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CONSUMER INFORMATION SHEET FOR PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS*
Select Protective Surfacing—One of the most important things you can do to
reduce the likelihood of serious head injuries is to install shock-absorbing protective
surfacing under and around your play equipment. The protective surfacing should
be applied to a depth that is suitable for the equipment height in accordance with
ASTM Specification F1292. There are different types of surfacing to choose from;
whichever product you select, follow these guidelines:
Loose-fill Materials—Maintain a minimum depth of 23 cm (9 inches) of loose-fill
materials such as wood mulch/chips, engineered wood fiber (EWF), or shredded/
recycled rubber mulch for equipment up to 8 feet (244 cm) high; and 23 cm (9
inches) of sand or pea gravel for equipment up to 152 cm (5 feet) high. NOTE:
An initial fill level of 30 cm (12 inches) will compress to about a 23 cm (9 inches)
depth of surfacing over time. The surfacing will also compact, displace, and settle,
and should be periodically refilled to maintain at least a 23 cm (9 inches) depth.
Use a minimum of 15 cm (6 inches) of protective surfacing for play equipment less
than 122 cm (4 feet) in height. If maintained properly, this should be adequate. (At
depths less than 15 cm (6 inches), the protective material is too easily displaced or
compacted.)
NOTE: Do not install home playground equipment over
concrete, asphalt, or any other hard surface. A fall onto a hard surface can result in
serious injury to the equipment user. Grass and dirt are not considered protective
surfacing because wear and environmental factors can reduce their shock-absorbing
effectiveness. Carpeting and thin mats are generally not adequate protective
surfacing. Ground level equipment – such as a sandbox, activity wall, playhouse or
other equipment that has no elevated play surface – does not need any protective
surfacing.
Use containment, such as digging out around the perimeter and/or lining the
perimeter with landscape edging. Don't forget to account for water drainage.
Check and maintain the depth of the loose fill surfacing material. T o
**The maximum fall height for this product is 161 cm (63 5/16 in).
We recommend using 15 cm (6 in) of Double Shredded Bark Mulch.**
TABLE 1 — Depth of Surfacing Material Required Based on Fall Heights
Material / Fall Height
Double Shredded Bark
Mulch
Wood Chips
Fine Sand
Fine Gravel
Shredded Tires***
*This information has been extracted from the CPSC publications "Playground Surfacing--Technical Information Guide" and
"Handbook for Public Playground Safety." Copies of these reports can be obtained by sending a postcard to: Offi ce of Public
Affairs, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C., 20207 or calling the toll-free hotline: 1-800-638-
2772.
***This data is from tests conducted by independent testing laboratories on a 15 cm (6 inch) depth of uncompressed shredded
tire samples produced by four manufacturers. It is recommended that persons seeking to install shredded tires as a protective
surface request test data from the supplier showing the critical height of the material when it was tested in accordance with ASTM
F1292.
maintain the right amount of loose fill materials, mark the correct level on play
equipment support posts. That way you can easily see when to replenish and/
or redistribute the surfacing.
Do not install loose-fill surfacing over hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.
Poured-in-place surfaces or Pre-manufactured
Rubber tiles—You may be interested in using surfacing other than loose fill materials
– like rubber tiles or poured-in-place surfaces.
Installation of these surfaces generally requires a professional and is not a"do-it-
yourself" project.
Review surface specifications before purchasing this type of surfacing. Ask the
installer/manufacturer for a report showing that the product has been tested to
the following safety standard: ASTM F1292 Standard Specification for Impact
Attenuation of Surfacing Materials within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment.
This report should show the specific height for which the surface is intended to
protect against serious head injury. This height should be equal to or greater than the
fall height – vertical distance between a designated play surface (elevated surface
for standing, sitting, or climbing) and the protective surfacing below – of your play
equipment.
Check the protective surfacing frequently for wear.
Placements—Proper placement and maintenance of protective surfacing is
essential. Be sure to:
Extend surfacing at least 2 m (6.6 feet) from the equipment in all directions.
For to-fro swings, extend protective surfacing in front of and behind the swing to a
distance equal to twice the height of the top bar from which the swing is suspended.
For tire swings, extend surfacing in a circle whose radius is equal to the height of the
suspending chain or rope, plus 2 m (6.6 feet) in all directions.
(152 cm)
(183 cm) (213 cm) (274 cm) (305 cm) (335 cm)
5 ft
6 ft
7 ft
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6 in
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(23 cm)
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(23 cm)
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(30 cm)
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9 in
12 in
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6 in
(366 cm)
11 ft
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(30 cm)
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