Playground Safety Surfacing
Pebble-Flex Manufacturer’s Specifications

1. General
   
   1.1 Section includes: Resilient playground surfacing poured-in-place system.
   
   1.2 Related work: Playground equipment and resilient playground surfacing sub base.  If sub base is not installed by Pebble-Flex, LLC, sub base preparation must meet Pebble-Flex, LLC standards.
   
   1.3 Description: Provide all necessary materials, labor, tools and equipment to perform the work included in the section for the installation of the poured-in-place resilient playground surfacing.
   
   1.4 Quality Assurance: Installation must meet current ASTM F-1292-99 Test Criteria. The installation of the poured-in-place product shall be completed by Pebble-Flex Certified Contractors or by the Pebble-Flex Services Company. Manufacturer's detailed installation procedures shall be submitted to the Architect and made part of the Bid Specifications.

1.5    Temperature must remain above 50 F throughout the installation and curing process.

1.6    Site must be secured against vandalism during installation and curing process.

2. Submittals
   
   2.1 Manufacturer’s Product Literature and Specification Data.
   
   2.2 ASTM F1292-99 Impact Attenuation Test Certification for the poured-in-place system to be installed in compliance with the Critical Fall Height as determined by the Playground Equipment to be installed in conjunction with the poured-in-place surfacing system.
   
   2.3 ASTM E303 Skid Resistance Test.
   
   2.4 Submit manufacturer’s written instructions for recommended maintenance practices.
   
   2.5 Color samples for customer verification.
3. Products
   
   3.1 Product: Pebble-Flex poured-in-place system.
   
   3.2 Description: A dual durometer poured-in-place system with a wearing layer upper membrane and an underlying impact attenuation cushion layer. The finished surface shall be porous and capable of being installed at varying thickness to comply with Critical Fall Height requirements of playground equipment installed in conjunction with the surface.
   
   3.3 Urethane Primer: Pebble-Flex Polyurethane Primer is 100% solids, two component (2A-1B), urethane primer/sealer. It is designed with a low viscosity and penetrating abilities makes this an ideal priming urethane.
   
   3.4 Materials: Wearing surface-the Pebble-Flex surface system shall be manufactured from Pebble-Flex virgin colored aliphatic rubber pebbles mixed with Pebble-Flex Binder (100% solids moisture cured aliphatic polyurethane binder) and Cushion layer-recycled black ground SBR rubber particles (buffings) mixed with 100% solids moisture cured MDI polyurethane binder.
   
   3.5 Cushion Course shall be a mixture of black recycled SBR rubber buffings mixed with a 100% solids moisture cured MDI Polyurethane binder (100 pounds of SBR rubber buffings to two gallons of binder) installed at the appropriate thickness.
   
   3.6 Wearing surface shall be a mixture of virgin Pebble-Flex pebbles bonded by Pebble-Flex Binder, 100% solids aliphatic moisture cured polyurethane binder (100 pounds of pebbles per one gallon of binder), and applied to an average thickness of 0.375 inches over the cushion layer.
   
   3.7 Finish Texture: Pebble grain.
   
   3.8 Color: Selected from Manufacturer’s Color Chart by owner prior to bid.
4. Site Preparation
   
   4.1  Site Elevation: For an on grade installation, the finished height of the Pebble-Flex surface will be equal to the perimeter grade but not more than one inch higher unless approved by the project engineer. An above grade installation will usually require the use of transition ramps around the perimeters of the area to transit smoothly back to the floor elevation, unless the site terminates at a wall or other vertical surface. For site drainage, when preparing a new hard base, a minimum slope of one inch per ten feet of run should be applied to the finished surface with slope toward the drain basin, drain trough, or down grade of the site. Since Pebble-Flex surfaces are permeable, base drainage must be provided at the slab or floor level for below ground installations.
   
   4.2  Hard Base Construction:  For concrete surfaces, shot blast, acid etch or power scarify as required to remove all paints, sealers and contaminants to obtain optimum bond of the Cushion Layer to the concrete. Remove sufficient material to provide a sound surface, free of glaze, efflorescence, or form release agents. Remove grease, oil, and other penetrating contaminants. Concrete will have a pitch of 0.10 inches per foot and should not have low areas that will hold water under the system. Asphalt shall maintain a slope of at least 0.10 inches per foot and should not have low areas that will hold water under the system.   All hard base systems shall be sloped to meet ADA guidelines.

      4.3  Loose Base Construction:  Where Pebble-Flex Safety Surface is to be       installed over loose material (grass, dirt), the existing loose material shall be       excavated to a depth which allows for 6” of  crushed stone (4” of A blend-      recycled concrete-and 2” of stone dust) which has been compacted down plus the         appropriate depth of safety surface to meet the Critical Fall Height.  Perimeter of           project shall be enclosed by 6x6 pressure treated wood or equivalent material and        shall be level with grade and shall meet ADA accessibility guidelines..

Installation

5.1 Materials: Mix resin components and prepare material according to manufacturer’s instructions.

5.2 Forms: Following the shape of the area, form the perimeter with six by six-wooden planks or railroad ties flush with the surrounding ground area for flush installations. Secure the planks with metal pins through the planks deep enough into the ground to ensure the planks won’t move.

5.3 Primer Application: Apply Pebble-Flex Polyurethane Primer to concrete, asphalt or wood surfaces at a rate of  150-200 square feet per gallon. Do not prime the whole area at once, prime about 700 square feet and as the installers approach an unprimed area, prime 700 more square feet.

5.4 Base Application: Mix two fifty-pound bags of SBR buffings with two gallons of MDI moisture cure Polyurethane binder thoroughly so that binder is evenly dispersed into the rubber base. Spread and trowel the mix to the desired depth and allow to cure for 24 hours.

5.5 Top Coat Application:                                                                                                   Apply a coat of Pebble-Flex Polyurethane Primer (2A to 1B to1Cabosil) over the cured SBR/polyurethane layer at a spread rate of 100 SF per gallon.                                         Mix two fifty-pound bags of Pebble-Flex pebbles with one gallon of Pebble-Flex Binder so pebbles are covered evenly. Spread the mix with rake and trowel to an average final depth of 0.375 inches immediately after the application of primer and let cure for 48 to 72 hours or until dry to the touch.

5.6 Curing, Protection, and Cleaning: Cure according to manufacturer’s directions, taking care to prevent contamination during application stages and before completing the curing process. Close application area until contractor has inspected and determined that the area is fully cured and ready for use.

5. Cleaning and Demonstration
   
   6.1 The contractor shall clean the jobsite of excess materials and if necessary backfill any excavation around the perimeter with earth or other appropriate fill material.
   
   6.2 The contractor shall instruct the owner's personnel on proper maintenance and repair of the Pebble-Flex soft surface.

For more information contact: Pebble-Flex, LLC 732-897-0444

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