There is no such thing as a completely safe playground — but there are recognized methods to evaluate conditions that can influence the severity of fall-related impacts. One of the most important variables is the playground surface within the equipment use zone.

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Many playground injuries involve falls to the surface below. Impact-attenuating surfacing is intended to reduce the severity of impact forces, but performance can change over time due to wear, compaction, displacement, drainage conditions, and climate exposure. Professional surface impact testing provides documentation of how the installed surface is performing at the time of testing, helping owners make informed maintenance and replacement decisions.

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What We Do

We provide on-site playground surface impact testing to evaluate impact attenuation performance at selected test locations within the play area. Testing is performed with reference to ASTM F1292 criteria and includes reporting of G-max and Head Injury Criterion (HIC) results.

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When relevant information is available (for example, equipment fall height documentation or surfacing specifications), we can help owners compare test results to project documentation and discuss practical next steps. Our testing is focused on documenting field performance.

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What You Receive

Your deliverables are designed to be useful for decision-making.

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Reports typically include:

• Test locations and site context

• G-max and HIC results recorded during testing

• Notes on observed surfacing conditions that may affect performance (example: displacement, compaction, visible wear)

• Photo documentation

• Practical next-step recommendations when relevant (maintenance planning, repair considerations, or re-test timing)

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What Testing Can (and Can’t) Tell You

Surface impact testing provides a snapshot of installed surfacing performance under field conditions at the tested locations. Because site conditions vary, performance may differ across a playground based on traffic patterns, drainage, shade, and maintenance history.

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Testing is useful for:

• Establishing baseline documentation

• Identifying areas that may warrant maintenance attention

• Supporting budgeting and repair planning

• Tracking change over time through periodic evaluation

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Testing is not the same as a manufacturer’s laboratory rating and is not intended to “prove” that injuries cannot occur. Falls and injuries can occur even when equipment and surfacing meet applicable criteria.

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Why Periodic Testing Matters

Even when surfacing was originally installed to meet specifications, performance can change. A surface can look acceptable visually and still perform differently than expected in certain zones — and the reverse can also be true.

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Common factors that affect field performance include:

• Compaction and loss of resiliency

• Kick-out/displacement in high-traffic zones

• Drainage conditions and moisture retention

• Heat, UV exposure, and climate effects

• Repairs that change thickness or consistency

• General aging and material breakdown

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Accessibility Considerations

Impact attenuation performance and accessibility are related to the surfacing system, but they evaluate different characteristics.

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• Impact attenuation evaluation is commonly referenced to ASTM F1292.

• Accessibility considerations for routes and certain play components are often evaluated using methods associated with ASTM F1951 for particular surface systems and conditions.

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If accessibility is a concern at your site (especially for routes and ground-level components), we can discuss whether additional evaluation is appropriate based on your surfacing type and site layout.

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Who We Serve

We work with organizations responsible for public-use or managed playgrounds, including:

• HOAs and property management companies

• Cities and municipalities

• Schools and child care facilities

• Churches and nonprofits

• Hotels, resorts, and commercial properties

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We provide services across Southern to Central California, with further travel available.

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When Clients Schedule Surface Impact Testing

Common reasons include:

• New installations (baseline documentation)

• Routine condition monitoring

• After repairs, patching, or top-off work

• After unusual weather events or drainage issues

• When surfacing looks thin, displaced, uneven, or heavily worn

• Prior to re-opening, turnover, or insurance-related reviews

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Request a Proposal

To provide an accurate proposal, we typically need:

• Site address (or city + general location but we like to see if we can see the size of the location on Google Maps for proposal accuracy.)

• Number of playground areas

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Additional Information that can be helpful, but is not necessary for a proposal:

• Surfacing type (if known)

• Approximate equipment heights (if known)

• Any specific concerns (thin areas, drainage issues, recent repairs)

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Our mission is to help playground owners evaluate whether their surfacing meets applicable performance standards