What are the advantages of poured rubber playground surfaces?
It’s usable for both indoor and outdoor play spaces. Safe: The double-layered poured-in-place playground surfacing protects children from falls of up to 12 feet. Affordable: Over the long term, the poured rubber playground surface cost is quite affordable because it eliminates many of the maintenance costs of other types of safety surfaces.
Is rubber mulch safe for playgrounds?
Overall, rubber mulch’s safety cons outweigh the pros. With the confirmed presence of chemicals found in rubber crumb and studies questioning if it causes cancer, there are other clean and natural playground surfacing alternatives we recommend using. Is rubber mulch good for playgrounds?
What should you not do on a playground?
Avoid mouth contact with playground surfacing materials, including mouthing, chewing, or swallowing playground rubber. This may pose a choking hazard, regardless of chemical exposure. Avoid eating food or drinking beverages while directly on playground surfaces, and wash hands before handling food.
Are rubber mats necessary for playgrounds?
Playground Rubber Mats are Mandatory: Principle dangers inherent to playgrounds are the presence of exposed flooring or a lack of protective floor surfacing (such as playground rubber mats).
What Makes Playgrounds Unsafe and Why Should Rubber Mats be Used?
What is the safety of a playground?
How to prevent playground splintering?
Why are rubber mats used in playgrounds?
What happens if you play on a playground?
Why do playgrounds need flooring?
Why is it important to have a safe playground?
See 2 more
What is the safest surface for a playground?
EWF is by far the safest and absorbs an impact of up to 12 feet when properly maintained at a 12-inch thickness. Although it looks like wood mulch, EWF is designed specifically for playground safety.
Is playground rubber mulch safe?
According to ASTM F1292 standards, rubber materials offer a safe impact when installed at the proper depth to meet critical fall height requirements. One of the main concerns meeting recycled rubber mulch is the wires and debris that often end up in tires.
Is rubber harmful to health?
Rubber flooring is considered to be safe. In fact, there have been 110 scientific studies of recycled rubber and none so far have found an associated health risk.
Why is rubber used in playgrounds?
Because safety is the top concern when choosing a playground surfacing, rubber is a popular choice. This material provides excellent fall protection and aids in preventing critical injuries. It also creates a non-slip surface, inhibiting slips and falls.
What is the downside of rubber mulch?
The Cons: It does not decompose. Rubber mulch is not organic, so it does not decompose and will not provide the soil with organic material. It contains chemical residues which can be harmful to plants.
Does rubber mulch leach chemicals?
Decomposition and Leachates While rubber mulch is often touted as being a permanent mulch material, rubber is like any other organic material in that it does break down when subjected to sunlight, bacteria and fungi. As it decomposes, the chemicals in the rubber leach into the soil and nearby water sources.
Is rubber toxic like plastic?
Silicone rubber does not react with food or beverages, or produce any hazardous fumes." Scientific American reports that in 1979 the US Food and Drug Administration determined silicon dioxides—the raw material for silicone products—were safe for food-grade applications.
Is rubber a carcinogen?
Occupational exposures in the rubber-manufacturing industry are carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).
Are rubber floors toxic?
Myth 2: Rubber surfacing contains toxic chemicals However, toxic elements like arsenic, benzene, nickel, and cadmium are lethal in huge proportions. Mere traces of such elements doesn't make the flooring toxic. The Recycled Rubber Safety Council confirms this fact.
How long do rubber playgrounds last?
Cost of Poured Rubber Playground Surfacing A pour-in-place playground surface will generally last about 10 years (depending on foot traffic) before any type of upkeep is required — no need to truck in new surface filler every spring. With proper maintenance, it can last as long as 12-15 years.
What is the best playground surface material?
Top 5 Playground Surface Materials1.) Solid Rubber Surface. This is first on the list because it's not only the safest, but it requires the least amount of maintenance. ... 2.) Artificial Grass or Turf. ... 3.) Play Sand and Pea Gravel. ... 4.) Rubber Mulch (Nuggets or Shredded) ... 5.) Engineered Wood Fiber aka: EWF.
