TM 5-803-11/AFJMAN 32-10139
Gravel
300 mm (12 inches)
Wood products
300 mm (12 inches)
Chopped tire
150 mm (6 inches)
mendations. The substrate should be installed in
11-4. Synthetic Surfacing.
one continuous pour. A wear surface should be
Synthetic surfacing, such as synthetic tile and
bonded to the substrate.
poured-in-place surfacing, is available in a variety
(2) Synthetic Tiles. Synthetic tiles are factory-
of thicknesses to provide protection from falls from
molded geometric shapes. The tiles may combine an
varying heights. Its major disadvantage is high ini-
impact-attenuating substrate and a wear surface or
tial cost. Its major advantages are low maintenance
consist of a uniform material that varies in density.
and consistent impact-attenuating performance.
(a) Advantages. Synthetic tiles are recom-
a. Design Considerations.
mended for small projects, for projects where a
(1) Poured-In-Place Surfacing. Poured-in-place
checkerboard pattern is desired, or for remote loca-
surfacing is a relatively new product. It is made
tions where experienced safety surfacing installers
from a combination of chopped or shredded rubber
are not available. Individual damaged tiles may be
and a flexible plastic binder that is mixed and
replaced without replacing the entire safety surface.
poured on-site. The installation process is similar to
(b) Disadvantages. For large areas, synthetic
tiles may be more expensive than poured-in-place
the process used to install asphalt. Poured-in-place
surfaces. When composed of recycled rubber, the
surfacing consists of a poured-in-place substrate
surface may be more likely to fade. In addition, tiles
layer, covered by a durable wear surface. The wear
may be vulnerable to vandalism.
surface may be a poured-in-place, manufactured
(c) Installation Requirements. Depending on
turf, or rubber sheet goods material.
the manufacturer's recommendations, synthetic
(a) Advantages. Poured-in-place surfacing is
tiles may be installed over asphalt, concrete, or com-
suitable for any application or climate zone. The
pacted gravel. When installed over a compacted
surfacing can be installed in any thickness. The
gravel subsurface, a geotextile fabric should be in-
material thickness can be varied where necessary to
stalled over the subsurface before installing the
accommodate changing impact attenuation require-
tiles. The tiles may be secured by an adhesive or
ments under equipment of different heights. The
hardware in accordance with the manufacturer's
material's edges can be shaped in freeform or
recommendations. Cutouts should be filled with
straight lines, making it adaptable to many situa-
sealant to eliminate voids at play equipment.
tions. Color patterns can be created with the surface
(3) Combination System. The combination sys-
material. Since the surface is composed of new
tem includes modular substrate units overlaid with
rather than recycled rubber, the surface may be
a bonded, manufactured turf-type or rubber sheet
more resistant to fading. Poured-in-place surfacing
goods wear surface.
is less expensive than synthetic tiles for application
(a) Advantages. Combination systems pro-
in large areas.
vide many wear surface options. These wear sur-
(b) Disadvantages. Poured-in-place surfaces
faces may be especially desirable in areas where a
are more difficult to repair than synthetic tiles. In
nonabrasive surface is needed.
addition, a qualified, experienced installer is essen-
(b) Disadvantages. Combination systems
tial to ensure durability and impact attenuation.
may be less durable than other synthetic surfaces.
(c) Installation Requirements. Poured-in-
These surfaces should be selected for areas with low
place surfacing may be installed over asphalt, con-
activity levels, or where low use is expected.
crete, or compacted gravel subsurfaces. A geotextile
(c) Installation Requirements. Depending on
fabric should be installed over the compacted gravel
the manufacturer's recommendations, combination
subsurface before installing the surfacing. The
systems may be installed over asphalt, concrete, or
poured-in-place substrate is mechanically mixed on
compacted gravel. When installed over a compacted
gravel subsurface, a geotextile fabric should be in-
site in accordance with the manufacturer's recom-
11-3
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