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Information on Playground Surfacing Materials
Select Protective Surfacing
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 Specification F1292.
There are different types of surfacing to choose from; whichever product you select,
follow these guidelines:
Loose-Fill Materials:
Maintain a minimum depth of 9 inches of loose-fill materials such as wood
mulch/chips, engineered wood fibre (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.
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.
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.
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.
Do not install loose fill surfacing over hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.
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.
Installations of these surfaces generally require a professional and are not
"do-it-yourself" projects.
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