Install GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch at a uniform level throughout the surface area. Any variety of method can be used for spreading the mulch including blowing, shoveling and raking. Care should be taken to not disturb the substrate material and/or landscape fabric if used.
The amount of rubber mulch used per square foot is dependent upon on the required fall height rating of the playground equipment. Rubber mulch is IPEMA certified to provide up to 16’ of critical fall height protection per ASTM F1292-13. To achieve a maximum fall heights when installed in fall zones of a playground, the following depths and ratios must be followed:
Fall Height Protection per ASTM F1292-13 |
Un-Compacted Depth |
Final Compacted Depth |
Weight per Sq. Ft. Compacted |
Up To 16 FT. |
7" |
6" |
15.3 lbs |
Up To 12 FT. |
6" |
5" |
13.1 lbs |
Up To 10 FT. |
5" |
4" |
10.9 lbs |
Proper compaction can be achieved by using a lawn roller. Once the rubber mulch is raked and leveled into place, the lawn roller can be pulled directly over the surface. It is recommended to roll the roller across the surface in multiple directions. If low or high spots develop while compacting the surface, material can be added into the low areas and/or raked away from the high areas and compacted again.
To reduce maintenance of your rubber mulch in high use areas where critical fall height protection is not required, rubber mats may be used. Mats can be placed under or on top of the rubber mulch.
