|
The importance of proper resilient surfacing in playground safety has become widely recognized in recent years. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has estimated that up to 68% of playground injuries are caused by falls to the surface.
Since injuries from falls to the surface tend to be among the most serious playground injuries, it can be argued that providing a shock absorbing surface under playground equipment may be the single most important action that can be taken to improve the safety of a playground.
While the decision to provide resilient playground surfacing is fairly straight-forward, the choice of which surface to use is much more complex. There are dozens of playground surfaces available to the playground administrator today. Furthermore, in addition to shock absorbency, many other factors, such as accessibility, maintenance and long term cost must be considered.
This section will list only the playground surfacing materials Designed for Fun specifies for the play environments we design and sell. Other types and brands of resilient surfacing materials may be available in different areas of the country. However, all of the products and manufacturers we recommend and supply have proven to be safe, durable, and reliable over the useful life of the product.
Important Things to consider when evaluating a resilient surfacing system:
- Resiliency or "shock absorbency"
- Material , freight, and installation costs
- Subgrade preparation, including provisions for drainage
- Maintenance and upkeep
- Useful life of the material
- Replacement cost
The materials we specify are listed in order of cost, from the least expensive to the most expensive. Freight charges for bulk materials have risen sharply over the past year due to the increase in fuel costs. Pricing may vary considerably depending on your location.
Each of our projects involving resilient surfacing materials are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The overall unit price of the resilient surfacing system is effected by the size, location, complexity, and subgrade preparation requirements.
Resilient Surfacing Materials Recommended by Designed for Fun:
|
