Safety Standards

Outdoor Playsets

When it comes to children's playsets, safety is paramount. You want the kids in your facility to be safe and to have fun, and so does CedarWorks. We only use the highest quality materials, safest finishes, and design rules that ensure that our playsets are not only fun, but safe for children.

Because of our commitment to safe play, all of our new product designs start with safety at the forefront of the design process. Our commercial playsets meet or exceed ADA requirements; as well as ASTM F1487 standards for 2-5 year olds, 5-12 year olds, and 2-12 year olds; and the CPSC Handbook for Public Playground Safety standard specifications. Learn more about the ADA, ASTM, and CPSC

While design and materials are important to playset safety, one of the most important things you can do to reduce the likelihood of injuries is to install shock-absorbing protective safety surfacing under and around your play equipment. The protective safety surfacing should be applied to a depth that is suitable for the equipment height in accordance with ASTM Specification F 1292. There are different types of surfacing to choose from. Learn more about safety surfacing

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. It affords similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964,[1] which made discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, and other characteristics illegal. Learn more about the ADA

ASTM International

Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is one of the largest voluntary technical standards developing organizations in the world. ASTM is a preeminent developer and provider of international voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems and services. These standards are often used in testing products and materials, and are the basis of manufacturing, management, procurement, and industry codes and regulations. Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public is F1487. Learn more about ASTM

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is a government agency that seeks to promote the safety of consumer products by addressing risks of injury, developing safety standards, and conducting research. CPSC published the Handbook for Public Playground Safety to provide safety information in the form of guidelines. These safety guidelines are intended for use by childcare facilities, schools, multiple family dwellings, parks, restaurants, resorts, and any other area of public use. Learn more about the CPSC

Commercial Safety Surfacing Standards

One of the most important things you can do to reduce the likelihood of injuries is to install shock-absorbing protective safety surfacing under and around your play equipment. The protective safety surfacing should be applied to a depth that is suitable for the equipment height in accordance with ASTM Specification F 1292. There are different types of surfacing to choose from; whichever product you select, follow these guidelines.

Do not install playground equipment over concrete or any other hard surface. A fall onto a hard surface can result in serious injury to the equipment user. Carpeting and thin mats are not adequate protective surfacing.

Review surface specifications before purchasing this type of surfacing. Ask the installer/manufacturer for a report showing that the product has been tested to the following safety standard: ASTM F1292, Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment. This report should show the specific height for which the surface is intended to protect against serious head injury. This height should be equal to or greater than the critical fall height - vertical distance between a designated play surface (elevated surface for standing, sitting, or climbing) and the protective surfacing below.

The critical fall heights of the components in a CedarWorks outdoor playset are below:

Proper placement and maintenance of protective surfacing is essential.
Extend safety surfacing at least 6 feet from the equipment in all directions.