Why NSF-50 and ASTM Certification Matter in Aquatic Facilities

Walk into any great aquatic facility, a splash pad at a community park, a water feature at a resort, a competitive pool at a recreation center, and you're surrounded by decisions that were made long before a single drop of water hit the deck. Decisions about drainage, lighting, chemistry, and filtration. And, critically, decisions about the surfaces guests walk, run, and play on.

Those surface decisions carry real consequences. Slip-and-fall injuries at aquatic facilities are among the most common and preventable incidents in the industry. Yet across the country, designers, specifiers, and facility operators continue to select surfacing without the benefit of rigorous, independent testing and certification.

For more than six years, Life Floor has had the privilege of participating in two of the most important standards-setting bodies in the aquatic world: NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 and ASTM International's F24 Committee. Over that time, we've worked alongside some of the most respected professionals in the industry to raise the bar for what "safe" actually means underfoot. In this series, we asked several of those colleagues to share their perspectives on why certification matters to guests, designers, operators, and the industry at large.

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What Are These Standards, and Why Do They Exist?

Before diving into what our expert panel had to say, it's worth taking a moment to understand what these standards actually are.

NSF/ANSI/CAN 50

With more than 50 years of history in testing and certifying pool equipment, NSF provides the most widely recognized certification services in the aquatic industry. NSF-50 defines performance validation, operational safety, and testing criteria for pool and spa products. Certification to this standard is required by the Model Aquatic Health Code and most U.S. state and local pool codes.

The NSF-50 Joint Committee consists of public health officials, industry members, and user representatives, a diverse body of experts responsible for developing standards consistent with NSF's public health mission.

ASTM International F24 Committee on Amusement Rides & Devices

ASTM International is one of the largest independent standards-writing bodies in the world, creating standards across hundreds of industries. The F24 Committee, one of ASTM's largest, with more than 1,000 voting members, establishes standards for the design, manufacturing, testing, operation, maintenance, inspection, and quality assurance of amusement rides and devices, including aquatic play equipment.

These standards are built through a rigorous, collaborative process involving consumer advocates, government officials, equipment manufacturers, amusement park operators, and industry suppliers, all working toward a single shared goal: making the global amusement industry as safe as possible.

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Why Certified Products? Hear It from the Experts.

We reached out to a panel of leading professionals across aquatic design, engineering, safety consultation, and standards development. Here is what they told us.

Dennis Berkshire | Founding Principal, Aquatic Design Group

Dennis Berkshire of Aquatic Design Group has been designing world-class aquatic facilities since 1984. He is a voting member and former chairman of the technical committee of the NSF-50 Joint Committee. His perspective on certification is shaped by decades of observing what happens when it's present and when it's not.

“Most state and local codes require equipment and materials used for public swimming pools to be tested and certified to meet the minimum NSF standards. Specifying products that have been tested by an accredited testing laboratory and certified to meet NSF standards provides an extra level of protection for all parties involved. It protects the end-users, the facility owners, and the designers, contractors, architects, and engineers.”

— Dennis Berkshire

Berkshire points out that most guests simply assume aquatic facilities are safe and healthy, the same way they assume a restaurant has passed its health inspection. NSF certification is the mechanism that makes that assumption warranted:

“NSF was created to establish minimum standards for products used in various parts of our daily lives, from drinking water to food and beverage industries to recreational water facilities, with a mission to protect and advance human health.”

— Dennis Berkshire

On the question of what goes wrong without it, Berkshire's experience is instructive. He has seen projects where surface materials were selected by architects unfamiliar with aquatic environments, materials that looked fine aesthetically but failed to maintain adequate slip resistance within months of opening. In one case, safety mats had to be deployed shortly after a new natatorium opened. In another, an outdoor aquatic complex required emergency remediation after a landscape architect specified a deck material that degraded rapidly under real-world conditions of water, foot traffic, and chemical exposure.

“Unfortunately, most building and health codes do not have details or specific standards for aquatic environment surface materials. In some cases, a designer may be focused on the aesthetics of a design and assume all materials can meet the health and safety requirements.”

NSF certification closes that gap. Certified surfaces are tested not just for initial slip resistance, but for long-term performance, their ability to withstand chemical exposure, resist biofilm growth, maintain cleanability, and sustain frictional properties through years of real use.

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Ken Martin | Founding Principal, Martin Aquatic

Ken Martin founded Martin Aquatic in 1987 and has spent nearly four decades specifying products for some of the world's most complex aquatic facilities. His firm's policy is simple and uncompromising: NSF-50 listed products, without exception.

“Martin Aquatic specifies the use of specific listed NSF certified equipment, materials, and products that automatically assures our clients that we purposely only specify NSF Standard 50 listed equipment, materials, and products without exception.”

Martin's firm recently had a front-row seat to what failure looks like. An Interactive Water Feature in Florida, built with a non-NSF-listed safety surface, experienced near-total surface failure within months of opening. The facility was closed to the public. A multi-year litigation followed that cost the client millions of dollars and required complete demolition and redesign of the deck. Martin Aquatic was brought in as the replacement engineer.

“Once Martin Aquatic was asked to re-design the failure and oversee the selection of a Life Floor NSF-certified product, which was then installed, the project reopened, and is continuing now by serving the client very well.”

— Ken Martin

His warning to the industry is clear: products that haven't been thoroughly tested don't just underperform, they create client crises, legal exposure, and costly remediation.

““Regrettably, many products have not been tested thoroughly, and it is difficult to establish how uncertified products might endure real-world circumstances and weather conditions, while remaining beautiful and safe.””

— Ken Martin

At the time of this writing, Life Floor is the only safety surfacing material NSF-listed
in accordance with NSF Standard 50.

