Groundfall Installation Requirements

Groundfall is a mixed-reality "floor-is-lava" game for 4 to 10 players. The product consists of a structure (with its own built-in TV display, no projector or white wall needed) and a play area.

This article summarises what the venue needs to have in place before installation day: space, flooring, anchoring, play area, electrical, network and environment.

Size and space

Structure dimensions

• W 3.96 m x D 0.6 m x H 2.72 m (W 13' x D 2' x H 8'11")

• Structure footprint: ~3.10 m² (~33.33 sq ft), wall structure only

Required clearance

• Sides: the structure has a maintenance access door on each side. Reserve 60 cm (2') on both the left and right so the doors can be opened freely.

• Ceiling: ventilation fans and camera maintenance access points are on top of the structure.

  • Recommended ceiling height: 3.22 m (10'7")

  • Absolute minimum ceiling height: 3 m (9'10")

Play area

• The play area can be configured in 19 different sizes.

• Total footprint (structure + play area): 20 to 49 m² (215 to 527 ft²), depending on the configuration. Dimensions for every configuration are in the Groundfall configurations list.

Flooring

• Groundfall must be placed on a stable, solid and even surface.

• The structure has 16 levelling feet with a 30 mm (1.2") adjustment range.

• Flatness tolerance: ≤ 3 mm per 2 m (0.12" per 6'7").

• The floor must bear a static mass of 410 kg (904 lbs).

The customer/operator is responsible for verifying that the subfloor can safely support both the static weight and the peak anchor tension and shear forces. See the technical data sheet for details.

Anchoring

For safety, the structure must be fixed in one of two ways:

1. Floor fixed: bolted to the floor using the 8 anchor points on the bottom frames.

2. Wall fixed: fixed to a wall using the 4 anchor points on the back frame.

The customer/operator is responsible for verifying the base material on site (e.g. concrete strength and type, cracked status, edge distances) and for selecting an ETA-approved anchor that meets or exceeds the stated design loads. See the technical data sheet for details.

Marking the play area

There are three options:

1. Sticker tape (included when no carpet is ordered)

• The floor must be solid, dry and dust-free.

• Works best on sealed timber and plastic floors.

• Will not work on carpeted floors.

2. Groundfall play area carpet (add-on)

• The floor must be solid, dry and dust-free.

• Double-sided tape is supplied to fix the carpet. Test the tape on your flooring first to make sure it's suitable.

• The carpet can go on top of existing wall-to-wall carpet, but you'll need a fixing tape or solution that's compatible with that carpet type.

• The carpet covers the original flooring.

3. The venue's own flooring

• Mark the area with, for example, paint or floor stickers.

• Use a 1 x 1 m (3'3" x 3'3") grid only. This matches the Groundfall carpet and helps players orient themselves. Other divisions will confuse players.

• Players run and stop abruptly, so the marking must be hard-wearing, long-lasting and non-slip.

Electrical

Groundfall plugs into a standard grounded wall outlet. No special electrical installation is needed.

Power supply

• Maximum power consumption: 1200 W (measured, including a safety margin).

Grounding

• A protective earth (PE) connection is recommended.

• The metal frame and panels are bonded to protective earth through the power cord(s). The outlet's grounding must meet local electrical regulations.

• Some local regulations require additional grounding (equipotential bonding) for large metal structures. A qualified local electrician should check whether this applies, and if so, make the connection.

Circuit

• A dedicated circuit is recommended.

• Don't share the circuit with other high-power equipment, which can cause voltage drops or nuisance tripping.

Outlet location

The power cables leave the unit at the back, at floor level.

• EU (230 V): the attached cable reaches just past the back corner of the unit. Put the outlet right at the back corner, or use an extension cord (see below).

• North America (120 V): about 2 m of each cord runs inside the unit. Put both outlets within 3 m of the back of the unit.

The outlets must be:

• Easy for staff to reach at all times

• Out of reach of the public

Switching on and off

Groundfall is switched on and off with the main power switch on the power distributor, behind the access door on the left side of the unit. The North America version has two power distributors, and both switches must be turned off to power down the unit. Unplug Groundfall only in an emergency or before maintenance.

If the outlet is further away: extension cords

A permanently installed outlet behind the unit is always preferred. If that isn't possible, an extension cord may be used if it meets these minimums:

• EU: 3-core grounded cord, H05VV-F or heavier (H07RN-F recommended), rated 16 A / 250 V. At least 1.5 mm² conductors up to 15 m; 2.5 mm² for 15–25 m.

• North America: 3-conductor grounded cord, SJT or heavier, UL-listed, rated 15 A / 125 V. At least 14 AWG up to 15 m; 12 AWG for 15–25 m. Use a separate extension cord for each power cord.

When using an extension cord:

• Use one continuous cord per power cable. Don't join cords, and don't use power strips or multi-outlet adapters.

• If the cord is on a reel, unwind it fully so it can't overheat.

• Route it where it won't be stepped on, driven over or pinched. Never run it across the play area or a walkway unless it's under a cable protector.

• Local regulations may not allow extension cords for permanent installations. Check with a qualified local electrician.

Safety and compliance

• Always unplug all power cables before opening Groundfall or doing any maintenance. The main switch alone isn't enough.

• The installation must comply with all applicable local electrical codes and regulations.

Network

• Connection: wired Ethernet (RJ45). A 15 m network cable is included.

• Location: the network cable leaves the unit at the back, at floor level. Put the network outlet within 13 m of the back of the unit, in a staff-only area.

• Speed: at least 10 Mbit/s upload and 10 Mbit/s download.

• Ready before installation: the internet connection must be installed, active and tested before installation day.

• No blocking: no captive portal, guest-network login or similar service may block incoming or outgoing traffic.

Environment

Lighting

• Groundfall must be placed indoors, out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can interfere with camera tracking and game performance.

• The product has its own lighting, so it works in darker venues.

Temperature

• Operating temperature: 10°C – 25°C (50°F – 77°F). Going outside this range can make the system unstable and shortens component lifespan.

• Groundfall has temperature sensors in the enclosure and 2 air extraction fans on top of the structure. Leave enough space above for good airflow (see the ceiling height requirements above).

Questions about installation requirements? Contact your Valo Motion sales representative or sales@valomotion.com.