How long does rubber surfacing last?
20+ yearsHOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO HAVE RUBBER RESEALED? While the lifespan of rubber surfaces is 20+ years, to ensure you get the most out of your rubber during that time we recommend calling us to reseal your surface every 5 years.
Is rubber mulch toxic?
While wood mulch continues to be a popular option for playground safety, rubber mulch made from recycled rubber has been proven to be a non-toxic alternative that may provide better fall protection and long-term value.
Is rubber mulch better for playgrounds?
Rubber mulch has been evaluated by groups like the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as an appropriate loose full surfacing material for residential and commercial playgrounds because it provides superior fall protection when compared to other materials.
Is rubber mulch safe for animals?
The Environmental Protection Agency has studied rubber mulch and found it to be a safe, non- toxic material, posing no health hazards to pets or people.
Is rubber mulch safer than wood?
Wood mulch is better for edible gardens, as it doesn't release dangerous compounds and metals, and is safer in hot climates, as it's a lower fire risk than rubber.
How many rubber playgrounds are there in Kentucky?
Kentucky, one of several states that give grants to municipalities, school districts and other entities to use crumb rubber, has funded 287 rubber-filled playgrounds since its program began in 2004.
What is rubber mulch?
In addition to the new equipment, the playground was outfitted with the latest in safety surfacing: a pool of shredded rubber from old tires, also known as “rubber mulch,” which can cushion kids’ falls better than gravel or wood chips.
What is the difference between rubber mulch and artificial turf?
The difference between rubber mulch and crumb rubber artificial turf is that the federal government actively promotes the use of mulch -– despite conflicting signals from the agencies charged with protecting children’s health and ensuring consumer product safety.
Why is rubber infill cheaper?
In addition to its bounce, tire is cheaper to maintain in the long run, some say, because it doesn’t degrade like wood chips or other organic materials.
What is rubber infill?
Farmer and a handful of other parents started to research rubber infill, the recycled crumbs and shreds of old tire that in various forms have become an increasingly popular option for cities, schools, and day cares looking for a safe play surface for kids. What they found, they said, launched them on a campaign to replace the rubber.
Is rubber mulch safe?
parks, soccer fields and stadiums. More than two dozen studies have attempted to measure the potential health risks of crumb rubber surfaces. While many have found no negative health effects, some doctors and toxicologists believe these studies are limited and insufficient to establish conclusively that shredded rubber surfaces are safe.
Where is the Bandon playground?
By Hannah Rappleye, Stephanie Gosk, Kevin Monahan and Monica Alba. The public playground in Bandon, a small town on the blustery coast of Oregon, has everything a kid could want. Swings and an orange, twisting slide, even a bright blue boat. But after the playground was installed in 2009, some mothers became concerned about ...
Safe Playgrounds
Playgrounds are built to withstand children climbing on, sliding down, and running over its bridges, swings, and slides. Many residential playground owners, however, do not give as much attention to the surfacing of these playgrounds.
How to Ensure Your Children Play on Safe Playgrounds
Playgrounds are built to withstand children climbing on, sliding down, and running over its bridges, swings, and slides. Many residential playground owners, however, do not give as much attention to the surfacing of these playgrounds.
How to prevent a playground from getting hot?
Limit the time at a playground on extremely hot days. Clean hands and other areas of exposed skin after visiting the playground, and consider changing clothes if evidence of tire materials (e.g., black marks or dust) is visible on fabrics. Clean any toys that were used on a playground after the visit.
What is the CPSC's work on playgrounds?
CPSC will continue its work on playgrounds by conducting a risk assessment of children’s exposure to playground surfaces made of tire rubber. This work will use the CPSC survey as well as data from EPA’s FRAP Part 1 (characterization of the chemicals and materials in tire rubber crumb), released July 25, 2019 and CDC’s (ATSDR) ...
When was the CPSC playground survey completed?