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A Final Word on Standards and the Standard of Care

ASTM and NSF standards don't exist in the abstract. They exist because real people get hurt on surfaces that fail, and because the aquatic industry, at its best, is full of professionals who refuse to accept that as inevitable. As Dennis Berkshire put it:

““Most industry professionals look at ASTM, NSF, and ANSI standards as vehicles that assist us in our professional lives, raising the standard of care and reliability for ourselves and our industries. Since we cannot be subject matter experts on all facets of our industry, we can rely on these standards to establish minimum industry standards of care.””

— Dennis Berkshire

For Life Floor, NSF-50 certification isn't a marketing claim. It's a commitment to guests, to operators, to designers, and to the professionals who trust us to deliver surfaces that perform as promised, day after day, season after season.

In Part 2 of this series, we'll go inside the multi-year process that produced the new 2026 ASTM F2461 standard for aquatic play equipment, and hear from the professionals who made it happen.

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Brian Howell is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Life Floor, where he helps advance safer, more accessible aquatic environments through education, standards development, and industry collaboration. Over the past six years, Brian has represented Life Floor at national conferences and has served on task forces for both NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard 50 and ASTM F24.70.

In his role, Brian works with State Public Health Departments across the country to educate staff on aquatic safety surfacing and support a deeper understanding of how surfacing impacts safety, accessibility, and long-term facility performance. He also assists in coordinating Life Floor’s involvement with the NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard 50 task group and ASTM F24.61 discussions related to aquatic play environments.

Brian enjoys serving as a resource for aquatic professionals, helping connect operators, regulators, designers, and industry partners with the information they need to create safer and more inclusive aquatic spaces.

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Life Floor is the only safety surface manufacturer NSF-certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard 50.
Learn more at lifefloor.com

How Aquatic Safety Surfacing Sets the Stage for Your Campground Guests’ Adventure

How Life Floor Aquatic Safety Surfacing is transforming campground splash pads, pool decks, and RV parks across North America, one safe, beautiful surface at a time.

There's a particular kind of magic that happens at a campground. It lives in the scent of pine trees hanging over a morning site, in the laughter that bounces off pool decks before the sun has fully risen, in the way a grandparent holds a toddler's hand at the edge of a splash pad and watches pure, unfiltered joy unfold. June is National Camping Month, and for millions of families across North America, it marks the start of the season they've been waiting for all year.

At Life Floor, this month holds special meaning for us, too. Because wherever those families are making memories from a Jellystone Park in Ontario to an RV resort in the Adirondacks, from a ranch in Texas to a camp in Missouri, our aquatic safety surfacing is quietly doing its job. Keeping kids safer. Keeping guests comfortable. Making spaces more beautiful. And making sure no one has to sit on the sidelines.

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Aquatic Surfacing Is More Than a Floor

Most guests never think twice about what they're standing on.
And that's exactly the point.

When a five-year-old sprints barefoot from a water table to a spray jet, the last thing her parents want to worry about is whether the surface beneath her is going to send her sliding. When a grandmother eases herself onto a zero-depth entry pool floor to play with her grandchildren, she shouldn't have to grip the side rail in fear. When a teen in a wheelchair rolls into a splash pad, the surface shouldn't be a barrier; it should be an invitation.

Life Floor's cushioned, slip-resistant tiles are engineered to do all of this and more. Our surfaces exceed industry benchmarks for wet traction, absorb the impact of falls, and hold up to years of well-loved use in sun, rain, and everything in between. But we believe that safety alone isn't enough. A truly great aquatic space is also a beautiful one, and that's where design comes in.

“I would not hesitate for a moment to recommend Life Floor for any water-related project. The safety factor is a huge plus, not to mention how it makes our Aqua Play structure pop with color, adding a feeling of fun and excitement.”

— Jim Amadio, Owner, Jellystone Park™ Niagara Falls

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Why Campground Operators Choose Safety Surfacing

The campground and RV park industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past decade. Modern guests, especially families with young children, are choosing outdoor resorts that offer resort-caliber amenities alongside the beauty of nature. Splash pads, activity pools, and zero-depth water features have become must-haves rather than differentiators.

But with those amenities comes responsibility. Water and concrete are a notoriously dangerous combination. Slips and falls at aquatic facilities are among the most common causes of guest injuries, and they carry real consequences: pain, liability, and the kind of story that spreads fast on social media and review sites.

Savvy campground operators are increasingly beginning their planning process with one question: What's the surface going to be? The operators who've worked with Life Floor consistently tell us the same thing: they wish they'd started with soft, safe, beautiful surfacing from day one.

“All of them, when I asked, said if they had to do it over, would have started with a soft flooring system to begin with. Adding soft flooring cuts down significantly on the minor incidents that occur and are reported during guest hours. We wanted to avoid these incidents from the very beginning.”

— Dave King, CEO & President, Lake George RV Park

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Accessible Splash Pads: A Place Where Every Guest Belongs

Perhaps the thing we're most proud of is this: Life Floor makes aquatic spaces accessible to everyone. Our surfaces provide the traction and cushioning that guests with mobility challenges, older adults, and young children all need to participate fully and confidently. We don't believe in amenities that some guests can only watch from the edges.

Accessibility at a campground isn't just a compliance checkbox; it's a statement about what kind of place you are. It says, "We built this for you, too." At Life Floor, that's a value we share, and one we're honored to help operators bring to life.

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Custom Splash Pad Design That Tells a Story

Our floors don't just protect, they transport. With dozens of colors, a variety of tile shapes, Murals, and themed Inlay collections, Life Floor works with each operator's vision to create an aquatic environment that feels intentional, branded, and memorable. An ocean of blues that reinforces a pirate ship structure. Lily pad greens woven into an Adirondack wilderness theme. Turquoise surf tones that echo a campground's lounge furniture and brand palette.

