The following information is from the United States
Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Information
Sheet for playground surfacing material; also see
the following website for additional information:
www.cpsc.gov
X3. SECTION 4 OF THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
COMMISSION’S OUTDOOR HOME PLAYGROUND SAFETY
HANDBOOK
9
X3.1 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. Th
e protective surfacing should
be applied to a depth that is suitable for the equipment height in
acco
rdance with ASTM Specifi cation F 1292. Th
ere are diff erent
types of surfacing to choose from; whichever product you select,
follow these guidelines:
X3.1.1 Loose-Fill Materials:
X3.1.1.1 Maintain a minimum depth of 9 inches of loose-
fi ll materials such as wood mulch/chips, engineered wood fi ber
(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 fi ll level of 12 inches will compress to
about a 9-inch depth of surfacing overtime. Th
e surfacing will also
compact, displace, and settle, and should be periodically refi lled to
maintain at least a 9-inch depth.
X3.1.2 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 eff ectiveness. 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.
X3.1.3 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.
X3.1.3.1 Check and maintain the depth of the loose-
fi ll surfacing material. To maintain the right amount of loose-fi ll
materials, mark the correct level on play equipment support posts.
Th
at way you can easily see when to replenish and/or redistribute
the surfacing.
X3.1.3.2 Do not install loose-fi ll surfacing over hard
surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.
X3.1.4 Poured-In-Place Surfaces or Pre-Manufactured
Rubber Tiles — You may be interested in using surfacing other than
loose-fi ll materials – like rubber tiles or poured-in-place surfaces.
X3.1.4.1 Installations of these surfaces generally require a
professional and are not “do-it-yourself ” projects.
X3.1.4.2 Review surface specifi cation 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 F 1292 Standard Specifi cation for Impact Attenuation of
Surfacing Materials within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment.
Th
is report should show the specifi c height for which the surface is
intended to protect against serious head injury. Th
is 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
X3.1.4.3 Check the protective surfacing frequently for wear.
X3.1.5 Placement — Proper placement and maintenance of
protective surfacing is essential. Be sure to:
X3.1.5.1 Extend surfacing at least 6 feet from the equipment
in all directions.
X3.1.5.2 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.
9
Th
is 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 the: Offi
ce of Public Aff airs, U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, Washington, D.C., 20207 or call the toll-free hotline:
1-800-638-2772.
Th
e American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting
the validity of any parent right asserted in connection with any item
mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised
that determination of the validity of any such parent rights, and the risk of
infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
Th
e standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical
committee and must be reviewed every fi ve years and if not revised, either
approved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision
of this standard or for additional standards and should be addressed to
ASTM Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at
a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards. 100 Barr
Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.
APPENDIX A
Please Read This Before Starting Assembly
Owner’s Manual
7
