Pre-Installation
GUIDE
PRE-INSTALLATION GUIDE
The aim of this guide is to help you understand how to correctly specify, design and prepare for
the installation of an outdoor surface and ensure that the surface will achieve the highest quality finish, meeting all
UK and European standards.
Our Process: Overview
Our Process
View Next Steps
STAGE 1:PRE-INSTALL
STAGE 2: INSTALL
STAGE 3: AFTERCARE
STAGE 1:PRE-INSTALL
- Client provides DCM with a project brief. This includes: area size, depths, measurements, colours, designs and an accurate drawing.
- An Account Manager will contact the client to discuss the project brief and request any further information. A quote is sent and a site visit can be organised.
- Client approves or requests amends to quotation until sign-off is provided.
- DCM prepares a file with all details. This is checked internally and further clarification may be requested.
- DCM confirms with the client before an install is due to ensure that the site is ready.
- An order acknowledgment is sent to the customer. A date is agreed and material is ordered.
- A pre-install site survey can be arranged for £175 to check the sub-base levels and access on site for your peace of mind.
STAGE 2: INSTALL
- Team arrive on site wearing full PPE, present CSCS /DBS cards and sign in. Installers unload equipment from vehicle. Heras fencing is assembled if requested.
- Materials / skips are delivered to site. Measurements are taken of area and installers take images throughout install.
- Once equipment has been unloaded, installers measure area, check dips, report temperature / weather to operations and compare site to drawing / jobsheet.
- The Operations team maintain regular contact with the installation team throughout the day.
- Should any issues occur on site, such as measurement variations and sub-base issues, the Operations team will contact the client to discuss recommended next steps.
- Installers take photos of materials and groundwork conditions throughout the day.
- Once completed, materials and equipment are cleared and the site is left clean and tidy.
STAGE 3: AFTERCARE
- Pictures of the completed install are emailed to the client with warranty and maintenance information.
- Customer feedback is requested and an invoice is sent to the client.
Step 1: Design and Planning
Design and Planning
IMPORTANT PRODUCT CONSIDERATIONS:
- Is the product to be used as a safety surface? – View the Surfacing Guide
- Will the product have a prepared sub-base? – View the Guide to Good Groundworks
- Is a UV stable binder required? – View the Surfacing Guide
DRAINAGE AND EDGES:
- Will the product bond to the edge for the required period? View the Surfacing Guide
- Do the drains need to be easily accessible? View the Surfacing Guide
DESIGN:
- Are drawings clear and detailed (dimensions, colour, product type, area size, fall heights)? View the Surfacing Guide
- Are touching colours kept to a minimum? View the Surfacing Guide
- Is there a risk that day joints will be visible? View the Surfacing Guide
Step 2: Quotation
Quotation Stage
FOR AN ACCURATE QUOTATION, PLEASE PROVIDE AS MUCH OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE:
A quotation form (optional) is available to download via this link: Quotation Form
A quotation form (optional) is available to download via this link: Quotation Form
- Beginning of postcode (to check congestion zones etc)
- Type of product(s) – View products
- Depth of product(s) – View product build up information
- Area size for each colour(s)
- Exact breakdown of colour(s) – View colour options
- Type of sub-base (MOT / Concrete etc) – View product build up information
- Is regulating required? – View Guide to Good groundworks
- Are edges required? – View Edging Information
- Are there any manholes or gulleys? – View Manhole/Gulleys Information
- What is access like to site – steep gradients / rooftop job etc? – View Site Access Information
- Is parking available onsite? – View Parking Information
- Drawing detailing area, depth and colour breakdown – View Drawing Information
- Area Sizes of Critical Fall Heights – View Safety Surfacing Information
- Depths of Critical Fall Heights – View Safety Surfacing Information
Where a safety surface is required, please also supply:
Step 4: Site Access and Set-Up
Site Access and Set-Up
Site Access and Security – View Overview
It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that DCM are aware of any conditions on site which may prevent delays in transporting and delivering materials to the install area or which prevent DCM from completing a full working day (8am – 7pm). Additional charges may be incurred if upon arrival to site the conditions described on the pre-install questionnaire do not correspond with those on site.
DCM ASSUME THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
DELIVERY OF MATERIALS
UNLOADING DELIVERY
PARKING / UNLOADING VAN
SITE ACCESS
It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure clear and suitable access for all deliveries and collections. If there is no suitable access an aborted visit fee will be applied.
SITE SET-UP
WORK BEGINS!
Site Access and Security – View Overview
Curing times are dependent on weather conditions (i.e. temperature, rainfall, humidity). Although we will leave the site secure, DCM cannot be held responsible for animal prints (ie. fox, birds) or any vandalism to the area if the surface has not fully cured at the end of the working day. Some surfaces, especially white EPDM with aliphatic binder can take between 4-16 hours to cure.
