Tarpaulin for Playground Safety Protecting Kids at Play

Why Use Tarpaulin Materials in Playgrounds?

Playgrounds are vital spaces that provide countless hours of exercise, fun, fresh air, and social development for kids. Tarpaulin materials are important in ensuring playgrounds remain safe, healthy environments for active play.

Traditional playground surfaces like wood chips, pea gravel, and exposed dirt enable drainage but can pose dangers from falls. A fall from heights on equipment like slides, swings, jungle gyms, or climbing structures carries the risk of skin abrasions, bruising, broken bones, or head injuries on unyielding surfaces.

Tarpaulin provides a protective, cushioned covering over hard ground that absorbs impact from falls and landings. Whether from slipping on equipment, misstepping, or losing balance at high points, a forgiving surface beneath spelled the difference between a minor spook or a serious medical emergency for many children over the years.

Types of Tarpaulin for Playgrounds

When choosing a tarpaulin surface for a playground, different material options offer varied qualities to suit diverse conditions and installation needs:

Polyethylene Tarpaulin

Polyethylene tarpaulin is an affordable, lightweight, and highly resilient material. It holds up well to weather with a nonporous, watertight construction. Its slip-resistant texture provides a stable surface safe for running and active play in any climate. Polyethylene withstands sun exposure without cracks or breaks down but remains breathable to prevent moisture buildup.

PVC-Coated Polyester Tarpaulin

For withstanding wear in high-traffic playgrounds, a PVC coating over polyester gives a more puncture and tear resistant surface than basic polyethylene. PVC guarding maintains the fabric integrity longer against degradation from foot traffic, impact, and outdoor elements that break down materials over 5-10 years.

Rubberized Tarpaulin

As the most protective option, a rubber backing bonds to woven polyester fabric or reinforced plastic. Rubberized tarpaulin adds extra cushioning over hard surfaces to further soften falls and landings. Its dense, inflexible rubber compound maintains protective qualities longer under heavy foot traffic than PVC.

Benefits of Playground Tarpaulin

Beyond the obvious protection from injury, playground tarpaulin surfaces provide many tangible advantages for kids, parents, and operators. Some key benefits include:

Impact Absorption

Tarpaulin cushions fall and distribute impact forces across the surface. This greatly reduces the risk of bone fractures or head injuries from swings, climbing, or other height-related activities.

Drainage

Most tarpaulins feature porous construction or perforated holes that allow water to drain below instead of puddling on top. This prevents slippery surfaces that can lead to falls.

Slip Resistance

Textured surfaces provide enhanced traction whether dry or wet for safe ambulation. Kids won't slip and slide even running at top speeds.

Longevity

With proper maintenance, many Tarpaulin Sheet products carry 5-15-year warranties depending on material and traffic levels. This offers long-term cost savings versus replacing wood chips annually.

Sanitation

Solid, wipeable tarpaulin stays cleaner than loose-fill materials like wood chips or gravel that can harbor bacteria. Pressure washing fully sanitizes the surface.

Aesthetics

Modern designs offer bold, kid-friendly graphics that create a more vibrant, engaging play space than plain dirt or mulch.

Color Options

Vibrant solid colors or patterns help visually define play areas and equipment boundaries for enhanced safety.

Sound Absorption

Noise-dampening properties prevent uncomfortably loud echoes under equipment for a more pleasant playground atmosphere.

Choosing and Installing Playground Tarpaulin

With various tarpaulin product options, performance expectations, and installation variables, certain factors require attention to ensure safety, longevity, and optimal value.

Safety Certifications

Only products verified by the ASTM F1292 standard for critical fall height, head impact, and other injury metrics through independent testing should be considered.

Durability Ratings

Heavier and reinforced materials like rubber withstand decades of foot traffic whereas thinner products may degrade more quickly. Warranties and traffic level information aid this decision.

Material Composition

Whether polyethylene, PVC-coated polyester, or rubber, composition dictates factors like puncture/tear resistance, life expectancy, UV tolerance, and cost.

Drainage

Impervious surfaces cause slipping hazards, so a perforated pattern allows water to drain below the play space. Sloped installations further aid runoff.

Secure Installation

Canvas Tarpaulin must lay flat and tight with no lifted edges, buckling, or gaps for tripping or caught shoe risks. Stake or cement anchoring ensures this.

Budget

Materials, sizing needs, expected lifespan, installation/removal costs, and maintenance requirements all factor in budget planning.

Shade Considerations

Absorption of solar heat varies by color chosen, warranting evaluation of play area sun exposure.

Resurfacing Needs

Some sites require full removal and replacement eventually while patch repairs suffice in other cases depending on wear patterns.