Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 06/10/2021

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Handbook for Playground Safety Naar Appropriate Surfacing • Any material tested to ASTM F1292, including unitary surfaces, engineered wood fiber, etc. • Pea gravel • Sand • Shredded/recycled rubber mulch • Wood mulch (not CCA-treated) • Wood chips Inappropriate Surfacing • Asphalt • Carpet not tested to ASTM F1292 • Concrete • Dirt • Grass • CCA treated wood mulch 2.4.2.1 Unitary surfacing materials Unitary materials are generally rubber mats and tiles or a combination of energy -absorbing materials held in place by a binder that may be poured in place at the playground site and then cured to form a unitary shock absorbing surface. Unitary materials are available from a number of different manufacturers, many of whom have a range of materials with differing shock absorbing properties. New surfacing materi- als, such as bonded wood fiber and combinations of loose -fill and unitary, are being developed that may also be tested to ASTM F1292 and fall into the unitary materials category. When deciding on the best surfacing materials keep in mind that some dark colored surfacing materials exposed to the intense sun have caused blistering on bare feet. Check with the manufacturer if light colored materials are available or provide shading to reduce direct sun exposure. Persons wishing to install a unitary material as a playground surface should request ASTM F1292 test data from the man- ufacturer identifying the critical height rating of the desired surface. In addition, site requirements should be obtained from the manufacturer because some unitary materials require installation over a hard surface while others do not. Manufacturer's instructions should be followed closely, as some unitary systems require professional installation. Testing should be conducted in accordance with the ASTM F1292 standard. 2.4.2.2 Loose -fill surfacing materials Engineered wood fiber (EWF) is a wood product that may look similar in appearance to landscaping mulch, but EWF products are designed specifically for use as a playground safety surface under and around playground equipment. EWF products should meet the specifications in ASTM F2075: Standard Specification for Engineered Wood Fiber and be tested to and comply with ASTM F1292. There are also rubber mulch products that are designed specifically for use as playground surfacing. Make sure they have been tested to and comply with ASTM F1292. When installing these products, tips 1-7 listed below should be followed. Each manufacturer of engineered wood fiber and rubber mulch should provide maintenance requirements for and test data on: • Critical height based on ASTM F1292 impact attenuation testing. • Minimum fill -depth data. • Toxicity. • ADA/ABA accessibility guidelines for firmness and stabil- ity based on ASTM F1951. 9