In this issue, we take a look at another change in standard EN1176-1: this concerns the requirements for safer surfacing for equipment items with a free fall height of less than 600mm.

Under the previous standard, this type of equipment had to be installed on a floor with shock absorbent characteristics, which excluded concrete, stones, etc. This surfacing did not have to comply with a critical height test, contrary to play equipment involving free fall heights of over 600mm, which had to be installed on surfacing with shock absorbent characteristics corresponding to that height.

In the 2008 version of standard EN1176-1, this requirement is also extended to equipment involving forced movements, even if the free fall height is less than 600mm. This mainly concerns springers, roundabouts, etc…

This means that a springer, which could previously be installed on any surfacing, now has to be installed on surfacing with shock absorbent characteristics corresponding to the free fall height, even if it is only 530mm, and complying with a critical height test.