Design work matters because guests experience it with every step. The floor is the first thing bare feet touch and the last surface they remember. When it's beautiful, it elevates everything around it. When it's safe, it removes fear from the equation entirely. And when it opens the door to guests who might otherwise be excluded, it becomes something more than a product. It becomes part of the story of a place people love to come back to.

This National Camping Month, we're celebrating the campgrounds, RV parks, and outdoor resorts across North America where summer's best memories are unfolding daily.

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What Life Floor Aquatic Safety Surfacing Brings to Every Campground

SLIP RESISTANCE

Certified wet-traction performance that dramatically reduces slip-and-fall incidents on splash pads, pool decks, and zero-depth entries.

CUSHIONED COMFORT

Soft, forgiving tiles that protect against impact, so kids can play freely and caregivers can relax knowing falls are absorbed, not amplified.

UNIVERSAL ACCESS

Surfaces that support guests of all abilities, from wheelchair users to toddlers to aging adults, so the water is for everyone.

BEAUTIFUL DESIGN

Custom colors, shapes, murals, and themes that transform aquatic spaces into immersive environments guests want to return to.

NSF CERTIFICATION

UV-stable, chemical-resistant, weather-resistant, impermeable tiles designed to handle seasons of sun, rain, and the foot traffic of thousands of happy guests.

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Life Floor Campground & RV Park Projects We Love

From the Adirondacks to Texas to the shores of Niagara Falls, here are the campground and RV park stories we love to share.

Jellystone Park™ Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Just 3.5 miles from the falls on the Canadian side of the border, this Jellystone Park is home to a vibrant pirate-themed Aqua Playground. A three-color Life Floor surface, sweeping ocean blues in Aviator, Bluebird, and Ocean, extends the adventure below deck, where jets and sprayers reward every explorer. Wherever guests choose to play, cushioned and slip-resistant surfaces keep them safer throughout the voyage.

Coverage Area: 4,209 sq ft
Install Date: June 2024

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Camp Fimfo Waco

Waco, Texas, USA

In the heart of Texas, Camp Fimfo's zero-depth activity pool lets guests cool off in calf-deep water against the backdrop of Northgate Resorts' signature style. Life Floor tiles the entire amenity in a Surf Theme, with tile colors in Turquoise, Seafoam, and Aqua, perfectly matching the campground's lounge furniture and brand palette. Every inch of cushioned, high-traction surface invites caregivers to join kids in the water, not just watch from the edges.

Coverage Area: 6,820 sq ft
Install Date: June 2022

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Cascade Cove: Lake George RV Park

Lake George, New York, USA

Nestled in the Adirondack Mountains on 120 acres of wilderness, Lake George RV Park's Cascade Cove is a masterclass in intentional design. After a decade of planning, owner Dave King chose Life Floor from the start, knowing that soft surfacing reduces guest incidents before they happen. A lily pad theme in Bluebird, Lilypad, Olive, and Evergreen blends the aquatic play area seamlessly into its natural mountain surroundings.

Coverage Area: 2,194 sq ft
Install Date: July 2018

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Camp Barnabas

Purdy, Missouri, USA

Founded on the belief that every person deserves a fully accessible summer camp experience, Camp Barnabas serves individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. Life Floor surfaces three areas of the pool amenity, two splash pads, and the zero-depth entry transition, providing the traction and cushioning that allow every camper to participate fully. This project is a reminder of why we do what we do: because belonging at the water's edge shouldn't depend on what your body can or can't do.

Coverage Area across three areas: 2,983 sq ft
Install Date: June 2023

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Camp Margaritaville Breaux Bridge

Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, USA

Where the delta meets paradise, Camp Margaritaville brings the laid-back resort spirit of the iconic brand to a campground setting in the Louisiana bayou. Life Floor surfaces aquatic play areas with the color, comfort, and safety that guests expect from a world-class hospitality experience, no matter how far from the coast they are.

Coverage Area: 3,900 sq ft
Install Date: June 2023

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Maistra Camping Veštar

Rovinj, Croatia

Proof that the demand for safe, beautiful aquatic surfacing crosses oceans and continents: Maistra's resort in coastal Croatia chose Life Floor to elevate their guest experience on the Adriatic. A reminder that the standards families expect at campgrounds, comfort, safety, and beauty, are universal, and so is our mission to meet them.

Coverage Area: 1,034 sq ft
Install Date: May 2023

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The Best Campground Experience Starts with the Right Aquatic Surfacing

When families pack their tents, hitches, and RVs this June and set out for their favorite campground, they're carrying with them the expectation of something simple and profound: a place where they can exhale. Where children can run, splash, and fall and get right back up. Where grandparents can walk alongside grandchildren in a splash pad with confidence. Where the kid who uses a wheelchair can roll straight into the fun.

The floor makes that possible. It's the quietest, most important part of the guest experience, and when it's done right, no one notices. They play. They laugh. They stay a little longer and come back next summer.

That's what we're celebrating this National Camping Month, not just the beautiful parks and the families inside them, but the small decisions that make those moments possible. If you're a campground operator thinking about a new aquatic space, or wondering if there's a better surface beneath an existing one, we'd love to be part of your story.

Explore all of our campground aquatic surfacing projects at lifefloor.com →

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Get a free design consultation and see what Life Floor can do
for your aquatic amenities, before the next season begins.

Accessible Design Is a Sustainability Strategy, Not a Checkbox

At Life Floor, we believe that creating spaces where everyone feels welcome starts from the ground up. Through our partnership with IBCCES, we've had the opportunity to deepen our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, earn the designation as a Certified Autism Resource, continue learning from leaders in the field, and provide accessible, sensory-friendly flooring that supports guests of all abilities.

