Owner’s Manual Play House
OWNER PH-2011
APPENDIX A
Information on Playground Surfacing Materials:
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/cpscpub/pubs/323.html
X3. CONSUMER INFORMATION SHEET FOR PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS
11
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. 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:
X3.1.1
Loose-Fill Materials:
X3.1.1.1 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 overtime. The
surfacing will also compact, displace, and settle, and should be periodically refilled 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 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.
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-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.
X3.1.3.2
Do not
install loose-fill 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-fill 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 specification 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 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.
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.
