Every year, more than 200,000 children in the U.S. are treated in an emergency room for playground-related injuries . Many of these trips to the ER could be avoided by installing protective surfacing at the right depth and thickness. The surface under and around play equipment is a crucial factor in reducing the risk of injury, especially life-threatening accidents.
Recreation surfacing such as mulch, synthetic grass and indoor carpet makes any play area safer . But the material needs to be thick and deep enough to absorb shock and provide enhanced protection against falls and tumbles.
Not sure how many inches of mulch you need for a playground? Zeager Bros., Inc. has you covered with everything you need to know about playground mulch depth requirements.
How Many Inches of Mulch Do I Need for a Playground?
The rule of thumb for how deep playground mulch should be is 8-12 inches, but every playground is different. Depth requirements for protective surfacing vary according to the materials used and the height of the equipment. Keep in mind that outdoor surfaces like grass do not provide adequate shock absorbency, and equipment should never be placed over asphalt, concrete or any other hard surface.
Playground surfacing materials are tested to evaluate their impact attenuation. Each material receives a critical fall height rating, which is the fall height below which a life-threatening injury to the head is not likely to happen. Regardless of material, your playground’s surface should be able to cushion falls from the highest piece of equipment.
Most suppliers can calculate the volume of playground mulch you’ll need based on the length and width of your playground area. To learn more about depth requirements for different materials, use our calculators as a guide.
Engineered Wood Fiber for Safe Playground Surfaces
Playground mulch depth requirements are an essential guideline for the safety of your playground, but the quality, durability and reliability of the surfacing material you use is even more important.
Engineered wood fiber (EWF) is the most popular playground surfacing due to its high-impact attenuation performance. When it’s maintained at the recommended depth of 12 inches, EWF can cushion falls from as high as 12 feet. EWF is made up of woven fibers that create a firm surface for safety and accessibility.
The stable surface of EWF meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines if properly installed. We recommend EWF to create an ADA-compliant playground surface that’s more affordable than other approved materials.
Engineered Wood Fiber Solutions
If you’re looking for high-quality, certified EWF, look no further than WoodCarpet® by Zeager Bros., Inc. Our loose-fill EWF options weave together to form a solid surface that meets playground mulch depth requirements.
We offer several durable and cost-effective WoodCarpet® systems, including:
- WoodCarpet System 1: This EWF system includes 8-12 inches of WoodCarpet® plus 3-4 inches of gravel and Duraliner® fabric. As our most affordable option, WoodCarpet System 1 offers easy installation and maintenance, excellent water drainage and a naturally beautiful surface .
Playground Fall Protection Mats
High-traffic areas, especially slides and swings, can cause your playground surfacing to lose its desired thickness and depth. Raking or replacing the material requires additional time and costs without providing a long-term solution. To keep your playground safe and compliant with accessibility guidelines, turn to our industry-leading TuffMats® .
Here are the top benefits of our TuffMats®:
- Easy installation and maintenance
- Greater accessibility
- Better impact absorption
- Puddle and hole prevention
- Eliminated risk of tripping
- Up to 12 feet of fall protection
Certified Playground Surfacing From Zeager
We test all of our WoodCarpet® systems according to ASTM guidelines to comply with ADA, ASTM, CPSC and CSA standards for impact attenuation. Our team of experts is proud to offer installation and testing services to ensure every playground complies with the latest standards.
At Zeager, we don’t just meet the minimum standards — we offer products that exceed safety requirements. Many of our products are third-party certified by The International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA).
We submit to IPEMA’s lab testing for fall protection and exceed their standards by conducting further testing in the field. When you choose our EWF products, you can be confident that your playground goes above and beyond industry safety standards.
Contact Zeager Today
The right playground surfacing at the required depth and thickness will enhance the safety and accessibility of your playground. At Zeager Bros., Inc., we provide peace of mind that any fall, trip or tumble will be met with shock-resistant, protective surfacing.
Founded in 1967, we offer unsurpassed customer support and dependable service that you’d expect from a leader in the industry. Ready to build an accessible playground for your community? Receive a free quote for your project.
Have a few more questions? Contact us online today!