3
Placement and Play Area Surfacing
Before installing the swing, select and prepare a play area.
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 F1292. 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 (22,86 cm) of loose-fill materials such as
wood mulch/chips, engineered wood fiber (EWF), or shredded/recycled rubber
mulch for equipment up to 8 feet (2,44 m) high; and 9 inches (22,86 cm) of
sand or pea gravel for equipment up to 5 feet (1,52 m) high. NOTE: An initial fill
level of 12 inches (30,48 cm) will compress to about a 9-inch (22,86-cm) depth
of surfacing over time. The surfacing will also compact, displace, and settle, and
should be periodically refilled to maintain at least a 9-inch (22,86-cm) depth.
Use a minimum of 6 inches (15,24 cm) of protective surfacing for play
equipment less than 4 feet (1,22 m) in height. If maintained properly, this should
be adequate. (At depths less than 6 inches (15,24 cm), 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.