Planning a Safe Play Area
Creating a safe and enjoyable play area around your climbing frame is crucial. Whether you're a parent, guardian, or caregiver, careful planning is needed to foster active play. We have outlined a few guidelines below to help you create a secure haven for your children.
1- The safe play area refers to a zone extending 200 cm (6.5’) beyond the play set on all sides.
2- The safe play area must be free of all structures, fences, garages, houses, overhanging branches, laundry lines, electrical wires, and other obstacles to ensure safe play.
3- Remove all tripping hazards such as rocks, stumps, roots, etc. from the safe play area.
4- Do not situate your play set in the direction of walks or gangways.
5- Any edging used to contain the ground cover must be beyond the safe play area (Landscape timbers or other edgings).
6- Choose a level location for your playground playground equipment. Installing on sloping ground puts additional stress on all connections and joints and in time will cause those connections to loosen and fail. It also reduces the likelihood of tipping over and loose-fill surfacing materials washing away during heavy rains.
7- The slide should not have a southern sunlight exposure unless shaded from midday and afternoon sun. Unshaded slides facing south can get hot and cause discomfort to bare skin.
8- The maximum fall height of Jungle Gym playground equipment is 1.45 m. This is the highest part intended for foot support.
9- The impact attenuating surface should equal or exceed the shock absorbing classifications of a Critical Fall Height (CFH) of 1.50 m. Edging used to contain the surface covering must be beyond the safe play area. Carpeting and thin mats are not adequate protective surfacing. Do not forget to account for water drainage.
Surface Covering Material
1- Grass
2- Rubber tiles (According to instructions of supplier)
3- Poured-in-place rubber surfaces (According to instructions of supplier)
4- Fine sand
5- Fine gravel
6- Uniform timber chips
7- Double shredded bark mulch