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A publication of the International Playground Contractors Association (NPCAI)
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July 2011
Hello to All Our Members. I trust that all of you had a Great 4th! Down in our neck of the woods we’ve had sizzling heat and I am sure it’s hot everywhere. With that said let’s all be sure to make extra efforts to keep our crews hydrated. This month I am very proud to announce that the NPCAI has added a National Workers Comp Program to our list of Member Benefits. I am sure each of you is familiar with Steve Carraway and the GREAT JOB he does with the NPCAI General Liability Program. I can truly say that Steve always has the best interests of the NPCAI in mind and we really appreciate the job Steve does for Our GL Program.
Steve’s Contact Information Is: Steve Carraway Cooper Insurance Services 904 Main Street PO Box 638 Lapel, IN 46051 765-534-3152 – Office 317-508-2658 – Cell 765-534-2067 - Fax [email protected]
Now the NPCAI is very happy to introduce Millie Wood of Ascension Insurance as the Agent who will be handling Our Workers Comp Program. Millie is based out of Shelby, NC and just like Steve is an Insurance Representative, Millie is your single point of Contact for the NPCAI Workers Comp Program. She will be very happy to help you with your Workers Comp needs and if you happen to work in a monopolistic state, she can also make sure you know how to handle that. Millie’s Contact Information Is: Millie Wood 222 N Lafayette St. – Suite 11 Shelby, NC 28150 704-669-1312 – Office 704-300-1431 – Cell 704-419-8692 – Fax [email protected] With that said, let’s discuss the Playground Contractors Role with the NPCAI as are the final link in a successful Playground Installation. The NPCAI Mission is: To professionally construct today's pre-manufactured playground equipment. THE NPCAI IS: A worldwide partnership formed to contribute to the advancement of the playground building industry by promoting playground installation as a legitimate contracting profession within the playground industry. THE NPCAI LENDS SUPPORT: To all playground safety programs, guide-lines, and standards that promote playground safety by assisting the public in identifying the need for a professional playground installation.
Letter From The Chair
This month's Playground Photo of the Month recipient is
Community Playgrounds Inc. 1620 Grant Ave. Ste 5, Novato, CA Certified Playground Safety Inspector & Triax 2000 Impact Tester Certified. The above picture was completed in 2010 in San Francisco, CA. If you are interested in submitting your playground for consideration please e-mail us at [email protected]. If your photo is se-lected for the any month in 2011, we will have it published and your will receive recognition for your work and a gift from us, for your participation. Digital Specifications: High Resolution PDF files are preferred. Delivery: Files will be accepted via email UNLESS they are over 6 MB. Formats: Grayscale / CMYK color images must be TIFF, .PDF, or .EPS format. 400 dpi or higher.
Playground Photo of the Month
Post Office Box 2364 Salt Lake City, Utah 84110-2364
P: 888-908-9519 Fax: 801-355-2788
E-mail: [email protected]
www.playground-contractors.org
July 2011
NPCAI Board of Trustees THE NPCAI SEEKS: Active participation in and contributions from its membership and corpo-rate sponsors for the development and growth of individual members, their contracting busi-nesses, and the playground construction profession worldwide. THE NPCAI OFFERS: MEMBERS A VOICE in the playground industry through leadership opportunity and networking to affect industry changes to address developing needs. MEMBERS ANSWERS to everyday installation questions and immediate access to informa-tion regarding certification, licensing and industry standards. Remember: The NPCAI Continues to Offer the Playground Construction School. The Next Playground Construction Schools are: Tool Box Tips: Insurance Tips - Additional Insured and Verbiage: It may be more cost effective for you to purchase “Blanket” Coverage for Additional Insured’s and Special Verbiage up front on your Poli-cies rather than to pay as you go! The NPCAI Also Offers Group Liability Insurance Plan and Er-rors & Omissions Insurance Coverage for Playground Safety Inspectors. Applications are available on the NPCAI member section of the website or call us at 1-888-908-9519. Become a NPCAI Qualified Contractor and Use the NPCAI Qualified Contractor Status as A Tool. Here at the NPCAI, we have the foundation in place for you to succeed! Now it’s up to you to: Be The Best Playground Contractor You Can Be! Become a NPCAI Qualified Contractor and Continue to Support The NPCAI!
