Article – August, 2005 • The Handbook for Public Playground Safety (Pub. No. 325) is published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the acknowledged authority for consumer safety concerns. The CPSC studies and reviews not only play equipment, but also safety-surfacing products used under the play equipment itself. It’s accepted that child safety issues observe the guidelines and recommendations of the CPSC.

A wide variety of materials are available for safety surfacing under play equipment. Generally, these materials can be placed in two categories: loose fill materials (such as sand, pea gravel, engineered wood fiber and various types of rubber crumb and shredded products) or unitary materials (products that are bound together and not loosely laid under play equipment).

In determining the acceptability of materials used in playgrounds, materials must be tested and meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1292. This method of test determines gMax (allowable impact, measured in “G” force) and HIC (head injury criteria) values of a surface. In layman’s terms, this puts a number on the material’s ability to absorb energy from a fall. Another factor in determining a surface material’s acceptability is wheelchair access, mandated by the American Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA method of test is accepted as 28DFR Part 36. For safety-surface products, testing is performed with the intent that a surface will provide adequate fall protection at all times.

With reference to the accepted ASTM F-1292 methods of tests, all materials are required to be tested at a range of temperatures to ensure they provide fall protection in hot and cold extremes. The intent is to provide a safe surface in all weather conditions and climates. However, as testing is typically performed in laboratory environments results may not be representative of real world conditions. In the fall and winter seasons, all types of inclement weather are experienced including rain and snow that will saturate loose fill systems. Loose fill materials absorb and retain water. In areas where temperatures drop to freezing, products that absorb moisture fail – no longer providing adequate fall protection. The existing accepted guidelines and methods of testing do not take into account these real world conditions. Appendix C of the CPSC handbook warns that freezing temperatures “may reduce cushioning potential”.

As the intent of safety surfaces is to provide fall protection at all times, consideration to the effects of climate change must be considered when selecting safety-surfacing materials. Testing products for impact attenuation compliance in laboratory conditions does not imply compliance in real world, year round, all-weather conditions. Only unitary products can claim all-weather protection. Unitary products maintain resilience in all weather extremes ensuring that a surface meets safety-surface requirements. Anything less will result in a surface that is not safe and a potential liability and hazard for children.