Your Surfacing Questions, Answered

The foundation of any play and recreation space is, literally, the safety surfacing you choose. GameTime's GT Impax brand of safety surfaces is specifically engineered to provide accessibility, durability, and compliance with all applicable standards for outdoor recreation use. Georgia Tippens is the brand manager for GT Impax. In this article, Georgia answers some of the many questions we receive from customers about playground safety surfacing. To learn even more, request a copy of the Strong Foundations guide from PlayCore. 

GameTime: What are the different surfacing choices for playgrounds and fitness spaces? 

Georgia Tippens: Surfacing for playgrounds and outdoor recreational spaces has evolved to include many options depending on your budget and design needs. Both unitary and loose surfacing solutions exist to meet those specific needs. Loose surfacing solutions include EWF (engineered wood fiber, also known as wood chips) and loose-fill rubber (loose tire pieces) and tend to be more economical than unitary. Unitary surfacing solutions include Bonded or PIP (Poured in Place) Rubber installed onsite with Rubber materials and adhesive, artificial Turf with a cushion layer underneath and molded rubber tiles. Unitary options required less maintenance due to replacement requirements for loose-fill surfaces to maintain proper compliance.

Outdoor fitness space installed with GT Impax PouredinPlace (PIP) Rubber Safety Surfacing

With the growing popularity of outdoor fitness spaces and ASTM's F3101 standard specification for outdoor fitness, the need for surfacing in these areas has also increased. Not only does compliant safety surfacing add protection for users, but designs can also attract users and offer direction for use. Increasingly, communities install fitness spaces with colorful PIP or rubber tiles due to the stability and protection both can provide.  

GT: How do I decide which surfacing option to use? 

Tippens: This decision depends on customer preference, budget, or use. Some customers prefer the loose surfacing options for a budgetary reason as they are easier to install but will require regular maintenance in high traffic areas where it may be displaced to remain accessible and in compliance. Unitary options require professional installation but will require less maintenance and will uphold high compliance of accessibility. Unitary options offer added play value using design, color, and optional elevation opportunities.  

Recycled Rubber Tiles offer high accessibility, low maintenance, and fun design options. 

GT: What is the relative cost of playground surfacing by type? 

Tippens: When you average surfacing sales to equipment sales, it is roughly 20% of the equipment sales. Keep in mind, EWF is a smaller percentage of the project, and unitary is a large percentage.

GT: Why is it important to include safety surfacing? 

Tippens: In addition to the compliance and reduced likelihood of a life-threatening injury, it gives communities more peace of mind in free play, an exciting aesthetic, and better accessibility.  

GT: Why should I choose GT Impax surfacing? 

Tippens: GT Impax is part of the overall GameTime product offering. It comes with a trusted name and a wide variety of products and services branded only for GT distribution. The GT Impax team provides training and customer support that includes turnkey billing, insurance, compliance, and experience from experts with over 25 years in the industry. GT Impax is part of the largest network of surfacing installers in the nation.

GT: What are the maintenance considerations for safety surfacing? 

Tippens: Not unlike equipment, maintenance of surfacing installations is critical to the longevity of the investment. Maintenance processes will extend the life, usability, and satisfaction of a play space and ensure longer compliance for surfaces. For example, in loose products, ensuring the proper depth is essential regularly around kick out/high traffic areas. We recommend wear mats to help this dislocation. PIP and bonded unitary products should be cleared of loose debris and roll or spray-coated with urethane to keep it from wearing and drying out every 12-24 months. Holes or wear spots may occur under highly used areas such as swing bays and slide endings. Early patch repairs to these areas will add longevity to the surfacing area. There are also precautions such as more durable PIP inserts during installation that add durability to high traffic areas.  

All surfacing options require maintenance over time. EWF should be replenished, or "topped off", every six to 12 months to ensure compliance.

Turf installations will need regular infill replenishments and brushing to keep the fibers upright. Seam repairs may also be required if seams are installed in higher use zones. Removing debris from rubber tile spaces increases durability and strength in tile installations. Some individual tiles may require replacement if they show extensive wear compared to the rest of the area.  

Learn More

GT Impax Surfacing is the perfect companion to the innovation and product excellence offered by GameTime. With a full product system selection and endless design capabilities, we are leading the industry in innovation and best practice. Contact the GameTime surfacing expert in your area for a quote and more information.