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Consumer Information sheet for Playground surfacing materials
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that about 100 000 playground equipment-related injuries resulting
from falls to the ground surface are treated annually in US 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 on to a shock-absorbing surface is less likely to cause a serious injury that a fall onto a hard surface. Playground
equipment should never be placed on hard surface, 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.
Table B. 1 lists the maximum height from which a child would not be expected to sustain a life-threatening head injury in a fall on to
four different loose-fill surfacing materials if they are installed and maintained at depths of 150mm, 225mm and 300mm.
Table B.1 – Fall height in millimeters from which a life-threatening head injury would not be expected
Type of Material
Double shredded bark mulch
Wood chips
Fine sand
Fine gravel
However, it should be recognized that all injuries due to fall cannot be prevented, no matter what surfacing material is used.
It is recommended that a shock absorbing material extend a minimum of 1800mm in all directions from the perimeter of stationary
equipment such as climbing frames and slides. However, because children may deliberately jump from a moving swing, the shock
absorbing material should extend in the front and rear of a swing a minimum distance of twice the height of the pivot point measured
from a point directly beneath the pivot on the supporting structure.
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 the equipment in question. The choice of a material
depends on the type and height of the playground, the availability of the material in a particular area, and its cost.
This information has been extracted from the CPSC publications 'Playground Surfacing – Technical Information Guide" and Handbook
for Public Playground Safety".
CONSUMER INFORMATION
Information on Playground surfacing materials¹:
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 F 1292. There are different types of surfacing to choose from; whichever product you select, follow these guidelines:
Loose-Fill Materials:
Maintain a minimum depth of 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 high; and 9 inches of sand or pea gravel for equipment up to 5 feet high. NOTE: An initial fill level of 12 inches will compress to about a
9 inch depth of surfacing over time. The surfacing will also compact, displace, and settle, and should be periodically refilled to maintain at least a 9 inch depth.
Use a minimum of 6 inches of protective surfacing for play equipment less than 4 feet in height. If maintained properly, this should be adequate. (At depths
less than 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. To 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.
Installations of these surfaces generally require a professional and are not "do-it-yourself" projects.
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.
Placement – Proper placement and maintenance of protective surfacing is essential. Be sure to:
Extend surfacing at least 6 feet from the equipment in all directions.
¹This information has been extracted from the CPSC publications "Playground Surfacing – Technical Information Guide" and "Handbook for Public Playground
Safety." Copies of these documents can be obtained by sending a postcard to the: Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Washington, DC 20207 or by calling the toll free hotline: 1-800-638-2772.
Choose a level location for the equipment. This can reduce the likelihood of the play set tipping over and loos-fill surfacing materials washing away during
heavy rains.
Locate bare metal platforms and slides out of direct sunlight to reduce the likelihood of serious burns. A slide that faces north will receive the least direct
sunlight.
Provide enough room so that children can use the equipment safely.
These items can cause death by strangulation.
Maximum fall height for this product is 3 ft / 920 mm
150mm
1800
1800
1500
1800
Depth of surfacing material
225mm
3000
2100
1500
2100
2
300mm
3300
3600
2700
3000
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