Play Set Surfacing Recommendations:
Below are some of the recommendations that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
offers from its
Handbook for Public Playground Safety
. The guide can be downloaded in full at
www.cpsc.gov/ cpscpub/ pubs/ 325.pdf
1. Protective Surfacing
-
Since almost 60% of all injuries are caused by falls to the ground, protective
surfacing under and around all playground equipment is the most critical safety factor on playgrounds.
Certain manufactured synthetic surfaces also are acceptable; however, test data on shock absorbing
performance should be requested from the manufacturer.
Asphalt and concrete are unacceptable. They do not have any shock absorbing properties. Similarly, grass
and turf should not be used. Their ability to absorb shock during a fall can be reduced considerably
through wear and environmental conditions.
Certain loose-fill surfacing materials are acceptable. Surfacing materials are acceptable, such as the types
and depths shown in the table.
Fall Heights and Materials
Material
Uncompressed
Depth
Compressed
Depth
6" (152mm)
9" (228mm)
12"
(304mm)
to 9" (228mm)
Wood Chips
7' (2.13m)
10' (3.05m)
11' (3.35m)
10' (3.05m)
Double-Shredded bark
mulch
6' (1.83m)
10' (3.05m)
11' (3.35m)
7' (2.13m)
Engineered Wood Fibers
6' (1.83m)
7' (2.13m)
>12'
(3.66m)
6' (1.83m)
Fine Sand
5' (1.52m)
5' (1.52m)
9' (2.74m)
5' (1.52m)
Coarse Sand
5' (1.52m)
5' (1.52m)
6' (1.83m)
4' (1.22m)
Fine Gravel
5' (1.52m)
7' (2.13m)
10' (3.05m)
6' (1.83m)
Medium Gravel
5' (1.52m)
5' (1.52m)
6' (1.83m)
5' (1.52m)
Shredded Tires*
10-12' (3.0-
3.6m)
N/A
N/A
N/A
I t should be recognized that all injuries due to falls cannot be prevented no matter what surfacing material is used.
2. Fall Zones
- A fall zone, covered with a protective surfacing material, is essential under and around
equipment where a child might fall. This area should be free of other equipment and obstacles onto which
a child might fall. Stationary climbing equipment and slides should have a fall zone extending a Minimum
of 6' in all directions from the perimeter of the equipment.
Swings should have a fall zone extending a minimum of 6' from the outer edge of the support structure on
each side. The fall zone in front and back of the swing should extend out a minimum distance of twice the
height of the swing as measured from the ground to the top of the swing support structure.
*This data is from tests conducted by independent testing laboratories on a 6-inch depth of uncompressed shredded tire samples produced by four manufacturers. The
tests reported critical heights, which varied from 10 feet to greater than 12 feet. It is recommended that persons seeking to install shredded tires as a protective surface
request test data from the supplier showing the critical height of the material when it was tested in accordance with ASTM F1292.
