Playground Surface/Fall Zone Check

Inadequate fall zone surfacing is one of the leading contributors to serious playground injuries. This checklist provides systematic assessment of all playground surfacing types against ASTM F2223 and CPSC Publication 325 standards, ensuring proper depth, coverage, and condition of protective surfaces.

Industry: Sports and Recreation
Frequency: Weekly
Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes
Role: Parks Maintenance Staff / Playground Inspector
Total Items: 25

Surfacing Type and Depth Assessment

Measure and verify surfacing depth at critical locations.

Surfacing type identified and appropriate for playground equipment height?
Surfacing depth measured and adequate below swing seats (at least 9 inches for 8-ft height)?
Surfacing depth measured and adequate below climbing structures?
Surfacing depth adequate at bottom of slide exits?
Loose-fill depth uniform throughout fall zone without thin spots?
Loose-fill surfacing not overly compacted in high-use areas?

Fall Zone Coverage Adequacy

Verify surfacing extends required distance from all equipment.

Surfacing extends minimum 6 feet in all directions from stationary equipment?
Swing fall zone extends required distance front and back?
Surfacing covers entire slide exit area including expected landing zone?
No gaps in surfacing coverage between different equipment pieces?
Border containment system intact keeping loose fill within fall zone?
Firm, stable access path connecting accessible play components within fall zone?

Surfacing Material Condition

Inspect condition of surfacing material for safety.

Surfacing free of glass, sharp objects, debris, or foreign materials?
No animal waste present in surfacing materials?
Rubber tile joints tight with no lifting or curling edges?
Poured rubber surface free of cracks, tears, or delamination?
Border edging flush with grade - no trip hazard above surfacing?
Loose fill free of mold, fungal growth, or biological contamination?
Surfacing level and not creating slopes that drain protection away from equipment?

Maintenance Records and Documentation

Document surfacing maintenance needs and schedule.

Date of last raking or loose fill maintenance recorded?
Loose fill replenishment scheduled if depth insufficient?
Annual formal playground inspection by certified inspector on file?
Surfacing impact attenuation test data on file for surfacing material used?
Surfacing maintenance log current and filed?
Budget allocated for surfacing replenishment in current fiscal year?

Related Sports Recreation Checklists

Related Playground Checklists

Why Use This Playground Surface/Fall Zone Check?

This playground surface/fall zone check helps sports and recreation teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for parks maintenance staff / playground inspector professionals, this checklist covers 25 critical inspection points across 4 sections. Recommended frequency: weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Playground Surface/Fall Zone Check cover?

This checklist covers 25 inspection items across 4 sections: Surfacing Type and Depth Assessment, Fall Zone Coverage Adequacy, Surfacing Material Condition, Maintenance Records and Documentation. It is designed for sports and recreation operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed weekly. Each completion takes approximately 20-30 minutes.

Who should use this Playground Surface/Fall Zone Check?

This checklist is designed for Parks Maintenance Staff / Playground Inspector professionals in the sports and recreation industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.