Fall Height (also sometimes called the critical fall height): This is the highest point a child can fall from the play equipment, and there are a few different ways to calculate the fall height (for more information on how to calculate the fall height please call us), we need this information to determine the thickness of the surfacing desired, i.e. rubber mulch, poured in place rubber, or rubber tiles.

Buffing – This is the cushion/padding material that provides the shock absorbency to our playground surfacing, ours is composed of recycled shredded tires.  Also, this is sometimes referred to as the amount of “impact attenuation” needed.

ADA accessible: ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act, many recreation centers/parks are required to have ADA accessible surfacing for their play areas for easy wheelchair access.  All of our playground surfacing options are ADA accessible.

IPEMA certified – IPEMA is the playground surfacing industry’s main watchdog group that provides third party testing for playground surfacing materials, their labs use the strictest testing methods for various types of playground surfacing.  Here at ProDek we have passed all of IPEMA’s standards and therefore all our playground surfacing products are IPEMA certified.  IPEMA stands for International Playground Equipment Manufacturer’s Association.

Los Angeles, CA – As of October 3, 2011 ProDek Inc. is officially IPEMA certified.  IPEMA stands for International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association.  IPEMA provides third party product certification services for U.S. and Canadian public play equipment and public play surfacing materials in the United States.

More About IPEMA

IPEMA’s mission (taken from their website): “To represent and promote an open market for manufacturers of playground equipment and surfacing.”

1. To represent and serve all manufacturers of the playground equipment industry.
2. To provide members with timely, in-depth information on key economic and governmental issues affecting the industry.
3. To promote relationships with other related organizations to enhance the strength of the marketplace.

What does IPEMA certification mean for you?

IPEMA certification signifies that ProDek Inc. has received written validation from  TUV SUD (a globally recognized independent laboratory that offers the highest inspection and certification services for a wide range of industries worldwide) that our products conform to the requirements set by ASTM (one of the largest voluntary standards developing organizations in the world) for “Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment”.  It also means that we are constantly updating our warehouse inventory to offer you the latest innovations in the playground surfacing industry.  Therefore, you can rest assured that ProDek Inc. offers only the best for your playground surfacing needs, because we are a company truly committed to the safety of today’s children.

You can find ProDek Inc. listed as one of IPEMA’S certified products at their website (www.ipema.com)

Based on research the benefits of playgrounds do not stop at  fitness, there are many other benefits playgrounds offer such as providing the opportunities for children to develop their motor, social, emotional, and coginitive skills all of this is based on much research.  Futhermore research on the subject of child brain development shows that “children who do not get the crucial interaction obtained through free play in their first six years will face a lifetime of limited brain power.”

Seeing how playgrounds are such a vital part on child development it is worth the effort to make sure they are properly surfaced for safety, please see our products and how ProDek can help your local playground become your child’s favorite place for safe fun.

National Playground Safety Week April 26th-30th highlighting the things parents and teachers should look for to assure children can enjoy safety in the out of doors.

Sof Solutions, in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), offers the following tips to help in the prevention of injuries and other hazards to children playing on both public and home playgrounds.

• Always supervise children on play equipment to make sure that all are safe at all times.
• The surface around the playground equipment should be soft enough to cushion a fall. Maintain the appropriate depth of wood fiber or rubber surface under and around playground equipment.
• Ensure that protective surfacing extends at least six feet in all directions from play equipment and provides sufficient fall height protection. For swings, extend protective surfacing in both directions of the swing, twice the height of the swing’s suspending bar.
• Enclosed openings on playground equipment must be checked for head entrapment hazards. Children often enter openings feet first and attempt to slide through the opening. If the opening is not large enough, it may allow the body to pass through the opening and entrap the head.
• Playground maintenance is critical to ensure the play area remains safe for childrent. There should be no missing, broken, or worn-out components; all hardware should be secure, repair sharp points or edges, replace missing hardware and close “S” hooks, and all parts should be stale with no apparent sign of loosening.
• Trip hazards are created by play structure components or items left/attached to the playground. Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, pet leashes, or any cord or any kind to play equipment, as these will pose a strangulation hazard.

