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PROFESSIONAL TOP AMUSEMENT EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER!
-Dec 24, 2025-
Designing EN 1177 playground surfacing means matching surface performance to equipment fall height, choosing tested materials with proven impact absorption, installing at the correct thickness, and confirming safety after installation. When these steps are followed carefully, playgrounds deliver reliable protection, reduce injury risk, and meet professional expectations for schools, parks, and community play areas.
EN 1177 is the European safety requirement that defines how playground surfacing must absorb impact. It sets limits for head impact forces when a child falls from equipment.
The standard focuses on two values, head injury criterion and peak deceleration. A surface is compliant when these values stay within the safe range at the declared critical fall height. For buyers such as kindergarten managers or municipal departments, this proves the surface can protect children in real use.
Golden Times designs rubber tiles, wet-pour systems, and other surfaces that are verified to meet these conditions, helping international clients build safe playground environments.
Compliance protects children from serious head injuries by ensuring the surface can reduce the shock of a fall.
It also protects project owners. Playgrounds that follow EN 1177 are easier to approve, insure, and maintain. Non-compliant surfaces often harden over time, leading to higher risk and liability.
Golden Times integrates EN 1177 requirements into playground solutions for kindergartens, residential communities, malls, and parks, supporting long-term safety and reliability.
Critical fall height is the highest drop at which a surface still absorbs impact safely.
The process involves controlled drop tests using a sensor-equipped headform. The headform is released from increasing heights until the measured impact values exceed safe limits. The highest safe height becomes the critical fall height for that surface.
Golden Times verifies this value for every batch of rubber tiles and wet-pour surfacing so buyers can clearly match equipment to surface performance.
| Surfacing Type | Typical Critical Fall Height | Common Installation Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber tiles | Up to 3 m | 40–60 mm |
| Wet-pour rubber | Up to 3 m | 40–100 mm |
| Wood chips | Up to 2.5 m | 300 mm |
| Sand | Up to 1.5 m | 300 mm |
Materials that meet EN 1177 include wet-pour rubber, interlocking rubber tiles, engineered wood fiber, sand, and bark.
Rubber systems are preferred for high-traffic areas because they are durable, colorful, and easy to clean. Loose-fill materials are lower in cost but need frequent maintenance to keep their depth.
Golden Times supplies a full range of EN 1177-tested rubber surfacing options that combine safety with attractive design.
Selection starts with the free fall height of each piece of equipment.
Measure the highest point from which a child could fall, then choose a surface whose critical fall height is equal to or greater than that value. The surfacing must also extend beyond the equipment footprint so that all impact zones are protected.
Golden Times works with playground equipment wholesalers and community developers to ensure the chosen surfacing always matches real equipment risks.
A well-prepared base is essential for safe surfacing.
Remove debris, level the area, and install a compacted sub-base with proper drainage. A slight slope allows water to run off and prevents pooling that can weaken the surface.
Golden Times project teams always include edging and drainage layers so that EN 1177 performance is maintained after years of use.
There are two main approaches.
Laboratory testing checks samples before delivery to confirm their certified fall height. On-site testing checks the installed surface at the playground, especially at weak or heavily used points.
Golden Times supports clients with both procedures, ensuring confidence before opening a new playground.
Installation must follow the supplier’s thickness and curing guidelines.
Rubber systems are poured or laid at a defined depth, while loose-fill materials are spread evenly and compacted lightly. After curing, the finished surface should be tested to confirm it still meets safety limits.
Golden Times provides installation manuals and technical support to guarantee that each project reaches the intended EN 1177 performance.
“Since 2003, Golden Times has focused on building playground surfacing that children can trust. Our teams combine professional design, controlled manufacturing, and strict testing so every rubber tile and wet-pour system delivers reliable impact protection. The most common mistake we see is ignoring the match between equipment height and surface performance. When clients verify this match and commit to regular inspection, playground safety improves dramatically.”
Maintenance keeps performance consistent.
Loose-fill materials must be raked and topped up to their design depth. Rubber systems should be inspected for cracks or hardening and repaired quickly.
Golden Times recommends regular inspections and annual performance checks so kindergartens, parks, and community facilities keep their safety standards year after year.
| Maintenance Task | Frequency | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Raking or fluffing loose-fill | Weekly | Restore depth |
| Depth measurement | Monthly | Detect compaction |
| On-site impact testing | Yearly | Confirm safety |
| Crack or seam repair | As needed | Prevent hazards |
Designing EN 1177 playground surfacing is about understanding fall height, choosing tested materials, installing them correctly, and maintaining them over time. By working with experienced manufacturers such as Golden Times, playground operators gain certified safety performance, attractive design options, and dependable long-term value.
What depth is needed for a 2 m fall height?
Rubber surfaces typically need about 50 mm, while loose-fill materials need around 300 mm.
Is natural grass compliant?
Grass alone does not meet EN 1177 unless tested as part of a composite safety system.
How often should surfacing be tested?
Once a year or after heavy use or severe weather.
Can Golden Times supply projects outside China?
Yes, Golden Times supports global exporters and cross-border e-commerce sellers.
What is the purpose of head injury criterion?
It measures the risk of head injury during a fall and confirms whether a surface is safe.
What’s in your mind? Let’s talk.
