Regulations - surfaces

 

The fall zone is the area around a piece of playground equipment where a child might fall.

Regulations specify that this area must have a soft surface.

In our school we use bark. In this photo, the boy has landed on a soft surface of rubber chips.

Whatever material is used, if it is loose, it must be kept in by an edging. However the edging itself can be a danger if it has sharp edges.

Some playgrounds have a mat underneath play equipment, and they do not need the edging.

Loose material needs to be topped up regularly also, and to be spread evenly around the area to be protected.

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