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playground surfacing guide

Playground Surfaces & Safety Surfacing Buying Guide

The right playground surfacing will depend on many factors such as budget, overall playground usage, site conditions and much more. Our FREE Safety Surfacing Guide will break down the pros and cons of each type of playground surface.

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The Complete Guide to Playground Surfacing: The Goodies Inside

SAND/PEA GRAVEL

Though both are affordable and readily available, Sand and Pea Gravel have very limited application as playground surfacing options. Neither is ADA accessible, nor compliant through CPSC or ASTM for over a 5-foot fall height.

ENGINEERED WOOD FIBER (EWF)

As the most common safety surfacing, Engineered Wood Fiber will maintain its cushioning properties for the life of the playground, provided it is maintained at the depth required for the fall height of your playground.

RUBBER MULCH

Another highly popular loose fill surfacing is Rubber Mulch. Out of all playground surface options, Rubber Mulch provides one of the best impact attenuation ratings through IPEMA and has the best warranty at 50-year warranty on impact attenuation.

SYNTHETIC TURF

For a beautiful, natural look for your playground surfaces all year long, Synthetic Playground Turf is an ideal option. Turf has an attractive natural look giving the illusion of grass without all the allergens. Turf is also antimicrobial, so it helps to keep germs to a minimum.

POURED-IN-PLACE (PIP)

Poured-In-Place, often shortened to PIP, is a versatile two-layered unitary safety surfacing. It is installed at varying thicknesses to accommodate different fall heights – the thickness to fall height ratio is based upon guidelines set forth by the CPSC and ASTM as well as IPEMA testing and certification.

RUBBER TILES

Rubber Tiles offer superior shock absorption, low maintenance, long wear, and high accessibility. Tiles are manufactured from recycled and virgin rubber off-site and cured in a controlled environment allowing for consistency and uniformity in the product.

Everything You Need to Know About Playground Surfaces

Safety surfacing must be International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) tested AND approved to be compliant for playground use. Your surfacing should also allow your playground to be accessible to those with disabilities by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

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Key Takeaways

Stop Injuries with the Correct Playground Surfaces

Every year, more than 200,000 playground-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms across the United States, and the vast majority of these injuries (over 70%) are due to falls to the ground. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) playground safety guidelines require all playground equipment to have an impact attenuating safety surfacing in place to help prevent critical head injuries.

Promote Inclusive Play with the Right Surfacing

Your playground surface should also allow your playground to be accessible to those with disabilities by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). BYO Playground believes in fair play, no matter what kind of disability a child has.

By including a playground that welcomes all children, you are promoting inclusive play, understanding and social development amidst a crucial learning stage in a child's life.

Gain In-Depth Pros vs. Cons of Safety Surfacing

With your free guide, you'll learn the key aspects of each type of safety surfacing, including available warranties, color options, ADA accessibility, environmental factors, the highest compliant fall heights, upfront and maintenance costs and much more.

playground equipment surfacing guide