In this edition of Splash Into Your Story, we sit down with Sydney Pedersen, Partner Communications Manager at IBCCES, whose passion for inclusive experiences is rooted in empathy, advocacy, and real-world impact. From shaping how organizations approach accessibility to inspiring a more thoughtful, sustainable future, Sydney shares what drives her work and why designing for everyone ultimately benefits us all.

How Empathy Drives Inclusive Space Design

What inspires you in your day-to-day life?

My mom has always been my biggest inspiration. She was the first person in her family to go to college and became a doctor because she wanted to help people. Growing up, I watched her go above and beyond for her patients, driving them to appointments, helping provide essentials, and always making sure they felt cared for.

That example shaped how I see the world. It instilled in me a deep belief that everyone deserves to feel welcome, supported, and valued in every space they enter.

Bridging the gap between autism-friendly design and real-world impact 

Is there a recent project that you’re especially passionate about?

I'm incredibly passionate about our Certified Autism Resource program. Being part of those conversations and seeing the range of products and solutions available is so inspiring. There are so many innovations, like Life Floor (inclusive wet-area flooring and accessible surface solutions), that people don't know exist, yet they can make a meaningful difference in someone's quality of life.

What excites me most is helping connect people to those solutions. I often hear, "I wish something like this existed," and I get to say, "It does." There's a powerful sense of collaboration across industries, all working toward the same goal, creating better, more inclusive experiences for everyone.

Universal design isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a competitive advantage

You’ve mentioned accessibility as a form of sustainability. What does that mean?

For a long time, accessibility has been treated as a "nice to have" or a box to check; something addressed only when ADA compliance set the minimum standard. But compliance is a floor, not a ceiling. When you think about long-term value, accessibility is so much more than that.

If even one family member can't be accommodated, the entire group may choose not to visit or leave early. Inclusive facility planning removes that barrier entirely. When you design with accessibility in mind, you're not just supporting individuals, you're welcoming entire communities.

It's also about social sustainability, building environments where everyone feels included. That's the promise of universal design: spaces that work for all people, not as an afterthought, but from the very beginning. And that commitment translates to stronger customer loyalty, better brand reputation, and more efficient operations. Accessibility isn't an add-on; it's an investment in people, your business, and your future.

Morgan's Inspiration Island: Will's Hang 10 Harbor

Practical steps for creating ADA-compliant, inclusive guest experiences

What advice would you give to facilities looking to improve accessibility?

Start with your people. Training staff to understand and support guests with diverse needs is one of the most impactful steps you can take. We've seen organizations experience increased employee confidence, improved guest satisfaction, and stronger overall engagement through education alone.

Beyond that, simple changes can make a big difference. Clear pre-arrival communication, letting guests know what to expect, can ease anxiety and help families plan successful visits. For many individuals, especially those who are neurodivergent, predictability is key.

And when it comes to design, think inclusively from the start. There's a great analogy: instead of shoveling both the stairs and the ramp, shovel the ramp, because it works for everyone. When you design spaces that accommodate all guests, no one feels singled out, and everyone benefits.

JCC St. Louis | Staenberg Family Complex

Serving guests with invisible disabilities through thoughtful, sensory-inclusive design

What are some overlooked opportunities to make a meaningful impact?

Some of the most impactful changes are also the simplest. Offering flexible food options, allowing guests to bring their own items, or clearly communicating available accommodations can transform someone's entire experience.

Many invisible disabilities aren't immediately apparent. Small moments, like an employee showing empathy during a difficult situation, can create lifelong loyalty. I've heard stories where a single compassionate interaction turned a challenging day into a positive, memorable experience.

These moments reinforce that accessibility isn't just about compliance; it's about care, understanding, and making people feel like they belong.

Inclusive Aquatic Design: Life Floor's Commitment to Accessibility

Sydney's perspective is a powerful reminder that accessibility is not a checkbox; it's a mindset. When we design, communicate, and operate with inclusivity at the forefront, we create sensory-friendly spaces where everyone can participate, explore, and belong.

At Life Floor, our collaboration with IBCCES continues to shape how we approach inclusive aquatic environments, design, innovation, and impact. Together, we're working toward a future where accessibility is seamlessly integrated into every space, because when you design for everyone, everyone wins.

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IBCCES is the global leader in autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility training and certification. For 25 years, IBCCES has helped professionals, destinations, and organizations create more welcoming experiences for autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.

Through programs like Certified Autism Destination™ and Autism Certified City™, IBCCES partners with communities, hospitality, recreation, entertainment, public safety, education, healthcare, and workplace sectors to expand accessibility on a broader scale. IBCCES also offers free public resources, including the Accessibility App, AutismTravel.com, and AccessibilityCertified.com, to help individuals and families find certified locations and accessible experiences.

Celebrating 15 Years of Life Floor

Life Floor is proud to celebrate our 15th anniversary in 2026! As we look back at the progress our company has made throughout the years, it’s been incredible to see the joy our tiles have brought to more than 3800 facilities worldwide.

Since our founding, advancements in our product offerings have enabled us to offer the most durable, slip-resistant aquatic safety surfacing on the market, with the most diverse design options. Our team’s unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence has made these enhancements possible. As we look back at all we’ve achieved since 2011, the Life Floor team has never been more honored to shape better aquatic spaces, improving the safety and design while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

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Safety 

Our company was founded with a singular mission: to make aquatic spaces safer by reducing slip-and-fall injuries. We recognized a need for something more impact-absorbing than concrete and more durable than rubber aggregate products designed for dry playgrounds. Our slip-resistant, cushioned tiles have always been engineered specifically for wet, barefoot traffic. Reports from our customers have shown that they virtually eliminate incidents wherever they’re installed. 

