Is A Wooden Playground Structure Safe?

Is a WOODEN Playground Structure Safe?

There is more to playground safety than simply the material selection. This isn't an easy or simple answer. Where you are utilizing your playground equipment may suggest that wood is not as an appropriate of a product as those made from other materials. When considering a backyard playground, DunRite Playgrounds suggests that you review the Outdoor Home Playgrounds Safety Handbook from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) . Therein you will find a some useful tips:

Wood must not be treated or coated with toxic chemicals such as CCA or creosote.
Wood treated with newer, alternative chemicals may not be compatible with equipment hardware.
Proper parts should be utilized that have been provided or recommended by the manufacturer.
Assembly instructions should be followed (yes, you should read them!).
Unit should be anchored to the ground as recommended by the manufacturer.
Surfacing should be installed under and around play equipment.

This leads one to believe that design, manufacture,assembly (installation) and maintenance are important, not only the choice of wood versus metals. Keep in mind a few other factors:

Untreated wood will deteriorate rapidly. As these products age, stability may become an issue.
Wood surfaces must be splinter free. Given that wood is a product 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.

WOOD in Commercial (Public) Facilities?

Many wooden structures are not designed for commercial use, and bring additional risk to children and liability to the owner. Some 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. With many manufacturers and retailers offering wooden products for play, ask for and review specifications. Does the equipment meet the CPSC recommendations for design and safety? Review the Public Playground Safety Handbook. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) publishes voluntary stardards for the industry. Consult a playground professional, such as a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI). "The Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) program is offered by the National Certification Board in coordination with the National Park and Recreation Association and the National Playground Safety Institute. CPSIs are certified to inspect playgrounds for safety hazards and to ensure compliance with national standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). "

A long way to get to the simple answer: Yes and No. Consult a professional for guidance.

Source: 2.5 Equipment Materials

Public Playground Safety Handbook - CPSC Publication 325

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

2.5.1 Durability and finish

• Use equipment that is manufactured and constructed only of materials that have a demonstrated record of durability in a playground or similar setting.

• Finishes, treatments, and preservatives should be selected carefully so that they do not present a health hazard to users.

2.5.4 Paints and finishes

• The manufacturer should ensure that the users cannot ingest, inhale, or absorb potentially hazardous amounts of preservative chemicals or other treatments applied to the equipment as a result of contact with playground equipment.

2.5.5 Wood

• Wood should be either naturally rot and insect resistant(e.g., cedar or redwood) or should be treated to avoid such deterioration.

• Creosote-treated wood (e.g., railroad ties, telephone poles, etc) and coatings that contain pesticides

should not beused.

2.5.5.1 Pressure-treated wood

A significant amount of older playground wood was pres-sure-treated with chemicals to prevent damage from insects and fungi. Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) was a chemical used for decades in structures (including playgrounds).Since December 31, 2003, CCA-treated wood is no longer processed for use in playground applications. Other rot and insect resistant pressure treatments are available that do not contain arsenic; however, when using any of the new treated wood products, be sure to use hardware that is compatible with the wood treatment chemicals. These chemicals are known to corrode certain materials faster than others.

Existing playgrounds with CCA-treated wood

Various groups have made suggestions concerning the application of surface coatings to CCA-treated wood (e.g., stains and sealants) to reduce a child’s potential exposure to arsenic from the wood surface. Data from CPSC staff and EPA studies suggest that regular (at least once a year) use of an oil or water based, penetrating sealant or stain can reduce arsenic migration from CCA-treated wood. Installers, builders, and consumers who perform woodworking operations, such as sanding, sawing, or sawdust disposal, on pressure-treated wood should read the consumer information sheet available at the point of sale. This sheet contains important health precautions and disposal information.

When selecting wood products and finishes for public play-grounds, CPSC staff recommends:

• Avoid “film-forming” or non-penetrating stains (latex semi-transparent, latex opaque and oil-based opaque stains) on outdoor surfaces because peeling and flaking may occur later, which will ultimately have an impact on durability as well as exposure to the preservatives in the wood.

• Creosote, pentachlorophenol, and tributyl tin oxide are too toxic or irritating and should not be used as preservatives for playground equipment wood.

• Pesticide-containing finishes should not be used.

• CCA-treated wood should not be used as playground mulch.