Do I need a fence around my playground?
How do I know if my equipment meets minimum safety requirements?
Do I need more than one activity area?
Should I use a plastic play structures?
My play area is sloped, is this ok?
What kind of surfacing should I use in my “use zone?”
Mulch is mulch! So what is the difference?
How long does playground mulch last?
What do I use to keep the loose fill material in the playground?
I obtain landscape timbers from the local lumber yard. Bad Choice?
I have a concrete pad (or asphalt) under my playground. What type of surfacing is allowed?
What type maintenance is required for my play equipment?
Who do I call for information?
Contact us for more information!
Pricing is not displayed in many catalogs and websites for various reasons. The purpose (at least in our case) is not to trick you or sell more to you. Pricing requires a complicated formula with variable components. The first issue is the most complicated and volatile. Fuel prices in recent history, spiked to a 150% increase, then decreased nearly an equal amount after about a year. Steel prices had a sharp increase of several hundred percentage points and has not decreased like fuel. With variable costs from our manufacturers, pricing may change daily.
There are questions that need to be answered before accurate pricing can be determined. Freight to send a component or complete system to you will vary, depending on where you are located. Freight companies have a complicated table of tariff rates coupled with surcharges for various situations. A commercial delivery differs from a residential delivery. Many freight companies regard locations that should be commercial as a residential delivery and add a fee. If a location doesn't have a freight dock and forklift, the commercial carrier may impose a fee to deliver, a fee to unload and a fee for a delay in time. Churches, daycares and neighborhood parks are a commercial location, sometimes considered residential. Shipped items may be packaged differently, depending on the items you select. Shipping a 20 pound cardboard box differs from the crate that is built to ship a 3000 pound play structure.
Another factor to consider is your total package, or the big picture. If you see a price for a playground and set budget, you might be disappointed when you learn it will be an additional cost for installation, freight or other necessary items. Installation will vary based on more than a handful of reasons. You may also need surfacing, containment border or other equipment to conduct a safe installation. When comparing vendors, retailers or manufacturers you are looking at safety, quality, reliability and dependability along with other factors. While these are most important, you need to look at all of the associated costs to make an accurate comparison.
With a variety of variable costs, some manufacturers and retailers will post prices with all of the various factors added in to the displayed price. To properly budget and plan your play and recreation areas we don't want to propose a price that includes a lot of features that you don't need. There are discounts that might be applied if you purchase more than one component. Shipping two of the same items is usually cheaper than the freight costs associated with shipping them individually. Catalogs, warehouses and websites with bottom line computed prices probably do not reflect volume or consolidation discounts. After years in business we are very familiar with the concept of posting these bargain prices, thereafter hitting you with surcharges to complete the transaction.
If you are trying to shop by price, call or email us and we will discuss the options with you and offer pricing based on your specific situation. You may see a close match with a structure we have already designed. We can take that and add or change components to create the unique result that fits your needs. We consider that a step above and beyond catalog pricing. No extra charge, only extra service! (Back to FAQ)
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Answering this question is somewhat like trying to predict the temperature! Freight or shipping rates are calculated using complex factors that involve the size, weight and contents of the items shipped. Many components and playground systems require odd shapes to be arrive at your door. The issue is further complicated by federal tariff tables and discounts. Freight carriers then determine another parameter using delivery requirements or options. Your provided shipping address may be regarded by a particular freight carrier differently than you would expect. Many times child care centers, churches and schools are regarded as residential deliveries due to the difficulty carriers have in reaching and unloading products at your location. Some vendors simply ignore these specific issues and provide "curbside" delivery quotes. Your experience may not be a good one if your product is sitting out in the street in front of your business. A 70' long tractor trailor rig is often unwelcome at schools during hours the children are around. Many driveways and delivery doors can't be reached by a vehicle of this size and weight. In most cases we prefer to handle freight on a case by case basis. This means extra work on our part and possibly a delay on your end. We would rather tell you this up front and create the proper answer for you rather than have problems or confusion at delivery time. The bed of a delivery truck can often be four feet off of the ground. Unloading a book or television from this height is not nearly as difficult as an eight foot long slide weighing in at several hundred pounds. An entire playground might weight in at several tons. Some of our competitors have automated freight pricing and quotes on their website. Often these are inflated rates to compensate for inevitable issues. We would rather install the extra fact finding step in the process and work with our carriers to obtain the best rates and most accurate paramters. Ultimately your savings and experience will make up for this delay. (Back to FAQ)
(one of our playground shipping docks!)
