When it comes to designing or renovating a playground, one of the most important safety decisions happens before anyone ever climbs, slides, or swings: choosing the right surfacing. Kids will always play boldly—and that means falls are inevitable. But the severity of those falls? That’s something we can control.
At The Surfacing Group, we believe great play starts with great safety. And one key concept helps determine whether a play space is safe for children: fall height.
Fall height is the measured distance between the highest designated play surface on a piece of equipment and the ground below. This measurement helps predict the potential severity of a fall—and guides which surfacing materials can protect kids best.
While tall equipment may seem risky at first glance, that's not necessarily true. Even playgrounds with significant fall heights can be made safe with the right, compliant surfacing underneath.
Source: BTS_FallHeights_V3_11-2020 [BTS_FallHe...V3_11-2020 | PDF]
Industry experts don’t rely on guesswork. Two important tests help determine whether a surface can adequately absorb shock and reduce the risk of serious injury:
HIC measures how quickly a child’s head decelerates when hitting a surface.
A compliant playground surfacing system must have a HIC score below 1,000, based on the ASTM F1292 safety standard. Anything above that means the surface could contribute to severe head injuries—especially traumatic brain injuries, which are among the most serious playground-related incidents.
Source: BTS_FallHeights_V3_11-2020 [BTS_FallHe...V3_11-2020 | PDF]
GMax measures overall impact force—essentially how much “shock” the body absorbs during a fall.
A compliant GMax score must be 200 or below according to ASTM F1292. Scores above 200 show that the surface delivers a dangerous level of force to the child’s body on impact.
Source: BTS_FallHeights_V3_11-2020 [BTS_FallHe...V3_11-2020 | PDF]
Professional testers use tools like the Triax Impact Tester to measure both HIC and GMax at the highest possible drop points on the equipment. This simulates a “worstcase scenario”—ensuring that even the tallest and riskiest points on the structure remain safe if a fall occurs.
Source: BTS_FallHeights_V3_11-2020 [BTS_FallHe...V3_11-2020 | PDF]
Most reputable surfacing providers aim to go well below the maximum test limits—not just meeting the standard, but exceeding it for greater peace of mind.
Some materials fail the moment they’re tested:
These never meet safety standards for playground use because they cannot provide the shock absorption required to reduce head and body injuries.
Source: BTS_FallHeights_V3_11-2020 [BTS_FallHe...V3_11-2020 | PDF]
There are several compliant, safetyfocused surfacing options—unitary and loosefill—that can be selected based on your budget, fall height requirements, maintenance expectations, and accessibility needs.
But no matter which material you’re considering, always ask for:
✔ HIC scores
✔ GMax scores
✔ Certification to ASTM F1292
These numbers give you a clear, objective picture of how well the surface can protect children where it matters most.
Fall height isn’t just a stat on a spec sheet—it's a crucial part of creating safe, inclusive play spaces where communities can thrive. When properly understood, it allows school districts, municipalities, and design professionals to choose surfacing that genuinely supports children’s wellbeing.
Great surfacing doesn’t stop kids from falling — it helps them get back up.