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PERFO INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
GENERAL |
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| 1. Options for installing PERFO |
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| There are various options for the installation of the PERFO ground reinforcement system, depending on the application and existing ground conditions, which must be taken into consideration. In many cases it is possible to roll the PERFO tiles directly into soft ground. |
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| 2. Installation on existing grass surface |
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When PERFO is to be laid directly on the existing grass surface, the grass should be cut as short as possible beforehand. Small undulations can be levelled out using topsoil or a sand/soil mixture. The PERFO sections are laid out in position and clipped together using foot pressure.
Installation should only take place when the ground is soft enough to ensure the sections can be compacted into the surface easily and completely. Installing in either dry or very wet or muddy conditions should be avoided. |
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| 3. Installation with ground preparation |
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In cases of extreme water-logging, very soft or uneven ground, or where heavy loads and/or frequent traffic are expected, some drainage is advisable and some ground preparation or foundation may be required. The top turf can be removed and a layer of ballast between 20-40 cm deep (depending on conditions) laid down. This should be levelled and compacted. A layer of finer material approx. 2 cm deep follows and finally a layer of topsoil or a sand/soil (20:80) mixture of approx. 5-7 cm compacted depth (quality grass seed should be mixed in with the sand/soil). PERFO can also be rolled directly into fine gravel or chippings. The surface should be levelled and compacted and the top layer moist when the PERFO is installed. The PERFO sections, which are joined using foot pressure on the hooks, are placed in position and rolled into the prepared area in stages (see below).
In general we strongly recommend that some grass growth is established before installation of the matting, as this provides for the best stability and grass coverage. 6-8 weeks growth is generally sufficient. The tiles can also be installed into turf. |
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| 4. Rolling/compacting PERFO sections into the ground |
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The ideal method to be used will depend on the prevailing ground conditions, size and shape of the area to
be installed. Generally a tandem vibrating roller (min. 3.5 to 5 tonnes or heavier) is the best option. On gravel
or soft ground (eg. after levelling/grading), a heavy duty compactor plate (min 500 kg) can be used initially.
Motorised tampers/rammers are ideal for smaller areas.
In the case of a roller, it is important that not more than 3-4 rows of Perfo sections are laid in front of the roller, otherwise sections may bunch up and form a wave in front of the roller, making the rolling process difficult.
At least 1 row should be left unrolled, to which up to a further 2 rows of Perfo sections can be attached.
The individual sections are specially designed with expansion tabs to allow for expansion during hot temperatures. Therefore, care should be taken when rolling or pressing the PERFO sections into the ground to ensure the tiles are not pushed completely together and that a small gap between each tile remains. The installed area should be rolled over at least 4-5 times. The sections must be pressed into the ground completely for correct installation and to give the optimum load bearing capabilities.
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After initial installation, the PERFO sections should be checked regularly to see that they remain flat and plane with the surface, especially after a ground frost or very hot temperatures.
They can be rolled or pressed in again if there has been some initial movement. Once sufficient grass has grown back through the tiles, this will further strengthen the bond between the PERFO sections and the ground below, which should prevent further undulations occurring and provide the best stability and load bearing capabilities.
PERFO-EQ and PERFO-AK tiles can be back-filled with gravel or soil after installation and re-sown with grass seed.
Note: If the tiles are not laid correctly or laid against immovable objects such as posts or curbs which could prevent expansion, this could result in small undulations forming during hot weather or extreme frosts. A gap at least 2 cm should remain between the tiles and any immovable object after rolling/compacting. |
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| 5. Removing or repositioning individual tiles |
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| Individual tiles can be separated from neighbouring tiles, by simply levering out the clips from above with a medium-sized flat screwdriver (see photo below). |
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| Disclaimer: |
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| As ground conditions, installation procedures and intended use of the PERFO system vary from site to site, we cannot accept any guarantee for suitability of the system for a specific application. For this reason we also cannot accept any liability resulting from use of the PERFO system. We recommend that adequate trials are undertaken by the customer, to ascertain the product's suitability for the particular application in question. |
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Sections arranged on the ground |
Perfo sections clipped together
using foot pressure on the clips |
After about 3-4 rows are laid
out, they should be rolled in
leaving the last row unrolled |
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| Separate individual tiles by levering open clips with a screwdriver |
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| PERFO-UK |
S2T Group
July 2011 |
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