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. 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.
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
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 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.
The 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.
The standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible
technical committee and must be reviewed every five 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
5