Roger Davis – CPSI – NPCAI Chair. [email protected] Remember: The NPCAI Continues to Offer the Playground Construction School Upcoming Events: November 1-4, 2011 NRPA Congress & Expo - Atlanta, GA November 2, 2011 NPCAI Social Event, Atlanta, GA November 30 - Dec 2 2011 Tampa, FL Playground Construction School March 21-23, 2012 Dallas, TX Playground Construction School
Letter From The Chair (con’t)
CHAIR 2010‐2012 Playground Construction School Chair & Membership Committee Chair Roger Davis
Playground Safety Services. Inc. Po Box 2729 Shelby, NC 28152 P: 704‐487‐7774 F: 704‐480‐7775 E‐mail: [email protected] TRUSTEE – Chair Elect 2012‐2014 Public Relations Committee Chair James Charles Snider. Snider & Associates, Inc. 10139 Royalton Road Ste # H North Royalton, OH 44133 P: 440‐877‐9151 F: 440‐877‐9159 C: 440‐343‐6420 E‐mail: [email protected]
TRUSTEE – Past Chair 2008-2010 Karen Spears, CPSI Kids‐Play, Inc. 700 Long Horn Pass NW Ste #B PO Box 1008
Hartselle, AL 35640 P: 888‐895‐5437 x 219 F: 256‐751‐9191 E‐mail:[email protected] TREASURER 2008‐2010 Nominations Committee Chair Jeff Barber, CPSI Playground Specialist, Inc. 17352 N. Seton Avenue Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Office: 301‐447‐1890 P: 800‐385‐0075 C: 301‐748‐3056 F: 301‐447‐3556 E‐mail: [email protected]
July 2011
NPCAI Board of Trustees Playground Surfacing Basics — What We All Need To Know Hello to All Our NPCAI Members, Hope You Had A Great Independence Day! This month we’ll talk a little bit about “Playground Surfacing”. This Article concentrates on Re-cord Keeping Requirements as all playground owners/operators need to be sure their History File is current and up-to-date. If you want some real “in-depth” information on Playground Sur-facing: Be Sure to Read Tom Peeple’s Article about Playground Surfacing in this month’s E-Zine as well. Great Job Tom! As we all know in today’s market the Customer has several different choices in playground surfacing. Surfacing Manufacturer’s have invested a great deal of research, dollars and time in pursuit of better surfacing products and to their credit there are many great products available. As Playground Contractor’s most of the time the “site” has already been chosen when we ar-rive so I’ll limit this discussion to what we need to do to ensure we “correctly install” our cus-tomer’s choice of surfacing. Here are a few basic but essential guidelines we need to always follow when installing surfacing. Drainage: No matter what the surfacing material proper drainage is a must. If water doesn’t drain there will be problems which will negatively impact the performance of the surfacing. At least 1% slope to facilitate drainage. Sub-Grade: Is a part of the drainage package and we can be sure that that the Manufacturer will not Warranty their product if the site prep, base/material and drainage issues have not been properly executed. Weed Barrier: If using a loose-fill product with a stone base Weed Barrier is a must as it not only prevents the growth of vegetation it also serves to separate the stone base from the loose-fill product. Make sure the thickness and permeability of the Weed Barrier is consistent with the Manufacturer’s Specifications. Manufacturer’s Specifications: All Surfacing Manufacturer’s will furnish a Surfacing Installa-tion Specification Sheet or Recommended Installation Guide which covers their required method of installation in order for their Material of Properly Perform and be Warranted as well. Follow The Manufacturer’s Spec’s Without Fail and everyone will be Much Happier Campers at the End of the Day! Maintenance: ASTM F1487-07ae1 13.2.1 and 13.2.2 and CPSC 325-2008 4.3 both state that Loose-Fill Materials will require Inspections and Maintenance. Since the Future Performance of the Surfacing Material will Fall Under The Watch of the Customer/Client/Owner/Operator. We need to make every effort possible to ensure We’ve Installed The Protective Surfacing Correctly! Surfacing in regards to the ADAAG was not addressed as We will leave that Topic for Discussion for another day! ASTM F 1487 – 07ae1 13.2 Protective Surfacing: 13.2.1 The owner/operator shall maintain the protective surfacing within the use zone of each play structure in accordance with Specification F 1292 appropriate for the fall height of each structure and Specification F 1951 where applicable. 13.2.2 The owner/operator shall maintain the protective surfacing within the use zone of each play structure free from extraneous materials that could cause injury, infection, or disease. CPSC 325-2008 4.3 Maintaining Loose-Fill Surfacing Loose-fill surfacing materials require special maintenance. High-use public playgrounds, such as child care centers and schools, should be checked frequently to ensure surfacing has not displaced significantly, particularly in areas of the playground most subject to displacement (e.g., under swings and slide exits). This can be facilitated by marking ideal surfacing depths on equipment posts. Displaced loose-fill surfacing should be raked back into proper place so that a constant depth is maintained throughout the playground. Impact attenuating mats placed in high traffic areas, such as under swings and at slide exits, can significantly reduce wear.
Feature
SECRETARY 2009‐2010 Brad Rhoads, CPSI Playmatta 1135 West 9th St. Upland, CA 91786 P: 888‐346‐2882 F: 877‐949‐2585 C: 909‐519‐0574
E‐mail: [email protected] TRUSTEE Tom Norquist GameTime 150 PlayCore Drive Fort Payne, AL 35968 P: 256‐845‐5610 F: 256‐845‐9361 [email protected]
TRUSTEE Randy Atchison GPI Outdoors Designs, Inc. 32140 Township Rd. 243A Calgary, AB Canada T3Z 2M7 P: 403‐242‐8740 C: 403‐874‐7745
F: 403‐242‐8796 E‐mail:[email protected] TRUSTEE Research & Development Committee Chair Marylou Iverson Iverson & Assoc. P.O. Box 1387 Kingston, WA 98346 P: 360‐297‐8887 C: 360‐908‐3479 F: 360‐297‐8220 E‐mail: [email protected]
TRUSTEE Dr. Joe Deutsch, CPSI Imagination Play, Inc. PO Box 452 Moorhead, MN 56561‐0452 P: 888‐788‐9504 F: 888‐788‐9546
C: 701‐799‐4923 E‐mail: [email protected]
July 2011
Playground Surfacing Basics — What We All Need To Know (con’t) CPSC 325-2008 (Did You Know) 2.4.2.2 - 7. Never use less than 9 inches of loose-fill material. Shallower depths are too eas-ily displaced and compacted. Install and maintain at least 9 inches of wood chips, mulch, or shredded rubber for play equipment that reaches up to 7 feet high. If you use sand or pea gravel, you'll want at least 9 inches for play structures up to 5 feet high. Or, you can use surface mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials. As Always, Be The Best Playground Contractor You Can Be!
