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APPENDIX A
Information on Playground Surfacing Materials:
The following information is from the
United States Consumer Product Safety
Commission’s Information Sheet for playground surfacing material
Also see the
following website for additional information:
.
X3. CONSUMER INFORMATION SHEET FOR PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS
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X3.1 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 find 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
dept 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: Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Washington, D.C., 20207 or call the toll-free hotline: 1-800-638-2772.
The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting the validity of any
parent right asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are
expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such parent rights, and the risk of infringement
of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
The standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be
reviewed every five years and if not revised, either approved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited
either for revision of this standard or for additional standards and should be addressed to ASTM
Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical
committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing your
should make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards. 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Conshohocken, PA 19428.
https://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/122146/324.pdf
