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Consumer Information Sheet For Playground Surfacing Materials
The Step2 Company, LLC.
10010 Aurora-Hudson Rd.
Streetsboro, OH 44241 USA
1-800-347-8372
Valid only in U.S.A. and Canada
(330)656-0440
Minimum compressed loose-fill surfacing depths
Inches of
Loose-fill Material Protects to Fall Height (feet)
9
Shredded/ recycled rubber
9
Sand
9
Pea Gravel
9
Wood mulch (non-CCA)
9
Wood chips
Table X3.1
This information has been extracted from the CPSC publications "Playground
Surfacing – Technical Information Guide". Copies of this publication can be obtained
by sending a postcard to the: Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, Washington, D.C., 20207 or call the toll-free hotline: 1-800-638-2772.
• X3.1 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that about 100,000
playground equipment related injuries resulting from falls to the ground surface
are treated annually in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. Injuries involving this hazard
pattern tend to be among the most serious of all playground injuries, and have the
potential to be fatal, particularly when the injury is to the head. The surface under
and around playground equipment can be a major factor in determining the injury-
causing potential of a fall. It is self evident that a fall onto a shock absorbing surface
is less likely to cause a serious injury than a fall onto a hard surface.
Playground equipment should never be placed on hard surfaces such as concrete
or asphalt and while grass may appear to be acceptable it may quickly turn to hard
packed earth in areas of high traffic. Shredded bark mulch, wood chips, fine sand or
fine gravel are considered to be acceptable shock absorbing surfaces when installed
and maintained at a sufficient depth under and around playground equipment.
• X3.2 Table X3.1 lists the maximum height from which a child would not be expected
to sustain a life-threatening head injury in a fall onto five different loose-fill surfacing
materials if they are installed and maintained at a depth of 9 in. However, it should
be recognized that all injuries due to falls can not be prevented no matter what
surfacing material is used.
• X3.3 It is recommended that a shock absorbing material should extend a minimum
of 6.5 ft. in all directions from the perimeter of stationary equipment such as
climbers and slides. However, because children may deliberately jump from a
moving swing, the shock absorbing material should extend in the front and rear of
swing a minimum distance of 2 times the height of the pivot point measured from a
point directly beneath the pivot on the supporting structure.
• X3.4 This information is intended to assist in comparing the relative shock-
absorbing properties of various materials. No particular material is recommended
over another. However, each material is only effective when properly maintained.
Materials should be checked periodically and replenished to maintain correct depth
as determined necessary for your equipment. The choice of a material depends on
the type and height of the playground equipment, the availablity of the material in
your area, and its cost.
PLEASE SAVE THIS SHEET FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
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