Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200, 1200-08, ch. 1200-08-02, 1200-08-02-.13, app B
Playground Surfacing (1) Playground Surface Materials
(a) A variety of surfaces on the playground provides flexibility and visual interest as well as enjoyment and learning experiences for children. Various play activities require or are facilitated by different surfaces. For example, concrete, asphalt, or hard-packed dirt are better than grass or sand for trike riding and hopscotch; while sand, pebbles, dirt or other "fluid" material are necessary for manipulative activities such as digging or pouring.
(b) Climbers, swings and other equipment which can take a child's feet off the ground are in a "fall zone." A fall of even six (6)" can cause injury to a small child. The fall-zone area under and around equipment where children might fall and be injured shall be covered with impact-absorbing materials which will effectively cushion the fall of a child. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (which is mentioned in these standards for additional guidance), falls from equipment onto a hard surface account for 60% to 70% of playground related injuries, and injuries from falls are responsible for over half of all deaths of children after infancy.
(c) Tricycles and other children's vehicles are not included in this fall-zone rule, although consideration should be given to placing tricycle tracks within a resilient area and/or providing helmets.
(d) Before the variety of materials is examined, another hazard should be considered. In landscaping a play area for children, make certain no poisonous plants, bushes, or grasses are used. The Department has a list of plants to avoid, or consult with your local Poison Control Center if in doubt. (A nursery may not be reliable since nurseries are not accustomed to that question.)
(e) Whether loose-fill material or a "unitary" covering is chosen as a resilient surface, it should extend far enough to cover the fall zone, or at least 4 feet and preferably six (6) feet from all sides or perimeters of equipment where children could fall or be propelled (e.g., from arc of swing or exit end of slide).
(f) Some surface materials are listed below, with advantages and disadvantages of each given, along with acceptable depth requirements. The range of depths is based on height of equipment in fall zone: the taller the equipment, the more resiliency needed. (Sources for this information are the Consumer Product Safety Commission's 1992 "Handbook for Public Playground Safety" and "Caring for Our Children", American Public Health Association/American Academy of Pediatrics [1992]). Administrators are advised to follow guidelines in one of these publications for construction, renovation and maintenance of playgrounds and playground equipment.) Other materials are not precluded; if another material is chosen, use the suggested depth for a similar material (e.g., if cocoa mulch is chosen, use the greatest depth given for wood mulch).
(2) Natural/Loose-Fill Materials
Note: Most are not easily accessible to wheel chairs.
(a) Grass: Provides color and soft appearance to play area, esthetically pleasing. High maintenance. Wears off in high-traffic areas, leaving mud or hard-packed dirt; therefore, unacceptable as a resilient surface under climbers and swings.
(b) Coarse sand: Dries fairly quickly (if good drainage system), good for manipulative activities (pouring, sifting, moving), is easily raked. (Sand play area must be apart from sand area around equipment. Sand play area must be covered when not in use and cleaned occasionally.) Depth: 6" min./Eqt. ht: 5 ft.; 12" min./Eqt. ht.: 6 ft. Moderate to high maintenance required because of need to rake when displaced and to clean occasionally. Can cause small cuts and possible eye injury if thrown. CPSC Handbook makes distinction among fine, medium, and coarse.
(c) Pea gravel: Drains well, can be played on immediately after rain, suitable for manipulative activities (in protected area away from equipment). Medium size is best (small size can be lodged in ears and noses, large size could cause injury if thrown and is difficult to walk on.) Scatters easily, not recommended for slopes. Depth: 6" to 12" depending on height of equipment. Low maintenance. Must be raked when displaced. Use caution when selecting; must be smooth "river rock."
(d) Rubber mulch: A newer product (untested as of this printing). Provides acceptable resiliency at 6" depth, drains well. Some types leave black marks or dust on skin and clothing. Some objection to heat generated by the sun and its combustibility. Low maintenance. Must be raked when displaced.
(e) Sawdust: Inexpensive and drains well when new. High maintenance, requiring a large amount for acceptable resiliency because it scatters easily and must be raked often; must be replaced often because of deterioration. Untested.
(f) Wood chips: Drain fairly well. Better drainage provided if placed over sand/dirt combination (perhaps with gravel/dirt layered system). Easily scattered, requiring occasional raking. Depth: 6" to 12" depending on height of equipment. Check for splintering. Rots, needing replacement. Moderate maintenance.
(g) Wood mulch: See wood chips for drainage information. Packs down, requiring raking. Less abrasive than sand. Depth: 6" to 12", depending on height of equipment. Rots, needing replacement on at least annual basis. Moderate to high maintenance.
(3) Unitary Products
These are of solid construction, usually rubber or rubber composition over foam mats or tiles, or they may be "poured." The CPSC "Handbook for Public Playground Safety" (1992 ed.) reads:
"Unitary materials are available from a number of different manufacturers many of whom have a range of materials with differing shock absorbing properties. Persons wishing to install a unitary material as a playground surface should request test data from the manufacturer that should identify the Critical Height of the desired material. In addition, site requirements should be obtained from the manufacturer because some unitary materials require installation over a hard surface while for others this is not required."
Their advantages are their low or no maintenance feature, consistent shock absorbency, wheelchair accessibility, and good footing. The primary disadvantage is the initial high cost; however, most are guaranteed for 5 years but may last longer. Some need to be installed by a professional--some on concrete, some on a level dirt/sand surface. (For more information, see CPSC Handbook.)
Artificial turf should not be used on playgrounds because of its lack of conformity to CPSC standards and because it causes carpet-type burns on falls.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200, 1200-08, ch. 1200-08-02, 1200-08-02-.13, app B