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What are the two basic types of surfacing materials acceptable for playgrounds?

What are the two basic types of surfacing materials acceptable for playgrounds?

There are two main types of playground surface materials — unitary and loose-fill surfaces.

What is the safest surface for playgrounds?

Here is a list of the Top-5 Best Playground Safety Surface materials to help make your decision a little easier.

  • 1.) Solid Rubber Surface.
  • 2.) Artificial Grass or Turf.
  • 3.) Play Sand and Pea Gravel.
  • 4.) Rubber Mulch (Nuggets or Shredded)
  • 5.) Engineered Wood Fiber aka: EWF.

What is an appropriate playground surfacing material?

Appropriate material examples include loose-fill material (wood products, sand, pea gravel, and crumb rubber) and unitary surface material (rubber tile, poured-in-place, and other artificial surfaces).

What is ASTM playground?

ASTM F1487-21 is a performance specification that addresses safety and performance standards for various types of public playground equipment. Specifically, the document encompasses equipment for the 5th percentile 2-year-old through the 95th percentile 12-year-old range.

What makes a playground safe?

Avoid playgrounds with non-impact absorbing surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete, grass, dirt or gravel. Recommended surface materials include: sand, pea gravel, wood chips, mulch and shredded rubber. Rubber mats, synthetic turf and other artificial materials are also safe surfaces and require less maintenance.

What type of mulch is best for playground?

Mulch Options Three types of mulch are frequently recommended by experts for use in children’s play areas. They are sand, rubber mulch and wood mulch. If you put a layer of any of these, 8 to 20 inches deep, you provide a durable, springy surface to cushion falls and absorb shocks.

What should I put under playground mulch?

This guideline recommends that immediately over the hard surface there should be a 3- to 6-inch base layer of loose-fill (e.g., gravel for drainage). The next layer should be a Geotextile cloth. GroundSmart™ Rubber Mulch should be installed directly over this layer.

Why do playgrounds use wood chips?

According to several studies [pdf], wood chips are the most effective surfaces for averting surface injuries. In addition, they are less sensitive to extreme temperatures. Hence, they can protect your kids during the heat of summer as well as the cold of winter.

How do you keep children safe in a playground?

6 Steps to Keeping Your Child Safe on the Playground

  1. Make Sure the Playground is Safe. Before your child starts to use any of the equipment on the playground, take a brief walk through the area.
  2. Choose Age Appropriate Playground Equipment.
  3. Dress for Play.
  4. Supervise Your Kids.
  5. Be Mindful of the Weather.
  6. Talk to Your Kids.

What is the best ground cover for a playground?

Top Backyard Playground Ground Cover Options

  • WALKWAY.
  • NATURAL GRASS.
  • ARTIFICIAL GRASS.
  • PEA GRAVEL.
  • POURED RUBBER AND RUBBER TILES.
  • RUBBER MULCH.
  • WOODEN CHIPS AND MULCH.
  • SAND.

What are the safety standards for playground equipment?

The group develops standards for a variety of industries, including playground equipment and surfacing. In addition, ASTM develops technical materials to help manufactures produce the safest products possible. ASTM standards which are relevant to makers of playground equipment include:

Which is the safest surface for a playground?

For specific playground surfacing requirements and other safety information please visit the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Public Playground Safety Handbook. Concrete, asphalt, blacktop, grass, and dirt are unsafe surfaces to place under and around play equipment as these materials provide the least cushion for a child if they fall.

How much loose fill do you need for a playground?

The required depth of loose-fill surfacing depends on both the surface material used and the potential fall height of installed equipment, so it is not possible to offer a simple recommendation; however, the CPSC Handbook for Public Playground Safety offers several guidelines based on material and fall height.

How can I get my playground equipment certified?

Playground equipment and surfacing makers can apply to IPEMA to get certified through the IPEMA product certification program. This program evaluates safety and offers qualifying manufacturers seals proving they have met specific standards.