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Loose-fill Materials
Engineered Wood Fiber is a special type of ground wood
fiber, often with a unique sub-base for drainage. Sold under brand names such as "Fiber" and "Wood Carpet"
these products meet both safety guidelines (CPSC/ASTM) and ADA requirements for accessibility.
Sand, peagravel, and wood chips are cost-effective and traditional favorites that can be used under and around all of your playground equipment because of their acceptable shock absorbing properties when installed and maintained at a sufficient depth. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) has conducted tests on these materials to determine the relative shock absorbing properties. Playworld Systems recommends a loose-fill surfacing of 12" be maintained for maximum Critical Height protection based upon ASTM and CPSC testing. While these materials do comply with all impact absorbing requirements when installed and maintained at proper depths, they do not meet the ADA guidelines for accessibility.
Unitary Materials
There are two types of unitary surfaces, usually manufactured from recycled rubber tires with a special binding material.
Rubber Tiles are manufactured by a variety of companies (see Cushion Play® from Playworld Systems below) and come in several thicknesses for different fall heights.
(+) Advantages: very long life span, virtually no maintenance and variety of color choices.
(-) Disadvantages: high initial cost and more complex installation.
Poured-in-Place is made of similar materials but is mixed in liquid form on location, poured into forms, and allowed to cure.
(+) Advantages: the ability to create interesting forms, color combinations and designs.
(-) Disadvantages: high initial cost of both the product and installation.
You may download a copy of Publication No. 325 "Handbook for Public Playground Safety" published by the
CPSC from their web site. In this publication they list a table of Critical Heights of Tested Materials showing various loose-fill materials and the Critical Height (in feet) of each.
Visit the CPSC web site.
Click on the links below to read more:
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