It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that DCM are aware of any conditions on site which may prevent delays in transporting and delivering materials to the install area or which prevent DCM from completing a full working day (8am – 7pm). Additional charges may be incurred if upon arrival to site the conditions described on the pre-install questionnaire do not correspond with those on site.
DCM ASSUME THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
DELIVERY OF MATERIALS
- Access to site is between 8am – 7pm on the day of install. Please let us know if deliveries can be made before the install date. This will save time on the day.
- Inform DCM if access for delivery of materials is not available by articulated truck (max 2.5m wide x 12m length).
- Access for delivery of materials is available within 30m of the site
UNLOADING DELIVERY
- Access for unloading the delivery of materials is available within 30m of the site
- Level area for wagon to unload. A Hiab can be requested if required.
PARKING / UNLOADING VAN
- Free parking is available for DCM vans. Please advise if parking is an issue at quotation stage, along with details of the nearest available parking.
SITE ACCESS
It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure clear and suitable access for all deliveries and collections. If there is no suitable access an aborted visit fee will be applied.
- Access to site should be clean and clear – DCM can supply boards for easier access over muddy areas etc if made aware in advance
- Please inform DCM if access to site is via steps
- Please inform DCM if access to site is through a building, or not available within 30m of the install area
SITE SET-UP
- Free working space for mixing is available within 30 metres of the site.
- A level working area is available for a mixer and 3m x 3m groundsheet
WORK BEGINS!
- Welfare facilities are available onsite or nearby
- If there is an induction, it will not last longer than 2 hours
- You have made DCM aware that CSCS cards, RAMS, Method Statements or DBS cards are required
Site Access and Security – View Overview
Curing times are dependent on weather conditions (i.e. temperature, rainfall, humidity). Although we will leave the site secure, DCM cannot be held responsible for animal prints (ie. fox, birds) or any vandalism to the area if the surface has not fully cured at the end of the working day. Some surfaces, especially white EPDM with aliphatic binder can take between 4-16 hours to cure.
- Security is provided by the customer. Please inform DCM in advance if Heras fencing is required.
- If necessary, a site compound / container is provided by the customer when the install is taking place over multiple days
- It is safe to leave material / plant overnight
Step 5: Groundworks
Groundworks
Groundworks – View Overview
The surface is only as good as the surface beaneath!
View the surface overview to view correct product build-ups, and examples of good and bad groundworks.
DCM ASSUME THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
Overview: View Summary of Groundworks
In addition to the above checklist, please be aware of the following when installing onto each of the below materials…
Installing onto MOT Type 1 Stone: View Product Build Ups
Installing onto concrete: View Product Build Ups
Installing onto Macadam: View Product Build Ups
Installing onto concrete: View Product Build Ups
Installing onto flags: View Product Build Ups
Installing onto Soil / Grass: View Product Build Ups
Installing onto Existing Wetpour: View Product Build Ups
Installing onto Tree Pits: View Product Build Ups
Installing over Mounds: View Product Build Ups
The surface is only as good as the surface beaneath!
View the surface overview to view correct product build-ups, and examples of good and bad groundworks.
DCM ASSUME THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
Overview: View Summary of Groundworks
- Any deviations should be such that when a 3m long straight edge is placed in any position on the surface, the gap between the straight edge and the surface shall at no point be greater than +/-6mm.
- The sub-base should be dry, level and compact all over
- The surface should be clear of obstacles / piled debris
- Edges should be installed to the correct depth
- The base should be clear of weeds / moss
In addition to the above checklist, please be aware of the following when installing onto each of the below materials…
Installing onto MOT Type 1 Stone: View Product Build Ups
- Do not use recycled MOT Type 1 stone
- The surface should have suitable drainage
Installing onto concrete: View Product Build Ups
- The surface should have suitable drainage (laid to falls)
Installing onto Macadam: View Product Build Ups
- The surface should have suitable drainage (if installing a permeable product)
- Macadam should be laid at least 7 days before installation to allow the oils in the materials to dissipate (30 days when installing bonded gravel). If installed earlier, there is a risk that the sub-base may not bond correctly to the new surface or oils in the macadam will seep through and stain the wearing course.
Installing onto concrete: View Product Build Ups
- The surface should have suitable drainage (laid to falls)
Installing onto flags: View Product Build Ups
- If required, a fibre-glass mesh can be installed to create a continuous surface over the paving
- The surface should have suitable drainage
Installing onto Soil / Grass: View Product Build Ups
- There should not be any soft spots
- Long grass should be strimmed
- Edges should be marked out where possible
Installing onto Existing Wetpour: View Product Build Ups
- The surface should be level – any undulations in the surface should be regulated prior to overlay
Installing onto Tree Pits: View Product Build Ups
Installing over Mounds: View Product Build Ups
