One of the most crucial and often overlooked parts of setting up your swing set is what to put under it. When carefully considered and properly handled, this ground level play area can have its safety significantly improved. While the sets themselves come loaded with smart safety features, bringing surfacing material to the playground will complete your setup and make every space ready for exciting outdoor play!
As such, we’ve listed the top playset safety recommendations from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). You can read their guide in full here.
Fall Zones
A fall zone is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the area in and around the playset that kids may fall. All this space should be covered with a sufficient level of surfacing material to provide padding and protection. In addition, all equipment, obstacles, and other potentially hazardous objects should be well clear of this space so as not to pose a risk.
For permanent installations like slides and climbing features, it is recommended to have fall zones that are at least 6’ around the entire perimeter of the features.
Swings on the other hand, will have zones of at least 6’ extending from each side of the support structure.Regarding both the front facing and back facing sides, their fall zones should extend a distance of at least twice the height of the swing as measured from the ground to the top of the swing set.
Choosing What Material to Put Under Your Swing Set
The great thing about surfacing material is that it will be different depending on preference and swing set height. This gives you the chance to create a more personal playground environment. Discover all the material options below.
Loose-Fill Materials
Typically seen in more suburban areas, loose-fill materials feature the likes of rubber mulch, wood mulch, sand, and pea gravel. While they make excellent surfacing material, it’s important to note that they can become choking hazards due to the small size of the individual pieces.
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Rubber Mulch
When it comes to bigger playsets, the best loose fill option is rubber mulch. With plenty of shock absorption, longevity, and a lower level of maintenance, it’s the perfect choice for decks up to 8’ tall. While it does cost a bit more than the other materials, all the positive characteristics give it plenty of value.
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Wood Mulch
Featuring almost the same level of absorbency as rubber mulch, wood mulch brings a more natural appeal to the play area at a lower cost. Plus, it’s more versatile and can be used in a variety of ways outside of the playset. The main downside to consider is that it’s susceptible to things like mold and insect damage. However, with the right play area care it still makes for a very effective and safe option.
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Sand
Another great option, sand is a classic choice for anyone who wants a more down-to-earth look at an affordable price. It absorbs shock from heights ep to 5’ and is readily available and easily replaceable. One thing to consider is that due to its loose nature, it can be kicked outside of the play space and tends to spread more than the other choices. It’s also important to perform regular checks as things like toys can get lost in the sand.
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Pea Gravel
Typically seen in public areas like parks, gardens, picnic areas, and more, Pea gravel is a popular choice because of its effective shock absorption and smooth feel. It has that unmistakable nostalgic appeal that might remind you of your favorite swing set from when you were a kid. While it makes a very good surfacing material, you will have to be careful as the small stones can become a choking hazard.
Poured-in-Place Surfaces and Rubber Tiles
However, if you are still unsure about loose-fill materials then poured-on-place surfaces or rubber tiles can be an excellent alternative.
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Poured-in-Place Surfaces
As you might have guessed, poured in place surfaces are flooring that is physically poured into place and left to harden. It’s similar to a child friendly concrete where instead of having a super hard surface, you get a safe, highly shock absorbent area for your kids to play. Just remember that unlike the loose-fill materials, poured-in-place surfaces require professional installation.
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Rubber Tiles
The great thing about rubber tiles is that they offer all the benefits of poured-in-place surfaces but they are more DIY and can be more easily replaced if one gets damaged. Not only that, but they are highly shock absorbent and offer plenty of traction for safety.
How Much Material to Use
No matter which loose-fill material you use, for deck heights of 8 feet we recommend having at least nine inches of material. This will provide ample cushioning for falls and general play safety. Just remember that over time any material will flatten out due to constant use and may need to be refilled to keep the proper height. To save time in the future, having a dill depth of 12 inches is recommended as it will compress to 9 inches after extensive use. Thus, it ensures your play space is always at a safe depth.
Protective Surfacing Fall Height Guides
What most people may not realize is that nearly 60% of all injuries are the result of falls. That’s why having the right protective surfacing covering your play space’s fall zones is so crucial in creating a safe area for your kids to grow and have fun. While there are plenty of safe and effective surface materials available, it’s important to check test data from the manufacturer that goes into detail about shock absorbing performance.
One final thing to note is that even though they may seem acceptable, surfaces like grass, dirt, asphalt, or concrete should not be used. This is because they have been proven to be significantly less safe than proper surfacing materials.
Fall Height in Feet From Which a Life-Threatening Head Injury Would Be Greatly Reduced
| Type of material | 6” Depth | 9” Depth | 12” Depth |
| Rubber Mulch | 12' Fall Height | N/A | N/A |
| Double shredded bark mulch | 6' Fall Height | 10' Fall Height | 11' Fall Height |
| Wood chips | 6' Fall Height | 7' Fall Height | 12' Fall Height |
| Fine sand | 5' Fall Height | 5' Fall Height | 9' Fall Height |
| Shredded Tires* | 10-12' Fall Height | N/A | N/A |
| Fine gravel | 6' Fall Height | 7' Fall Height | 10' Fall Height |
* This data is from tests conducted by independent testing laboratories on a 6-inch depth of uncompressed shredded tire samples produced by four manufacturers. The tests reported critical heights, which varied from 10 feet to greater than 12 feet. It is recommended that persons seeking to install shredded tires as a protective surface request test data from the supplier showing the critical height of the material when it was tested in accordance with ASTM F1292.
It should be recognized that all injuries due to falls cannot be prevented no matter what surfacing material is used.
