The area where GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch will be installed must be graded for proper drainage with a substrate that is compacted to provide a firm, even base.
Installation of a commercial grade geotextile landscape fabric is recommended under GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch. Seam overlap needs to be a minimum of three inches and all seams need to be properly secured to prevent dirt or other substrate material from mixing with the safety surfacing. Additionally, the landscape fabric needs to be properly secured at the perimeter and around all installed equipment posts or polls. If stone or other material is used as part of a drainage system then the use of landscape fabric is also recommended in order to ensure that the materials do not mix.
If GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch will be installed above grade, use of a retaining system is highly recommended to reduce migration of GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch outside of the designated area and to help maintain a level, compacted play area.
When installing over hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete, follow the November 2010 Consumer Product Safety Commission Publication 325 Public Playground Safety Handbook section 2.4.2.3 Installing loose-fill over hard surface. This guideline recommends that immediately over the hard surface there should be a 3- to 6-inch base layer of loose-fill (e.g., gravel for drainage). The next layer should be a Geotextile cloth. GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch should be installed directly over this layer. Embedded in the GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch should be impact attenuating mats under high traffic areas, such as under swings, at slide exits, and other places where displacement is likely.
Prior to installing GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch the area must be cleared of all grass, wood chips, rocks, stumps, gravel, or any other type of debris.