This survey was completed on September 5, 2019. A report of the survey findings is now available (pdf). CPSC will continue its work on playgrounds by conducting a risk assessment ...
Is recycled tire clog dangerous?
The public, media, and government agencies have expressed concern that the chemicals in surfaces derived from recycled tires may be hazardous to human health. In February 2016, the Federal Research Action Plan on Recycled Tire Crumb Used on Playing Fields and Playgrounds was announced.
Can kids fall off climbing equipment?
Kids can fall from climbing equipment and get hurt. Never put climbing equipment inside or outside on hard surfaces such as wooden floors, cement or asphalt. CPSC’s public playground guidelines are detailed here and are intended to help parks, schools, installers and others choose the safest equipment.
Is recycled tire hazardous?
While no specific chemical hazards from recycled tires in playground surfacing are known by the CPSC at this time, the following precautions to limit exposure are recommended:
How long does poured rubber last?
A pour-in-place playground surface will generally last about 10 years (depending on foot traffic) before any type of upkeep is required — no need to truck in new surface filler every spring.
What is pour rubber flooring?
Poured rubber playground flooring is soft, spongy, and durable. Being tasked with choosing the materials for a playground surface that will experience millions of footsteps (particularly those of children) is harrowing – especially if you don’t have a construction background! If you’re in charge of selecting a flooring surface for ...
Can I install poured rubber playground surfacing myself (DIY)?
As mentioned previously, if it’s not, or the quality of the material used is sub-par, you’re going to have to replace the surface much sooner. That said, you should be careful when choosing a poured rubber playground installation company.
Are poured rubber playground surfaces accessible (ex. ADA compliant)?
Yes, it’s ADA-compliant, wheelchair accessible, and one of the easiest playground surface types for those with disabilities to navigate. Accessible/inclusive playgrounds, and pour-in-place rubber is widely viewed as the best surfacing option to allow safe and easy play among those with physical limitations.
Why use rubber poured surfacing?
We often hear that poured rubber surfacing makes it easier to maintain a playground that appears clean and welcoming. The surface is smooth and easy to clean, and unlike mulch or stone, it won’t get kicked out of place by busy feet. The customizable appearance means you’re able to make design selections that allow it to blend into the surrounding area, creating a more natural look than pavement.
What is pour in place rubber?
Poured-in-place rubber is also called poured rubber, wet pour rubber, pour-in-place rubber (PIP), rubber playground turf, bonded rubber stone, or a playground foam surface. There’s both pros and cons of using it for playgrounds, as with any playground surface.
How much rubber is needed for a 10-foot fall?
This type of surfacing was also specifically designed to be extremely shock-absorbent. Just 4.5 inches of poured rubber provides a surface on which a child can safely land from a 10-foot fall, according to American Standard Testing Methods (ASTM), the institution that sets industry safety standards.
How many feet does a playground surfacing protect from falls?
Safe: The double-layered poured-in-place playground surfacing protects children from falls of up to 12 feet.
How Much Does Poured-in-Place Rubber Surfacing Cost?
Request a free quote to get an estimate of the cost per square foot for your project.
What is pour in place playground surfacing?
This product is composed of fine rubber particles applied in two layers for maximum safety. The top layer of the pour-in-place rubber surface is a color layer made of EPDM particles, and the bottom layer is made with bulkier rubber scraps that provide shock absorption.
Can you use pour in place rubber?
Poured in place rubber safety surfacing can be utilized in both commercial and residential areas. I have forwarded your information to a team member who can help you further.
Is poured rubber a good surface for a playground?
Unlike mulch, sand, and loose-fill rubber, poured-in-place playground surfacing will not need to be raked and replenished. The poured-in-place option is a long-term solution that offers safety, ADA accessibility, and many different unique color and design options. A poured rubber playground surface can be a welcome addition to a local community playground, public or commercial park, or kid-friendly space for years to come.
Is pour in place rubber ADA compliant?
Accessible: Our pour-in-place rubber is ADA-compliant and wheelchair-accessible, helping you to provide a fun space for everyone.
Can rubber paving stand up to snow?
