3
Placement and Play Area Surfacing
Before installing the swing, select and prepare a play area.
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 F1292. There are different types of surfacing to choose from;
whichever product you select, follow these guidelines:
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.
Loose-Fill Materials
Maintain a minimum depth of 9 inches (22,86 cm) of loose-fill materials such as wood mulch/
chips, engineered wood fiber (EWF), or shredded/recycled rubber mulch for equipment up to
8 feet (2,44 m) high; and 9 inches (22,86 cm) of sand or pea gravel for equipment up to 5 feet
(1,52 m) high. NOTE: An initial fill level of 12 inches (30,48 cm) will compress to about a 9-inch
(22,86-cm) 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 (22,86-cm) depth.
Use a minimum of 6 inches (15,24 cm) of protective surfacing for play equipment less than 4 feet
(1,22 m) in height. If maintained properly, this should be adequate. (At depths less than 6 inches
(15,24 cm), the protective material is too easily displaced or compacted.)
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.
