aquatic

How Does Life Floor withstand Extreme Climates?

With over 2,500 installations worldwide, Life Floor is trusted by leading brands and is the recommended surface for WhiteWater, Waterplay, and Rain Drop Products among others. From the bitter cold of Minnesota to the sweltering heat of Dubai, Life Floor tiles are engineered to perform in a vast range of climates.

COLD CLIMATES

Life Floor is designed to flex with the freeze and thaw cycles of seasons. The top of Life Floor tiles may expand and contract with high and low temperatures. In winter months, contraction creates wider joints. In the summer months during operation, expansion creates tighter joints.

Rapid temperature changes and/or wide swings have negligible impact on tile performance after installation. Our approved contact cement adhesives keep the bases of the tiles firmly secured to the underlayment or substrate.

Cedarcrest Splash Pad - Bloomington, MN, USA

Since June 2017, the Life Floor installation at Cedarcrest Splash Pad has experienced multiple freeze-thaw cycles. This public, outdoor splash pad is exposed to ice, snow, and hail throughout the long winter season. To date, Life Floor tiles remain adhered, the surface can be easily cleaned, colors appear vibrant, and our slip-resistant texture is just as effective as the first summer season.

While there are many beautiful splash pads across the Twin Cities, the Cedarcrest Park Splash Pad is unique in that the splash pad is unfenced. Bikes ride over it, shoes run across it, and trees line the outer perimeter with a dry playground nearby. This means that the splash pad is covered with leaves, sticks, dirt, sand, gravel, and wood chips on a regular basis. Given the environment, the modularity of Life Floor has allowed for any damaged tiles to be easily replaced without sacrificing the aesthetic of the splash pad.

Wilderness Resort - Wisconsin Dells, WI, USA

Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells installed one of the very first custom outdoor Life Floor installations. The intricate, larger-than-life inlays of bear paw prints are a testament to our tile's ability to flex with the harsh freeze/thaw cycles of Wisconsin winters.

Since installation in May 2013, Wilderness Resort has reopened the splash pad each season with minimal maintenance. The tiles are easily cleaned and vibrant. Some delamination may occur with installations of this type, which maintenance staff can easily address by following our Replacement Guide in the Owner's Manual.

To prevent delamination from occurring, we recommend using a Certified Installer. Our installation partners typically recommend installing Life Floor in cooler weather (between 60-70 degrees F) which results in tighter joints during the summer seasons.


HOT CLIMATES

UV exposure is a primary concern for hot climates in regions such as the Middle East.

As part of Life Floor’s NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 Certification, our products have been tested under extreme UV exposure. This is defined by the World Health Organization UV Index as more than 90 days (2,160 hours) of daytime exposure in the 10+ UV Index category within a 365-day period. During testing, erosion is not acceptable if it compromises the surface's traction, cushioning, or color clarity.

Atlantis the Palm - Dubai, UAE

Life Floor's UV resistance exceeds the NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 criteria, which is why internationally renowned brands such as Atlantis the Palm, Dubai choose our products for outdoor aquatic spaces. This iconic triangle gradient paired with Waterplay spray fixtures combines durability with design at Splasher’s Kids Play Area. Together they have created lasting memories for guests of all ages and abilities since it was installed in 2018.

The Atlantis resort brand is internationally known for spectacular thrills, unique attractions, and high-quality entertainment with guest satisfaction in mind. We partnered with Raymond Sport, LLC. to create the iconic surface design for this luxury destination that contributes enhanced safety paired with beautiful aesthetics.

The Beach Jumeirah - Dubai, UAE

The Beach splash pad delights as an amenity to individuals in the Jumeirah Beach Residence area. Life Floor was installed in 2018 and has provided a comfortable and slip-resistant surface for families looking to cool off in the hot climate of Dubai. Unlike concrete, our foam-rubber tiles serve as a good solution for facilities in search of a product that dissipates heat quickly since it will not burn skin and stays comfortable underfoot in intense sun and heat.

