Playground Equipment Safety: A Tip for Safe Outdoor Playground Swing Sets

Outdoor playground swing sets are often a playground’s greatest attraction. As such, it is particularly important to remember playground equipment safety when installing outdoor swing sets. Here’s a tip I usually give installers to create even better playground equipment safety when installing ElephantPlay outdoor swing sets:

Sometimes the surfacing used under outdoor swing sets is loose fill material—such as sand, or wood chips. ElephantPlay’s standard swing set is made to comply with ADA accessibility at 18’’ from the protective surface. This allows for extra fill under the swing—with up to a 12’’ minimum height set by safety standards. By adding extra fill, the protective surface level under the swing will be maintained, even with children digging in to the surface with their feet. This will provide long-term safety and lower maintenance. The longevity of the protective surface can even be extended by placing an outdoor carpet within the protective layer. Click on the figure below for a larger visual.

Figure: Loose Fill Levels for Playground Equipment Safety
(Click on Image to Expand View)

This same playground equipment safety tip applies for many play structures. For instance, ElephantPlay rotating nets encourage kids to run around the platform, with the result of worn down surfacing. According to ASTM playground equipment safety standards, you should have a minimum 9” clearance under the platform. It’s best to meet this figure with a surplus of loose fill material to make up for wear over time, much as with ElephantPlay outdoor playground swing sets. This practice will ensure your play area meets playground equipment safety standards—now and in the future!