How Thick Should Playground Mats Be?

When sunny weather rolls around, kids want to visit the playground. Unfortunately, parents in some communities need to beware because the playground lacks adequate surfacing material under playground equipment. Playground mats help prevent injuries in the event of a fall from equipment. Almost 79 percent of playground injuries are caused by falls, according to the National Safety Council. Experiencing that heart stopping moment when a child tumbles off a swing brings home the importance of a padded landing. The thickness required of playground mats depends on the height of the playground equipment.

  1. Tile Standards

    • Interlocking tiles form a safe mat under playground equipment if they are the correct thickness. Playground tile manufacturers need to meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 1487 requirements for impact testing, according to the National Program for Playground Safety. For 4- to 6-foot fall heights, the tile should be 2.25 to 2.50 inches thick. For 8- to 10-foot fall heights, the tile should be 3.25 to 3.75 inches thick.

    Loose Fill Standards

    • Playgrounds may use a variety of surfacing materials. Sand that is 9" thick has a fall rating of 4 feet. Wood mulch that is 9" thick has a fall rating of 7 feet. Wood chips that are 9" thick have a fall rating of 10 feet. Shredded/recycled rubber that is 6 inches thick has a fall rating of 10 feet. Shredded/recycled rubber does not compress like other material like sand, or mulch, so less is needed, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These are minimum standards; more can be used.

    Maintenance

    • Playground tiles or mats can become worn, especially in high traffic areas. See if the tiles feel springy or hard and worn. Loose fill material needs regular raking to avoid areas of displacement. Look for some kind of barrier around the perimeter of the playground to contain the loose fill material. Some playgrounds mark the equipment supports with the minimum fill level. Grass, packed dirt or asphalt make unacceptable surfacing materials.

    Considerations

    • Realistically, parents can't know how thick the loose fill or tiles really are. Ways to determine if a playground is safe include examining the general condition of the playground. Does it look well maintained? The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that written maintenance records and accident reports be kept. Ask your local town's Parks and Recreation Department to see these records. Areas of pooling water or frozen playground surfaces mean the surfacing material has lost the ability to cushion falls. The wisest course of action is always supervising playground activities closely.

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