In high UV climate areas, facilities often opt for shade structures to protect the longevity of both spray fixtures and the Life Floor. It should be noted that shade is not a requirement since our surfaces have been tested to last at least 5 years in high UV climates with low to moderate traffic.

With constant pedestrian traffic from nearby shops and coffee houses, the splash pad continues to be a focal attraction for cooling off and enjoying mid-day splashes.


To learn more about how Life Floor can help solve your surfacing challenges, especially in extreme climates, we’d love to set up a tailored meeting for you with one of our product experts.

NEW: 30 Unique Thematic Shapes for Aquatic Design

We’re excited to announce three new sets of Inlays that can be used to enhance the design, theming, and imaginative play opportunities on any splash pad or pool deck. These new additions complement our growing library of options that have helped to reimagine the potential of aquatic play through surfacing design. Check out our new additions below!

Outer Space

These Outer Space Inlays are out of this world! Teleport your guests’ imagination beyond the stars and spark daring space-themed adventures. Pair with Inlays from other collections such as our Geometric set to expand the possibilities of design .

Desert

From cacti to desert creatures, this Inlay set can set the scene for a unique landscape! For extra design potential, try pairing it with our Montauk Theme.

SPORTS

Encourage an active mindset by combining aquatics and sports! This Inlay set is inspired by some of the most popular sports in the United States. Pair with any theme or create your own from our wide range of colors. Some customers have even created soccer and football field designs out of Life Floor!


If you’re interested in including some of these fun new Inlays in your upcoming project, please contact your regional sales manager. For projects outside of the U.S., please contact our international team.

New Inlay Themes to Celebrate Summer

We’re excited to announce three new sets of Inlays that can be used to enhance the design, theming, and imaginative play opportunities on any splash pad or pool deck. These new additions complement our growing library of options that have helped to reimagine the potential of aquatic play through surfacing design. Check out our new additions below!

SEA LIFE

As an expansion of our Marine collection of Inlays, we can’t wait to see these new Sea Life Inlays sprinkled across designs that emulate underwater landscapes. We expect these to join our other sea creatures as some of our most popular thematic additions.

OUTDOOR EXPLORATION

Inspired by summer camping, we’ve created this set of Outdoor Exploration Inlays to complement our Forest Inlays. These designs will help to create unique, woodland themed splash pads that inspire adventure!

GEOMETRIC

We’ve already seen the limitless design possibilities when it comes to our different tile shapes so we wanted to expand those options to our Inlays. These shapes are sure to inspire countless numbers of new patterns and graphic elements. The vibrant design below gives just a glimpse at their potential!


The addition of these new Inlays to our library is just the continuation of a year-long expansion of theming options we’re making available to customers and designers. If you’re interested in including one or more of these new Inlays in your upcoming project, please contact your regional sales manager. For projects outside of the U.S., please contact our international team.

Rain Drop Products Partners with Life Floor to Increase Inclusivity in Spray Parks through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program

Rain Drop Products Partners with Life Floor to Increase Inclusivity in Spray Parks through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program

Minneapolis, Minn., June 2, 2021 - Life Floor, an aquatic safety surface manufacturer, and Rain Drop Products, an inclusivity-focused spray feature manufacturer, today announce a non-exclusive partnership to bring safety surfacing to the national splash pad market. Rain Drop Products is the first water play feature manufacturer to offer Sourcewell cooperative purchasing with an NSF certified aquatic safety surface. Together, the companies are committed to making water play accessible to everyone.

We are excited to make Life Floor our recommended aquatic safety surface as part of our inclusive product offerings through the Sourcewell contract. Now, we finally have an aquatic surface that we can stand behind to deliver safety and great design. And with NSF certification, our customers can trust they are investing in a surface that serves all their safety needs.
— Mark Williams, Rain Drop Products CEO

The partnership emphasizes the aquatic industry’s progress towards designing more waterparks and spray parks using universal design practices. Both companies focus their design principles around customization to provide accessible spaces for every age and ability. With Rain Drop Products’ product portfolio of sensory-specific features, they believe adding a slip-resistant, cushioned, and playful surface will complete the inclusive experience.

