Big Backyard F23475 - Protective Surfacing Guidelines; Loose-Fill Materials; Poured-In-Place Surfaces or Pre-Manufactured Rubber Tiles; Placement

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:
Loose-Fill Materials
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shredded/recycled rubber mulch for equipment up to 8 feet high; and 9 inches of sand or pea gravel for equipment up to 5 feet
high. NOTE: An initial fill level of 12 inches wi
ll compress to about a 9-inch depth of surfacing over time. The surfacing will also
compact, displace, and settle, and should be periodically raked and refilled to maintain at least a 9-inch depth.
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should be adequate. (At depths less than 6 inches, the protective material is too easily displaced or compacted.)
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 not adequate protective
surfacing. Ground level equipment -- such as a sandbox, act
ivity wall, playhouse or other equipment that has no elevated play
surface -- does not need any protective surfacing.
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account for water drainage.
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equipment support posts will help you to see when the material has settled and needs to be raked and or replenished. Be sure to
rake and evenly redistribute the surfacing in heavily used areas.
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Poured-In-Place Surfaces or Pre-Manufactured Rubber Tiles
You may be interested in using surfacing other than loose-fill materials - like rubber tiles or poured-in-place surfaces.
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the product has been tested to the following safety standard: ASTM F1292 Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of
Surfacing Materials within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment. This report should show the specific height for whi ch the
surface is intended to protect against serious head inj
ury. This height should be equal to or greater than the fall height - vertical
distance between a designated play surface (elevated surface for standing, sitting, or climbing) and the protective surfacing
below - of your play equipment.
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Placement
Proper placement and maintenance of protective surfacing is essential. Refer to diagram on front cover. Be sure to;
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UÊÊÀÊÌvÀÊÃÜ}Ã]ÊiÝÌi`Ê«ÀÌiVÌÛiÊÃÕÀv>V}ÊÊvÀÌÊvÊ>`ÊLi`ÊÌiÊÃÜ}ÊÌÊ>Ê`ÃÌ>ViÊiµÕ>ÊÌÊÌÜViÊÌiÊi}ÌÊvÊÌiÊÌ«Ê
bar from which the swing is suspended.
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From the CPSC Outdoor Home Playground Safety Handbook. At www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/324.pdf
H
2H 2H
Denotes Use Zone with Protective Surfacing
Denotes Use Zone with Protective Surfacing
6 ft.
6 ft.
6 ft.
Use Zone for Single-Axis Swings
6 ft.
6 ft.
6 ft.
6 ft.
L
Use Zone for Multi-Axis Swings
Protective Surfacing - Reducing Risk of Serious Head Injury From Falls.
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