Roger Davis – CPSI President – Playground Safety Services, Inc. www.playgroundsafetyservices.com [email protected] Thanks To All Our Current and Renewing Members! Become a NPCAI Qualified Contractor and Continue to Support The NPCAI! Tool Box Tips: • Control your own destiny or someone else will. Jack Welch • If your company has a clean-desk policy, the company is
nuts and you're nuts to stay there. Tom Peters • If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you al-
ways got Anthony Robbins Do It Right the First Time A theory from managerial accounting that relates to just-in-time (JIT) inventory (where a company only receives goods as they are needed to cut down on inventory costs) and pro-duction management. The idea behind DRIFT is that management wants all of the proc-esses that make up the JIT philosophy to be done correctly and efficiently so there are no delays in the production process. – Manufacturers Expectations of Playground Contrac-tors. Roger Davis – NPCAI Chair Our Only Request to the Manufacturers – Please Send All The Parts THE FIRST TIME
Feature
NPCAI Board of Trustees
TRUSTEE Tom Peeples Peeples Play-ground Safety Consulting, LLC. Po Box 745657 Arvada, CO 80006‐5657 P: 720‐351‐7309 F: 303‐421‐6675
E‐mail: [email protected] TRUSTEE Matthew F. Walsh, Vice‐President Precision Play-grounds, Inc. 5120 Damascus Road N. Jacksonville, FL 32207 P: 904‐636‐5106 F: 904‐636‐5177 C: 904‐607‐0445 E‐mail: [email protected]
NPCAI Administration
NPCAI Office Sylvia Salazar, Executive Director. PO Box 2364 Salt Lake City, UT 84110‐2364 USA
P: 1‐888‐908‐9519 F: 801‐355‐2788 npca@playground‐contractors.org www.playground‐contractors.org sylvias@playground‐contractors.org Engineered Wood Fiber Rubber Mulch Bonded Rubber
Rubber Tiles Poured-in-Place
July 2011
Pros and Cons of Playground Surfacing Materials Tom Peeples, CPSI, NPCAI There are many loose fill playground surfacing materials in use today, such as pea stone (pea gravel,) sand, rubber mulch and engineered wood fiber (EWF). There are also unitary playground surfacing materials commonly being used such as rubber tiles, poured in place rubber (PIP,) and artificial turf. When choosing the proper playground surface for your specific needs in order to ensure that the surfacing product you choose exceeds in the critical performance categories, the follow-ing questions should be a part of your product inquiry: • Will the surface comply with current ADA standards?
The latest requirement for accessibility was published in the document "ADA stan-dards for accessible design" dated 2009 and is found in Title III which applies play-grounds. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a comprehensive civil rights law that pro-hibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The ADA requires that newly constructed and altered State and local government facilities, places of public accommodation, and commercial facilities be readily accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabili-ties. Recreational facilities, including play areas, are among the facilities required to comply with the ADA.
• Does the surface comply with ASTM F 1951-99?
ASTM F 1951 is the standard specification for determination of accessibility of surface systems under and around playground equipment. This specification establishes mini-mum characteristics for those factors that determine accessibility. This specification applies to all types of materials that can be used under and around play equipment. #1
• Does the surface comply with ASTM F 1292-04?
ASTM F 1292-04 is the Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Ma-terials Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment. This specification establishes minimum performance requirements for the impact attenuation of playground surfacing materials installed within the use zone of playground equipment. #1
• Will the surfaces manufacturer and installer provide guarantees that the surface meets
the requirements of ASTM F 1292-04 and F 1951-99 standards at the time of its instal-lations completion?
• What is the surfaces expected lifecycle, what is its warrantee and what will be required
to guarantee that the surface continues to meet the standards? • What type of surfaces is going to provide the best value equation over the long term? Pros and cons of some of the more common types of playground surfacing materials in use today are listed below : Sand and Pea Gravel Organic Loose Fill Material Examples: Sand and Pea Gravel Advantages • Low initial cost • Ease of installation • Nonflammable • Not ideal for microbial growth • Attractive appearance
Feature
#2a Sand
CPSI Course Calendar
August 10-12, 2011 Mercer Island, WA 360-459-9396 August15-17, 2011 Wheat Ridge, CO 303-231-0943 September 13-15, 2011 Cincinnati, OH 614-895-2222 September 14-16, 2011 Norfolk, VA 804-730-9447 September 19-21, 2011 Covington, GA 770-760-1403 September 20-22, 2011 Corbin, KY 502-626-9834 October 3-5, 2011 Santa Monica, CA 916-665-2777 October 4-6, 2011 San Antonio, TX 512-267-5550 October 17-19, 2011 Morristown, NJ 732-568-1270 October 31-November 2, 2011 Green Bay, WI 414-423-1210 November 8-9, 2011 North Kansas City, MO 573-636-3828 November 9-11, 2011 Salt Lake City, UT 801-491-9867 November 9-11, 2011 Bellevue, WA 360-459-9396
July 2011 Feature
Pros and Cons of Playground Surfacing Materials (con’t) Disadvantages • Neither sand nor gravel is considered an (ADA) accessible playground surfacing. • Both require continuous/high maintenance to maintain "fluffed" condition and appropriate
depth. Cushioning potential can be reduced by compaction, environmental conditions, use over time, and displacement of materials
• Spreads outside of contained area • Can harbor foreign matter – e.g. broken glass, debris,
sharp objects, etc. • Can be blown or thrown in the children's eyes • Sand attracts animals – defecation of feces • Requires periodic renewal or replacement • Overtime may combine with other loose fill materials which
may reduce its impact attenuation • Requires a method of containment • Requires good drainage material underneath • May be susceptible to weed growth Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) -Not to be confused with wood chips Advantages • Low initial cost • Ease of installation • Good drainage • Less abrasive • Less attractive to animals VS sand • Attractive appearance • Readily available • Less finger breaks VS unitary rubber Disadvantages #3 (EWF) • Holds moisture • Can combine with dirt and other loose surfacing materials such as sand and gravel which
will reduce its impact attenuation • Decomposes over time • Depth reduced from use (kick-out) • Depth may be reduced by wind • Can be thrown a child's eyes • Subject to mold, mushroom growth • Can harbor foreign objects – e.g. sharp objects, broken glass, debris • Spreads easily outside contained area • Subject to theft by neighbors for potting plants and use in gardening Poured in Place Rubber Advantages • Low maintenance • Easy to clean • Consistent shock absorbency • Material not displaced during play
The Playground Contractors Role with the NPCAI!