Beyond our commitment to safer surfacing, our team has been actively engaged in improving safety standards for the greater aquatics industry. Recognizing that, unlike playgrounds, surfacing standards hadn’t previously existed for aquatic play areas, our team has been heavily involved on NSF and ASTM committees, leading to new standards and testing guidance for aquatic flooring solutions. Our tiles are recognized by these organizations, as well as TÜV, IBCCES, and IMO, for the ways they improve guest experience through combined safety, accessibility, and durability. 

This year, as part of our mission to keep improving our product, we’re proud to announce that our tiles are more slip-resistant than ever. With a slight improvement to the Ripple texture our customers have relied on for years, our tiles are now built with even greater definition and durability to prevent slips and falls in aquatic environments. 

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Design 

With so many showcase installations featuring detailed designs, it might be hard to imagine that Life Floor once only sold square tiles in a limited color palette. In fact, the vast majority of installations when we began were monochromatic!

Since then, expansions in our color, shape, Inlay, and custom cutting offerings have enabled endless creative possibilities. Our tiles make even the most complex designs possible in a way that’s never been achieved in aquatic environments before. From our first large-scale triangle gradient floors in 2018 to our inaugural Murals installation in 2023, our team has continuously innovated to make even more beautiful, intricate imagery a reality. Just last year, eight new colors, planks, and Destination Tiles debuted to add more breadth to our product portfolio. 

To celebrate the success of our design evolution over the last 15 years, we look forward to launching even more features this year. Keep an eye out for new offerings that will inspire play, enhance theming, shape luxury floorscapes, and transport guests who visit Life Floor splash pads and pool decks. 

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Durability 

Life Floor has always been engineered to perform well in aquatic environments. Because our solutions provide slip resistance, cushioning, and lasting durability in harsh UV and chemical environments, even when other products may degrade or fail, Life Floor continues to be the only surfacing certified to NSF’s aquatic play area standard.

Over the years, we’ve incrementally improved the durability of our tiles to increase their lifespan, providing long-lasting safety and cushioning wherever they’re installed. For example, our tiles once only lasted about 1000 hours in an extreme UV tester, but more recent tests show our tiles performing for more than 9000 hours. Formulation and process improvements in 2015, 2017, 2020, 2023, 2025, and 2026 have all extended the lifespan of both our foam and its colorfastness under UV exposure. 

We’re proud to provide solutions that stand the test of time - just as our company has thrived for the last 15 years. Long-lasting innovations have been key as we continue on our mission to make all aquatic spaces safe and beautiful.

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INCLUSIVITY

As Life Floor has grown, we’ve recognized how our tactile safety surfacing makes aquatic spaces more accessible to everyone. From splash pads to pool decks and waterparks to cruise ships, guests of all ages and abilities enjoy aquatic recreation with confidence when our tiles provide sure-footing, comfort, and cushioning. We love seeing the youngest of guests crawl across Life Floor as they gain their earliest water play experiences and watching older generations enjoy community swim time without fear of slipping and falling.

Increasingly, our safety surfacing has been a key component for facilities that cater to guests with special needs. We’re a proud Certified Autism Resource through IBCCES and it’s been an honor to surface splash pads at facilities like Morgan’s Inspiration Island and Give Kids the World Village. These projects are core to what makes our team so dedicated to what we do. We firmly believe that when spaces are designed with needs of all guests in mind, that they provide a better experience for everyone.

Beyond making aquatics more accessible to all people, we’ve made our surfaces more financially feasible for communities in need. In 2020, we launched our Make a SPLASH! Grant Contest resulting in a free splash pad surface for our inaugural winner, the city of Dothan, Alabama. Since then, we’ve expanded the annual contest to feature both a needs-based award as well as an award focused on inclusivity and accessibility.

We also provide ongoing opportunities through our Matching Funds Grant Program. These initiatives ensure that all communities have access to Life Floor surfacing to improve safety, fun, inclusivity, and design for their residents. Expanding our impact to bring smiles and memorable experiences to guests and communities that may not have had access in the past drives our team on a daily basis.

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Sustainability 

Our sustainability journey began in 2015 when we brought most of our manufacturing from overseas to the U.S. With proximity to our North American installations, our tiles no longer needed to be shipped long distances around the globe. While our local factory serves customers in this part of the world, we also produce internationally to reduce our carbon footprint within the Asia-Pacific region. We also pride ourselves on our vast global network of installation partners who can serve customers regionally without requiring significant mobilization.

When we began manufacturing locally, we also opened the door to quickly iterate on research and development projects, which have since led to countless improvements and new product offerings. Today, the yields from our factory in South Dakota are greater than ever, maximizing material and resulting in significant scrap reduction. While we’ve made great strides over the last 15 years, Life Floor is always looking for ways to be even more environmentally friendly.

This year, we are working on our plan to pursue ISO 14001 certification and a method to recycle our tiles. Our team can’t wait to share more about our 5-year sustainability initiative as we embrace new ways to make Life Floor greener than ever. 

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Looking Forward 

While we’ve already made quite an impact on the aquatics industry and continue to innovate in our product offerings, there is still so much uncharted territory we look forward to covering as Life Floor continues to grow. With new markets, further global reach, and even more tile enhancements in mind, we look forward to continuing along this journey alongside all of our valued partners and customers in the years to come.  

Carnival Mardi Gras: Refreshing Pool Deck Experiences at Sea

When Carnival Cruise Line’s new Mardi Gras launched in 2020, it quickly became one of the most innovative ships in the fleet, featuring multiple pool decks, immersive guest experiences, and dynamic water attractions. To support these environments, Life Floor aquatic safety surfacing was installed across key aquatic areas, delivering slip-resistant comfort for barefoot guests exploring the ship's pool decks and WaterWorks attractions.

In October 2025, several high-traffic areas aboard Mardi Gras were refreshed with new Life Floor surfacing to maintain the high standards of safety, durability, and visual cohesion expected on modern cruise ships. The update was completed by Registered Aquatic Partner, Aquatec Worldwide, a division of Full Sail Marine, who managed both the removal of the previous surfacing and the installation of the new Life Floor system.

