
Owner’s Manual Play House
OWNER PH-2011
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:.
www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/323.html
X3. CONSUMER INFORMATION SHEET FOR PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS
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X3.1 Select Protective Surfacing—One of the ost i portant things you can do to
reduce the likelihood of serious head injuries is to install shock-absorbing protective surfacing
under and around your play equip ent. The protective surfacing should be applied to a depth
that is suitable for the equip ent height in accordance with ASTM Specification F 1292. There
are different types of surfacing to choose fro ; whichever product you select, follow these
guidelines:
X3.1.1 Loose-Fill Materials:
X3.1.1.1 Maintain a ini u depth of 9 inches of loose-fill aterials such as wood
ulch/chips, engineered wood fiber (EWF), or shredded/recycled rubber ulch for equip ent
up to 8 feet high; and 9 inches of sand or pea gravel for equip ent up to 5 feet high. NOTE: An
initial fill level of 12 inches will co press to about a 9-inch depth of surfacing overti e. The
surfacing will also co pact, displace, and settle, and should be periodically refilled to aintain
at least a 9-inch depth.
X3.1.2 Use a ini u of 6 inches of protective surfacing for play equip ent less than 4
feet in height. If aintained properly, this should be adequate. (At depths less than 6 inches, the
protective aterial is too easily displaced or co pacted.) NOTE: Do not install ho e playground
equip ent over concrete, asphalt, or any other hard surface. A fall onto a hard surface can result
in serious injury to the equip ent user. Grass and dirt are not considered protective surfacing
because wear and environ ental factors can reduce their shock absorbing effectiveness.
Carpeting and thin ats are generally not adequate protective surfacing. Ground level
equip ent such as a sandbox, activity wall, playhouse or other equip ent that has no elevated
play surface – does not need any protective surfacing.
X3.1.3 Use contain ent, such as digging out around the peri eter and/or lining the
peri eter with landscape edging. Don’t forget to account for water drainage.
X3.1.3.1 Check and aintain the depth of the loose-fill surfacing aterial. To aintain
the right a ount of loose-fill aterials, ark the correct level on play equip ent support posts.
That way you can easily see when to replenish and/or redistribute the surfacing.
X3.1.3.2 Do not install loose-fill surfacing over hard surfaces such as concrete or
asphalt.
X3.1.4 Poured-In-Place Surfaces or Pre-Manufactured Rubber Tiles — You ay be
interested in using surfacing other than loose-fill aterials – like rubber tiles or poured-in-place
surfaces.
X3.1.4.1 Installations of these surfaces generally require a professional and are not “do-
it-yourself” projects.
X3.1.4.2 Review surface specification before purchasing this type of surfacing. Ask the
installer/ anufacturer for a report showing that the product has been tested to the following
safety standard: ASTM F 1292 Standard Specification for I pact Attenuation of Surfacing
Materials within the Use Zone of Playground Equip ent. 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 cli bing) and the protective surfacing below – of your
play equip ent.
X3.1.4.3 Check the protective surfacing frequently for wear.
X3.1.5 Placement — Proper place ent and aintenance of protective surfacing is
essential. Be sure to:
X3.1.5.1 Extend surfacing at least 6 feet fro the equip ent in all directions.