The Playground Contractors Role with the NPCAI
As we come to the final link in the
chain in becoming a True Playground Contractor.
The NPCAI Mission is:
To professionally construct today's pre-manufactured playground
equipment.
THE NPCAI IS: A worldwide partner-ship formed to contribute to the ad-
vancement of the playground building industry by promoting playground
installation as a legitimate contracting profession within the playground
industry.
THE NPCAI LENDS SUPPORT: To all playground safety programs,
guidelines, and standards that pro-mote playground safety by assisting
the public in identifying the need for a professional playground installation.
THE NPCAI SEEKS: Active participa-tion in and contributions from its
membership and corporate sponsors for the development and growth of
individual members, their contracting businesses, and the playground con-
struction profession worldwide.
THE NPCAI OFFERS: MEMBERS A VOICE in the playground industry
through leadership opportunity and networking to affect industry changes
to address developing needs.
MEMBERS ANSWERS to everyday installation questions and immediate access to information regarding certi-
fication, licensing and industry standards.
#2b Pea Gravel
#3 (EWF)
#4 Poured-In-Place (PIP)
July 2011 Feature
Pros and Cons of Playground Surfacing Materials (con’t) Disadvantages • Initial cost very high • Subject to vandalism (high repair and replacement costs) • Possible high surface temperatures during sunny conditions • Difficult to Repair • Poured in-place surfaces are susceptible to wear, cracking, peeling and fading over time. Artificial Turf Playground Surfacing Advantages • Means of containment or sometimes not necessary • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible and easy to walk on • Displacement of materials is not an issue, so the protec-
tive ability of these surfaces remains consistent even in high-traffic areas
• Surfaces require very little maintenance over time and are easy to clean
• Debris such as broken glass and other sharp objects which can cause injury are not as easily hidden in the sur-faces
• Animals and insects are not attracted to the surface materi-als
• Mold and fungus growth is not an issue • Cooler surface temperatures • Costs less than poured in place (PIP) Disadvantages • The area under the surface usually requires preparation. Contact the manufacturer or
supplier for details. • Surface may require professional installation • May curl and cause tripping if not install correctly Rubber Mulch Advantages • Not toxic • Stays in place • Odor free • Quick drying • Non-staining / non-abrasive • Will not freeze • ADA approved #6 Rubber Mulch • Recycled rubber mulch does not generally need to be replaced or renewed each year.
Many manufacturers claim that rubber mulch can last approximately 50 years without needing replacement. Checked with recycled rubber mulch suppliers for any guarantees or warranties that may be available.
• Rubber mulch tends to be cleaner and less likely than other loose fill materials to produce dirty clothing, hands, and shoes during active play.
