Installation Guide
Download the TripStop Installation Instructions PDF
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Tree roots will cause sidewalks to rise up and crack, leaving it uneven and easy for people to stumble. The TripStop joint system is being used in the city of Los Angeles for all of its sidewalks.
First, the TripStop is laid down onto the ground at the right angels to fit the sidewalk frame, then the concrete is poured over them and then paved. When it's finished, it leaves a much nicer-looking sidewalk that's safer to use and won't harm the trees around it. Install TripStop today!TripStop must:
A. Be installed by an installer that has received certified installation training by Access Products inc.B. Be placed in the concrete at 90 degrees to the finished surface and must not be allowed to deviate by more than 5 degrees as illustrated.
C. Run the full depth and width of the slab and must finish flush with the surface of the finished concrete. TripStop™ can have up to 1/4" or 6mm clearance at each end to allow for an edging tool to be passed without interruption. Where the TripStop™ is below the finished surface an edging tool must be passed either side to form an arris or sharp edge detail.
D. Never be higher than the surface of the finished sidewalk.
E. Be level with the sub-base using the bottom of TripStop™ as a guide so that there are no voids underneath TripStop™.
F. Be supported uniformly on both sides of TripStop™ when pouring concrete to keep it securely at a 90 degree angle to the sub-base.
Important Note: TripStop™ is recommended as a device to minimize concrete slab displacement. Access Products Inc. does not warrant or guarantee that TripStop will absolutely prevent slab displacement in all situations and under all circumstances as its performance will vary due to such things as gross disruption to concrete slabs caused by non-standard usage, excessively reactive soil conditions, poor installation methodology and other factors.
The solution to aggressive trees causing displacement in concrete sidewalks
TripStop™ should be installed at intervals equivalent to the
width of a sidewalk, for the entire area of the sidewalk that
is located within the drip line.
Ideally the TripStop™ sections should be positioned directly
above the most aggressive tree roots. Where the aggressive
tree roots are not obvious, or are being removed, then
TripStop section (A) should be placed in the line with the
center of the trunk of the tree. TripStop sections (B) and
(C) protect at the drip line which is the most active area.
(D) and (E) are the optional [but recommended]
finishing pieces that will allow the adjacent slabs to be
linked in the future.
If, in the future, the adjacent slabs become displaced,
simply remove them along with the connecting concrete
strip, 6" or 15 cm wide (call-out E in image). This
will leave (D) and (E) in position and ready to connect to
the new slabs. Pour away, again finishing with TripStop
sections and connecting concrete strips at the extremities.
Cutting TripStop™
TripStop™ is made from an engineered polymer, and can be cut on-site using a sharp fine hand saw with 10 or more teeth to the inch. A hack saw with a coarse cut
blade is also suitable.
TripStop™ may be cut with a combination saw or drop saw or a docking saw provided that a fine tooth finishing blade is used. In this operation the TripStop™ must be laid flat and firmly against the fence of the saw. The underside of the profile facing the fence must be supported to the extent that the bottom edge facing the operator sits
firmly on the table of the saw. The whole profile must be below the top of the fence at all times.
Caution. TripStop™ must never be cut with a chain saw, a hand held portable power saw or with a blade used for ripping. If in doubt use hand operated saws. Full personal
protective equipment must be worn including leather gloves, eye and hearing protective gear. A full face mask is preferable to goggles. Pieces of TripStop™ less than
4" or 100 mm must never be cut using power equipment.
Joining TripStop™
TripStop™ can be joined if needed by inserting a 3" x 5/8"
or 75mm x 15.8mm length of suitably shaped and fitted
wooden dowel into the center holes as shown below.
Caution should be used when using power tools as
TripStop™ is hard and should be supported properly with
a fence used on the saw. It is acceptable to cut a short
length from a length greater than 12" or 305mm but
cutting from lengths shorter than 12" or 305mm should
be avoided. TripStop™ is easily drilled if an additional hole
is required to secure the joined section. Use a drill with
a or 1/4" or 6mm spaded steel cutting bit.
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