play &
activity today
5 Questions to ask before you buy a Playground Surface
1) Does the surface conform with all current legislation & guidelines and meet required standards.
2) Does it meet
Government Access Rules? To comply with the Disability
Discrimination Act, (DDA) your playground surface must be accessible to children in wheelchairs
3) Does it stand up to heavy rains? Excessive rainfall can ruin a playground surface. Never install Engineered Wood Fibre without an effective drainage system.
4) Does it provide for low- cost maintenance? Over time, even routine weather and normal usage can damage a playground surface. But with the right materials and proper maintenance, a new playground should last for at least 25 years. Be sure the surface you choose is warranted to last that long.
5) Does it provide financial protection and good value? The surface you buy should come with a long-term warranty and liability insurance. Shop around to make sure you get the features and performance you need at a competitive price. In short, when you buy or specify a playground surface, it should give you peace of mind about its safety, accessibility, weather resistance, maintenance costs, warranty, and value.
Safety is an issue for
parents and children. This is often a barrier to encouraging outdoor play, so we want play spaces that help children play safely and encourage parents to let their children play outside. Different types of surfacing can enhance equipment and provide additional play opportunities. The type of surfacing which is used under and around children’s play equipment has been the focus of much public attention. Whilst it is only one of the aspects to be addressed when making play areas as safe as possible it is an essential
component of the overall provision.
Groups of Playground Surfaces
Surfacing for play areas can be split into two distinct groups:
*Surfaces for general play and games areas such as grass, bituminous macadam, concrete and other paved surfaces and surfaces for use under and around playground equipment with low fall heights (i.e. less than 600 mm). Grass is suitable up to a fall height of 1m, where it can be maintained so as to retain its top growth. Concrete, brick,
stone and bituminous macadam are not suitable under any equipment. *Specialist surfaces
Synthetic or Bark
suitable for use as Impact Absorbing Surfacing (IAS) under and around equipment with a fall height greater than
600mm. These include natural materials such as tree bark, wood chips and sand, through to rubber, synthetic compounds, and grass reinforcements.
Impact Absorbing Surfaces All play equipment from which a child could fall a distance greater than 600 mm should be provided with an appropriate Impact Absorbing Surface (IAS). The primary function of IAS is to absorb the energy of the falling child. It will not stop an accident happening but it should reduce the severity of an injury.
Safe or sorry?
Safety Surfacing
16
CLICK HERE TO REQUEST LITERATURE Enquire at:
www.playat.co.uk/enquire
CLICK HERE TO REQUEST LITERATURE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32