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INFORMATION ON PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS
The following information is from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Information
Sheet for playground surfacing material. Additional Information can be found here:
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/324.pdf
SECTION 4 OF THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION’S OUTDOOR HOME PLAYGROUND SAFETY HANDBOOK9
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 F 1292. There are different types of surfacing to choose from; whichever product you select, follow these guidelines:
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 effectiveness. 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.
Loose-Fill Materials:
• Maintain a minimum depth of 9 inches of loose-fill materials such as wood mulch/chips, engineered wood fiber (EWF), or
shredded/recycled rubber mulch for equipment up to 8 feet high; and 9 inches of sand or pea gravel for equipment up to 5 feet high.
NOTE: An initial fill level of 12 inches will compress to about a 9-inch depth of surfacing overtime. The surfacing will also compact,
displace, and settle, and should be periodically refilled to maintain at least a 9-inch depth.
• Use a minimum of 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 6 inches, the protective material is too easily displaced or compacted.)
• 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-fill surfacing material. To maintain the right amount of loose-fill 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-fill 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-fill 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 specification 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 F 1292
Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing
Materials within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
. This report should show the specific 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.
Placement:
Proper placement and maintenance of protective surfacing is essential. Be sure to:
• Extend surfacing at least 6 feet from the equipment in all directions.
9 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.
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Step 77:
Place the Tarp (PB01) over the Glamping House Assembly as shown.
Step 78:
Secure the Tarp to the Rail Board (C07) using (3) Screws (C5).
