6
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
.
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 HEIGHT IN FEET FROM WHICH A SERIOUS INJURY WOULD
NOT BE EXPECTED
Type of material
6" Depth
9" Depth
12" Depth
Double shredded bark mulch
6’
10’
11’
Wood chips
6’
7’
12’
Fine sand
5’
5’
9’
Fine gravel
6’
7’
10’
It 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.