Rain Drop Products Partners with Life Floor to Increase Inclusivity in Spray Parks through Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program
It made complete sense to offer Life Floor through the Sourcewell contract with Rain Drop Products. We’ve had the chance to collaborate with Rain Drop Products and their commitment to making safe, inclusive products mirrors our mission to creating safe and beautiful aquatic spaces for everyone. We’re really excited to see how their team utilizes the custom design capabilities of Life Floor with their custom features. It’s a huge step toward building more inclusive aquatic play spaces for multi-generational play.
— Jonathan Keller, Life Floor CEO

By winning the Sourcewell contract, Rain Drop Products and Life Floor will be able to offer their products for the next four years to municipalities, eliminating the lengthy bid process for their customers. The reputable contract’s ease of use and savings offered will make NSF certified aquatic safety surfacing more accessible to the larger market as Life Floor is the first and only surface currently certified.  


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Life Floor 

Life Floor manufactures Life Floor tiles, a foam-rubber flooring system designed for use in wet areas with barefoot traffic. Created as an alternative to concrete and other conventional materials, Life Floor is the only safety surface specifically designed and engineered to perform in aquatic environments. Life Floor combines award-winning safety with unparalleled design capabilities, delivered by an expert team committed to a world-class experience for everyone who interacts with their products.

Gwen Ruehle Vice President, Business Development
612.405.2718
gwen.ruehle@lifefloor.com
lifefloor.com

Rain Drop Products

Rain Drop Products is a leading designer and manufacturer of children’s aquatic play equipment with a  focus on inclusive aquatic play. Rain Drop Products has been a world-wide leader in the water play industry since 1985 and continues to strive for inclusion and innovation through their dynamic product lines.  From surface sprays to above-ground water features, to slides and structures, Rain Drop Products strives to maximize the sensory experience for children of all abilities.

Mark Williams CEO/President 
614-506-1221
mwilliams@rain-drop.com
rain-drop.com

Sourcewell

A self-sustaining government organization, Sourcewell has over 40 years of dedicated service helping government, education, and nonprofit agencies operate more efficiently through a variety of solutions. Sourcewell contract purchasing solutions are competitively solicited nationally, offering over 400 awarded contracts every four years. 

010521-RDP | Sourcewell (sourcewell-mn.gov)


General FAQ’s

Can other manufacturers still work with Life Floor?

Yes! The Rain Drop Products and Life Floor partnership is non-exclusive.

What does this partnership mean for Life Floor?

Life Floor is now Rain Drop Products' recommended safety surface. Life Floor can be included in all designs for Sourcewell projects for splash pads.

How was this partnership established?

Both Rain Drop Products and Life Floor value safety and inclusivity. As Rain Drop Products applied for the Sourcewell contract this past year, they saw value in including Life Floor as a safety surfacing option to enhance their design packages for spray parks.

How will this partnership work for customers?

New clients with splash pad projects interested in purchasing and installing Life Floor or Rain Drop Products Features for their facility can contact either company to begin the process for all splash pad feature needs.

If this sounds like your type of project, you may contact either Life Floor or Rain Drop Products directly at the contact information below:

Life Floor: Contact us here or email us at solutions@lifefloor.com

Rain Drop Products: Contact us here

Have Life Floor and Rain Drop Products merged?

No. We remain independent companies, and we look forward to seeing how this game-changing partnership will serve the industry going forward.

SETTING A SAFER PRECEDENT FOR CANADA: YMCA OF GREATER MONCTON

Recently, NSF International expanded Standard 50 to extend across Canada, which includes recommendations for surfacing in aquatic play areas under NSF/ANSI/CAN 50:26 (formerly NSF/ANSI 50:26).

