Surfacing

Reduce Playground Injuries with Safety Surfacing

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPS), United States emergency departments treat over 200,000 children (ages 14 and younger) annually due to playground-related injuries. More than half of these injuries are the direct result of a fall. The surfacing of a playground is designed to provide impact attenuation, reducing the severity of injuries that can occur when children fall from playground equipment. It is often seen as the most important factor in playground safety.  

To ensure playground safety, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) created basic guidelines and standards that all playgrounds are required to follow as well as, specific guidelines based on the surfacing type. The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) has also created guidelines and works to uphold consistency of compliance. Using IPEMA-certified surfacing and equipment and following guidelines set by ASTM ensures that the play space is as low-risk as possible. In addition to the guidelines set by ASTM and IPEMA, public playgrounds are also required to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which ensures playground accessibility for every visitor, regardless of their abilities. 

While there are many different surfacing materials that can be used on a playground and considered in your planning process, surfacing types fall into two basic categories, loose-fill and unitary. When deciding what surfacing to use for your playground, it is important to consider the following factors: overall safety (including impact attenuation), cost, maintenance requirements, long-term durability, aesthetics, and ADA compliance. To create the safest experience for children of all ages and abilities, it is crucial to understand these factors before making the final decision.