
Set-Up and Assembly Information Booklet
CC Modular Loft System
CC Basic Loft
X3. CONSUMER INFORMATION SHEET FOR PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS*
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 fine 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 inches. However, it should be recognized that all injuries due
to falls cannot be prevented no matter what surfacing material is used. The fall height of a standard
height loft is 3 feet - 6 inches. (42 inches total) The fall height of an extended-height loft is 4 feet - 8
inches. (56 inches total)
TABLE X3.1 Fall Height in Feet From Which a Life Threatening Head Injury Would Not Be Expected.
Type of Material 6 in. depth 9 in. depth 12 in. depth
Double Shredded Bark Mulch 6 10 11
Wood Chips 6 7 12
Fine Sand 5 5 9
Fine Gravel 6 7 10
X3.3 It is recommended that a shock absorbing material should extend a minimum of 6 feet 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 point 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 depth 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.
*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