 The playground and surfacing industry, in cooperation with NRPA, CPSC and ASTM, have escalated efforts to improve the safety of play areas in parks and schools. The activity of play is critical to the health, wellness and development of children; where all children can play, learn and develop is our industries’ mission.
SOF SURFACE / PRODEK, INC.

Transfer systems and vertical access, virtually everyone in the industry on all sides of this issue agrees that transfer systems are ineffective for most kids with mobility impairments. The disagreement about what percentage cannot or choose not to use the transfer system is as high as 95 percent. So that renders the consensus approach, transfer systems, pretty much useless. Transfer systems were negotiated as the preferred method of vertical access in 1995 on the reg-neg committee. But it is clear they don’t work. As an industry, playground manufactures, owners and operators should generate some creative alternatives to transfer systems and ramps. It’s time we admit that transfer systems don’t make playgrounds usable for kids with mobility impairments.

Fourth, in my new role as a consultant instead of a local government administrator, we see an awful lot of playgrounds. One of the things that are clear to me is that playgrounds without ramps need to add more ground level components and fall zones, take up as much, if not more than would a ramp. Of course this is a site-by-site issue and in some sites a ramp would take up more space. But in many it would take less space. We should, as an industry, try to avoid such absolute statements unless there is some objective data to support the statement.

Regarding playground surfacing, it maintenance issue. But if school maintenance staffs are so understaffed that they cannot maintain engineered wood fiber so that it retains its access characteristics, it should not be installed as the surface. Again, this is a reflection of the value placed by the school community on playgrounds. Perhaps a school that acquires and installs compliant loose fill surfaces must also adopt a board resolution directing resources towards greater inspection and maintenance of the playground surface. Or install a rubber surface to allow a day to day approach for the Mobil impaired that wouldn’t constitute a daily maintenance program. And thus create the best access possibly for those impaired. When the cost of maintenance is weighed against the original install cost of the rubber they generally are equal.

But call a spade a spade… some surfaces are not effective and some playgrounds need a ramp.

As the population ages and our birth rates continues to decline, the elderly population is a growing demographic. Have you noticed how people in China use simple pieces of equipment to exercise in parks and on streets? In America we need to adapt the Chinese idea with machines suited to overall American heights and sizes the cost for building senior playgrounds is inexpensive compared to equipping a playground with children’s play structures.

Machines, like the flexibility machine, a metal pole with two big red pulleys and handlebars attached.  “It’s really good for you,” demonstration panels show you the use of each activity like the leg trainer, which looks like a swing for legs for example.

Attempted the back-massage machine in which one has to bend at the knees to rub their back against a knobby texture can be very pleasant and beneficial.

Opening a fitness course or playground for seniors you need to keep in mind that when most the adults have gone home, children run for the machines.

Outdoor fitness equipment that consists of wellness activities designed specifically for active older adults, will also needs to have safety surfacing. What looks like a natural product in a natural setting is actuality a synthetic rubber safety surfacing from ProDek Inc. This resilient surface allows for floor exercises which make for a well rounded fitness routine for seniors.

Artificial Turf And Safety

Composed of woven nylon yarn layered with fabric backing, artificial turf is the safest material for playground surfaces, is much softer than wood chips, smoother than sand, and is slip-resistant which means less falling during play. It meets ASTM Safety rating up to 12 feet high, which means in the case of a fall from a height of twelve feet your child will be protected by the artificial turf surface and reduce the chance of serious injury, especially head injuries. For safety, choose artificial turf that also meets ADA accessibility qualifications for wheelchairs- the surface of the grass should be firm and smooth allowing wheelchairs to roll across with ease. Easily preserved without constant maintenance, it has no displacement of material like sand or wood chips allowing for higher safety ratings.

