Introducing CombiTile®
This unique and patent-protected concept commenced development by the team at CombiTile® in 2016 in recognition of a need in the playground surfacing market.
The surfacing product used for attenuation in play areas must comply with standards such as AS4422:2016 in Australia, ASTMF1292 in the USA and EN1176-2008 in Europe.
These standards reflect the safe fall height required by various surfacing products including artificial grass, troweled SBR, rubber matting and loose fill. The CombiFlex and CombiLock products have all achieved certification under these critical fall height standards. CombiLock has also achieved certification under ASNZ4586 – Appendix C Wet-Barefoot Inclining Platform Test.
The CombiTile products are critical fall height tested and certified, recyclable, durable, UV stabilsied, chlorine resistant, contain no VOCs, are lightweight and durable with a 5 year product warranty and are insured for public liability and product integrity.
They are repositionable, lightweight, can be installed in all but the worst of weather conditions. They require no harmful adhesives and solvents that are a danger to the health of the play area users and installers. And they pose no threat to the environment.
Existing Playground Issues
Some of the limitations associated with existing dry playgrounds are outlined below, listed by surfacing type:
Trowelled SBR Cushion
- Can have inconsistent density due to varying pressure applied during installationCombiFlex has recorded CFH tests consistent to readings of 3 years earlier
- Carbon leaching from used car tyresThere are no volatile organic compounds in CombiFlex, and the product is produced as a single mass that does not separate into dust, powder or particles
- Relies on the skill of the installer
- To achieve 2.1 metres (7 feet) fall height, 76mm (3 inches) of cushion is required (varies)CombiFlex tiles weigh up to 12% of the equivalent weight of SBR to achieve the same critical fall height of CombiFlex
- Can compress over time affecting fall height rating;
- Bulky and expensive to transportCombiFlex tiles weigh up to 12% of the equivalent weight of SBR to achieve the same critical fall height of CombiFlex
- Labor intensive to install;
- Porous nature leaves open the possibility of harboring health related threats;
- Can degrade in a water park environment;
- Difficult to drainCombiFlex has excellent drainage qualities – refer ‘Drainage Video’ in our video gallery (accessible via top menu)
Manufactured SBR Shock Pads
- Expensive, bulky and heavy to transportCombiFlex tiles weigh 820 grams per 480mm x 480mm
- Must be glued with associated VOCsThere are no volatile organic compounds in CombiFlex, and the product is produced as a single mass that does not separate into dust, powder or particles
- To achieve 3m (9.8 feet) fall height 100mm (3.9 inches) of cushion is requiredCombiFlex tiles weigh up to 12% of the equivalent weight of SBR to achieve the same critical fall height of CombiFlex
- Health related issues due to porous nature and ability to harbor potential threats;
- Can degrade in a water park environment;
- Difficult to drainCombiFlex has excellent drainage qualities – refer ‘Drainage Video’ in our video gallery – accessible via top menu
Loose Fill Bark, Shredded Rubber, Sand etc.
- Must be raked and cleaned regularly;
- Can consolidate over time leading to non-compliance;
- Not disable access friendly;
- Costly when maintenance and top-up requirements are considered;
- Can conceal small objects such as needles;
- Attracts animals causing associated feces and hygiene problems;
- Small chips can be potential danger to young children;
- Can cause maintenance problems when thrown by children onto surrounding grass;
- Efficient drainage difficult to achieve.
Artificial Grass
- Fill consolidation and agglomeration;
- Increased surface temperature;
- Toxicity associated with some types of fill;
- Inconsistent shock attenuation;
- High maintenance costCombiFlex has been tested to 2.7m under synthetic turf – ASNZ4422:2016
The Solution – CombiTile®
The CombiTile® System addresses the majority of the problems identified.
Benefits include:
- Critical fall height of 2.7m tested under synthetic grass ASNZ4422;
- Easy InstallationIn all weather conditions!
- Attenuation & drainage in one;
- Cost effective, cheaper than most attenuating systemsWeighs up to 12% of equivalent weight of SBR to achieve the same CFH
- Long lasting5 year product warranty when installed using CombiTile Installation Guidelines
- Simple to repair if requiredCombiFlex tiles are easily interchanged, moved or cut including curves
- Under loose fill applications is easier to maintain, keep clean and offers permanent attenuating properties;
- Ideal for both dry and wet playgrounds
- Lightweight, stackable, inexpensive to transportCombiFlex has recorded CFH tests consistent to readings of 3 years earlier
- In artificial grass applications – good drainage, cleaner surface and increased longevity; Fill, such as sand, or rubber crumb, is optional with CombiFlex system; If fill is preferred and eventually consolidates, shock attenuating properties are maintained;
- The CombiFlex system allows pre-determined shock attenuating properties;
- Will reduce sport-related injuriesincluding head injurieswhen installed using CombiTile Installation Guidelines
CombiLock® Wet Areas Tile System
Water Park Surfacing
Site Selection
While the great majority of water parks are outdoors, recent years have seen more indoor venues built for year-round use, particularly in colder climates. Water parks require a concrete substrate with good drainage.
