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

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Handbook for Playground Safety Other loose -fill materials are generally landscaping -type materials that can be layered to a certain depth and resist compacting. Some examples include wood mulch, wood chips, sand, pea gravel, and shredded/recycled rubber mulch. Important tips when considering loose -fill materials: 1. Loose -fill materials will compress at least 25% over time due to use and weathering. This must be considered when planning the playground. For example, if the playground will require 9 inches of wood chips, then the initial fill level should be 12 inches. See Table 2 below. 2. Loose -fill surfacing requires frequent maintenance to ensure surfacing levels never drop below the minimum depth. Areas under swings and at slide exits are more sus- ceptible to displacement; special attention must be paid to maintenance in these areas. Additionally, wear mats can be installed in these areas to reduce displacement. 3. The perimeter of the playground should provide a method of containing the loose -fill materials. 4. Consider marking equipment supports with a minimum fill level to aid in maintaining the original depth of material. 5. Good drainage is essential to maintaining loose -fill surfacing. Standing water with surfacing material reduces effectiveness and leads to material compaction and decomposition. 6. Critical height may be reduced during winter in areas where the ground freezes. 7. Never use less than 9 inches of loose -fill material. Shallower depths are too easily displaced and compacted. 8. Some loose -fill materials may not meet ADA/ABA acces- sibility guidelines. For more information, contact the Access Board (see §1.6) or refer to ASTM F1951. 9. Wood mulch containing chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood products should not be used; mulch where the CCA-content is unknown should be avoided (see §2.5.5.1). Table 2 shows the minimum required depths of loose -fill material needed based on material type and fall height. The depths shown assume the materials have been compressed due to use and weathering and are properly maintained to the given level. 2.4.2.3 Installing loose -fill over hard surface CPSC staff strongly recommends against installing play- grounds over hard surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete, or hard packed earth, unless the installation adds the following layers of protection. Immediately over the hard surface there should be a 3- to 6-inch base layer of loose -fill (e.g., gravel for drainage). The next layer should be a Geotextile cloth. On top of that should be a loose -fill layer meeting the speci- fications addressed in §2.4.2.2 and Table 2. Embedded in the loose -fill layer should be impact attenuating mats under high traffic areas, such as under swings, at slide exits, and other places where displacement is likely. Figure 1 provides a visual representation of this information. Older playgrounds that still exist on hard surfacing should be modified to provide appropriate surfacing. Table 2. Minimum compressed loose -fill surfacing depths Inches Of (Loose -Fill Material) Protects to Fall Height (feet) 9 Shredded/recycled rubber 10 9 Sand 4 9 Pea Gravel 5 9 Wood mulch (non-CCA) 7 9 Wood chips 10 10