Health

Unlike natural turf, artificial turf helps limit ankle, knee, shoulder and elbow impact injuries. It is 100% non-toxic, resists UV rays, and is CPSC-certified. Throughout the day, most conventional playground surfaces change consistency and get hot becoming dangerous and undesirable to play on. However, artificial turf may be lightly watered to cool it down during midday heat making it safer for children to continue playing and provide parents with peace of mind.

Cleanliness

With no material displacement, kids stay cleaner using artificial turf. This surface will not come apart and get stuck to clothes, socks, or shoes- no sand or woodchips carried out in pockets or cuffs. Artificial turf will not make a mess and drag remaining pieces of the playground surface into the house or car. It is designed to stay soft and solid and will not deplete or weaken over time making a mess of areas around the playground. Cleaner than wood chips and sand, it is designed with anti-microbial agents which kill and inhibit growth of microorganisms like fungi and bacteria commonly found in other loose-fill playground surfaces.

Longevity

Wood chips and sand have to be refilled and renewed frequently. Repairs on turf are far more attractive than other surfaces, less frequent and less expensive. High-quality artificial turf uses blades 300 microns thick, while lower quality turf uses blades 150 microns thick- that’s twice as thick meaning twice as durable and enduring. Look for 8 year warranties against fading as opposed to 5 year warranties for PIP surfaces.

Appearance

The newly-developed artificial turf products look and feel more like natural grass than the old synthetic turf products. Artificial turf comes in different lengths of blade and a tan thatch to help it look real. It also comes with the options of multiple colors and can be patterned, it’s not just your normal old green grass. Artificial turf will not move and get pushed around and make a mess like wood chips and sand- it doesn’t fade, lose consistency, or change shape. It keeps its appearance and strength much longer than other playground surfaces.

Environmental

Artificial turf uses recycled plastic bottles for the backing material, is comprised of 99% post-industrial and consumer products that can also be recycled again and again. It provides points or credits for architects in the earnings of LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Artificial turf is made up of all recycled material making it completely environmentally safe and better for the economy.

Artificial turf is clearly the best choice, using the best materials designed for safety, health, strength, appearance, and the environment. It is the superior decision in playground surfacing.

It is estimated that over 70 percent of playground injuries are due to falls to the surface. Unfortunately, the very nature of children’s play makes falls to the surface inevitable. In light of this, protective surfacing options remain one of the most overlooked and under-evaluated aspects of playground design.

The types of surfacing available can be generally broken down into two main categories: loose fill, and monolithic or unitary materials.

The initial advantages for loose fill are limited by the generally high life-cycle costs associated with regular maintenance and the replenishment requirements needed to ensure that the surface remains in compliance with current safety standards.

Monolithic or unitary surfacing consists of two major types of products including poured in place (PIP) and prefabricated mats or tiles. These materials are generally made from a combination of recycled and virgin rubber combined with a polyurethane resin.

Unitary surfacing offers quite a few functional advantages including low maintenance and low life cycle costs. Extensive maintenance is not required in order to maintain consistent fall protection and it provides excellent wheelchair mobility

1) Meeting standards for impact attenuation
ASTM F1292-04 is the standard that applies to the impact-absorbing properties of a playground surface. Both categories of surfacing listed above should comply with the current standards provided they are installed to the manufacturer’s specifications. Surfaces such a packed dirt, gravel and asphalt, however, do not meet the standard.

2) Testing to achieve specified fall requirement
When purchasing a safety surface, it is important to consider a system that provides ASTM F1292-04 test results that are a minimum of 20 percent better than the upper limit. A surface producing results close to the upper limit is unlikely to remain in compliance over the long term. Every manufacturer should be able to provide you with documentation of their certified test reports.

3) Compliance with ADA standards
Handicapped accessibility to any playground for the most part is by way of a monolithic or unitary surface and should automatically meet this requirement. Although some loose fill materials also meet this requirement, there are some density questions, as many others do not meet the requirements. Accessibility can be demonstrated by the manufacturer by supplying their test documents indicating compliance to ASTM F 1951.