• Animals and insects are not attracted to Rubber Mulch • Will not rot or mold and fungus growth is not an issue Disadvantages • Some recycled varieties may leach chemicals (some toxic) which are harmful to plants
NPCAI members are encouraged to participate in the National
Recreation and Parks Association Congress & Exposition
This year’s event will be November 1-4, 2011
Atlanta, Georgia
November 1-4, 2011 NRPA Congress & Exposition Atlanta, GA November 2, 2011 UPDATED NPCAI Social Event, Atlanta, GA Now Seeking Sponsors! November 30– December 2, 2011 Tampa, FL Playground Construction School. March 21-23, 2012 Dallas, TX Playground Construction School
NPCAI Calendar of Events
#5 Artificial Turf
#6 Rubber Mulch
July 2011 Feature
Why Sponsor the NPCAI Social? With money very tight this year we wanted to provide the benefits to you of social sponsorship! NPCAI has created sponsorship packages to meet almost all budget sizes. These premium packages are loaded with additional value-added exposure that helps to make your sponsorship investment even more visible. NPCAI invites you to consider sponsorship of an NPCAI Social. event as an essen-tial component of your 2011 market-ing plans. Consider these five reasons of how sponsorship can help to achieve your marketing goals: 1. Enhance company image 2. Heighten visibility 3. Differentiating from competitors 4. Helping with good "Corporate Citizen" role 5. Increase booth traffic
Our Current 2011
NPCAI Social Sponsors:
Pros and Cons of Playground Surfacing Materials (con’t) • Recycled rubber mulch may need to be raked periodically to maintain appropriate depths
in high-traffic areas. • Colors on recycled rubber mulch may fade over time. • Debris such as broken glass, nails, and other sharp objects which can cause injury can be
easily hidden in loose-fill materials. • Continuous maintenance is required to maintain proper depth and to remove debris. • While some rubber mulch is made from recycled tires, other mulch is a manufactured
product. Manufactured products may be more susceptible to bacteria or fungus. • If mulch is not carefully cleaned it may contain pieces of wire that are dangerous to chil-
dren. • If the mulch pieces are too small, they could present a choking hazard. Tiles Note: the cost of a tile system generally falls between Poured in Place (PIP) at the higher end and engi-neered Wood fiber (EWF) at the lower end of the cost scale. Although both tile and PIP are generally made with the same types of raw materials, the cost savings are realized in production efficiencies, lower installa-tion cost as well as longevity of the pre-manufactured product. Advantages • No means of containment is usually necessary. • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible and easy to walk on. • Displacement of materials is not an issue, so the protective ability
of these surfaces remains consistent even in high-traffic areas. • Surfaces require very little maintenance over time and are easy to
clean. • Debris such as broken glass and sharp objects which can cause
injury are not easily hidden in these surfaces. • Animals and insects are not attracted to the surface materials. • Mold and fungus growth is not an issue. Disadvantages • The area under the surface usually requires stringent requirements for base preparation.
Contact the manufacturer or supplier for details. • Surfaces may require professional installation. • Limitation in free-flowing graphic design potential. • Rubber tiles may curl and cause tripping if not install correctly. • Mold and fungus can grow in-between tiles on the underside. Surface Maintenance Schedules Note: this table shows typical maintenance frequencies. Users should determine their own fre-quency for each playground based on use levels and operating environment.
Typical Maintenance Frequencies
Organic Loose Fill Organic Loose Fill Organic Loose Fill (sand/gravel) (Mulch/Would/Chips) Wood Fiber (EWF) Inspection Daily – Weekly Daily – Weekly Daily – Weekly Rack and Level Daily – Weekly Daily – Weekly Daily – Weekly Replace Till when in compacted Mulch – yearly Usually not required condition – replaced as hardwood – usually required to maintain not required proper depth Top off 1-3 yrs more in frequently 1-3 yrs more in frequently 1-3 yrs more in In high use playground In high use playground high use playground
www.pilotrock.com
www.customplaygroundsinc.com
#7 Tiles
July 2011 Feature
Pros and Cons of Playground Surfacing Materials (con’t)
Typical Maintenance Frequencies
Rubber matting Poured-in-Place Artificial Turf and Tiles Rubber Inspection Weekly Weekly Weekly Rake & Level Not required Not required May need raking when becomes matted down Replace Replace damage Repair as Repair as tiles as required necessary necessary Top off Not required Not required Not required US Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC) has identified that each year in the United States, more than 200,000 children 14 years of age and younger are injured seriously enough to be seen in emergency room. – i.e. every 1.6 min. someone is taken to an emergency room concerning a playground injury. #8 It is important to note that the CPSC has also identified that 79% of all playground related inju-ries come from falls, and of that, 68% of those injuries come from falls the playground surface. #9 Surfacing is one of the most, if not the most important components of your playground. Thus, when selecting surfacing take the time necessary to do the research required for selecting the type of service that is going to provide you with the best equation for safety and value over the long term. References: 1. #1 American Society for testing and materials, (ASTM): F 1292 – 04, F 1951 – 99: http://
www.ASTM.org/ ASTM store: http://webstore.ansi.org/default.aspx 2. #2 a & #2 be pictures "Sand and Gravel" playground surfaces:
www.caughtuinaphoto.printroom.com 3. #3 Picture "Engineered Wood Fiber" playground surface: http://www.zeager.com 4. #4 Picture "Poured in Place" playground surface: http://www.surfaceamerica.com 5. #5 Picture "Artificial Turf" playground surface: http://www.xgrass.com 6. #6 Picture "Rubber Mulch" playground surface: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_mulch 7. #7 Picture “Tile" playground surface: http://www.mansionathletics.com/play-core-single-
24c24-rubber-tile-playground-surfacing-17927.html 8. #8 Injury and Death Investigated Associated with Playground Equipment, 2001-2008,
Craig W. O'Brian, division Of Hazard Analysis, directorate, Directorate of Epidemiology, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 E. West Hwy., Bethesda, MD 20814, October 2009
9. #9 Playground Surfacing in Playground Injuries, Jennifer A Himmelsbach, MS and Martyn R. Shorten, PhD BioMechanica, LLC, Portland, Oregon, USA Himmelsbach, - J.A. and Shorten M.R. (2003) Playground Surfacing and Playground Injuries Pp 71-88 in Sports Surfaces (Eds. B.M. Nigg, G.K. Cole, D.J. Stefanyshyn) Calgary, University of Calgary
Submitted by: Tom Peeples Peeples Playground Safety Consulting, LLC. [email protected] 1-720-351-7309
Benefits Available to Members! Making us
The NPCAI offers many benefits to its members. Such benefits include • NPCAI embossed membership
certificate. • NPCAI membership card • A monthly E-zine • Free Listing on the Online Directory • Free Website Listing • RFP Listing • Playground Wiki • Free Access to over 200 forms. • Aflac Discount Program • Imprint Plus Name Tags • General Liability Insurance Program • Free copy of the Playground Maga-
zine. • Free Classifieds • Your company information is given
out to any interested individual seeking your services
• $100 savings on the Playground Construction School.