YMCA OF GREATER MONCTON

With its recent Life Floor installation, the YMCA of Greater Moncton, NB is one of the first aquatic facilities in Canada to recognize the importance of having NSF/ANSI/CAN 50:26 certified safety surfacing. The facility is a combination of an indoor splash pad with a zero-depth entry and a playground. Because of this unique configuration, the staff sought out a product that was able to transition seamlessly from wet to dry applications while maintaining their commitment to safety. To accomplish this, they selected Life Floor to be installed.

Having seen Life Floor at a major trade show, we knew it was the product we wanted to install in our new facility.
— Scott Munro, Vice President of Facilities
YMCA OF GREATER MONCTON

A custom beach-inspired design was chosen to complement the existing tropical theming. Life Floor’s foam-rubber tiles were able to create the perfect transition the YMCA needed between the wet and dry play areas, especially since splash pads are essentially wet playgrounds. The cushioned and impact-absorbing surfacing allows children to run, jump, and play without limits - never needing to stop and put on shoes or change the way they play from one area to the next. As a result, the fully immersive experience enhances imaginative play. 

The YMCA of Greater Moncton is skipping ahead of their competition by creating a facility full of imagination, play, and fun. They have created a holistic experience to provide their members with the perfect beach day right in their community’s backyard.

We thank the YMCA of Greater Moncton for their commitment to safety and for being one of the first in Canada to adopt NSF/ANSI/CAN 50:26 safety surfacing standards for the benefit of their members. We look forward to the future as more Canadian facilities follow their example and recognize the importance of this safety standard as an integral part of their business.




To learn more about the official code in your region or state, check out this free resource.


If you’d like to specify or install NSF/ANSI/CAN 50:26 surfacing for an aquatic play area in Canada, please contact our Canadian Partner, Paul-Émile Beaudry at pebeaudry@polyvalens.ca to assist you in both English and French.

For U.S. clients and all other inquiries, please contact us directly via our online contact form or send us an email at solutions@lifefloor.com

French Translation

Le YMCA du Grand Moncton, NB crée un précédent sécuritaire en milieu aquatique au Canada.

Récemment, NSF International a étendu la norme Standard 50 partout au Canada, incluant des recommandations pour les surfaces de jeu aquatiques sous l’appellation NSF/ANSI/CAN 50,26 (précédemment nommée NSF/ANSI 50:26).

Avec ses récentes installations de Life Floor, le YMCA du Grand Moncton, NB est l’un des premiers centres d’installation aquatique à reconnaître l’importance d’avoir une surface sécuritaire certifiée NSF/ANSI/CAN 50:26. En effet, l’établissement se compose d’un mix de  deux (2) aires de jeux, l’une étant une surface mouillée (indoor splash pad) plane et l’autre étant une aire de jeux sèche. À cause de cette configuration spéciale, les employés ont recherché un produit qui permettrait la transition en toute transparence, de la surface mouillée à la surface sèche pour leurs activités tout en gardant un engagement de sécurité irréprochable. Un seul choix leur permettait de tout rallier : Life Floor.

Après avoir vu Life Floor lors d'un grand salon, nous avons sû que c’était le produit que nous voulions pour nos installations !  —Scott Munro, Vice Président du YMCA du Grand Moncton, NB

Au niveau du design,  le thème tropical dans l’aire de jeu d’eau et le thème plage dans l’aire de jeu sèche sont en parfaite harmonie pour s’adapter au thème pré-existant. Et maintenant, les enfants peuvent donc courir, sauter, culbuter et jouer sans limites sur une surface conforme aux nouveaux standards. Les surfaces coussinées  et absorbant tout impact permettent aux enfants de jouer sans s’arrêter pour mettre leurs chaussures ou changer leur façon de jouer d’un endroit à l’autre. Comme résultat, l’expérience devient totalement immersive et renforce leur jeu imaginatif.