The result is a renewed pool deck experience that continues to support safe, comfortable movement for guests enjoying the ship's pools, whirlpools, and splash areas as they sail to destinations around the world.

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Strategic Pool Deck Refresh Across Multiple Guest Spaces

The 2025 update focused on several of the ship's most popular aquatic environments. Aquatec Worldwide installed 5,642 sq ft (524 m²) of Life Floor surfacing across multiple decks to ensure consistent performance and aesthetics throughout the vessel's pool areas.

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WaterWorks Waterpark - Deck 18

The WaterWorks waterpark features 2,952 sq ft (275 m²) of Life Floor surfacing in Ocean, Aviator, and Iceberg, providing comfortable, slip-resistant footing throughout the splash zones and attraction areas. Life Floor surfacing was installed on the stairs and slide tower platforms for WaterWorks and the Mini Racers slides, using Ocean and Sunshine to create clear visual pathways while supporting safe access to elevated slide structures. These installations help guests move confidently between slides, splash features, and tower platforms while maintaining the vibrant energy of the ship’s onboard waterpark.

Beach Pool – Deck 8

Located on the Beach Deck, the Patio Pool and Whirlpool area received 1,034 sq ft (96 m²) of Life Floor in Ocean and Aviator, refreshing the aft pool space where guests relax with ocean views.

Tides Pool Area – Deck 16

This family-friendly pool deck received 614 sq ft (57 m²) of Life Floor in Ocean and Aviator, enhanced with starfish Inlays that add playful visual interest while maintaining the safety surfacing's performance.

Ocean Plaza Pool – Deck 16

The vibrant midship pool area was refreshed with 862 sq ft (80 m²) of Life Floor surfacing in Ocean, Aviator, and Iceberg, supporting one of the ship’s most active guest gathering spaces.

Serenity Beach Pool Area – Deck 18

The adults-only Serenity deck received 162 sq ft (15 m²) of new Life Floor surfacing in Ocean and Aviator, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience in this elevated relaxation zone.

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Designed for Performance in Marine Environments

Cruise ship pool decks present unique challenges, including continuous exposure to water, salt air, and heavy barefoot traffic. Life Floor's Ripple texture provides enhanced slip resistance under wet conditions while maintaining a comfortable walking surface for guests throughout the day.

The 3/8” (10 mm) thick tiles installed across the Mardi Gras pool decks help provide impact attenuation and durability while maintaining a clean, cohesive aesthetic across multiple decks and pool environments.

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Collaboration at Sea

Projects aboard cruise ships require precise coordination between designers, installers, and ship operators. For the Mardi Gras refresh, Life Floor Studio collaborated closely with Aquatec Worldwide’s project team, whose expertise in marine aquatic installations ensured the project was executed efficiently and safely while the ship remained operational.

As a Life Floor Registered Aquatic Partner, Aquatec Worldwide brings specialized experience in the removal and installation of aquatic safety surfacing in complex marine environments.

Together, the teams delivered a refreshed pool deck experience that continues to support safe, enjoyable aquatic environments for thousands of guests sailing aboard Carnival Mardi Gras.

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Project Details

Facility: Carnival Mardi Gras
Designer: Life Floor Studio
Install Date: October 2025
Area: 5,642 sq ft (524 m²) 
Amenities with Life Floor Onboard: Waterworks Waterpark Pool, Tides Pool, Beach Pool, Ocean Plaza Pool, + Serenity Pool
Colors: Ocean, Bluebird, Aviator, Iceberg
Texture: Ripple
Thickness: 3/8” (10 mm)
Installer: Aquatec Worldwide, a division of Full Sail Marine
Photography Credits: Carnival Cruise Line and Aquatec Worldwide, a division of Full Sail Marine

Igniting Joy at Give Kids The World's Splash Pad: Jack's Wacky Water Works

Inclusive play goes beyond the physical. Creating an environment fully grounded in experience means that guests don’t notice the intentional and accessible modifications employed to enable engagement. They can play, relax, and enter an amenity with full confidence that they are both welcome and invited alongside everyone else, regardless of ability.

That mindset is part of daily operation at Give Kids The World Village. 

Give Kids The World Village is a fully accessible nonprofit resort in Central Florida. For the past 40 years, the Village has welcomed children with critical illnesses and their families for a weeklong wish vacation experience, away from daily routines of doctor visits and hospital stays. Give Kids The World welcomes them with open arms, surrounding them in kindness, joy and fun. To date, Give Kids The World has welcomed over 201,000 families to Central Florida from all 50 states and 77 countries.

The Give Kids The World staff curates the entire experience for each family. From the moment they land at the airport, to personalized “Welcome Home” signs on each family’s villa, to the Castle of Miracles which features shining stars hanging on the ceiling representing each wish child, the whimsical Village is the place for making memories and sharing precious moments together.

One of the Village’s most popular amenities has also quickly become one of the Life Floor team’s favorite installations in the world: the splash pad lovingly called Jack’s Wacky Water Works.

In the summer of 2024, Give Kids The World applied for Life Floor’s Matching Funds Grant Program and became the first facility to be awarded a 100% match towards the tile materials to surface Jack's Wacky Water Works. 

In their application to our Matching Funds Grant Program, they wrote, “Give Kids The World's mission is to create joy, inspire optimism, and ignite an enduring sense of hope in the hearts of critically ill children and their families from Central Florida and around the world during magical week-long, cost-free wish vacations in our 89-acre, fully accessible, nonprofit resort. This grant will enable us to upgrade Jack's Wacky Water Works splash pad - the centerpiece to the Park of Dreams Pool at Give Kids The World Village - for the safety and enjoyment of our precious guests. Both the pool and splash pad are among the myriad of wheelchair accessible amenities and attractions we offer wish families within a whimsical storybook resort imagined from the pages of a fairy tale. Since 1986, 200,000 critically ill children and their families have been welcomed to the Village… with nearly 9,000 wish families visiting each year.”

