** 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.
TABLE X3.1
Fall Height in Feet From Which Life
Threatening
Head Injury Would Not Be Expected
Type of Material
6 inch
depth
9 inch
depth
12
inch
depth
Double Shredded Bark
6
10
11
Wood Chips
6
7
12
Fine Sand
5
5
9
Fine Gravel
6
7
10
X3. CONSUMER INFORMATION SHEET FOR PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS**
X3.1 The U.S. 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 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 four different loose-fill surfacing materials
if they are installed and maintained at depths of 6, 9, and 12
inches. However, it should be recognized that all injuries due
to falls cannot 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 feet 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
front and rear of a 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 availability of the material in your area, and its cost.
The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights 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 patent rights, and
the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
This 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
Conshohcken, PA 19428.
To Help Prevent Injuries from Falls & Other Hazards
1.
Never Attach
– or allow children to attach –
ropes
, jump ropes, clotheslines, or pet leashes to play equipment; children
can be strangled on these.
2. Check for
hardware
, like open “S” hooks or protruding bolt ends which can be hazardous.
3. Check for
spaces
that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs; these spaces should
measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
4. Make sure platforms and ramps have
guardrails
to prevent falls.
5. Check for
sharp points
or edges in equipment.
6. Remove
tripping hazards
, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
7. Regularly
check play equipment and surfacing
to make sure both are in good condition.
8. Carefully
supervise children
on play equipment to make sure they are safe.
