7
1and 2
4
and 5
ANCHORING THE UNIT
3
1. Dig holes 8" (20 cm) deep at locations
shown on the previous page. Hole should be
wider at the bottom so anchors can be
placed directly underneath the anchor hole in
product (as shown).
2. Screw auger anchor into soil so that the top
of the anchor is 4" (10 cm) below the top of
the hole. Carefully slide assembled unit back
over the hole locations.
Top of hole
6" (15 cm)
4" (10 cm)
8" (20 cm)
6" (15 cm)
concrete
packed top soil
SAFETY SURFACING
3. Loop steel cable through anchor holes and
fasten steel wire cable clips so that cables
are tight. Tighten bolts securely.
4. Fill in all holes with 6" (15 cm) concrete as
shown. Allow to fully dry per the concrete
manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Fill in remainder of hole with packed top soil.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) estimates that about
100,000 playground equipment-related injuries
resulting from falls to the ground surface are
treated annually in U.S. hospital emergency
rooms. Injuries involving this hazard pattern tend
to be among the most serious of all playground
injuries, and have the potential to be fatal,
particularly when the injury is to the head. The
surface under and around playground
equipment can be a major factor in determining
the injury-causing potential of a fall. It is self
evident that a fall onto a shock-absorbing
surface is less likely to cause a serious injury
than a fall onto a hard surface. Playground
equipment should never be placed on hard
surfaces such as concrete or asphalt and while
grass may appear to be acceptable it may
quickly turn to packed earth in areas of high
traffic. Shredded bark mulch, wood chips, fine
sand or fine gravel are considered to be
acceptable shock-absorbing surfaces when
installed and maintained at a sufficient depth
under and around playground equipment.
The following table lists the maximum height
from which a child would not be expected to
sustain a life-threatening head injury in a fall
onto four different loose-fill surfacing materials if
they are installed and maintained at depths of 6,
9, and 12 inches (152, 229, and 305 mm).
However, it should be recognized that all injuries
due to falls cannot be prevented no matter what
surfacing material is used.
6 inch 9 inch 12 inch
Type of (152 mm) (229 mm) (305 mm)
Material depth depth depth
Double Shredded
Bark Mulch 6' (1.8 m) 10' (3 m) 11' (3.4 m)
Wood Chips 6' (1.8 m) 7' (2.1 m) 12' (3.7 m)
Fine Sand 5' (1.5 m) 5' (1.5 m) 9' (2.7 m)
Fine Gravel 6' (1.8 m) 7' (2.1 m) 10' (3 m)
It is recommended that a shock-absorbing
material should extend a minimum of 6 ft. (2 m)
in all directions from the perimeter of the
stationary equipment such as climbers and
slides.
This information is intended to assist in
comparing the relative shock-absorbing
properties of various materials. No particular
material is recommended over another.
However, each material is only effective when
properly maintained. Materials should be
checked periodically and replenished to maintain
correct depth as determined necessary for your
equipment. The choice of a material depends on
the type and height of the playground
equipment, the availability of the material in your
area, and its cost.
Safety surface fill lines are molded in several
locations directly on the unit. These are to be
used as visual guidelines for safety surfacing
materials. Safety surfacing must be maintained
at these levels.
SAFETY SURFACING FILL LINES
CONSUMER INFORMATION FOR PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS
Fall height in feet from which a life threatening
head injury would not be expected
This information has been extracted from the CPSC publications
“Playground Surfacing-Technical Information Guide” and “Handbook
for Public Playground Safety.” Copies of these reports can be obtained
by sending a postcard to the: Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C., 20207 or call the toll-
free hotline: 1-800-638-2772.
6" (15 cm)
