Playground planning
Playground surfacing options
Outdoor surfacing for commercial playgrounds
Choosing the right surfacing for your playground is not an easy task. The paramount importance of safety, durability, and compliance with regulations when it comes to playground surfacing is something that should not be taken lightly. Surfacing is a significant component of any playground plan, equally important as the design and the playground equipment itself. Playground surfacing acts as a cushioning layer, absorbing impact energy and reducing the severity of injuries from falls; it provides a softer landing surface than hard materials like concrete or asphalt.
To help you find the best playground surfacing option for your playground, here are some key factors to keep in mind when making your decision:
Safety and durability
Fall height protection
Playground safety regulations
Installation
Design and aesthetics
Accessibility
1. Safety & durability
Part of complying with with stringent commercial safety regulations and standards is equipping your space with safe playground surfaces, guaranteeing a secure and enjoyable play experience for all. Poured-in place (PIP) rubber playground surfacing, engineered wood fiber (EWF), and turf are a few examples of safe, functional surfacing options for your playground. Keep in mind, loose-fill surfacing like engineered wood fiber is generally cheaper up front but requires more maintenance, whereas unitary surfacing, like turf and PIP, has a higher up-front cost but is more durable in the long run.
Sand
Made from recycled rubber, poured-in-placed playground surfacing provides excellent impact absorption and is highly durable. It's available in various colors and designs, making it a versatile playground option.
Engineered wood fiber
Engineered wood fiber is a loose-fill playground surfacing option, made from shredded wood fibers. EWF is designed to provide impact absorption while offering a natural-looking, rustic aesthetic.
Turf surfacing
Another suitable playground safety surfacing option is turf. Often paired with an underlying base for added cushion, turf is low maintenance, durable, and a good investment in the long run.
2. Fall height protection
When choosing a playground surface, it's imperative to keep critical fall height requirements in mind. The higher the equipment, and the risk of injury from a fall, the thicker the playground surfacing needs to be. With its excellent impact absorption and varying levels of thickness, poured-in-place surfacing is a great and safe option. However, no matter your chosen material, all playground surfacing must be in line with CSA standards.
Don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss playground safety compliance!
3. Playground safety regulations
Learning about national and local governmental regulations can be cumbersome but a necessary means to an end. You have to ensure your playground is a safe space with safe play for all users. With over 50 years in the playground expertise, KOMPAN is well versed in industry safety standards; we are more than happy to assist you in creating a playground that is not only fun but safe as well.
4. Installation
Installing playground surfacing requires careful planning, precision, and adherence to safety standards to ensure a durable and accessible play environment. Here are five critical considerations for the installation process:
Site Preparation: Clearing the site, grading the terrain, and ensuring proper drainage are essential preliminary steps to create a suitable foundation for the surfacing material.
Base Preparation: Installing a stable base layer, such as crushed stone or gravel, provides support and aids in drainage, contributing to the durability and longevity of the surfacing.
Material Delivery: Coordinating the delivery of surfacing materials and equipment ensures timely installation and minimizes disruptions to the project schedule.
Surface Application: Applying the surfacing material evenly and according to manufacturer guidelines is crucial for optimal performance and safety, whether pouring rubber, laying turf, or spreading engineered wood fiber.
Safety Compliance: Adhering to safety standards and regulations, including fall height requirements and impact attenuation guidelines, is essential to mitigate the risk of injuries and ensure compliance with industry standards.
Properly installing playground surfacing can transform an ordinary play area into a safe, inclusive, and inviting space for children to explore, learn, and thrive. For best results, make sure to engage experienced playground installers. You can also learn more about playground installation here.
5. Design and aesthetics
Choosing the right surfacing also depends on aesthetic preference as the best types of surfacing support the overall playground design and theme.
With a wide range of color options, poured-in-place rubber surfacing allows playground designers to be very playful in their designs. Zoning, route guidance, and 2D and 3D graphics and visuals in the surfacing can help tie playground equipment and play together, enhancing the overall play experience.
6. Accessibility
Surfacing is pivotal in ensuring accessibility to playgrounds for individuals with disabilities. The choice of surfacing can significantly impact the ability of all children, including those with mobility aids like wheelchairs or walkers, to access and enjoy the playground. Here's how surfacing can affect accessibility and, ultimately, inclusion in playgrounds:
Smoothness and Firmness: Accessible surfacing should be smooth and firm to accommodate mobility aids like wheelchairs and walkers. Surfaces like rubber tiles, poured-in-place playground surfacing, and rubber playground mats offer smooth and stable pathways for easy maneuverability.
Level Changes: The surfacing should be level and free of abrupt elevation changes to ensure smooth transitions between playground areas. Uneven surfaces can pose challenges for individuals with mobility impairments and increase the risk of trips and falls.
Traction: Playground surfacing options should provide adequate traction to prevent slips and falls, especially during wet or rainy conditions. Rubberized surfaces and textured tiles can help improve traction and enhance safety for all playground users.
Accessibility Standards: Many countries have accessibility standards, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States, that specify requirements for playground surfacing. These standards ensure that playgrounds are designed to be inclusive and accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Accessible surfacing allows individuals using wheelchairs to navigate independently throughout the playground, including reaching play equipment, sensory panels, and interactive elements.
Transition Zones: Transition zones between different surfacing types should be smooth and level to facilitate seamless movement for individuals with disabilities. Ramp access and clear pathways help ensure everyone can access and enjoy the playground area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What material is used for playground turf?
Playground turf, also known as artificial turf or synthetic grass, is typically made from polyethene or polypropylene fibers. These fibers are tufted into a backing material, usually made of polypropylene or latex, to create a durable and realistic-looking surface. Infill materials, such as silica sand or rubber granules, are often added to provide stability, cushioning, and support for the turf fibers. Playground turf offers a low-maintenance alternative to natural grass and provides a soft and uniform surface for play areas.
How does public playground surfacing prevent injuries?
Public playground surfacing plays a critical role in preventing injuries by providing a cushioned, impact-absorbing surface for children to play. The primary purpose of playground surfacing is to minimize the severity of injuries that may occur from falls or impacts during play.
What are the CPSC guidelines for playground surfacing?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provides guidelines for playground surfacing to help reduce the risk of injuries from falls. These guidelines are outlined in the CPSC Handbook for Public Playground Safety, which offers recommendations for various aspects of playground safety, including surfacing.
What are the different types of rubber surfacing?
The various types of rubber surfacing commonly used in playgrounds are rubber mulch, rubber mats, rubber playground tiles, and poured-in-place rubber. These materials are made from recycled rubber and are designed to provide impact absorption and cushioning to help reduce the risk of injuries from falls on playgrounds. Rubber mulch is typically used as loose-fill surfacing, while rubber playground tiles, mats, and poured-in-place rubber offer a more stable and uniform surface for play areas. These rubber materials are popular choices for playground surfacing due to their durability, safety properties, and ease of maintenance.
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