It is essential in the process of design and creating of a playground to provide a safe surface for the children to play on.
According to the EN 1177 standards, it is possible to use such shock absorbing materials like: rubber tiles/mats, homogenous (poured) rubber surfaces and loose unbound material, e.g. gravel, sand, wood chips, bark. These standards indicate that a well-maintained grass is acceptable for falls up to 1 metre.
The poured rubber surface consists of two basic layers: SBR granules and EPDM granules bound together by means of a suitable polyurethane binder and an optional colour varnish, depending on the EPDM granules used. EPDM granules used.
This surface cushions falls and reduces the risk of bruises. The surface has a quick drainage system to prevent the formation of mud and puddles after rain.
1 – crushed aggregate base
2 – SBR rubber granules 2-6mm
3 – EPDM rubber granules 1-3.5mm
Sand surface is the most popular and most commonly used type of safety surface for playgrounds. The surface is made of sand with a thickness of 0.2 to 2 mm, absorbing falls from heights of up to 300 cm. The height of the surface is 30 cm. Under the sand, the surface is lined with filtering geotextile, the edges of the sand pavement are made of pavement concrete edges on concrete footings.
Rubber tiles and rubber bricks are a safe playground surface that is resistant to external factors and mechanical damage, while remaining soft and safe in the event of a fall. Surfacing made of rubber tiles as well as rubber bricks are not only vibration-insulating, water-permeable, slip-resistant, but also come in various colour variations.
Overgrowth mats are made of rubber granulate (dimension:1.5m x 1.0m, 23 mm thick). They are used as a surface to cushion falls on outdoor playgrounds and outdoor gyms. Rubber mats are laid on layers of prepared substrate and connected together with plastic connectors.
Rubber mats can be laid:
– on the ground
– on sand (which can be compacted)
– on a concrete base
– on aggregate
On each of the above-mentioned bases, it is necessary to fill the holes of the rubber mat with, e.g. earth, sand, SBR rubber granules or EPDM, which represents an additional cost for the Investor. This is an additional cost for the Investor.
The cheapest option is to lay the mats on the ground, sow the grass and top up with fertile soil.
Overgrowth mat:
Gravel with a thickness of 0.25 – 8mm (permissible according to EN 1176) as a shock absorber.
Depending on the type of playground equipment, the thickness of the gravel layer should be properly selected (e.g. underneath pendulum swings and most swing sets it is 20 cm thick).
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