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Indoor Climbing Equipment Safety

Falls from climbing structures remain the most frequent and severe injury in child care settings. Most directors understand this risk and install fall surfacing under the outdoor climbing structure. ADA accessible fall surfacing for outdoor equipment includes engineered wood fiber, poured rubber surfacing, and rubber mats. While sand and rock can also absorb the impact of a fall, they are not considered ADA accessible.

Many directors fail to understand that indoor climbing structures need the same amount of fall surfacing and the usual six-foot fall zone to protect children from significant risk. Mats used for indoor tumbling, naps or exercise are not adequate to create a significant impact reduction. The National Program for Playground Safety at the University of Iowa arranged for laboratory testing of 24 products that are commonly used to cushion indoor fall zones in child care. Nearly 60% of tested materials failed to meet the standards for falls from a height of more than one to two feet. Some were adequate for heights of three feet or lower. Only landing mats at least four inches thick consistently cushioned adequately from falls of more than three feet. These mats are expensive, costing around $7 to $8 per square foot. The mats must be secured to the floor and to each other so there is no movement during use. Also, the play structure must be secured so that it does not move during play and so that all its sides are at least six feet away from any hard surface, such as furniture or a wall. Keep in mind that using a mat makes indoor structure inaccessible to children with disabilities.

As part of risk and liability management, directors should make sure that the facility's equipment, both indoors and outdoors, is in compliance with the testing standards and procedures for impact absorbing materials. (ASTM F1487 and ASTM F1292). It is wise to ask the manufacturer of the equipment to provide a statement that the product meets the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards for playground equipment and fall surfacing. If that warranty is not available, do not use the equipment.

I would recommend that if you use indoor climbing equipment, use rubber tiles with bumpers or poured-in-place composition materials that meet the ASTM F1292 standards for fall surfacing and the ADA (American's with Disabilities Act). Another option is to instead use lofts, hoola hoops, riding toys and other floor activities.

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