• Errors & Omissions Insurance Coverage
• Annual NPCAI Social Event • Sponsorship Opportunities • Qualified Contractor Credentials. Most Important NPCAI will support you every step of the way.
July 2011 Feature
Join us on these social networks
New & Renewed Members!
• Newest Members
• Sports & Golf Solutions
• Zeager Bros, Inc.
• Play Safe Inspections
BCI Burke Enhances Green Practices
In conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partnership, BCI Burke has boosted the commitment to acquire energy from wind and other renewable sources to offset approximately 20% of electrical usage, up from the previous 12%. Burke purchases wind energy through Alliant Energy’s Second Nature Program™ and is the only commercial playground manufacturer to participate in the EPA partnership. “We constantly look for ways to better use resources and ensure a more sustainable world,” said Mark Sondergard, BCI Burke President/COO. “We’re in the business of improving kid’s lives, and one of the best ways we can do this is by ensuring an environmentally safe and eco-nomically robust future.” The result of Burke’s commitment has an annual environmental impact of reducing the green-house gas emissions from 14.3 vehicles or 9 homes a year. It also prevents the equivalent emissions of 8,176 gallons of gasoline from being consumed, which is equivalent to planting 15.5 acres of pine or fir forests. Burke strives to make a difference and believes their example will play an important role in stimulating an even greater commitment for employees and customers to make their own con-tribution to a sustainable future. “Along with the EPA program, we focus on straightforward practices, like using efficient light-ing to reduce total energy consumption and increasing our use of recycled materials. These types of initiatives have earned us the ISO 14001 Certification. To us, it’s simply doing the right thing,” Sondergard said. BCI Burke, with headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is a premier manufacturer of com-mercial playground, park, and recreation equipment and an avid supporter of playground safety. More information is available at www.bciburke.com. About EPA’s Green Power Partnership The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased elec-tricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,000 Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized busi-nesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.
NEW PRODUCTS New Interactive Play Panels from Burke! BCI Burke’s new Interactive Play Panels encourage explora-tion, interaction and develop fine‐motor skills for children with all abilities. They provide opportunities for social inter-action and imaginative play. Panel options for different ages 2-5 and 5-12 include Sprocket, Propeller, Charade, Waver and Paratroop. Combine with Burke’s existing interactive panels to maximize and enhance play options. As with all Burke products, these panels are protected by our exclusive Generations War-ranty™ that provides 100 Year Limited Warranty on hardware, 15 Year Limited Warranty on plastics and 5 Year Limited Warranty on moving parts. Visit www.bciburke.com for more infor-mation.
July 2011 Feature
Landscape Structures Contest Playground Surfacing Combing Different Materials We all know safety surfacing is the most important item on a playground; this is what protects children when they fall from a life treating injury and over the years we have so many more choices when it comes to safety surfacing. We all know that the customers budget usually dictates what type of safety surfacing they use on their playground, or if they have been using the same product and just need to top off their surfacing they will almost always go with what they have. Customers usually have some idea of what type of safety surfacing they want to use on their new playgrounds or they have no idea at all. What I like to do is recommend to them to use different types of safety surfac-ing on their playground. I have found that using many different types of safety surfac-ing works very well in most applications. It gives the children different textures and you can use more expensive safety surfacing in areas on the playground where not as much will be needed. Such as tiles or a pour-n-place surface in a Infant or toddler area, then you can use the artificial turf in another area for art, picnic tables or around smaller pieces of equip-
ment, this adds a different texture and color. Then if you have a large area with swings or a large piece of equipment you can use a wood or rubber loose fill, then you can use sand in an area, or pea gravel in a sand box, mixing up safety surfacing I have found makes for a much more interesting playground and children enjoy the difference in the surfacing. There is just a few precautions you need to know before you mix different types of safety
surfacing on a playground. You want to make sure if you are going to have a sandbox that it is not in or close to a pour-n-place surfacing or the artificial turf, as the sand will work as an abrasive on the rubber pour-n-place and damage it. Also you do not want your artificial turf full of sand with the little ones crawling around on it or falling face first into a grass full of sand. If you use pea gravel you also want to keep it away from the turf, so with just a small amount of planning you can use many different types of safety surfacing. By using various surfaces your playground becomes much more interesting and it is so much more appealing to the eye and to the children’s senses. You can also add artificial turf to the center of a trike path or use it in places where no fall height is required to add color and it will lower the amount of time spent by the customer cutting, watering and taking care of real grass. They will always have pretty green lawn without the labor, and it can be used to play many different games on. The next time you are planning a new playground try mixing it up, you will be surprised how much better the playground will look and function. Karen Spears, CPSI, Past Chair
Kids Play Inc. [email protected] 1-888-908-9519
From now until August 1, communi-ties can submit essays about inclu-sive playgrounds and social inclusion, the concept of providing welcoming play spaces for children with handi-caps, according to a recent report from the Toy Dispatch. The winner of the contest will receive $150,000 worth of playground equip-ment and project development funds. The former will come from Landscape Structures, and the latter from a group called Shane's Inspiration. The Toy Dispatch commented on the goals of Landscape Structures to provide inclusive playgrounds as well as opportunities for sensory play geared towards autistic children. "This design solution builds on the years of experience Landscape Struc-tures has in providing industry-leading inclusive playgrounds and age-appropriate challenges, and also ad-dresses the sensory play needs of children with autism and other sen-sory-processing disorders, as well as those that are typically developing," reports the news source. Shane's Inspiration is an organization dedicated to providing play spaces for children with disabilities. It is named after Shane Alexander Williams, the son of Catherine Curry-Williams and Scott Williams, who succumbed to spinal muscular atrophy in 1997, ac-cording to the charity's official web-site.