Surface Before: Concrete

When our internal review panel received the application, it was a unanimous vote for acceptance. Shortly after we delivered the good news, our in-house Design Studio met with the Give Kids The World’s project team to discuss options. Their team presented a lovely sketch of their dream for the amenity. It showed a highly thematic design that referenced the splash pad's mascot, an octopus named Jack, with swirling pink tentacles that lead visitors through the different spray features as guided pathways. Life-sized surfboards integrated into the surface are placed throughout for playful activation, and Marine Inlays are interspersed for additional engagement. 

Sketch provided by Give Kids The World

Design Copyrighted by Life Floor, duplication or rendition prohibited.

The Life Floor Design Studio refined the sketch to fit within our color palette and meet our custom design requirements to ensure a high fidelity replication true to the vision. As one of the most complex designs in the world that does not utilize Murals, every piece had to be optimized to ensure a successful installation by Baynum Amusement Solution’s expert crews.

MaryAnn Eifert, now Life Floor’s Director of Registered Aquatic Partners and Training, was the sales representative handling the project at the time. As a Central Floridian resident for the last 20+ years, she says “Give Kids The World is a mission that matters. This is one of the few organizations I’ve seen go above and beyond creating opportunities for entire families to make meaningful memories with kids who might not have as long. Because of that mission, I knew Baynum was undoubtedly the right choice to partner with; their values and heart for people is aligned with Life Floor’s. We’re honored to be part of Give Kids The World’s impact through Jack's Wacky Water Works splash pad.”

Baynum Amusement Solutions is Life Floor’s longest-standing Certified Installation partner. They’re also one of our Registered Aquatic Partners and commit to performing high quality work throughout all of their projects. Several members of their team regularly participate in the annual Give Kids The World charity golf tournament at IAAPA Expo and have been engaged for over 20 years. So, when they found out we were moving forward with this project, they enthusiastically agreed to perform the installation at a significant discount. 

““Our crews take a lot of pride in the work they do, but this one meant something more. Knowing that what we installed helps create a space where families can take a breath from everything they’re carrying, laugh together, and just be a family for a while - that sticks with you. We were grateful to be part of a group of partners who all showed up for something bigger than any one company. Give Kids The World has meant a lot to our team for many years, and being able to support the Village’s mission in a hands-on way made this project especially meaningful.””

— Walt Bowser, President & CEO, Baynum Solutions

Installation was completed in March 2025 as soon as temperatures warmed up and the amenity opened soon after. At nearly 3,000 sq ft (280 sq m), the splash pad now features 12 colors in Life Floor’s Ripple texture which is NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 certified for slip-resistance, cushioning, durability, and more. Transition Strips surround the perimeter of the refreshed space, ensuring a no-trip and ADA compliant entryway. 

And the best part is that all of these safety features are built-in to our products, so guests only see the bright, bold, joyful design that encourages them to play freely.

Michael Bausman, Director of Facilities and Resources, is excited about the improvements and partnership with Life Floor. "The new flooring on the splash pad is amazing,” he said. “It has completely transformed the splash pad at our Park of Dreams, and our guests love it. Not only is the flooring colorful and whimsical like the rest of the Village, it is also fully accessible, allowing children in wheelchairs to safely experience fun in the water. Just in time for our 40th anniversary, Life Floor has given us an incredible gift that will be enjoyed by our wish families for many years." 

More Highlights at The Park of Dreams Pool

Martin Aquatic, located about 20 miles from The Village, saw an opportunity to donate their expert design and engineering services to create meaningful and accessible water play nearly twenty years ago. "Back in 2007, when we designed the splash pad for Give Kids The World, we pushed water-quality innovation as far as the technology allowed, but there simply wasn’t a perfect solution for surface safety yet,” said Josh Martin, President and Creative Director of Martin Aquatic. “Since the introduction of Life Floor, surface safety is central to almost every splash pad we design."

Jeff Ellis Management, a branch of Ellis & Associates, donates lifesaving equipment and lifeguard services to Give Kids The World. Because of their involvement, they’ve helped to ensure the more than 9,000 wish families who visit the Village each year have memorable, safe experiences at the Park of Dreams Pool.

In 2024, Central Florida Pool and Spa donated and installed an Aqua Creek Pool Lift and a Jandy Pool Heater to both provide another way for guests to enjoy the pool and to feel comfortable within it. Even in climates as warm as Florida, pool heaters are critical for individuals who may not be able to regulate their temperatures and for those who are sensitive to tepid water.

Truly, the industry impact at Give Kids The World is incredible, and the names involved span more than we can adequately celebrate in a single blog. Beyond those we named above, we want to extend a sincere thank you to the following companies who have supported the Park of Dreams at the Village: American Airlines, American Locker Company, Aquatic Consulting and Equipment, Buena Vista Construction, Centex Rooney, Classic Marcite, Electrosonic, Don & Lorraine Freeburg Foundation, Ellis & Associates, Evoqua, Florida Patio Furniture, Icarus Exhibits, Martin Aquatic Design and Engineering, Neptune Benson/Defender, Joe Parinella, Pool Professionals, Quick Silver Store, Salt Life Construction, Serendipity, SNA, Spies Pool, SteamLabs, Universal Orlando Resort and Studios and Universal Creative, Vally Crest, Vortex Aquatic Structures, Walt Disney World and Walt Disney Imagineering.

We’re sure there are more than these who have contributed in some way that we missed mentioning; thank you for your heart for people.

