Stabilized Engineered Wood Fiber for Accessible Playground Surfaces

Preliminary Guidelines for Vitri-Turf SEWF Installation

Follow manufacturer's instructions for storage and handling of the binder. Binder materials must be stored indoors in cool dry storage out of sunlight. Observe recommended limits on binder shelf life as reactivity will diminish after that time. Read material safety data sheets carefully prior to opening containers. Wear protective clothing and eye gear at all times. The EWF should be less than 30% moisture content for correct absorption and curing of SEWF.

Mixing of Binder With EWF

1. Mix Vitri-Turf binder with EWF at ratio of 77/23 by weight. This is approximately 1.25 gal of Vitri-Turf binder to 1.8 bushels of EWF (depending on density of EWF particles).

2. Use a mechanical drum mixer to mix binder and EWF. To mix a small batch for repairs, use a trough and hoe. Be sure that EWF particles are thoroughly coated. Adequate mixing takes about 2 min in a typical mortar or cement mixer. Check the mixer at the end of each mix to ensure that binder and fine wood particles are not accumulating on the paddles or drum.

Application of SEWF

1. Transport SEWF mixture to site in a wheelbarrow. Dump mixture onto site and apply binder-EWF mixture to a thickness (uncompacted) of about 75 mm (3 in.) using a screed bar or rake.

2. Compact and smooth the surface using a large trowel or a 1.2-m by 1.2-m by 16-mm (4-ft by 4-ft by 5/8-in.) piece of plywood covered with a heavy-mil sheet of polyethylene as a release. If the material sticks, lubricate the trowel or plywood with kerosene, diesel fuel, or soapy water. Do not saturate the surface with these lubricants. After compaction, thickness will be approximately 40 mm (1.6 in.).

3. Apply a moderate downward pressure onto the surface so that the mixture compacts tightly. If plywood is used to compact the surface, a 90-kg (200-lb) person stepping on the four quadrants of the panel should provide adequate compaction.

4. Allow the surface to cure for a minimum of 24 h.

Cleanup

Clean all tools and surface spots immediately with diesel fuel prior to drying. Once the binder has dried it will be extremely difficult to remove from tools, surfaces, or hands.

General Precautions

• Wear protective clothing and eye gear.

• Provide a minimum of 1% slope for all substrates for drainage.

• Ambient air temperature should be 4°C (40°F) or greater and rising when SEWF is applied. Air temperature remain at 4°C (40°F) or greater for at least 7 days after application.

• Protect surfaces from rain for minimum of 48 h after SEWF application.

• Read all material safety data sheets very carefully. If you do not understand the instructions, contact the manufacturer before applying SEWF.

• If binder accidentally comes in contact with eyes, immediately rinse with water and contact a physician.