rock installation and compaction so that the rushed rock base is 3” – 4” thick after compaction. Additional layers may be required over unusually soft or unstable subsoil materials.
5.Roll out a layer of RBNN felt or similar geo-textile fabric and overlap seams by 3” or more. Glue the layers together with the adhesive provided. Keep the felt layers flat by temporarily staking the fabric at both ends.
6.Install the Playground tiles to the fabric, as you would install to a hard surface and tile to tile. Be careful not to bunch up or wrinkle the fabric during the installation process.
7.Trim any excess fabric, or bury the edges of the fabric beneath the subsoil.

INSTALLATION

1.Assume that the fences, walls or curbs that the tiles may butt up against are not perfectly straight and will most likely require cutting for a tight fit. Begin by determining the absolute center of the area to be installed. Determine the horizontal center. Snap a chalk line. Determine the vertical center. Snap a chalk line. (Figure 1) This will become the starting point.

2.Chalk line perpendicular a grid at 24” intervals, both horizontal and vertical for a checkerboard pattern. (Figure 2) For the most secure installation, use a “Brick Pattern” installation with full floor and tile to tile adhesive.

A.Using Full Floor Adhesive CX-941. Apply CX-941 Adhesive prior to laying each tile and apply only within the area of the tile (or tiles) to be laid down. The adhesive should be applied thinly and evenly over the substrate with 3/16” x ¼” x ¼” “V” trowel.After placing each tile, press firmly throughout the tile to remove bubbles and establish a bond.

CX-91 adhesive will cover 50 to 60 square feet per gallon. Do not apply more adhesive than can be utilized within a 30 minute window. In ideal temperatures there is approximately 30 minutes of open time to apply the adhesive and maneuver the rubber tile onto the adhesive and position prior to curing onset. Wipe off excess adhesive on hands with mineral spirits. Gloves are strongly suggested during application, as CX-941 is aggressive on skin. DO NOT allow mineral spirits to come in contact with the rubber tiles.

Using Tile to Tile Adhesive CX-948. Apply a ¼” wide bead of CX-948 adhesive 9” in each direction from the corners, just below the radius edge. This will provide 6” of unattached edge for greater water permeability (Figure 3).

NOTE: It is strongly recommended to use both methods of adhesion when installing product over RBNN felt or geotextile sub-surface. Using both of the above-mentioned adhesive procedures will ensure the most long-term, trouble-free installation of your Playground product.

3.Place the first tile in the joint of the two chalk line (Figure 2). Maneuver the rubber sheet to lay precisely within the two chalk lines by tapping with a mallet and wood block.

4.Place the next tile at one end of the original tile. Use mallet and wood block to gently tap into place, match with adjacent tile, and align with chalk gridlines. The cushion’s rubber content provides elasticity that provides fall protection. This same elasticity creates some variance in exact size, tile to tile. Attention must be given to keeping a straight line at the tile joints.
5.Continue this method to the wall or stopping point in that direction. Resume laying floor on the opposite side of the original tile and continue installation to the outside of the fall area or stopping point in that direction. (Figure 4) If the rubber exceeds the allotted space, use a straight edge and non-retractable utility knife to trim the excess length.

6.Begin laying the next row at one end of the room (Figure 4), adjacent to the first row, by applying adhesive first and then placing the tiles, fine tuning placement with 2 x 4 and mallet. To achieve the recommend “brick” pattern, it may be necessary to cut the first and last tiles.

ADHESIVE CLEAN UP TIPS: Before troweling with CX-941, cover the unused portions of trowel with duct tape. After troweling, tear off the tape before the material cures. Clean all tools and excess CX-941 immediately after use with mineral spirits. Use proper precaution when handling solvents. Cured adhesive can be removed by cutting with a mechanical tool. DO NOT allow mineral spirits to come in contact with the rubber tiles.

ADA RAMP KIT INSTRUCTIONS (7-9’ and 10-12’ fall heights)

1. Ensuring that you have a level, sound surface, lay two tiles down side by side so they combine to make a 24” wide surface. Glue the meeting edge with a ¼” wide bead of CX-948.

2. The ramp included in your kit that perfectly covers the two tiles will be installed next using a wavy or “S” pattern. With the CX-948, place a ¼” wide bead on the two tiles and around the perimeter approximately ¼” in from the outside edge (adhesive is depicted in the diagram below by dotted lines) Then place the matching ramp on top of the tiles.

3. The remaining ramp should have a ¼” wide bead of adhesive across the face of the thick side and butted against the face of the tile ramp assembly.

