5 questions to ask before you buy a playground surface

5 Questions to Ask Before
You Buy a Playground Surface

1. Does it meet Government Safety Standards?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) uses American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) Standard F1292 as the minimum requirement for cushioning falls on playground surfaces. The surface you buy should becertified by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) to meet this Standard (see reverse). Check www.ipema.org to learn if your potential supplier’s product is on the list of certified products.

2. Does it meet Government Access Rules?
To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), your playground surface must be accessible to children in wheelchairs–and must meet ASTM Standard F1951. Ask your supplier for its F1951 test results.

3. Does it stand up to heavy rains?
Many areas of the country have recently experienced freakish and unpredictable
weather, including heavy rains that can ruin a playground surface. Never install
Engineered Wood Fiber 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. To talk with a playground expert, contact: info@Fibar.com or call (800) 342-2721

Look for these 'Seals of Approval'
When you buy or specify a playground surface, be sure it meets Industry Standards for safety and accessibility. These third-party seals on the product literature of potential suppliers help toassure that you have exercised due diligence in making your purchase.
	The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers, families, and children from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard, including playground surfaces and equipment.
	The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM International) is the foremost developer and provider of voluntary consensus standards. ASTM provides related technical information, as well as services that promote public health and safety and contribute to the reliability of materials, products, systems, and services. ASTM issues and maintains playground safety surface standards.
	The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all public places, including playgrounds, provide access for those with physical disabilities. Enforcement provisions include penalties for lack of compliance. The Final Rule of the Access Board specifies ASTM F1951 as the Standardfor Determination of Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment.
	The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) provides a Third Party Certification Service whereby an independent laboratory validates a playground surface manufacturer’s conformance to ASTM F1292, for impact from falls, and ASTM F2075, for Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) quality performance.
To learn how these tests and standards apply to your playground, see above. To talk with a playground expert, contact: info@Fibar.com or (800) 342-2721. TOP OF PAGE