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The Texas DFPS states you must have 80 feet of outdoor activity space for each child using the activity area at a time. Your outdoor space must be equal to at least 25% of your indoor capacity. (Back to FAQ)
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Yes, and No! You may utilize an indoor playground. In addition, you must also maintain the required amount of outdoor activity area. You must use impact surfacing on the “use zone” of the playground, it must meet stair and step requirements, and protective barriers must be used for decks over 20”. We have a variety of products to meet indoor and outdoor active and passive play requirements, including surfacing tiles. (Back to FAQ)
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Do I need a fence around my playground?
There are two types of border you will need to consider. A border around your play equipment “use zone” will contain safety surfacing. A fence around the outdoor activity space must be at least 4’ high. Fence selection should consider local codes, and meet design requirements for playground safety. Be sure your fence meets ASTM F2049 (Standard Guide for Fences/Barriers for Public, Commercial, and Multi-Family Residential Use Outdoor Play Areas). Most fence contractors are not familiar with this standard, many fence distributors will provide materials that do not meet some of the most basic safety standards in this referenced document. (Back to FAQ)
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How do I know if my equipment meets minimum safety requirements?
Guidelines from the DFPS are somewhat vague and confusing. Design, manufacture and installation should all meet CPSC standards. The most comprehensive standard for playground equipment manufacturing is set forth by the ASTM. A company’s membership in IPEMA identifies their compliance to ASTM standards. Just because your product meets standards, this doesn't mean your playground meets safety recommendations. Many manufacturers and dealers utilize 3rd party installers. Cost saving moves such as this, or even conducting your own installation may not result in the best results. Know who is installing and maintaining your equipment, and know their creditials, Even with the highest standards in place, it is best to conduct a thorough inspection by a certified inspector (CPSI- NRPA/NPSI). The 2008 revision to Publication 325 "Handbook for Public Playground Safety" recommends an inspection by a trained professional after installation and before play. This is in addition to mandatory, scheduled inspection and maintenance you must regularly conduct.(Back to FAQ)
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Do I need more than one activity area?
Each age group requires different activities and has restrictions for the types of equipment that can be used. Typically you would have a toddler area (0-2), pre-school area (2-5) and school age area (5-12). 2008 revisions to CPSC guidelines suggest not only distinct play areas, but distinct pathways. Planning a playground isn't only buying equipment. Work with a professional to design your playground. Your dream may not be achieved in one purchase, so look for planning that allows you to grow and expand. (Back to FAQ)
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There is more to safety than simply the materials used. Wood must not be treated with toxic chemicals such as CCA or creosote. Untreated wood will deteriorate rapidly. Wood surfaces must be splinter free. Given the nature of nature, this is nearly impossible to achieve, and becomes worse as wood ages. The design of wooden structures often does not meet CPSC requirements for safety, with elevated play surfaces, nails and screws. As these products age, stability becomes an issue. Many wooden structures are not designed for commercial use, and bring additional risk to children and liability to the owner. Guidelines and recommendations state that materials utilized should have a proven durability for commercial play. Many wooden designs will save you money up front, but become short term regrets as replacement and repairs increase.
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Should I use a plastic play structures?
Plastic is not usually the defining factor in assessment of safety. Many businesses are enticed by the economical play achieved with plastic play equipment obtained from discount and toy stores. While these are often made by well known companies and sold in well known outlets, they often bear written warning that they are not to be used for commercial play. Play equipment made for residential use is guided by different standards for play and safety. DFPS standards require that design and scale be appropriate, thus prohibiting the use of residential grade equipment. Play equipment must be securely anchored. It is not possible to securely anchor most of this residential equipment. Guidelines and recommendations state that materials utilized should have a proven durability for commercial play. Many plastic designs will save you money up front, but become short term regrets as replacement and repairs increase. (Back to FAQ)
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My play area is sloped, is this ok?
No, not really. If you are asking this question, there is probably too much slope. Playground safety standards suggest no greater than a two degree slope. The formula is a bit complicated, even with a scientific calculator! We have a calculator online to help. Consult us or your landscape professional for guidance (Back to FAQ)
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What kind of surfacing should I use in my “use zone?”
Up to 79% of playground injuries occur from falls to the surface. This makes this one of the most important areas of the activity area. Unfortunately this is also one of the most neglected areas of the playground. There must be loose-fill surfacing or unitary (such as mats) beneath the entire “use zone.” This can be wood, sand, gravel or rubber. Each has benefits and concerns that you should discuss with a professional and understand. Economy up front doesn't always make sense. Maintenance costs add up fast, and the expense of replenishment make other options more economical than they first appear. (Back to FAQ)
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Mulch is mulch! So what is the difference?
