Owners manual

Page 5
and settle, and should be periodically refilled to maintain at least a 9-inch depth.
b. 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.
c. 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.
d. 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.
e. Do not install loose fill surfacing over hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.
2. 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.
a. Installations of these surfaces generally require a professional and are not “do-it-
yourself” projects.
b. 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 F1292 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.
c. Check the protective surfacing frequently for wear.
3. Placement - Proper placement and maintenance of protective surfacing is essential. Be
sure to:
a. Extend surfacing at least 6 feet from the equipment in all directions.
b. For to-fro swings, extend protective surfacing in front of and behind the swing
to a distance equal to twice the height of the top bar from which the swing is
suspended.
c. For tire swings, extend surfacing in a circle whose radius is equal to the height
of the suspending chain or rope, plus 6 feet in all directions.