CONSUMER INFORMATION SHEET FOR PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS
The U.S. 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 U.S. 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 onto 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, fine sand or fine gravel are considered to be acceptable
shock absorbing surfaces when installed and maintained at a sufficient depth under and around playground equipment.
X3.2
Table X3.1 lists the maximum height from which a child would not be expected to sustain a life-threatening head injury in a fall onto four different
loose-fill surfacing materials if they are installed and maintained at depths of 6, 9, and 12 in. However, it should be recognized that all injuries due to
falls cannot be prevented no matter what surfacing material is used.
X3.3
It is recommended that a shock absorbing material should extend a minimum of 6 ft in all directions from the perimeter of stationary equipment
such as climbers 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 2 times the height of the pivot point measured from a point directly beneath the pivot on the
supporting structure.
X3.4
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 your equipment. The choice of a material depends on the type and height of the
playground equipment, the availability of the material in your area, and its cost.
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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.
TABLE X3.1
Fall Height in Feet From Which a Life Threatening Head Injury Would Not Be Expected
Warning
Please instruct children not to use the equipment in a manner other than intended.
Installation Instructions and Information -
Place the equipment on level ground, not less than 6ft (1.8 m) from any structure or obstruction such as a fence, Garage, house, overhanging branches,
laundry lines, or electrical wires.
Do not install home playground equipment over concrete, asphalt, packed earth, or any other hard surface. A fall onto a hard surface can result in
serious injury to the equipment user.
Operating Instructions -
Observing the following statements and warnings reduces the likelihood of serious or fatal injury.
We recommend on-site adult supervision for children of all ages Instruct children not to walk close to, in front of, behind, or between moving items.
Instruct children not to twist swing chains or ropes or loop them over the top supp ort bar since this may reduce the strength of the chain or rope.
Instruct children to avoid swinging empty seats.
Teach children to sit in the center of the swings with their full weight on the seats.
Instruct children not to use the equipment in a manner other than intended.
Instruct children not to get off equipment while it is in motion.
Parent to dress children appropriately (examples would include the use of well-fitting shoes and the avoidance of ponchos, scarfs, and other loose-
fitting clothing that is potentially hazardous while using equipment).
Instruct children not to climb when the equipment is wet.
Check the openings between rollers and sliding surfaces of roller slides for foreign materials that could be potentially hazardous to users.
Verify that suspended climbing ropes, chain, or cable cannot be looped back on itself.
Instruct children not to attach items to the playground equipment that are not specifically designed for use with the equipment, such as, but not limited
to, jump ropes, clothesline, pet leashes, cables and chain as they may cause a strangulation hazard.
Warning!
the buyer to instruct children to remove their bike or other sports helmet before playing on the playground equipment.
WARNING:
Lawn swings are designed for use by children two years of age and older. The use by children under the age of two can result in
entrapment between the seat and back rest because the child’s body may pass through the opening, causing entrapment of the child’s head. Such
entrapment may result in strangulation.
NEVER
place children in a rearward facing position or with legs between the seat and backrest.
Maintenance Instructions -
At the beginning of each play season:
Tighten all hardware. Lubricate all metallic moving parts per manufacturer’s instructions.
Check all protective coverings on bolts, pipes, edges, and corners. Replace if they are loose, cracked, or missing. Check all moving parts including
swing seats, ropes, cables, and chains for wear, rust, or other deterioration. Replace as needed. Check metal parts for rust. If found, sand and repaint
using a nonlead-based paint meeting the requirements of 16 CFR 1303.
Check all wood members for deterioration and splinters. Sand down splinters and replace deteriorating wood members. Reinstall any plastic parts,
such as swing seats or any other items that were removed for the cold season. Rake and check depth of loose fill protective surfacing materials to
prevent compaction and to maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
Twice a month during play season:
Tighten all hardware. Check all protective coverings on bolts, pipes, edges, and corners. Replace if they are loose, cracked, or missing. Rake and check
depth of loose fill protective surfacing materials to prevent compaction and to maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
Once a month during play season:
Lubricate all metallic moving parts per manufacturer’s instructions.
Check all moving parts including swing seats, ropes, cables, and chains for wear, rust, or other deterioration. Replace as needed.
At the end of each play season or when the temperature drops below 40°F (4°C). Remove plastic swing seats and other items as specified by the
manufacturer and take indoors or do not use. Rake and check depth of loose fill protective surfacing materials to prevent compaction and to maintain
appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
Type of Material
6 inch. depth
9 inch. depth
12 inch. depth
Double Shredded Bark Mulch
6
10
11
Wood Chips
6
7
12
Fine Sand
5
5
9
Fine Gravel
6
7
10
USA
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SpiroBouncer
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