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CONSUMER INFORMATION SHEET FOR PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS*
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 Specifi cation F1292. There
are diff erent types of surfacing to choose from; whichever product you
select, follow these guidelines:
Loose-Fill Materials—Maintain a minimum depth of 23 cm (9 inches) of
loosefi ll materials such as wood mulch/chips, engineered wood fi ber
(EWF), or shredded/recycled rubber mulch for equipment up to 244 cm
(8 feet) high; and 23 cm (9 inches) of sand or pea gravel for equipment
up to 153 cm (5 feet) high. NOTE: An initial fi ll level of 31 cm (12 inches)
will compress to about a 23 cm (9 inch) depth of surfacing over time.
The surfacing will also compact, displace, and settle, and should be
periodically refi lled to maintain at least a 23 cm (9 inch) depth.
Use a minimum of 16 cm (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 16 cm (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 eff ectiveness. 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.
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.
Check and maintain the depth of the loose-fi ll surfacing material. To
The maximum fall height for this product is 155 cm (61 in).
We recommend using a minimum depth of 23 cm (9 in) of Wood Mulch.
TABLE 1 — Depth of Surfacing Material Required Based on Fall Heights
Material / Fall Height
Wood Mulch
Wood Chips
Fine Sand
Fine Gravel
Shredded Rubber**
*This information has been extracted from the CPSC publication "Outdoor Home Playground Safety Handbook". A copy of this
publication can be obtained by contacting U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov or calling the toll-free
hotline: 1-800-638-2772
**Shredded/recycled rubber loose-fi ll surfacing does not compress in the same manner as other loose-fi ll materials. However, care
should be taken to maintain a constant depth as displacement may still occur. This information has been extracted from the CPSC
publication "Public Playground Safety Handbook". A copy of this publication can be obtained at www.cpsc.gov or calling the toll-
free hotline: 1-800-638-2772. Protective surfacing requirements can be found in ASTM F1292, Standard Specifi cation for Impact
Attenuation of Surfacing Material within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment. These standards can be ordered from ASTM
International at www.astm.org.
maintain the right amount of loose-fi ll materials, mark the correct level
on play equipment support posts. That way you can easily see when to
replenish and/or redistribute the surfacing.
Do not install loose fi ll surfacing over hard surfaces such as concrete or
asphalt.
Poured-In-Place Surfaces or Pre-Manufactured Rubber Tiles—You may be interested
in using surfacing other than loose-fi ll materials – like rubber tiles or
poured-in-place surfaces. Installations of these surfaces generally require
a professional and are not "do-it-yourself" projects.
Review surface specifi cations 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: ASTM F1292 Standard
Specifi cation for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials within the
Use Zone of Playground Equipment. This report should show the specifi c
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.
Check the protective surfacing frequently for wear.
Placements—Proper placement and maintenance of protective surfacing is
essential. Be sure to:
Extend surfacing at least 2 m (6.6 feet) from the equipment in all
directions.
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.
For tire swings, extend surfacing in a circle whose radius is equal to the
height of the suspending chain or rope, plus 2 m (6.6 feet) in all directions.
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