WOOD CHIPS
There are many processes to create “mulch.” Chipped wood often comes from a chipper machine and utilizes reclaimed or recycled materials. Sharp pieces and contaminants must be removed. Is it possible to filter through a dump truck load of material looking for a tip of a nail that came from a recycled pallet that has been ground up? Is it possible to locate materials that may have been contaminated from oil, pesticides or chemicals and remove them from this bulk of materials? This material may also be called “playground mulch” or “Children Cushion” to further confuse this choice. This type of material is not recommended for playgrounds.(Back to FAQ)
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DOUBLE SHREDDED BARK MULCH
Most often used in your flower bed, and commonly available. The source of the raw material is usually not known, and it is not certified as contaminant or chemical free. The process of double shredding causes this product to decompose rapidly. The purpose of playground surfacing it to attenuate (reduce impact) falls to the surface. The purpose of mulch in your garden is aesthetic, nutritional and to retain moisture. This causes the economical choice to become more expensive and more hazardous in the medium and long term scope of use. This type of material is not recommended for playgrounds.(Back to FAQ)
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ENGINEERED WOOD FIBER (EWF)
This is the recommended wood product for use in the playground. It is uniform in size, made from pine or hardwoods. There are no leaves or bark in the mixture. It does not contain pesticides, chemicals or contaminants. You can only be assured of the safety and quality of your materials in this class of surfacing by appropriate certification. IPEMA manufacturers follow strict process guidelines, and must have certified testing conducted on their products. (Back to FAQ)
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How long does playground mulch last?
The value life of surfacing is an extremely variable answer and depends on a number of factors.
Use. It would seem that more use would deteriorate the life of surfacing. In fact, more use can actually extend the life. Children playing in the play zone will naturally compact the surface, but they will also rotate it. Digging, jumping or other activities may rotate the moist underlay to the surface and allow it to dry. Moisture is one of the biggest causes of decomposition.
2. Temperatures. With moisture one of the largest causes of decomposition, temperature plays a big factor in the amount of moisture. Cool, damp areas from overhead shade may not dry out properly and will cause lower depths to decompose or compost. Hot, dry spells in the summer with days on end of searing 100 degree days will help dry the area. This doesn’t mean dry days will completely dry the surfacing down to the ground level. If the underlying inches of surfacing remain moist, extreme heat on the surface could accelerate compost effects from heat.
3. Rainfall. More water, standing water, long rainy seasons- all contribute to decomposition. The more water added, the more important drainage and rotation will become.
4. Drainage. Once a playground is installed, drainage is difficult to alter. Above ground and grade installations have a natural advantage to allow rain water to run off. Below ground installations or “pit” style playgrounds will naturally accumulate water if attention has not been given to this during the design. Playgrounds should always be installed with a grade or slope of less than 2 degrees for safety. One degree or less of slope to the grade will encourage or allow drainage. In pit installations, there must either be a drain facility or drain system. If the average grade of the area is below the grade of the drain area, the pit will simply not drain. Installation of drainage systems at this point is not cost effective. Frequent rotation is essential to allow maximum drainage and dry out of the lower inches of surfacing. Grade, slope and drainage are specialized issues that landscape designers, architects and drainage specialists have expertise and certifications for.
5. Rotation. Depending on the factors creating moisture and compaction to the playground, rotation may decelerate the decomposition and extend the life of the playground. Consider the depth of the surfacing at a maximum of 12” installed. If the lower 2” of surfacing remains moist, 17% of the surfacing is in compost mode. Over a period of time, more surface is decomposed than valuable play surface remains. This is costly, but more importantly, a safety hazard to children at play. Using a long fork, tine or prong tool, pull back a sample of surfacing the height of the cushion. Examine the lower amounts. If it is moist, it will decompose more rapidly than when dry. In your periodic maintenance of the play area, schedule a manual aeration of the surfacing. A pitchfork placed in the surfacing and pulled back is a simple task but will take time to cover every square foot of the play zone.
6. Perimeter Maintenance. Frequently questions arise of how to prevent grass from growing in play surfacing. If there is an ample level of dry surfacing, it is hard to grow grass or weed. Train maintenance personnel to direct clippings away from play area when mowing grass, edging or “weed trimming.” Train personnel in the use of herbicides and pesticides. As a basic rule, they should never be used in a playground area. There are many non-toxic alternatives available. Read instruction labels for any materials that are utilized in the playground, or adjacent areas. Most labels have a section explaining use in areas utilized by children and pets.
With these factors in mind, we can attempt to answer the question. Customers with well maintained play zones typically call us every 18-24 months. A full replenishment is usually not needed. Before replenishment, look at the condition of the surfacing. Evaluate the life you achieved and consider factors that may have contributed to an early need for replenishment. Even though installed surfacing will compact, having a well knit base of material in good condition will lessen the amount needed for the next purchase. Topping off the playground in 2 years with 33% of the original volume added means the life expectancy of the surfacing for that scenario is approximately 6 years. It is hard to calculate an amount or rate without an original fill and subsequent replenishment. A 33% fill over 2 years average equates to a replenishment budget every year of approximate 1/6th of the total volume purchase. Less than optimum scenarios are often seen, such as replenishment needed of 25-33% after 1 year. If you find yourself replenishing more often than this you should concentrate on the factors that are probably causing decomposition. Simply covering up a problem with replenishment may not be the best solution, either. If you think you have 12 inches of surfacing and the bottom 6 inches have decomposed to earth, the effectiveness of the impact attenuation is severely diminished. Many times the underlying reason for this question is a simple cost factor. How much it is going to cost to maintain my playground? Remember that professional inspections should be utilized to assist in your maintaining a safe playground. Budget for optimum safety, you can never be "too" safe!
