How should safety tiles be installed correctly?

Safety tiles are installed on a sound, level base. On bound sub-bases such as concrete or asphalt, the tiles are laid directly on the surface. For outdoor installations, a fall of 1 to 2% must be provided for drainage. Loose sand, stone chippings or gravel cannot be laid as a stable layer and will shift over time beneath the tiles. For lasting stability, a gravel grid, also called a grass grid, is used. The gravel grid is filled to its top edge with stone chippings.

The starting point is chosen according to the site conditions and the type of tile. Installation often begins at the centre of the area, sometimes at the centre of one side and sometimes in a corner. Tiles with a jigsaw interlock are pressed down from above into the interlock of the adjoining tiles. Tiles with plastic connectors are laid row by row in half bond. A rubber mallet is used for fitting, and cutting is best done with a circular saw. Installation is carried out at no more than about 17 °C and away from direct sunlight, as heat causes the tiles to expand.

When the tiled area forms a section within an existing hard surface, such as a play area on a school playground, an edge ramp is used to form a flush transition to the main surface. Edge ramps are bonded to the underlying surface with PU adhesive. Edging is generally not required for tiles with a jigsaw interlock. For tiles with plastic connectors, edging is required on every side, such as a rubber kerb.