Hello all. I lead the development of a Water World exhibit a few years ago, and flooring was one of the major issues we had to deal with. Rubber tiles with drainage holes were found to be expensive and potential breeding grounds for microorganisms. Spray-on truck bed liner was an option, but in our trials, once wet, it was very slippery. We decided to go with an epoxy floor, containing aluminum oxide particles ("grit")to provide traction. We created a "berm" out of plywood, smoothed and coated with epoxy, to keep the water confined to the area. The epoxy was sloped slightly to the lowest spot in the area, where a drain hole was cut through the concrete. We thought that we could always install rubberized flooring over top if need be (it wasn't needed in the end).
After several years, it still worked well - water was contained; wheelchairs and scooters could drive over the berm; traction was quite good for feet. The only issue is that kids could get "road rash" if they ran in the area and wiped out (not many incidents of that though). The area was relatively easy to clean with a hose &/or pressure sprayer.
Some of the pitfalls: the slope was too gradual, and puddles would appear on occasion. This meant some kids pant cuffs were getting wet. Very few reports of slippage that I am aware of. On occasion little ones would want to climb into the colourful water basins, but no major incidents occurred. I appreciate the hesitancy of some folks to venture into the world of water play, but the responses from both children and adults are very rewarding. Much imagining, much playing, much learning. Very worthwhile.
George Wurtak
[log in to unmask]
Winnipeg, Canada
Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2005 11:11:15 -0700
From: "Glenn A. Walsh" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: water area
I have seen these water areas in Science Centers and
Children's Museums. I have always thought that they
are an accident waiting to happen.
Of course, they are popular with children. However, I
would never have a public water area without constant
staff supervision while it is open to the public.
And, parents should also be attending their children
when using the water area. However, from a liability
standpoint, I would never rely solely on parent
supervision in such a water area.
gaw
--- Patricia Verheyden <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 09:32:36 +0200
From: "Patricia Verheyden" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: water area
To: [log in to unmask]
>
> I am really looking forward to a change of subject
> too.
> So hereby I'll introduce a new question:
>
> We are going to renew our water area next year. New
> water bassins, new exhibits and new flooring.
> At present we have a gutter around the water bassin,
> covered with a wooden grid.
> The floor itself is a resin, water proof and
> finished with a (supposedly) anti slip layer (a
> transparant coating with small irregularities in
> it).
>
> We are not really satisfied about this floor: the
> gutter is cleaned once a week but the wood is heavy
> to lift out, the floor does get slippery when wet
> and is difficult to clean beacuse of the
> irregaularities.
>
> So we are looking for a better solution.
> Any suggestions on good, easy to maintain water
> flooring? or comments on flooring you are not
> satisfied about?
>
>
> best regards,
>
> Patricia
>
> Patricia Verheyden
> Manager of exhibits
> Technopolis, the Flemish Science Center
> Host site ECSITE conference 2006
> Technologielaan, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium
> tel. + 32 15 34 20 20; fax + 32 15 34 20 10
> mailto:[log in to unmask]
> http://www.technopolis.be
>
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