Selecting The Proper Playground Surfacing Material Material

Playgrounds are lots of fun. Most children don’t think about the hazards that abound when they are running around having fun. Unfortunately however, playgrounds can be very dangerous places. There are a few important features to look for at a playground that can go a long way towards reducing the risk of injury. Perhaps one of the most important considerations is the playground surfacing used.

Surfacing materials comes in all shapes and sizes. Characteristics of each must be carefully considered because some commonly used materials do come with some serious disadvantages. There are resources that parents have access to that can help them in this process. A special agency called the American Society for Testing and Materials or ASTM has developed a set of standards that are used to rate the safety of the various surface materials. The testing measures used in the ranking are designed to simulate the impact of a child’s head on the ground from a fall at various heights on the playground equipment.

While the primary area of concern is of course a products cushioning and shock absorbing ability, there are also a few other features they consider. These include; drainage, wheelchair accessibility, and maintenance requirements necessary to maintain a consistent level of safety. These features do play an important role as well in a products overall effectiveness.

The available options tend to fall into two basic categories; natural and synthetic. Natural choices that are commonly used are sand, grass, and wood. These offer a high level of aesthetic appeal and come with a relatively low price tag. Synthetic choices commonly used are artificial turf and rubberized mats. While higher in cost, they typically provide a high level of cushioning and superior durability.

While natural options are very commonly seen, the biggest drawback is that they tend to shift as children play. This can pose a real safety problem if not routinely maintained. In addition, drainage is often a particular problem. For example, in the case of sand, it can provide a fairly good cushioning surface when dry, but when wet can be come hard. This greatly reduces its shock absorbing ability.

For the most part synthetic products do provide superior benefits over natural options. Their biggest drawback of course is their high upfront cost which can be somewhat mitigated over time due to superior durability. Additionally, synthetic materials tend to provide a much better surface for wheelchair accessibility. For this reason, these types of surfaces are often able to achieve the highest level of rating from the ASTM.

As a parent there are also a few other basic things to consider when sizing up a playgrounds hazards. Make sure that if natural surfaces are in place, they need to be a minimum of 12 inches thick. Also, all material whether natural or synthetic must extend a distance of at least 6 feet beyond the play structure itself. Both characteristics, if properly met, will provide a superior level of protection for your child in the unfortunate event a fall does occur.

If you are looking to purchase a ground covering for your own personal playground, you should only purchase from a supplier that can provide you with a certification by the International Play Equipment Manufactures Association. This is a third party agency that independently tests each playground surfacing material to determine if it conforms to the ASTM standards. This can provide extra assurance that you are setting up the safest environment possible.

Get inside info on the importance of choosing proper playground surfacing in our overview of all you should know about playgrounds safety.