http://www.playlsi.com/Explore-Products/Universally-Accessible-Playgrounds/Together-We-Play/
Pages/TogetherWePlay2.aspx
July 2011 Feature
Member Discount Programs NPCAI General Liability & Errors and Omission Program
The NPCAI Group Liability Insurance Plan and Errors & Omissions Insur-ance Coverage for Playground Safety Inspectors. Steve Carraway Cooper Insurance Services, Inc. PO Box 638, Lapel, IN 46051 (800) 252-3153 [email protected] http://www.cooperindiana.com
~ NPCAI Worker's Compensation Program
Resources to Keep Your Business in Play. A Tailored Approach for NPCAI Members. Mille Wood Ascension Insurance Agency, Inc. 222 North Lafayette Street, Ste 11 Shelby, NC 28150-4450 (800) 482-3461 [email protected] http://www.ascensionnc.com
~ NPCAI Supplement Insurance for Individuals Program
Aflac policies are 100% employee-paid and area available on a volun-tary basis. Many companies choose to make AFLAC policies available as a cost effective solution to help em-ployees with the raising cost of out-of-pocket health care expense. Member Discount Rate - 5% to 10% Discount over direct rate. Steffanie Staples 8833 S Redwood Rd, Ste D, West Jordan, UT 84088 801-674-6310 [email protected] www.aflac.com
Agency Contact: Sarah DeFilippis
860.841.1992 [email protected]
Ascension Insurance Agency, Inc. Wins NPCAI Endorsement
International Playground Contractors Association Approves Workers Compensation Program
Charlotte, NC (July 22, 2011) Ascension Insurance Agency, Inc., has received the endorsement of the International Playground Contractors Assocation (NPCAI) for its Workers Compensation Programs. NPCAI is a worldwide partnership of pro-fessional playground contractors, which lends support to all playground safety programs, guidelines and standards that promote playground safety. Ascension Insurance Agency, Inc., is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and special-izes in risk management and property and casualty insurance, including special-ized programs for play-ground and other construc-tion industries. Ascension’s President, Clarkson McLean, com-mented on the endorse-ment, “We are very pleased that NPCAI has selected Ascension as its strategic partner. Our expertise in the construction industry, combined with our consulta-tive approach allows us to provide outstanding coverage as well as the best possible return on each client’s investment in workers compensation insurance. We are looking forward to work-ing together with NPCAI to meet its mission of advancing professionalism and safety standards within the playground construction industry.” Sylvia Salazar, NPCAI Executive Director, commented on the endorsement, “NPCAI is worldwide partnership formed to contribute to the advancement of the playground building industry by promoting playground installation as a legitimate contracting profession within the playground industry. “We are looking forward to working with Ascension to bringing this new option to our members. This new workers compensation program will be a valuable benefit for the inspectors and installers.” Ascension Insurance Agency, Inc. has provided insurance solutions to contractors in the Carolinas for over 70 years. The company is part of Ascension Insurance, Inc., a national risk management and insurance agency that is ranked in the Top 30 largest agencies by revenue size, with over 400 employees and 35 locations nationwide. For more information, please visit http://www.ascensionnc.com and http://www.playground-contractors.org
July 2011 Building Your Business
Mark your Calendar Upcoming Conferences and Workshops
August 16th, 2011 Georgia Recreation and Park Asso-ciation Annual Conference - Macon, GA www.grpa.org August 25 - 26, 2011 Hawaii Recreation & Park Association Annual State Conference - Maui, HI [email protected] August 30– September 1, 2011 Arizona Parks and Recreation Asso-ciation Annual Conference - Tucson, AZ www.azpra.org September 7-10, 2011 Alaska Recreation and Parks Asso-ciation Annual Conference - Seward, AK www.alaskaarpa.org September 10-13, 2011 SCRPA/NCRPA Joint Conference Charleston, SC www.scrpa.org September 17-20, 2011 5th Annual Virginia Recreation & Park Society Annual Conference Norfolk, VA www.vrps.com September 18-20, 2011 Oregon Recreation & Park Assoca-tion Conference & Trade Show. Bend, OR www.orpa.org September 19-22, 2011 Wyoming Recreation and Parks As-sociation Committee Evanston, WY www.wyorpa.com September 19-22, 2011 Mississippi Recreation and Parks Association Convention & Trade Show, Olive Branch, MS www.aboutmrpa.org
November 1 - 4, 2011 2011 Congress NRPA Congress and Exposition Atlanta, GA www.nrpa.org
Dear Members, Each year the NPCAI Social event has grown by leaps and bounds, What started out as a few installers meeting at NRPA one night talking and exchanging ideas has grown into a special night once a year when we all come together to laugh, eat and drink and have a wonderful time together, give out Awards and door prizes. The NPCAI now host a Grand Social event for over one hundred fifty people.
