Playground Safety

Questions and Answers about Surfacing

Source

Scott Burton, President

Safety Play, Inc.

Contents

Forums

Related Articles

"You've surfed the net, now surf the playground...surfacing that is!"

Surfacing is required on all playgrounds so it can absorb the impact when a child falls off of the equipment. Not if, but when. The importance of it lies in its ability to prevent a head concussion. It must be the right type and depth in order to do this.

The technical definition of "surfacing", according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is (generally) "material to be used in the within the use zone of any playground equipment". The "use zone" is the minimum area required extending beyond the equipment. This is also known as the "fall zone" for obvious reasons. Still have questions? I thought you might.

"Which playgrounds need to have surfacing?"

ALL of them! That applies to the ones in backyards, parks, schools, day cares, campgrounds, apartment complexes, etc., even the ones that are INDOORS!

"What kind of surfacing should we look for on a playground?"

Technically, it can have the following;

LOOSE FILL SURFACING

• Mulch
• Sand
• Gravel
• Chopped rubber tires

UNITARY SURFACING

• Rubber tiles
• Rubber poured in place

"What else is there to look for regarding surfacing?"

Public use playgrounds are supposed to have a sign on all equipment that says the following;

"WARNING: Installation over a hard surface such as concrete, asphalt, or packed earth may result in serious injury or death from falls."

Notice that it covers "packed earth". That means that grass is not enough to protect your kids from injury or death, which addresses that popular fallacy.

0. As far as parents are concerned, some "unitary" surfacing such as rubber "poured in place" or tiles, does not help to prevent bone injuries, but may do fantastic for impact absorption. The "loose fill" surfacing such as sand, mulch, gravel, and chopped rubber, at the proper depths, can absorb impact also. However, it can also allow for the "continuation of motion" when the arm is outstretched to stop the fall and the surfacing gives way. This may be all that is needed to prevent a broken bone.
1. Chopped up rubber tires have been known to catch fire, and can mar clothes.
2. Many sources say that loose fill must be at least 12" deep. Not so. Not only can this result in the owner buying more than what is really needed, but having too much can also create other hazards. It can affect the heights required for slide exits, swing seats, whirls, etc.. It is important to know how to calculate the "Fall Height" in order to have the correct surfacing depths. Since parents do not normally want to become inspectors to do that, it should be left to the pro's.
3. Don't be deceived by the appearance of surfacing. It may look great, but it may not be deep enough to offer any protection.
4. Is there surfacing within the entire "Use Zone"? That would be; twice the height of the pivot point (hanger) on swings (measure in both directions of the swing) at the ends of slides, measure the height of the slide plus 4' out, minimum of 6', maximum of 14' 6' around all other equipment. Some adjacent equipment can be 9' apart. Call a professional.
5. Don't let kids throw sand, etc., since it only hurts others!
6. Don't let children eat the sand or small particles (sounds crazy at first, but be aware since it has caused one death).

"When is surfacing NOT required?"

On equipment that requires a child to be standing or sitting at ground level during play. Examples of the latter are sand boxes, activity walls, playhouses, or other equipment without an elevated play surface that they would stand or sit on.

The children are our treasures. Let's keep them protected. Check those playgrounds for surfacing!

Credits

Scott Burton is the President of Safety Play, Inc., and is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI). He has designed, manufactured, audited and inspected thousands of different types of areas and equipment. He was a former owner of a Florida company which was responsible for planning, design, writing specifications, purchasing, manufacturing & installation supervision, determining surfacing specifications, and providing worldwide sales of playground equipment.

He is currently involved with the creation of the International Playground Standards, and is a feature author for KidSource OnLine. He can be contacted via:

Scott Burton, President
Safety Play, Inc.
Specialists in Recreational Safety
http://www.mindspring.com/~safetyplay
#295 - 10460 Roosevelt Blvd.
St. Petersburg, Fl., U.S., 33716
(727)-522-0061 (Phone & Fax)