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What do I use to keep the loose fill material in the playground?
There are many ways to retain the surfacing. A recessed pit with proper drainage installed does not require an above ground border or barrier, and may result in less of a tripping hazard. PVC landscape timbers can be utilized in above ground installations. Playground timbers have a long term durability factor and are usually secured with long, galvanized steel stakes with rounded heads recessed into the timbers. While either of these require a greater up front expense, they require less maintenance and upkeep. (Back to FAQ)
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I obtain landscape timbers from the local lumber yard. Bad Choice?
Let math and common sense prevail! If you must install up to 12” of surfacing in your use zone, then you must have a containment border at a minimum of 12” high. Lumber yard timbers are usually 3.5” high. This would require that you stack these timbers four layers high. Securing these rows of timbers must be done layer by layer. Using screws, nails or bolts is placing a LOT of known dangers in your child activity area. Cutting these timbers to proper length breaches the value of the treatment used to preserve it. The lower rows of timbers are in constant contact with ground water run-off and drainage so there is a high probability of decomposition and failure. You may now have a very dangerous situation, with instability, sharp edges, sharp protrusions, and failure to contain the surfacing material. Maintaining and replacing this bulging and toppling wall is difficult and labor intensive. This type of landscape timber is probably one of the worst choices for containment of your surfacing material!
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I have a concrete pad (or asphalt) under my playground. What type of surfacing is allowed?
Loose fill materials (wood, rubber, sand, gravel) must NOT be installed over concrete or asphalt. Concrete or asphalt surfaces require that you install rubber tiles, mats or poured in place surfacing in your use zone. While this is a much greater initial expense than loose fill products, it is easier to maintain the proper depth of surface. Once purchased and properly installed, compaction and decomposition are much slower. Many owners find this class of material easier to inspect and maintain. The 2008 revision to CPSC guidelines recommends against installing loose fill over hard surface unless there are additional layers of protection added. This is not allowed in DFPS licensed facilities. The addition of extra protection, wear pads and additional height of containment border add to the cost of loose fill to a price level around the same as unitary surfacing. Maintenance costs will be incurred from continuous efforts to keep the surfacing level proper, membrane barrier intact and safely in place, and drainage subsurface properly installed. (Back to FAQ)
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What type maintenance is required for my play equipment?
In your scheduled inspections you should document and take corrective action on all issues you observe. Inspections must be thorough, detailed and objective. Picking up litter is an on the spot activity, but you may find other problems that need parts or repair. Hazards may require that you take an activity or entire structure out of service until it is repaired. Repairs should be made in compliance to manufacturer recommendations. At some point in the life of the equipment you may need to assess the value of repair versus replacement. While it is often a greater expense to replace equipment, we can not place a value on the safety of our children.(Back to FAQ)
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Payment methods for playgrounds vary with the type of service, product or equipment. Large purchases may be a problem for cash flow in a small (or perhaps even a large) business. When planning your playground, consider your overall financial situation. Don't let money impact safety. It would be a better business decision to build a portion of an activity area than build something that doesn't meet appropriate safety considerations. Your design plan may include stages for present and future development. There are also numerous fund raising programs or finance and leasing options available to help match your playground to your business needs.
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Who do I call for information?
You have a business to run! Let DunRite Playgrounds assist with your planning, design and installation of new activity areas. Let DunRite Playgrounds and an experienced team of playground and recreation professionals help with your inspections, upgrades and refurbishment needs. Our certified inspections are a comprehensive, detailed and thorough review of compliance to DFPS, CPSC and ASTM standards. Just as important, let us show you HOW to inspect your playground, and what to look for.
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Common Abbreviations Used
DFPS- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
“Standards”- Minimum Standard Rules for Child-Care Centers, published by DFPS
ASTM- American Society of Testing and Materials
CPSC- Consumer Product Safety Commission, Publication 325: Handbook for Public Playground Safety
IPEMA- International Playground Equipment Manufacturing Association
CPSI- Certified Playground Safety Inspector, nationally certified by examination
NPSI- National Playground Safety Institute
NRPA- National Recreation and Parks Association
CCA- Chromated Copper Arsenic used as recently as 2003 to treat wood, now known as hazardous