The NPCAI social event is a one of a kind event where everyone in our industry comes together to cele-brate all the wonderful work we all do, each year we ask our members to help sponsor the NPCAI Grand Social, and each year our wonderful members with their great generos-ity help us have such great socials,
We have many New members this year and Atlanta Georgia is such a fun city to have our so-cial, we have looked at the congress calendar and due to the closing party being held on Thursday night this year we are holding the NPCAI Grand Social on Wednesday night, No-vember 2, from 6:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. So I am asking again this year for your help and support to put together another Fantastic NPCAI Grand Social event at NRPA this year. We know how hard the past few years have been on all our members so we ask you to help in any way you can. We have many dif-ferent levels of sponsor ship not only do we give special recognition at the Social to each and every sponsor, you also get many other perks, such as banner adds on our web page that receives thousands of hits each day, to advertising at the social event.
We truly enjoy hosting the NPCAI Grand Social event for all of our members so that everyone in the playground industry can get together meet and spend time getting to know each other and build new contacts and make new friends or just meet and catch up with old friends. We look forward to host-ing another wonderful event this year but we need your help, we need sponsors so we can put on the 2011 Grand Social event. Please take the time to help us continue this one of a kind event, attached is all the information you need to become a 2011 Social sponsor. We always receive a
great reviews from all whom attend, they say it is the best event held at NRPA so please help us by becoming a sponsor. We would like to thank the current sponsors that have already jumped on board. Thank you all for your generosity with over two hundred and forty members we keep growing and working to bring all our members New and money saving benefits. We look forward to seeing all of you at the Grand Social In Atlanta in November so make plans to attend as always we will have a GRAND time.
Sincerely, Karen H. Spears, CPSI NPCAI Social Director NPCAI Past Chair [email protected] 1-888-895-5437
Blueprint By State
Blue Print for Becoming and Louisiana Licensed Contractor Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors Mr. Michael McDuff, Executive Director Post Office Box 14419, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4419 2525 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70898 Phone: 225-765-2301 ● Fax: 225-765-2431 www.lslbc.louisiana.gov The State Licensing Board for Contractors indicates that the classification of "Specialty – Commercial Playground Equipment & Bleachers" of a contractor engages in the con-struction of such facilities must be licensed if the job cost, material and labor meets or exceeds $50,000. Requirements are the contractors must pass examinations dealings with the specific trade, as well as with Business law. Must provide financial state-ments, and references with application. Reciprocal Agreement – Louisiana considers each case individually and can grant a license to a nonresident contractor on a reciprocal basis, if he or she holds a license from a state which is a member of the National Association of State Contractors Li-censing agencies and reciprocates with Louisiana. Currently, contractors domiciled in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah who are hold a license for three consecutive years in a comparable classifi-cation with a clear record, may be eligible for an examination waiver.
Dear Members, In this issue you have noticed we have focused on Playground Safety Surfacing and it value and importance of it. Proper surfacing on public and backyard playgrounds can drasti-cally reduce fall injuries and their severity. The main goal of soft playground surfacing is to prevent serious injuries, with prevention of fractures as another important goal. This goal is achieved by using one of the correct types of surfacing and installing it to the proper depth. I wont go into it any further because it has been addressed by Tom Peeples, Karen Spears and Roger Davis already. However I would like mention that for August, we will be addressing Site Amenities, Skate Parks, Shade Structures and Aquatic Features and if you would like to contribute to an arti-cle, you are more then welcome to send it to me for review. Once again we are proud to serve our members!
Thank you. Sylvia Salazar NPCAI Executive Director [email protected] 1-888-908-9519
July 2011 A Message from the Executive Director
Mark your Calendar Upcoming Conferences and Workshops
August 16th, 2011 Georgia Recreation and Park Asso-ciation Annual Conference - Macon, GA www.grpa.org August 25 - 26, 2011 Hawaii Recreation & Park Association Annual State Conference - Maui, HI [email protected] August 30– September 1, 2011 Arizona Parks and Recreation Asso-ciation Annual Conference - Tucson, AZ www.azpra.org September 7-10, 2011 Alaska Recreation and Parks Asso-ciation Annual Conference - Seward, AK www.alaskaarpa.org September 10-13, 2011 SCRPA/NCRPA Joint Conference Charleston, SC www.scrpa.org September 17-20, 2011 5th Annual Virginia Recreation & Park Society Annual Conference Norfolk, VA www.vrps.com September 18-20, 2011 Oregon Recreation & Park Assoca-tion Conference & Trade Show. Bend, OR www.orpa.org September 19-22, 2011 Wyoming Recreation and Parks As-sociation Committee Evanston, WY www.wyorpa.com September 19-22, 2011 Mississippi Recreation and Parks Association Convention & Trade Show, Olive Branch, MS www.aboutmrpa.org November 1 - 4, 2011
2011 Congress NRPA Congress and Exposition Atlanta, GA www.nrpa.org The statement and opinions express in the foregoing articles are those of the author, and not those of NPCAI. Copyrighted © 2011.
International Playground Contractors Association. The Playground Insider is a registered trademark owned by the International Playground Contractors Association. All rights reserved. This is members ezine.
