Free chart and check Playground surfacing depth and use zones
How deep each loose-fill surfacing needs to be for a given fall height, and how much clear space each piece of equipment needs around it. From the CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook.
Loose-fill surfacing depth chart
Minimum compressed depth and the fall height it protects to (CPSC handbook, Table 2).
| Material | Compressed depth | Protects to a fall height of |
|---|---|---|
| Wood chips | 9 in | 10 ft |
| Wood mulch (non-CCA) | 9 in | 7 ft |
| Shredded or recycled rubber | 6 in | 10 ft |
| Pea gravel | 9 in | 5 ft |
| Sand | 9 in | 4 ft |
Engineered wood fiber (EWF), Poured-in-place rubber, Rubber tiles or mats, Synthetic turf system are rated by their maker for a tested fall height; check that rating against the equipment. Grass, dirt, asphalt and concrete are not protective surfacing.
Use zones
| Equipment | Minimum use zone |
|---|---|
| Most stationary equipment | 6 ft in all directions (§5.3) |
| Belt swings | Twice the pivot height in front and behind; 6 ft to the sides (§5.3.8) |
| Tot swings | Twice the pivot-to-seat height in front and behind; 6 ft to the sides (§5.3.8) |
| Tire swings | 6 ft plus the chain length, in every direction from below the pivot (§5.3.8.4.1) |
| Slides | In front of the exit: 6 ft for slides up to 6 ft high, otherwise the slide height up to 8 ft; 6 ft around the sides (§5.3.6) |
| Spring rockers | 6 ft from the rocker at rest (§5.3.7) |
| Merry-go-rounds | 6 ft from the platform edge (§5.3.4) |
Guardrails and protective barriers
| Age group | Guardrail needed above | Protective barrier needed above |
|---|---|---|
| Toddlers | – | 18 in |
| Preschool | 20 in | 30 in |
| School-age | 30 in | 48 in |
Platform heights from the CPSC handbook (Table 4).
Questions
How deep should playground mulch be?
In the CPSC handbook's Table 2, 9 inches of compressed wood mulch protects to a fall height of 7 feet, and 9 inches of wood chips to 10 feet. The depths are compressed depths, so fill deeper when you install it and top it up as it packs down and gets kicked out.
What is the fall height?
The vertical distance from the highest designated play surface (a platform, the top of a climber, a swing's pivot for swings) to the protective surfacing below it.
How much rubber mulch do I need?
Six inches of shredded or recycled rubber protects to a fall height of 10 feet in Table 2.
How big is a playground use zone?
At least 6 feet in all directions for most equipment. Swings need twice the pivot height in front of and behind the seat, slides need room in front of the exit, and tire swings need 6 feet plus the chain length around the pivot.
Are grass and dirt acceptable under playground equipment?
No. Grass, dirt, asphalt and concrete are not protective surfacing, whatever the equipment height.
Where do these figures come from?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook (Publication 325), a free government document. Inspectors also work to ASTM F1487 and any state rules.
Figures from the CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook (Publication 325). Also follow ASTM F1487 and the rules of your state. Not affiliated with the CPSC or ASTM.