Official Installation Protocol
Install Your Communication Board and Frame.
Proper installation ensures your board stands the test of time. Follow our technical roadmap to assemble your Smarty Symbols frame securely and maximize accessibility.
Shop Frame Systems
Built for Durability.
Protect your investment with our professional post-and-frame systems. Engineered specifically for Smarty Symbols boards, these frames provide the stability and safety required for high-traffic environments.
Materials You Will Need.
Ensure long-lasting durability with the right components and tools.
Post Set (Vinyl or Aluminum)
Provided in 7-foot lengths. These are engineered for 2 feet of cemented underground placement to ensure a strong, stable foundation.
Decorative Caps & Screws
Includes standard flat caps for a professional finished look and high-security screws to fasten the rails to the structural posts.
Power Drill
While not included, a power drill is essential for securing the hardware and ensuring the frame is tightly fastened.
Smarty Symbols Communication Board
Your durable, weather-resistant substrate featuring inclusive symbols designed for high-traffic environments.
Shovel or Post-Hole Digger
Needed to dig foundation holes at least 2 feet deep. This depth is critical for maximum structural stability.
Visualizing Your Communication Access Project Parts
Built for Accessibility: Ensuring Everyone Can Communicate
Your Smarty Symbols Playground Communication Board has been carefully designed to ensure long-lasting durability and security once installed. The key to a successful installation is how each part of the kit works together to create a solid, weather-resistant structure.
Fit and Secure Insertion
When you purchase a Smarty Symbols Communication Board along with the frame, the design ensures that the board is securely inserted into the sleeves of the vertical and horizontal posts on three sides. This feature is key to providing maximum stability and protection, preventing damage from shifting, bowing, or weather exposure.
Real-World Frame Installations.
See how schools and parks across the country are utilizing our durable frame systems to create inclusive environments.
Summit Public Schools
Community Inclusive Park
Deerfield Park
Accessible Playground Project
Phillips Park & Recreation
Tumbleweed Park
Woods System of Care
Ludlow Elementary School
How to Insert Your Board Into the Frame
Bottom Rail Alignment
Insert the communication board into the bottom horizontal post using a scissor-like motion. Ensure the board slides fully into the bottom sleeve before moving on to the next step.
Top Rail Secure
Place the top horizontal onto the substrate as pictured, using the same scissor motion. Press down firmly to ensure the board is fully inserted into both the top and bottom horizontals.
Vertical Integration
Insert the board into the vertical post sleeves using a firm sliding motion. Ensure the board is fully seated into the vertical posts on both sides to secure the board in place with no gaps.
Frame Closure
Insert the remaining vertical post by aligning it with the horizontal pieces. Use a firm sliding motion to ensure the board is fully seated, securing all sides of the frame tightly.
Hardware & Finish
Secure the frame by inserting the screws into the posts. Next, install the post caps. The caps fit snugly, but you can add a couple of drops of PVC glue for extra security.
Ensuring a Secure Foundation.
Digging for Stability
To properly install your Smarty Symbols Playground Communication Board, it is essential that each post is installed with 2 feet securely in the ground.
This depth provides the stability needed to withstand outdoor conditions, shifting soil, and heavy use while remaining safely in place for years to come.
Measure and Mark
Before digging, measure the exact location for the posts to ensure proper alignment with the board frame. Once marked, use a shovel or post-hole digger to create holes at least 2 feet deep for each post.
This depth is the most crucial factor for long-term stability, preventing the board from leaning or becoming unstable over time.
Set and Secure
Insert the 7-foot posts into the ground, ensuring exactly 2 feet are below the surface. This leaves 5 feet above ground, placing the board at the optimal height for accessibility.
For maximum security in high-wind areas or high-traffic public spaces, we recommend securing the posts with cement.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
Incomplete Board Insertion
Failing to fully insert communication boards into all four sides of the frame causes bowing, slipping, and structural damage. Ensure the board substrate is slid entirely into the sleeves to maintain long-term durability.
Adult-Eye Level Placement
Installing boards at adult heights makes the top row unreachable for children and wheelchair users. Every symbol must be accessible to foster independence and interaction at every turn.
Garden Bed Blockage
Placing boards behind landscaping or inside garden beds prevents wheelchair users from getting close enough to touch the symbols. Always maintain an unobstructed path directly in front of the board.
Accidentally damaged your board during installation?
When you purchase a communication board from Smarty Symbols, you’re not only investing in a high-quality product that supports accessibility—you’re also getting peace of mind.
We make it easy and affordable to replace your board if something happens during the setup process.
See Your Options
Preserving Your Inclusive Playground
Routine maintenance ensures your board remains accessible and vibrant year-round.
Safe Cleaning
Use a soft, damp cloth to remove dirt or debris. Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage the protective UV coating.
Routine Audit
Regularly check for wear around mounting points and tighten any hardware to ensure structural stability.
Impact Check
Inspect for accidental damage to the polyethylene core or frame alignment following extreme weather events.
UV Inspection
Monitor colors seasonally; our fade-resistant UV inks are engineered to last for 5+ years in outdoor conditions.
Not Ready to Install? Select Your Board:
Explore all Smarty Symbols Communication Boards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to your most common questions about our communication boards and services, helping you create a more inclusive and supportive environment from the start.
Yes, you can install the communication board without the frame, but we highly recommend purchasing the frame for added protection and durability. The frame ensures the board is securely locked in place and minimizes potential damage, especially outdoors.
Our frames come in both vinyl and aluminum options, both designed to withstand outdoor conditions. These materials offer long-lasting protection and stability for your communication board.
The board is designed to be low-maintenance. Simply clean it with a soft, damp cloth as needed to maintain its appearance. Since it is primarily used indoors, it will not require any special care to ensure its longevity.
Unfortunately, no. The communication boards purchased with a frame are specifically designed to fit securely within the frame sleeves. The design of the boards without frames differs slightly to ensure proper sizing for different uses. Therefore, a board purchased without a frame may not fit properly in a frame purchased separately at a later time.
If your communication board gets damaged, Smarty Symbols offers three options to help you replace it:
1. Product Warranty
- Cost: $0
- Covers: Manufacturing defects, shipping damage, 3 years of UV protection.
2. Accidental Damage Protection Plan
- Cost: Based on board size
- Covers: Accidental damage, vandalism, improper installation, and weather damage for 2 years.
3. Reduced-Fee Reprint
- Cost: 50% of the original purchase price
- Covers: Accidental damage, vandalism, improper installation, and weather damage if no Protection Plan was purchased.
- Eligibility: Board must be purchased within 5 years, with a 6-month waiting period after purchase. Proof of significant damage is required, and reprints are exact replicas.
The board is made from high-quality aluminum with a polyethylene core, printed with fade-resistant UV ink and coated with an extra UV protection layer. It is designed to last 5+ years outdoors, but since it’s placed indoors, it will likely last for many years with minimal maintenance.