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Consumer Information Sheet for Playground Surfacing Materials   

The US 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 US 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 on to 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, tine sand or the gravel are considered to be acceptable shock absorbing surfaces 

when installed and maintained at a sufficient depth under and around playground equipment.   

Table B.1 lists the maximum height from which a child would not be expected to sustain a life-threatening 

head injury in a fall on to four different loose-fill surfacing materials if they are Installed and maintained at 

depths of 150 mm, 225 mm and 300 mm.   

Table B.1: Fall height in millimetres from which a life-threatening head injury would not be expected   

 

 

 

 

 

However, it should be recognised that all injuries due to falls cannot be prevented, no matter what surfacing 

material is used.   

It is recommended that a shock absorbing material extend a minimum of 1 800 mm in all directions from the 

perimeter  of  stationary  equipment  such  as  climbing  frames  and  slides.  However,  because  children  may 

deliberately jump from a moving swing, the shock absorbing material should extend in the front and rear of a 

swing a minimum distance of twice the height of the pivot point measured from a point directly beneath the 

pivot on the supporting structure.   

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 the equipment in question. The choice of a material depends on the type 

and height of the playground equipment, the availability of the material in a particular area, and its cost. 

 

 

 

Type of Material 

Depth of surfacing material 

150mm 

225mm 

300mm 

Double 

Shredded 

Bark 

Mulch 

1800 

3000 

3300 

Wood Chips 

1800 

2100 

3600 

Fine Sand 

1500 

1500 

2700 

Fine Gravel 

1800 

2100 

3000 

 

Summary of Contents for LK29

Page 1: ...used under adult supervision SUFFOCATION HAZARD be careful of small detachable parts that may be swallowed Keep the packaging away from children and dispose of all packaging before use This owner s ma...

Page 2: ...1 GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 3 1 1 DANGER FOR CHILDREN 3 1 2 RISK OF INJURIES 3 1 3 PRODUCT DAMAGE 3 1 4 ASSEMBLY ADVICE 3 2 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 4 3 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS 6 4 MAINTENANCE 11 5 CLEANI...

Page 3: ...n this manual Protect the product against splashes humidity high temperature and direct sunlight 1 3 ASSEMBLY ADVICE The assembly of the product must be done carefully and by an able bodied adult If i...

Page 4: ...ed may affect the integrity of the frame Should it be necessary to move the product please consider the following 1 Force to be evenly spaced around the frame to lift the product off the ground 2 The...

Page 5: ...surfacing materials if they are Installed and maintained at depths of 150 mm 225 mm and 300 mm Table B 1 Fall height in millimetres from which a life threatening head injury would not be expected How...

Page 6: ...6 3 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS...

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Page 11: ...at the beginning of each season as well as at regular intervals during the usage session for your play equipment to ensure all main parts fixings are tightly secured well oiled and intact to avoid fa...

Page 12: ...R LAW Many of our products come with a guarantee or warranty from the manufacturer In addition they come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer law You are entitled to a...

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