CUTTING TIPS

Tips on cutting rubber tiles: This procedure works best when using the recommended RBNN Knife, but will also work with a non-retractable utility knife. When using a utility knife, be sure to keep the blades sharp to aid in the cut, and help reduce the possibility of injury due to dull blades.

1.Mark the tiles you will need to cut with chalk or a chalk line.
2.Put your straight edge on the corresponding marks you have placed on the tiles.
3.Holding the straight edge firmly in place, score the tiles two or three times.**
4.Grab the tile close to the score line, lift and bend the tile toward you. The score line will “break open.”
5.Make several more passes with the knife, working down the established cut, until the cut is complete.

**This process may be made easier by cutting the tile upside down on a raised surface such as the 2x4 wood block used during installation. Gravity will depress the cut edge down and away from the cut, and will be less likely to catch the knife blade.

A jigsaw is also an effective tool to make circular cuts around poles,posts, etc.

1.Draw a circle on the tile using chalk for the desired diameter. (If there are several cuts of the same nature, create a pattern out of cardboard.)
2.Begin the cut at the edge of the tile closest to the drawn circle, cut a straight line to the circle. Cut around drawn pattern. Push out unwanted piece(s).

CURING TIMES

CX-941 Adhesive Standard Set:

Firm Set 1-2 hours
Light Traffic 8-10 hours
Normal Traffic 24 hours

Non-Adhesive:

Not recommended

CX-948 Seam Sealant

Foot Traffic 48 hours

PRODUCT WARRANTY

Playground surfaces are warranted from material defects for five (5) years from the date of purchase when installed according to installation specifications and when used for the purpose for which intended.

Should defects in material or workmanship be found, it is the owner’s responsibility to contact , through the point of purchase or directly, within the allotted warranty period to resolve the situation. This warranty does not cover dissatisfaction or problems due to:

*Improper installation and/or improper maintenance;
*Fading due to sunlight;
*Shading (color variation) of individual pieces due to natural rubber variations;
*Use of harsh and acidic chemicals, acidic foods and abrasive chemicals;
*Water spotting, harsh chemicals, petroleum adhesives or floor sealants or abuse;
*Color variation between samples and/or printed illustrations and actual product;
*Wear or product degradation expected from the use or environment of installation.

The warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of products, which are shown to be defective. The owner/end—user agrees not to advance any claim for any other measure of damage or loss. NCNWEST shall not be liable for installation, disassembly, removal, disposal, return shipping, or other similar costs.

The warranty does not cover damage to the materials or installation during or after delivery due to (a) exposure to chlorine, solvents, acids, or other harmful chemicals; (b) acts of negligence, misuse, or willful or accidental external influences, including but not limited to, vandalism, riot, or acts of war. Outdoor exposure, abrasions, and ultra-violet rays may cause normal change in the surface color, which is not covered as a defect under this warranty.

NCNWEST. shall not be liable for any damage, loss or claim whatsoever unless:

*The manufacturer is notified in writing within fifteen (15) days of any occurrence which might give rise to a claim;
*The owner/end-user has obtained written authorization from NCNWEST. prior to making any repairs or alterations on or through the surface which may affect the integrity of the materials;
* NCNWEST is first permitted to inspect the allegedly defective product or cause of the alleged loss, damage or claim;
*The material is installed according to the written instructions provided, and used only as intended .

If, after inspection, NCNWEST determines that there has been a material defect in the product within the five-year period described in Paragraph 1, the liability of and the remedy of the owner/end-user shall be limited, at the sole option of NCNWEST. to either (a) delivery of repair or replacement material for the impacted area, or (b) credit to be applied towards the purchase of new material. The value of either remedy shall be pro-rated upon the remaining months of unexpired warranty as determined by the manufacturer. The maximum pro-rated value of either remedy shall in no case exceed the original purchase price.

LIMITATIONS OF WARRANTY

1.There is no warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, nor any other warranties which extend beyond the description on the face hereof.
2.NCNWEST. shall not be liable for any incidental, consequential or other damages.
3.The remedies stated herein are the sole and exclusive remedies for any claim or damage.
4.No agent or representative of NCNWEST. has any express or implied authority to make any representation, promise or guarantee not stated herein.

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Links to Rubber Mats

New Century NORTHWEST LLC
775 Vincent Street
Eugene, Oregon 97401
Phone: (541) 342-4500 Fax: (541) 485-5566
E-MAIL sales@ncnwest.com HOME PAGE