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childrens indoor play areas
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Slater24187  
#1 Posted : 05 August 2010 12:25:06(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Slater24187
Hi all, Can anybody provide me with advice regarding the flooring standards for indoor childrens play areas, I have made reference to EN1176 & 1177. From what I have read it appears that not all floor areas need to be covered with impact matting. At present we only have impact matting around activities that involve climbing and where moving items are present. We do not have it in areas between the activities, I am trying to determin if this is suitable? Any thoughts please? Thanks Paul
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bilbo  
#2 Posted : 05 August 2010 12:50:29(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bilbo
the EN's should provide you with the detail but for a quick overview RoSPA provide a whole range of free to download Safety Information sheets related to Play Safety. www.rospa.com/leisuresaf...dinformation/playsafety/
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PhilBeale  
#3 Posted : 05 August 2010 14:42:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PhilBeale
Logically i would say they you only need it under the play equipment they are likely to fall off and a reasonable distance they may be able to jump to especially of swings. i guess making sure the surface is level between the two surfaces or a clear change in level so the kids don't trip over. I think having impact matting between play equipment would be over kill and more expensive but some other form of soft matting / covering might be advisable in case they fall over, but equally we are not trying to wrap kids up in bubble wrap. what age are the kids that use the play equipment. Phil
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Slater24187  
#4 Posted : 08 August 2010 07:24:26(UTC)
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Slater24187
Thanks for the response Phil & Bilbo, Phil the kids range from 2 - 10 years of age, we have seperate areas for younger children. I totally agree with your comments about not wrapping kids up in cotton wool, unfortunatley we have had 2 accidents within these non protected areas (trips, no hazards) which are looking likely to involve a court case. The decision that the company has to make is do we bear the cost of installing impact matting within all of our play areas and not just in significant areas. We are a Middle East company spread across the GCC with 10 business units in total. We are currently looking at the ROSPA anual inspection and training option also. Thanks Paul
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John D C  
#5 Posted : 09 August 2010 10:50:39(UTC)
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John D C
Hi From what you say I am not sure that impact matting may have prevented any injury. Impact matting is usually to prevent or reduce injury from falling from a height. If this was a straightforward trip/fall then it is unlikley impact matting would have necessarily prevented some injuries e.g. broken arm Take care John C
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barnaby  
#6 Posted : 09 August 2010 11:22:15(UTC)
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JOHNC wrote:
Hi From what you say I am not sure that impact matting may have prevented any injury. Impact matting is usually to prevent or reduce injury from falling from a height. If this was a straightforward trip/fall then it is unlikley impact matting would have necessarily prevented some injuries e.g. broken arm Take care John C
I agree. Impact matting is primarily to ameleorate head injuries not 'long bone' injuries.
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