PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS
The following information is from Section 4 of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (USCPSC) Outdoor Home
Playground Safety Handbook for playground surfacing material.
X3.
SECTION 4 OF THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION’S OUTDOOR HOME PLAYGROUND SAFETY HANDBOOK
X3.1
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 Specification F1292. There are different
types of surfacing to choose from; which ever product you select, follow these guidelines:
X3.1.1
Loose Fill Materials:
X3.1.1.1
Maintain a minimum depth of 9 inches of loose-fill materials such as wood mulch/chips, engineered wood fiber
(EWF), or shredded/recycled rubber mulch for equipment up to 8 feet high; and 9 inches of sand or pea gravel
for equipment up to 5 feet high. NOTE: An initial fill level of 12 inches will compress to about a 9-inch 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 depth.
X3.1.2
Use a minimum of 6 inches of protective surfacing for play equipment less than 4 feet in height. If maintained properly,
this should be adequate. (At depths less than 6 inches, the protective material is too easily displaced or compacted.) 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.
X3.1.3
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.
X3.1.3.1
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.
X3.1.3.2
Do not install loose fill surfacing over hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.
X3.1.4
Poured-In-Place Surfaces or Pre-Manufactured Rubber Tiles — You may be interested in using surfacing other than loose-
fill materials like rubber tiles or poured-in-place surfaces.
X3.1.4.1
Installations of these surfaces generally require a professional and are not “do-it-yourself ” projects.
X3.1.4.2
Review surface specifications before purchasing this type of surfacing. Ask the installer/
manufacturer for a report showing that the product has been tested to the following safety standard: ASTMF 1292
Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment. This
report should show the specific height for which the surface is intended to protect against serious head injury. This
height should be equal to or greater than the fall height – vertical distance between a designated play surface (elevated
surface for standing, sitting, or climbing) and the protective surfacing below – of your play equipment.
X3.1.4.3
Check the protective surfacing frequently for wear.
X3.1.5
Placement — Proper placement and maintenance of protective surfacing is essential. Be sure to:
X3.1.5.1
Extend surfacing at least 6 feet from the equipment in all directions.
X3.1.5.2
For to-fro swings, extend protective surfacing in front of and behind the swing to a distance equal to twice the
height of the top bar from which the swing is suspended.
X3.1.5.3
For tire swings, extend surfacing in a circle whose radius is equal to the height of the suspending chain or rope,
plus 6 feet in all directions.
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.
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