Playground Equipment Key Terms

Play it safe by familiarizing yourself with playground equipment lingo

By Casey Holley

Purchasing playground equipment requires consideration for the safety of the children as well as for your budget. Understanding the terms you will come across while searching for the equipment can go a long way toward ensuring that the equipment meets all the standards you set.

Whether you are a playground designer or a business owner purchasing playground equipment, knowing the key terms used in describing playground equipment is vital. This is especially true when you must meet ADA guidelines and safety requirements.

Impact attenuation of surface systems

The term impact attenuation of surface systems refers to the amount of surface padding required for falls from various heights. Public playgrounds must meet certain minimum standards for padded surfaces.
Try: Surface Play offers information about how impact attenuation of surface systems affects play areas.

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that all playgrounds must include equipment that is accessible by people with disabilities. Ramp access to playground equipment is one factor that may be required.
Try: You can information on how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to playground equipment on The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board website.

Certified playground safety inspector (CPSI)

In some locations, you will be required to have the playground you build inspected and approved by a certified playground safety inspector (CPSI).
Try: The National Recreation and Park Association offers playground safety inspector certification honored in most states.

Unsafe playground equipment

Unsafe playground equipment is anything on the playground that could compromise the safety of the children at play.
Try: KidsHealth details unsafe playground equipment that should be avoided.

Fall zone

A fall zone is the area in which a child could land while using a piece of playground equipment. Generally, stationary equipment, such as slides, has a smaller fall zone than mobile equipment, such as swings.
Try: Repair-Home offers information on the ideal fall zones for various types of playground equipment.

Critical height, fall height

The critical height of playground equipment is the maximum height from which a child can fall while using the equipment. However, for playground equipment that moves, such as swings, the critical height may be higher than the actual maximum height of the equipment.
Try: Rubber Flooring Direct offers information about how the critical height for playground equipment is calculated.