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X3.1.1 Loose-Fill Materials:
X3.1.1.1 Maintain a minimum depth of 9 inches of loose fill materials such as wood mulch/chips,
engineered wood fiber (EWF), or 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 will compress to about a 9- inch depth of surfacing over time. The surfacing
will also compact, displace, and settle, and should be periodically refilled to maintain at least a
9-inch depth.
X3.1.2 Use a minimum of 6 inches of protective surfacing for play equipment less than 4 feet
in height. If maintained properly, this 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 generally not adequate
protective surfacing. Ground level equipment – such as a sandbox, activity wall, playhouse or
other equipment that has no elevated play surface – does not need any protective surfacing.
X3.1.3 Use containment, such as digging out around the perimeter and/or lining the perimeter
with landscape edging. Don't forget to account for water drainage.
X3.1.3.1 Check and maintain the depth of the loose-fill surfacing material. To maintain the right
amount of loose- fill materials, mark the correct level on play equipment support posts. That
way you can easily see when to replenish and/or redistribute the surfacing.
X3.1.3.2 Do not install loose fill surfacing over hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.
X3.1.4 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.
X3.1.4.1 Installations of these surfaces generally require a professional and are not "do-it-
yourself" projects.
X3.1.4.2 Review surface specifications before purchasing this type of surfacing. Ask the
installer/manufacturer for a report showing that the product has been tested to the following
safety standard: ASTM F 1292 Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing
Materials within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment. This report should show the specific
height for which the surface is intended to protect against serious head injury. 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.
X3.1.4.3 Check the protective surfacing frequently for wear.
X3.1.5 Placement - Proper placement and maintenance of protective surfacing is essential. Be
sure to:
X3.1.5.1 Extend surfacing at least 6 feet from the equipment in all directions.
X3.2 Table X3.1 lists the maximum height from which a child would not be expected to sustain
a life-threatening head injury in a fall onto four different loose-fill surfacing materials if they are
installed and maintained at depths of 6, 9, and 12 in. However, it should be recognized that all
injuries due to falls cannot be prevented no matter what surfacing material is used.
X3.3 It is recommended that a shock absorbing material should extend a minimum of 6 ft in all
directions from the perimeter of stationary equipment such as climbers and slides. However,
because children may deliberately jump from a moving swing, the shock absorbing material
should extend in the front and rear of a swing a minimum distance of 2 times the height of the
pivot point measured from a point directly beneath the pivot on the supporting structure.
X3.4 This information is intended to assist in comparing the relative shock-absorbing properties
of various materials. No particular material is recommended over another. However, each
material is only effective when properly maintained. Materials should be checked periodically
and replenished to maintain correct depth as determined necessary for your equipment.
The choice of a material depends on the type and height of the playground equipment, the
availability of the material in your area, and its cost.
9 This information has been extracted from the CPSC publications "Playground Surfacing
-Technical Information Guide" and "Handbook for Public Playground Safety." Copies of these
reports can be obtained by sending a postcard to the: Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C., 20207 or call the toll-free hotline:
1-800-638-2772.
TABLE X3.1
Fall Height in Feet From Which a Life Threatening Head Injury Would Not Be Expected
Type of Material
6 inch. depth
Double Shredded
Bark Mulch
6
Wood Chips
6
Fine Sand
5
Fine Gravel
6
(Maximum fall height for TP899 (full height) = 89cm, TP899 (low height) = 59cm, TP898 = 59cm)
Warning
Please instruct children not to use the equipment in a manner other than intended.
Installation Instructions and Information -
Place the equipment on level ground, not less than 6ft (1.8m) from any structure or obstruction
such as a fence, Garage, house, overhanging branches, laundry lines, or electrical wires.
Do not install home playground equipment over concrete, asphalt, packed earth, or any other
hard surface. A fall onto a hard surface can result in serious injury to the equipment user.
Operating Instructions -
Observing the following statements and warnings reduces the likelihood of serious or
fatal injury.
We recommend on-site adult supervision for children of all ages Instruct children not to walk
close to, in front of, behind, or between moving items.
Instruct children not to use the equipment in a manner other than intended.
Instruct children not to get off equipment while it is in motion.
Parent to dress children appropriately (examples would include the use of well-fitting shoes and
the avoidance of ponchos, scarfs, and other loose-fitting clothing that is potentially hazardous
while using equipment).
Instruct children not to climb when the equipment is wet.
Instruct children not to attach items to the playground equipment that are not specifically
designed for use with the equipment, such as, but not limited to, jump ropes, clothesline, pet
leashes, cables and chain as they may cause a strangulation hazard.
Warning! the buyer to instruct children to remove their bike or other sports helmet before
playing on the playground equipment.
Maintenance Instructions - At the beginning of each play season:
Tighten all hardware. Lubricate all metallic moving parts per manufacturer's instructions.
Check all protective coverings on bolts, pipes, edges, and corners. Replace if they are loose,
cracked, or missing. Check all moving parts including swing seats, ropes, cables, and chains for
wear, rust, or other deterioration. Replace as needed. Check metal parts for rust. If found, sand
and repaint using a non lead-based paint meeting the requirements of 16 CFR 1303.
Check all wood members for deterioration and splinters. Sand down splinters and replace
deteriorating wood members. Reinstall any plastic parts, such as swing seats or any other items
that were removed for the cold season. Rake and check depth of loose fill protective surfacing
materials to prevent compaction and to maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
Twice a month during play season:
Tighten all hardware. Check all protective coverings on bolts, pipes, edges, and corners. Replace
if they are loose, cracked, or missing. Rake and check depth of loose fill protective surfacing
materials to prevent compaction and to maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
Once a month during play season:
Lubricate all metallic moving parts per manufacturer's instructions.
Check all moving parts including swing seats, ropes, cables, and chains for wear, rust, or other
deterioration. Replace as needed.
At the end of each play season or when the temperature drops below 40°F (4°C). Remove plastic
swing seats and other items as specified by the manufacturer and take indoors or do not use.
Rake and check depth of loose fill protective surfacing materials to prevent compaction and to
maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
8
9 inch. depth
12 inch. depth
10
11
7
12
5
9
7
10
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