Less than 1% of all U.S. charities receive Charity Navigator's highest rating. Give Kids The World has earned this rating for 18 years in a row. "Give Kids The World is a place where kindness surrounds every person,” shared Caroline Schumacher, President and CEO of Give Kids The World. “Life Floor's Matching Funds Grant Program allowed us to brighten Jack's Wacky Works and connect us with an incredible new partner we now consider part of our global family. Thank you Life Floor, for your generous support of the Village. The smiles we see every day on the faces of our wish families say it all."

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Life Floor’s Matching Funds Grant Program

Our Matching Funds Grant Program is part of our philanthropic effort to ease the cost of our premium safety surfaces for facilities in the U.S. that do not have the means to invest in it at full price. We annually build a dedicated fund to award these grants into our company budget and award them based on merit, need, and passion for a facility’s community.

Matching Grants range between 25-100% match. Tiers are based on the local city’s median household income, city operations budget per capita (if municipal), facility’s dedication to accessibility, and more. Design possibilities are subject to current availability of inventory and demand.

Top 10 Ways to Play on Life Floor

At Life Floor, we believe the best kind of play begins with a spark of imagination and ends in a burst of laughter. Our surfacing isn't just slip-resistant and cushioned, it's a story waiting to unfold beneath your feet. Each tile becomes a stepping-stone into adventure: coral reefs shimmer underfoot, jungle paths twist and turn through sprays of water, and color trails guide explorers toward their next discovery.

Whether you're designing a splash pad, aquatic park, or dry-land play space, Life Floor transforms every surface into a place where creativity flows as freely as the water. So go ahead, dream in color, build in play, and let joy ripple outward with every splash and smile.

Here are ten imaginative ways to bring your play space to life with Life Floor's themed Inlays, bold hues, and limitless design possibilities.

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1. Scavenger Hunt with Inlays

Ready, set, explore! With themed Inlays like Outer Space, Desert, and Sports, you can create exciting "Search & Find" adventures. Kids can hunt for rockets, armadillos, soccer balls, and more while boosting their observation skills and sparking their imagination.

Looking to go full pirate mode? Our Treasure Hunt Inlay Set leads little adventurers along a dashed line path to "X marks the spot." It's a great way to activate an entire play zone and guide children around spray features or dry play areas with ease.

Life Floor Tip: Want to simulate organic paths? Try the Forest or Pond sets with paw prints, lily pads, and other nature-inspired elements that create intuitive routes of discovery.

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2. Hopscotch + Ground Games

Remember hopscotch? We've reimagined it with soft, slip-resistant Life Floor tiles that are both educational and active. Add number lines, ABCs, or fully customized ground games that blend learning with fun movement that sticks (but not literally).

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3. The Floor is Lava!

Bright contrasting colors aren't just eye-catching; they're perfect for encouraging "The Floor is Lava" style games. No extra equipment needed. Just imagination, some colorful tiles, and the spirit of play! Bonus: These types of activities effortlessly build collaboration and social skills.

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4. Search + Find Challenges

Hide-and-seek just got a floor upgrade. Kids (and parents!) love hunting for shapes and counting how many rockets, frogs, or bubbles they can find. Our Inlays serve as both visual storytelling elements and interactive games, making the floor an integral part of the fun.

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5. Themed Play Zones

Transform your aquatic area into a universe of imagination where every splash tells a story. With Life Floor tiles, themed play zones come alive, each concept a portal to adventure.

Beneath the waves, under the sea, explorers discover shimmering starfish hidden in ocean blues. Step ashore at the sand to sea zone, where adventurers chase crabs across warm sands before wading into deeper waters. In the forest pond, frogs leap from lilypad to lilypad under a canopy of greens, while nearby athletes in training race across bright tracks, chasing soccer balls to victory.

Wherever imagination leads, Life Floor is the landscape where stories unfold, safely underfoot.

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6. Hopping Activities

Simple shapes + creative placement = instant hopping fun. Whether standalone or integrated into a larger design, these pathways invite energetic play and spatial exploration.

Just ask Westfield Memorial Pool Complex in NJ, our in-house Studio designed a massive octopus tentacle made of Large Bubble Inlays from our Marine Set. Kids love hopping along the tentacle while diving into the undersea theme!

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7. Custom Thematic Flooring Features

Have a wild idea? Let's make it happen. Our custom-cutting capabilities mean we can bring just about any design to life — from life-size dolphins and whales to branded characters and surfboards. If you've got a mascot, a story, or a brand to express, we're ready to play.

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8. Artful Murals

Looking to add WOW factor? Commission our custom Murals tiles featuring sea life, beach scenes, or even storybook settings. Not only are these murals visually stunning, but they also cushion falls, keeping creative play safe and inspired.

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9. Immersive Theming

Colors, textures, and shapes matter. A well-designed, immersive surface can make kids feel like they've stepped into a new world; an island getaway, an enchanted forest, or an intergalactic mission. These environments don't just look great—they create unforgettable memories.

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10. Creative Movement Paths

Guide kids through aquatic play with built-in trails, curves, and wavy lines that subtly direct movement. Use shells, lily pads, tree stumps, or bubbles to create organic trails that weave through spray features and toys.

These gentle paths turn wandering into an adventure, and make every step feel like part of the journey.

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Bringing Play to Life

Play has no limits, and with Life Floor, neither does imagination. From bold color palettes that invite curiosity to Inlays that spark storytelling and discovery, every design is a chance to create moments of wonder that last long after the water dries. Whether it's a giggle echoing across a splash pad or a family making memories under the summer sun, these playful details remind us why we build what we do: to make every space safer, brighter, and filled with joy.

So dream big, design boldly, and let Life Floor be the foundation where imagination meets adventure. Because the best kind of play isn't just fun, it's unforgettable.

Ready to start your story? Explore our Design Studio and discover how Life Floor can bring your next play space to life. Connect with us to get started today!