PLAYGROUND IMPACT TESTING FOR CALIFORNIA COMPLIANCE
IMPACT TESTING FOR PLAYGROUND SURFACES.
There is no such thing as a completely safe playground — but there are standards designed to significantly reduce the risk of serious injury.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 70% of playground injuries result from falls to the surface below. That is why proper playground surfacing is not optional — it is foundational.
Impact-attenuating surfacing within the playground use zone is critical in reducing the severity of fall-related injuries. When properly installed and maintained, compliant surfacing absorbs impact energy and helps prevent life-threatening head injuries.
Our mission is to help playground owners ensure their surfacing meets established safety standards through professional playground impact testing.
WHY PROPER PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATTERS
IMPACT ABSORPTION
Quality surfacing is designed to attenuate impact forces within the playground use zone. When a fall occurs, compliant surfacing reduces the severity of head impact by performing within allowable G-max and Head Injury Criterion (HIC) thresholds as defined in ASTM F1292. Proper impact attenuation is a critical factor in minimizing the risk of serious head injury.
STANDARDS COMPLIANCE
Playground surfacing must comply with ASTM F1292 for impact attenuation based on the critical fall height of the equipment. Testing verifies whether the installed surface continues to perform within acceptable safety limits over time. Environmental conditions, compaction, displacement, and wear can affect performance — which is why periodic evaluation is recommended.
ADA CONSIDERATIONS
Impact attenuation compliance does not automatically mean a surface meets ADA accessibility requirements. ADA accessibility focuses on firmness, stability, and mobility within accessible routes and ground-level play components (commonly evaluated under ASTM F1951 for certain materials).
However, proper installation, maintenance, and performance monitoring of surfacing can support overall accessibility goals by helping maintain consistent and usable conditions within the play area.
HOURS
Mon. - Thurs. 9AM - 5PM
Fri. 9AM - 3PM
some weekend availability