Le YMCA du Grand Moncton devient donc un chef de file en adoptant des installations pleines d’imagination, de jeu et de plaisir ! Ils ont créé une expérience holistique en offrant à leurs membres une journée de plage parfaite en plein dans leur cour !

Nous remercions le YMCA du Grand Moncton de leur engagement pour la sécurité de leurs membres et d’être les premiers au Canada à appliquer la norme NSF/ANSI/CAN 50.26. Nous espérons que plusieurs autres organismes, centres aquatiques  et municipalités suivront l’exemple du YMCA et reconnaîtront l’importance de l’application de cette recommandation comme faisant partie de leur politique d’opération .

Si vous désirez de plus amples informations sur les tuiles Life Floor, communiquez avec Polyvalens Inc, notre distributeur au Canada.

A Beachy Transformation in Tasmania

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The renovation at Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre in Tasmania began during 2020’s mandatory COVID-19 closure and included many updates to the facility including adding approximately 480 square metres of Life Floor on the surface of a large zero depth entry play area and on some of the walls and stairs to increase cushioning. 

The new pool has already had a rousing response from our first young visitors, who absolutely loved it. The new slide and bucket play space is an exciting area for the bigger kids, but there’s also a zero-depth splash-pad with water features, which is suitable for babies and toddlers.
— Anna Reynolds, City of Hobart Lord Mayor
Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre in Tasmania

By installing Life Floor on their surfaces in different zones of play, the aquatic centre was able to capture added value for patrons of varying ages and abilities.

Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre in Tasmania

This Seashore Theme is arranged in a custom pattern replicating a beach with shallow water. Given Hobart’s temperate climate, this indoor haven is perfect for families who want to enjoy a beach day any day of the year. Marine inlays have been interspersed throughout the area to spark childhood imagination and increase overall play value at the centre.

Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre in Tasmania
Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre in Tasmania

Thank you to the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre for installing Life Floor and increasing safety and play at your facility! To learn more about how to get Life Floor at your facility in Oceania, please visit Life Floor Australia + New Zealand’s website

For other international regions, please visit our international team page. For North American projects, please contact us directly.

Vibrantly Themed Splash Pads Featured at Perfect Day® at CocoCay®

We’re proud to be featured at two beautiful splash pads that can be enjoyed whenever passengers spend a Perfect Day® at CocoCay® courtesy of Royal Caribbean. Guests can cool off, run and play, or relax on the sidelines at both Splashaway Bay designed by Martin Aquatic Design & Engineering or at Captain Jill’s Galleon designed by the Life Floor Studio. These two projects at CocoCay are quintessential examples of Life Floor’s custom cutting technology and our ability to match any aquatic feature’s theming. 

Splashaway Bay has a vibrant and whimsical underwater theme with bright inlays and shapes that match the graphic design of the play structure panels on the splash pad. This engaging design enhances play value by inspiring kids and families to create a variety of games hopping from color to color and shape to shape. The pairing of the surface design with this splash pad’s play structures and water features has easily made Splashaway Bay one of many focal points on the island. As a result, it has received recognition across the aquatics industry, including being named a 2019 AI Dream Design.

Perfect Day® at CocoCay®

Image Credit: Royal Caribbean

At Captain Jill’s Galleon, Life Floor surrounds a pirate vessel in a wavy pattern designed to mimic the water and shore beneath the massive hull. Sandy “islands” feature water cannons for water play at the surface level. As children venture down porthole slides and engage with the splash features, they can easily imagine sailing the high seas with the vast expanse of the ocean surrounding the island on the horizon.

Perfect Day® at CocoCay®

Image Credit: Royal Caribbean

Thank you to Royal Caribbean, Martin Aquatic Design & Engineering, WhiteWater West, and Inside Edge for collaborating with us to make the splash pads at this dream getaway a reality!