Unitary and loose-fill playground surface material options are the two basic types of materials that are acceptable for playground surfacing. Playground safety padding must have efficient shock absorption capabilities to ensure the safety of children in case of a tumble. The properties of both unitary and loose-fill playground rubber material allow them to be two versatile playground surfacing options that will not be damaged by harsh environmental factors. In addition, it is important to consider the height of the playground equipment to ensure that the thickness of the playground fall zone material is sufficient to prevent life threatening injuries. Both unitary and loose-fill playground surface material options will offer excellent shock absorption properties depending on the setting and height of the playground equipment.

What are the Two Basic Types of Surfacing Materials Acceptable for Playgrounds?

The two basic types of surfacing materials acceptable for playgrounds are unitary and loose fill. Unitary and loose-fill materials are the two acceptable playground surface material options due to the shock absorbing materials that make up their composition. Hard surfacing materials, such as concrete or asphalt, as well as earth surfaces, such as grass, soil, or hard-packed dirt, are not recommended playground surface material options due to their poor shock absorption properties. Case in point, according to the Handbook for Playground Safety by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, surfaces, including asphalt, concrete, soil, hard-packed dirt, grass, and turf, are all unacceptable playground surfacing options because they lack sufficient shock absorption capabilities (cpsc.gov). Concrete and asphalt are hard materials in general, making them extremely dangerous playground surface material options; however, surfaces including dirt, grass, and turf have shock absorption properties that can be reduced by environmental factors and conditions. Unitary and loose-fill playground surface material options are made up of softer and more cushioning materials that offer excellent shock absorption properties that make for a safer landing surface for children. Unitary materials “are generally rubber mats or a combination of rubber-like materials” whereas loose-fill materials “include, but are not confined to, sand, gravel, shredded wood products and shredded tires” (cpsc.gov). Unitary materials, such as interlocking rubber play mats, are offered in different critical heights, so it is important to ask the manufacturer. Depending on the type of unitary material, some may require installation over a hard surface while others may not.

On the other hand, loose-fill materials are not sold specifically for playground surfacing; therefore, it is hard to determine the shock absorption qualities of the material. For each playground fall zone material, critical height is an important factor to consider for constructing a playground surface that offers sufficient cushioning. A fall zone refers to the area around the playground equipment where a child in expected to land or exit from a piece of equipment. Because different playground equipment are different heights, the playground fall zone material must be thick enough to provide safe cushioning for a specific critical height according to the equipment type. Critical height is the “approximation of the fall height below which a life-threatening head injury would not be expected to occur” (cpsc.gov). This is also dependent on the height of the playground equipment surface as higher equipment surfaces will require better shock absorption properties. Therefore, depending on the critical height of the playground equipment, the thickness of both unitary and loose-fill playground surface material options may have to be adjusted.

• (a) What is Best to Put Under a Playground?

  Interlocking rubber play mats are best to put under a playground due to their superior grippy surface, customizable sizing, shock absorption capabilities, and environmental resistance properties. Interlocking mats form a unitary surfacing material that is easier to maintain as you do not need to constantly check the depth of the material for sufficient shock absorption and playground safety padding. Because loose fill playground surfacing materials do not use a binder and are not secured in place, the depth of the material is susceptible to change while in use which, in turn, affects its shock absorption properties (cpsc.gov). Interlocking rubber play mats are made 3/4” to 3” thick for sufficient shock absorption to prevent life-threatening injuries. Case in point, “Rubber or elastomeric materials are widely used for shock absorbers having elastic and viscous properties such as high inherent damping, deflection capacity, and energy storage” (journals.sagepub.com). In addition, playground rubber material will offer better traction properties than other playground surfacing options. Rubber is a naturally traction-enhancing material that resists moisture on its surface which, in turn, helps rubber remain a grippy material. Furthermore, the recycled rubber material used to create interlocking rubber play mats retains excellent environmental resistance properties that allows it to remain undamaged in the face of UV rays, ozone, oxygen, and moisture. Its moisture resistance helps rubber remain a grippy, traction-enhancing, and safe playground surfacing option.

  (b) What are Rubber Tiles Made of?

  Rubber tiles are made of recycled rubber materials due to their excellent physical properties that give them long-lasting durability. Recycled rubber is highly abrasion resistant, shock absorbent, and environmentally stable material, making it one of the most valued and safe playground surface material options available on the market. It is a post-consumer rubber variation that is derived from discarded vehicle tires. Discarded vehicle tires are shredded into a fine crumble that is then re-adhered to form a large sheet of repurposed rubber. This method of making recycled rubber produces a textured surface that helps enhance rubber’s already traction-enhancing properties. In addition, recycled rubber has excellent indoor/outdoor versatility thanks to its vehicle tire composition. Vehicle tires are subjected to rough terrains and changing weather patterns daily without being severely damaged. They are highly resistant to damaging environmental factors, including UV rays, ozone, oxygen, and moisture. Therefore, recycled rubber will retain similar qualities and will offer a long-lasting playground safety padding for both indoor and outdoor settings without worry of deterioration, damage, or signs of aging.

Playground surface material options should have a high degree of shock absorption to ensure safe surfaces for children to play on without worry of a potential life-threatening injury. Unitary and loose-fill materials can offer excellent playground safety padding in indoor and outdoor play areas thanks to recycled rubber’s resistance against damaging environmental factors, such as UV rays, ozone, oxygen, and moisture. Unitary interlocking rubber play mats are the best playground surfacing option available due to their customizable sizing and superior shock absorption properties compared to loose-fill materials. With either surfacing option, it is important to consider the height of the playground equipment to ensure the correct thickness of the playground surface material options to prevent dangerous injuries.