Connect with us

Business

Choosing Safe Playground Surfacing

Playground Rubber

Play lands and parks at times look like areas especially designed for injuries. According to a study, 70% of injuries in playgrounds had been due to falling on surfaces.  A lengthy research was conducted on playground injuries suffered by children and grave measures were taken to prevent them. This triggered different organizations to set specific playground standards such as the Australian standards for playgrounds. The AS/NZS 4422: 1996 standard has a very lucid criterion for selecting safe playground surfaces (by carefully testing the potential safety of a certain playground surface). On the other hand, other regulatory measures could ask for conformity to wheelchair accessibility, ensuring that the surface is safe for handicapped children. Only the surfaces conforming to these standards are officially recommended to be installed.

Choosing Safe Playground Surfacing

Playground Flooring

Playground flooring is typically layered on surfaces that lie beneath the swings and generally covering the ‘fall-prone zone’ in play areas and parks. These ‘surface layers’ include playground rubber (including mats, tiles, mulches), wood, concrete, and asphalt. Amongst the list, playground rubber has proven to be the safest.

Types of Playground Surfaces

Playground surfaces can essentially be divided into two main groups: loose fill and unitary fill. Loose fill surfaces are placed according to calculated heights in order to have the proper cushioning effect. These include rubber mulches, hardwood chips, sand and shredded rubber. Loose fills however require a high maintenance such as frequent sweeping, tucking in, and raking. On the contrary, unitary fill includes seamless surfaces that may have high installation costs but require low maintenance. These surfaces are not in danger of getting damaged or peeled off and thus are better than the loose fill ones in this respect. Unitary fills typically include pour-in-place surfaces and rubber tiles.

Choosing Safe Playground Surfacing

Mulches

Playground rubber surfaces are available in different forms in the market. The more popular ones are rubber mulches. Mulches are essentially a protective layer that is placed upon the ground. Rubber mulches are made from rubber wastes and tires. They are highly recommended for playground surfacing because they are long lasting, do not have a tendency to decompose and give the surface a ‘springiness’ or bounce that helps prevents injuries that a hard surface such as wood would not. The Association of International Play Equipment Manufacturers has officially declared this flooring as one of the best. It is compatible for children in wheelchairs and is highly recommended for the play area of handicapped children. Furthermore, it comes in many different arrays of colors that help make a playground colorful. There is a caution statement however; playground rubber has proven to be flammable in certain situations and can require high maintenance.

Tiles and Mats

Although this type of playground rubber may require trained persons for installation and a cost higher than loose fill, it is safer in many respects. Playground rubber tiles consist of virgin rubber (upper layer) and recycled rubber (base). They are more durable, less prone to damage, comfortable to walk on and generally require less maintenance than loose fills do (such as constant raking to even out for wheelchair accessibility). The disadvantage remains that the tiles can disintegrate; several high quality manufacturers have however, found a way around it and have better quality tiles currently.

It has already been decided that synthetic materials such as playground rubber are the safest material for playgrounds. The selection of the further types entirely depends on the purchaser: their budget, the surfacing border, and the total area of the ‘fall-zone’.

Continue Reading

Recent Posts

Autos21 hours ago

In a Car Accident? Here’s How to Find a Great Lawyer

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you know that it can be an overwhelming experience. Not only do...

Education2 days ago

Considering Therapy? Here’s a Few Common Therapy Techniques Explained

If you’re considering therapy as a means to improve your mental health, you may be curious about the type of...

home repairs home repairs
Home Improvement3 days ago

Top 5 Home Repairs You Should Never DIY

DIY home repairs are all the rage these days. But before you jump on the bandwagon, there are some things...

Health2 weeks ago

The Power of CBD Oil for Relaxation: How to Use it for Sleep and Stress Relief

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep or feeling stressed, try CBD oil. CBD oil has a moment...

General2 weeks ago

Benefits of Getting your Mobile Phone Repair

Mobile phone repair is a task that needs high skills and experience. That is why we always recommend users trust...

Home Improvement2 weeks ago

Great Ways To Clean To Get Your Security Deposit Back In Full

Moving is almost always stressful as there are tons of things to plan and do. Getting your security deposit back...

Home Improvement2 weeks ago

DIY Garage Door Repair: Tips and Tricks for Fixing Common Problems and Maintaining Your System

If your garage door needs to be fixed, wait to call a repairer. Many common problems can be fixed quickly...

Education3 weeks ago

7 Tips to Choosing the Right University for You

Are you considering continuing your education at university? If so, it can be overwhelming to decide which school is right...

Finance4 weeks ago

3 Ways Loans from Credit Unions Are Different From Major Banks

If you’re in the loan market, you may wonder if a credit union is the right choice. Here are three...

Food1 month ago

The World of Coffee: Exploring the Aromas, Flavors, and Benefits of the World’s Most Popular Beverage

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages, enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s also one...

Education2 months ago

New Driver? 5 Things to Consider When Looking for Driving School

When it comes to choosing a driving school, there are many factors to consider. Not all driving schools are created...

Home Improvement2 months ago

Landscape Irrigation Systems: The Basics

If you’re a homeowner, you know that keeping your lawn and landscaping looking nice can be a lot of work....

Travel2 months ago

5 Things to Look for in Luxury Hotels

When it comes to luxury hotels, there is a lot to look out for. Here are five key things that...

Home Improvement2 months ago

Is There a Difference Between Commercial and Residential Concrete?

If you’re a contractor, you know that concrete is a versatile construction material. But did you know that there are...

Law2 months ago

5 Tips to Find the Right Litigation Firm

When it comes to selecting the right litigation firm for your legal needs, choosing wisely is of utmost importance. It’s...

Categories

Archives

Trending