Soft Play Surface Solutions for a Safer Playground!

Wet-pour rubber crumb

Provides durability with minimal upkeep and offers numerous advantages as a safety surfacing option for playgrounds and recreational areas:

1. Safety: Excellent impact absorption reduces the risk of injuries from falls, meeting critical fall height requirements (BS EN 1177) 12.
2. Durability: It is highly resistant to wear and tear, weathering, and UV rays, ensuring long-lasting performance in outdoor environments 3.
3. Low maintenance: It is easy to clean and requires minimal upkeep, making it cost-effective in the long run 36.
4. Versatility: It is available in various colours and can be customised with patterns, logos, and designs, allowing for creative and unique installations26.
5. Accessibility: It provides a smooth, even surface that is wheelchair and stroller-friendly, complying with accessibility standards3.
6. Weather resistance: Suitable for all weather conditions, with good slip resistance even when wet 36.
7. Environmental benefits: It is often made from recycled materials, contributing to sustainability efforts 5.
8. Permeability: It is SUDS compliant, allowing surface water to drain away easily 5.
9. Flexibility: It can be installed in various thicknesses to accommodate different fall height requirements and can be easily shaped to fit awkward areas 27.
10. Noise reduction: It absorbs sound, making it beneficial for areas where noise reduction is important 3.
11. Non-toxic: It is safe for children and pets, containing no harmful chemicals or additives 3.
12. Longevity: With proper maintenance, wet-pour rubber surfaces can last 10-15 years or more, providing good value for money 3.

These advantages make wet-pour rubber crumb a popular choice for playgrounds, sports facilities, and other recreational areas where safety, durability, and aesthetics are priorities.

Resin-bound gravel

1. Safety and Accessibility: Resin-bound gravel provides a slip-resistant surface, reducing accident risks in wet conditions 1. Its smooth, seamless finish makes it accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, ensuring inclusivity 12.
2. Durability and Low Maintenance: This surface is exceptionally durable, withstanding heavy foot traffic and exposure to elements without cracking or fading 2. Its non-porous nature resists staining and weed growth, making it easy to maintain with regular sweeping or power washing 2.
3. Environmental Benefits: Resin-bound gravel is highly permeable, allowing water to pass through and replenish groundwater levels 1. This feature promotes environmental sustainability by reducing runoff and mitigating flood risks 1.
4. Versatility and Aesthetics: Available in various colours and textures, resin-bound gravel offers extensive customisation options 23. It’s suitable for driveways, patios, paths, and indoor spaces, providing a visually appealing and practical solution 13.

Artificial Grass with Shock Pad Underlay

1. Safety: Adding a shock pad underlay under artificial grass significantly improves safety by absorbing impact from falls, creating a softer, forgiving surface underfoot and reducing the risk of injuries, especially head injuries 4. They provide a cushioned surface that lessens impact stress on joints, which is particularly beneficial for children’s play areas 4.
2. Extended Turf Lifespan: Shock pads act as a protective layer for the artificial grass backing, reducing wear and tear from foot traffic and playtime activities 4. This protection can significantly extend the lifespan of the artificial turf installation 5.
3. Improved Drainage: Some shock pad designs incorporate drainage features, which help prevent puddles and allow play areas to dry more quickly after rain 4.
4. Compliance with Safety Standards: Shock pads help artificial grass installations meet critical fall height standards, crucial for playgrounds and schools 67. This compliance ensures a safer play environment and peace of mind for facility managers and parents.

Both resin-bound gravel and artificial grass with shock pads offer significant safety and performance benefits, making them excellent choices for various outdoor applications. The selection between the two would depend on specific project requirements, aesthetic preferences, and intended use of the space.

Bonded rubber mulch

Offers numerous advantages as a safety surfacing solution for playgrounds and outdoor areas:

1. Safety: Excellent shock absorption reduces the risk of injuries from falls, with critical fall height protection up to 3.5 meters 14.
2. Natural aesthetics: Provides a natural look similar to wood chips or bark, blending seamlessly with surroundings 1.
3. Durability: Highly resistant to wear, tear, and weathering, ensuring long-lasting performance in outdoor environments 1.
4. Low maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep, saving time and money compared to traditional surfaces 13.
5. All-weather usability: Excellent drainage capabilities keep playgrounds usable even after heavy rainfall 1.
6. Accessibility: Provides a smooth, even surface that is wheelchair and stroller-friendly 6.
7. Environmentally friendly: Made from 100% recycled materials, contributing to sustainability efforts 25.
8. Versatility: Available in various colours and can be customised to suit different aesthetic requirements1 5.
9. Cost-effectiveness: While initial costs may be higher, its durability and low maintenance needs make it economical in the long run 3.
10. Slip-resistant: Reduces the risk of accidents, especially in wet conditions 3.
11. Non-toxic: Safe for children and pets, containing no harmful chemicals or additives 5.
12. Flexible installation: Can be installed on various sub-bases, including MOT Type 1 stone, grass, or soil 4.
13. Quick installation: Usable 24 hours after installation, minimising playground downtime 5.
14. Compliance with safety standards: It meets British and European standards, including EN1177 and EN7188 5.

These advantages make bonded rubber mulch an ideal choice for creating safe, durable, and low-maintenance playground surfaces that are both functional and visually appealing.

British Standards BS EN 1177:2023 Requirements

BS EN 1177:2018+A1:2023 is a British and European standard that focuses on impact-attenuating playground surfacing 14. Released on February 9, 2024, it provides essential methods for testing and determining the impact attenuation of playground surfaces to ensure children’s safety 1.

Key aspects of BS EN 1177:2023 include:

1. Testing Methods: The standard outlines comprehensive procedures to accurately assess the impact attenuation properties of playground surfaces, simulating real-world conditions 1.
2. Critical Fall Height (CFH): It establishes safety surfacing depth requirements based on the fall height of playground equipment 3.
3. Surface Quality: The standard emphasises the importance of maintaining surfacing in good condition to preserve impact-absorbing features and drainage systems 3.
4. Durability and Stability: Surfacing materials should be durable enough to withstand regular use and maintain shock-absorbing properties over time 4.
5. Drainage: Proper drainage is essential to prevent water accumulation and maintain surface performance and longevity 4.

The standard applies to various professionals, including playground designers, equipment manufacturers, installation contractors, and safety inspectors1.

By adhering to BS EN 1177:2023, playground operators can ensure their surfaces meet international safety requirements and provide a secure environment for children to play 13.

Documentation and Certification Requirements

Playground surfaces need complete documentation to get certified. Each surface thickness needs a critical fall height test certificate from an accredited test house. Certification papers must have:

1. Test reports with product depths and results
2. Proof that tests follow BS EN 1177:2023 procedures
3. Critical fall height specs that match or exceed the equipment’s free fall height

The standard needs both lab and on-site testing. Regular checks are crucial because surfaces can wear down over time due to use and weather. 

Products made of multiple layers need testing as one complete system to meet the standard.

BS EN 1177:2023 is recognised worldwide and forms the foundation for playground designers, installers, and maintenance teams.

These detailed requirements help create safer play spaces. While they can’t remove all risks, they significantly reduce the chance of serious injuries.