Requirements
CombiLock meets the following criteria:
- Slip resistant under ASNZ4586:2013;
- Certified critical fall height;
- Cost effective life cycle;
- Attractive and appealing to children;
- Minimum 5 year life span;
- Minimal fade and appearance retention;
- Chlorine resistant;
- Mould and fungus resistant;
- Saves water.
Aesthetics (NEW Colour Selection Tool)
CombiLock offers these additional features:
- Good colour range – standard or Pantone* matched. (*See note below regarding minimum orders for Pantone colours);
- Durable – will maintain appearance.
NEW – COLOUR SELECTOR
CombiLock tiles are available in eight standard colours (pictured above), however can now be matched to most Pantone colours based on minimum orders of 2500 units. Use our new COLOUR SELECTION TOOL to experiment with different colour combinations (loads in a new window).
Performance
CombiLock’s performance benefits include:
- Slip resistant surface under ASNZ4586:2013;
- Reduces water evaporation by transferring the water flow beneath the CombiLock to the recycle unit, instead of across the surface of solid rubber based aquatic tiles;
- Handles continual wear and tear in a play environment;
- Easily repaired with minimal visual impact;
- Recyclable and relocatable;
- Mould and fungus resistant;
- Impact attenuation where required by Australian Standards.
Transport & Installation
Transport & Storage
- PIP/SBR is heavy and expensive to transport;
- CombiTile Systems are easily stored on-site in any conditions
- PIP/SBR must be stored in dry conditions and temperature must be compatible with adhesives;
- CombiTile Systems are light (over 700m2/20′ container) and easily handled leading to cheaper transport costs.
Ease of Installation
- PIP/SBR requires skilled labour, is messy and is physically demanding;
- CombiTile Systems are simple and easy to install and require little skill.
VOCs
- All PIP surfaces use adhesives such as polyurethane and require the use of face masks to comply with safety regulations;
- CombiTile Systems do not require adhesives.
Minimal Delays
- Weather plays a major part in PIP systems often resulting in expensive delays;
- CombiTile can be installed in all but the worst weather conditions.
Do It Yourself
- CombiTile Systems have the potential to appeal to the DIY market due to simple, easy and light installation procedures.
Seven Systems Compared
System 01 – Poured in place (PIP) over SBR
- SBR does not withstand chlorine attack even at low levels;
- Potential mould invasion;
- Water build up under the PIP can cause delamination, cracking and ultimate failure;
- Drainage can be an issue with finer grades of SBR that is most often used;
- Critical fall height (CFH) can be unpredictable as compaction of SBR can vary;
- Graphics capability good;
- Can harden over time in exposed areas;
- Weather must be fine and dry;
- VOCs – unhealthy to applicators.
System 02 – Poured in place over drainage cells and SBR
- Will perform much better than PIP over SBR;
- Expensive option requiring as much as 5 installation procedures when CFH required;
- Mould and fungus potential;
- CFH can be unpredictable as compaction of SBR can vary;
- Graphics capability good;
- Weather must be fine and dry;
- VOCs – unhealthy to applicators.
System 03 – Poured in place over CombiFlex drainage and attenuation layer
- Predictable CFH;
- Excellent drainage;
- Unaffected by chlorine;
- Simple installation, no VOCs;
- Price competitive;
- Mould and fungus potential;
- Weather must be fine and dry for PIP layer only.
System 04 – CombiLock decorative tile over CombiFlex drainage & attenuation layer
- Predictable CFH;
- Excellent drainage;
- CombiFlex and CombiLock unaffected by chlorine;
- Simple installation;
- No VOC’s;
- Price competitive;
- Mould and fungus resistant;
- All weather installation;
- Good slip resistant properties.
System 05 – Plastic & foam rubber tiles or similar over concrete (no CFH required)
- Require either welding joints and / or gluing to the substrate;
- May fade over time;
- Difficult to patch or replace;
- Limited color range;
- No graphics;
- Must be fine and dry during installation;
- VOCs – unhealthy to applicators;
- Water loss.
System 06 – PIP over concrete (no attenuation required)
- Colour and design options are good;
- Suspect resistance to Chlorine;
- Mainly surface drainage;
- Subject to mould;
- May fade depending on product;
- VOCs – unhealthy to applicators.
System 07 – CombiLock over concrete (no attenuation required)
- Excellent drainage;
- UV stable;
- Mould protection;
- Unaffected by chlorine;
- Simple installation;
- No VOCs;
- Price competitive;
- All weather installation;
- Good slip resistant properties.