4) Maintaining the fall height standards
It is important to carefully look at the warranty offered by the manufacturer. G-MAX and HIC Test reports provided by the manufacturer are laboratory reports and do not necessarily take into consideration certain factors that may be unique to your site. Proper maintenance of your rubber surfacing is the key to validate your warranty and maintain their standards. Keeping the playground surface clean and debris free plays an important role in the safety and longevity of your surfacing. Talk with your surfacing company about the details of this maintenance process.

5) Length of guarantee against defects in material and workmanship
One of the biggest challenges for a surfacing manufacture is finding the balance between resilience and durability. The durability lies in manufacturing a product that is both soft enough to provide long-term fall protection but also durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of typical playground use. You should be looking for a minimum 5 to 10 year warranty (depending on the type of surfacing you choose) against premature wear in addition to fall height compliance.

Shopping for a playground safety surface should be given careful consideration. Remember that lower initial price surfaces end up being the higher-priced option in the long term due to extensive maintenance and replenishment costs. Choosing the right playground surfacing company will save you money, and minimize kid safety issues.

For many of us our first introduction to “fake grass” took place at World’s Fairs and Athletic Stadiums in the late 1960’s. This first generation of green plastic turf was costly, hard to the touch, not especially long-lasting and even more damning, it was just plain ugly!!

The new generation of artificial turf looks and feels much like real grass with added benefits: it requires no water, no mowing , and no chemicals or other potentially damaging elements. Generally in business the optimum goal is a win–win. With artificial turf, users quickly realize a win-win-win-win proposition- an excellent return on their investment.

With California in the clutches of a long-time drought severely affecting water usage, many local governments, including all of Los Angeles County, have imposed mandatory water restrictions. On a recent drive through the San Joaquin Valley Drive I was shocked and dismayed at the number of farms that were laying fallow and barren. The agricultural areas that we count on for fruits and vegetables are literally dying of thirst. We have to rethink our water usage and water conservation. ProTurf (trademarked name for artificial turf from Glendale-based Prodek, Inc.) is an excellent place to begin.

As reported in a recent Orange County Register article, it takes 48 inches of annual rain to maintain one square foot of grass. Unfortunately, Southern California only receives an average of 12-13 inches of rain per year. Doing the basic math leaves us with a monumental liquid deficit. Converting a residential lawn to artificial turf would save the average homeowner 22,000 gallons of water per year. With a typical bath tub holding about 35 gallons, that’s a savings of more than 625 bubble baths per year.

Most cities tally their annual cost to maintain an acre of grass at between $4,500–$9,000 per acre. This includes mowing and edging, ongoing maintenance of irrigation systems, fertilizing, weed and pest control, aeration and renovation. The same cities report that their budget for maintaining an acre of artificial turf shrinks to a paltry 20-30%, or just $900–$2,700 per acre. Just imagine how they could spend that windfall?

Above and beyond the financial savings, artificial turf offers a variety of environmental benefits- artificial turf significantly reduces urban runoff. Irrigation of landscaped areas greatly increases pollution to our eco-system. Chemicals from pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and the like have found their way into our waterways and ground water.

Also, since lawn mowers are not necessary with artificial turf, the gasoline combustion engine exhaust emissions and engine noise are eradicated at each site. It’s time for all of us to be nicer to Mother Nature.

Artificial Turf can be installed over recycled shredded rubber buffing which is derived from recycled tires. This marriage of artificial turf and a resilient buffing base makes artificial turf a perfect solution for playgrounds- normally, grass is not approved as a viable playground surface because of safety considerations. However the ASTM, ADA and CPSC have all evaluated ProTurf and given it their blessings for up to a 12-foot fall height. Another example of a perfect win-win.

Looking forward to an end to these tough economic times, the grass will be greener. And more likely than not, it’ll be artificial turf made from recycled tires