Vicki, Yes it can stand up to snow. Poured in Place Rubber surfacing is permeable and the snow, as it melts, will drain either by running off the surface or through the surface. The permeability rate is most affected by the subsurface (crushed stone or concrete).
What is bonded rubber mulch?
Bonded Rubber Mulch is a single layer of organically pigmented recycled SBR rubber mulch. Like poured-in-place rubber, it is also mixed with a liquid binder and troweled out on-site to create a continuous rubberized surface.
What is pour in place rubber?
Poured-in-place rubber is a combination of colored EPDM rubber granules over a cushion layer of black recycled SBR rubber shreds. Mixed with a liquid binder, each layer is poured in place on-site, providing a continuous rubberized surface for a variety of applications.
What Makes Playgrounds Unsafe and Why Should Rubber Mats be Used?
However, all of the benefits of playgrounds become negated if a child gets seriously injured or hurt when using the monkey bars or rocking on a swing set. For that reason, having safe playgrounds for children to use is critical. Playgrounds can be made safer through specific best practices that improve the area’s overall safety for the children using them. Safety is a behavioral approach, meaning that is in within a person’s ability to make –and maintain- the safety of a playground for children. Unfortunately, playgrounds can become unsafe if they lack any safety flooring or if dangerous types of playground equipment are present. Considering safety as a behavioral approach, there are measures that can be used to correct these issues, however. Flooring for playground is an essential way of curtailing potential playground injuries. Via the incorporation of playground rubber mats, a playground’s overall level of safety can be greatly improved.
What is the safety of a playground?
Safety is a behavioral approach, meaning that is in within a person’s ability to make –and maintain- the safety of a playground for children. Unfortunately, playgrounds can become unsafe if they lack any safety flooring or if dangerous types of playground equipment are present.
How to prevent playground splintering?
It is also important to counter the negative effects of other playground safety hazards, such as exposed or sharp edges and unmaintained equipment. One proactive approach in ensuring a safe playground is too file down all protruding nuts and bolts, so that the slicing hazard they present to children is reduced. The CSPC also recommends that all edges be rolled or have rounded capping, and that and wooden components be smooth and splinter-free. By doing this, the overall usability of the playground will be preserved. In addition, regular preventative maintenance of a the playground should be undergone frequently in order to find and correct any worn or damaged equipment before it can jeopardize what would otherwise be a safe playground. If damaged equipment is present, it should immediately be reported to the equipment manufacturer and children should be directed to stay away from said equipment.
Why are rubber mats used in playgrounds?
Children play mats (especially playground rubber mats) make play areas safe because rubber is a softer surface than the concrete or asphalt foundations most playgrounds are built upon. Playgrounds that incorporate playground rubber mats are generally much safer than playgrounds that lack this protective equipment.
What happens if you play on a playground?
Lack of proper playground maintenance is also a potential hazard to any child using the equipment. Likewise, if a playground has excessively elevated play sets or equipment the risk of children being injured in falls rises. Protruding parts with sharp edges additionally pose a danger to any child who comes into contact with such parts.
Why do playgrounds need flooring?
Flooring for playground is an essential way of curtailing potential playground injuries. Via the incorporation of playground rubber mats, a playground’s overall level of safety can be greatly improved.
Why is it important to have a safe playground?
However, all of the benefits of playgrounds become negated if a child gets seriously injured or hurt when using the monkey bars or rocking on a swing set. For that reason, having safe playgrounds for children to use is critical. Playgrounds can be made safer through specific best practices that improve the area’s overall safety for the children using them. Safety is a behavioral approach, meaning that is in within a person’s ability to make –and maintain- the safety of a playground for children. Unfortunately, playgrounds can become unsafe if they lack any safety flooring or if dangerous types of playground equipment are present. Considering safety as a behavioral approach, there are measures that can be used to correct these issues, however. Flooring for playground is an essential way of curtailing potential playground injuries. Via the incorporation of playground rubber mats, a playground’s overall level of safety can be greatly improved.
