Playground Engineered Wood Fiber Chips

Playground Wood Chips

Safe 2 Play helps keep your playgrounds safe with engineered wood fiber playground wood chips.

Playground wood chips or Engineered Wood Fiber is the number one choice for playgrounds and play areas. With the ability to absorb shock and cushion falls, playground wood chips help create a safer play space for children on any school neighborhood park playground. Children will fall off playground equipment and hurt themselves from the force of impact with the ground. For this reason, playground areas require shock absorbing material. The most preferred absorbent materials placed beneath and around playground facilities are playground wood chips.

Certified Playground Fiber Mulch

Engineered Wood Fiber is a safe, natural, accessible and resilient hardwood fiber cut so that it meets or exceeds US consumer products safety commission guidelines. Playground wood chips must be certified by the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association for playground safety. Engineered wood fiber that is IPEMA certified does not contain any recycled wood products or any wood containing paint or other treatments.

What are the Best Wood Chips?

Many types of wood-chip products look similar, but they do not provide the same protection on playgrounds. In fact, wood chips may in fact be dangerous because of sharp edges and points. Engineered Wood Fibre (EWF) is the recommended wood chip product for use as playground cover. In addition to its high shock absorbency, EWF has more beneficial features than other wood chips.

Engineered wood mulch for playgrounds

Playgrounds are an essential part of childhood, unfortunately, playing can also be dangerous. To keep playgrounds fun yet safe, it’s important to use a cushioned surface such as playground wood chips! At Safe 2 Play, we understand the need for playground safety and recommend engineered wood fiber safety surfacing.

The playground wood chips we help install are made with the finest wood available to safeguard a soft, cushioned surface. These engineered wood chips are designed to prevent splinters, keep children safe and prevents injuries in the event of a fall.

When all of the statistics are considered, playground wood chips are a safer and more effective alternative to gravel, rubber, and asphalt.

Benefits of Using Playground Wood Chips

Engineered Wood Fiber Chips are one of the best options for cushioned playground surfaces. Poured in Place Rubber and Rubber chips and gravel surfaces might seem like great options, but they don’t provide the flexibility and efficiency of playground wood chips.

The benefits of wood chips include:

Safety. Playground wood chips often exceed ADA, ASTM, and CPSC playground surfacing standards. According to several studies [pdf], engineered wood fibar is the most effective surface for averting surface injuries. Playground wood chips are also less sensitive to extreme temperatures, which is great at protecting children during the heat of summer.

Cost efficiency. Playground wood chips are less expensive that other alternatives. . Even considering playground wood chips require regular topping off or replacement, they remain the safest and cheapest cushioning option.

Visual appeal. Engineered wood fiber chips make playgrounds look great. Using playground wood chips provides an enjoyable visual sight for both parents and kids and enhances the childhood play experience.

ADA accessible. ADA accessibility and safety are very important with all playgrounds and parks. Because playground wood chips meet all ADA accessibility standard surfacing requirements, they allow all children to enjoy playgrounds accessibility.

Mulch Calculator

Estimate how much engineered wood fiber is required for your playground. Engineered wood fiber price per yard varies and we have some of the best rates available. It is suggested to install playground mulch at least 3-4″ in depth over the required depth to help ensure adequate coverage and to allow for compaction.

Click here to calculate the yards required for your project

Cubic Yards Calculator

Please contact us with any questions or to order engineered wood chips for your playground.

12 FAQs About Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) Playground Wood Chips

1. What is the difference between engineered wood fiber (EWF) and regular wood chips?

Engineered wood fiber (EWF) is designed specifically for playgrounds, providing better impact absorption and safety than regular wood chips. EWF meets industry safety standards like ASTM F1292, ensuring it cushions falls effectively. Regular wood chips are often uneven, compact easily, and may not provide the necessary protection for children on playgrounds. Learn more about the differences between engineered wood fiber vs wood chips on our website.

2. Why do playgrounds use wood chips, and are they safe for playgrounds?

Playgrounds use engineered wood fiber (EWF) because it provides excellent shock absorption, making it safe for children. EWF meets ASTM F1292 standards, which ensures it cushions falls and prevents serious injuries like head trauma. Regular wood chips, on the other hand, may not offer the same level of safety. For more information, visit our page on why playgrounds use wood chips.

3. What are certified playground wood chips, and why are they important?

Certified playground wood chips, often referred to as engineered wood fiber (EWF), are tested to meet safety standards such as ASTM F1292 for impact attenuation. These wood chips ensure that the surface will effectively cushion falls and reduce the risk of injury. They are specifically designed for playground use and are safer than regular, untreated wood chips. Learn more about certified playground wood chips on our website.

4. What are the best wood chips for playgrounds?

The best wood chips for playgrounds are engineered wood fiber (EWF), which meets industry safety standards like ASTM F1292. EWF provides superior impact absorption compared to regular wood chips, making it the ideal choice for playground safety. To find out more about the best wood chips for playgrounds, visit our page.

5. Why are engineered wood fiber (EWF) wood chips used in playgrounds?

EWF wood chips are specifically designed for playgrounds because they provide superior fall protection. Unlike regular wood chips, EWF is manufactured and tested to ensure it offers consistent shock absorption, reducing the risk of injuries. This makes it the preferred surface material for playgrounds. For more details on why EWF is used in playgrounds, visit our resource page.

6. How does engineered wood fiber (EWF) compare to rubber mulch?

EWF and rubber mulch both provide good impact absorption, but they differ in cost, maintenance, and environmental impact. EWF is more affordable and eco-friendly, being made from natural wood, while rubber mulch requires less frequent maintenance and is non-biodegradable. However, both options meet playground safety standards like ASTM F1292. Learn more about the differences between engineered wood fiber and rubber mulch on our page.

7. What is ASTM F1292, and why is it important for playground wood chips?

ASTM F1292 is the standard that regulates impact attenuation for playground surfaces, including engineered wood fiber (EWF). It ensures that playground surfaces cushion falls effectively to reduce injury risks. Meeting ASTM F1292 is crucial for any playground to maintain a safe environment for children. To understand how ASTM F1292 applies to wood chips, visit our page.

8. What is the recommended depth for engineered wood fiber (EWF) on playgrounds?

The recommended installation depth for EWF is between 9 and 12 inches, depending on the height of the playground equipment. This depth ensures the surface provides proper cushioning to meet ASTM F1292 safety standards. Maintaining the correct depth is essential for keeping playgrounds safe. Learn more about proper installation on our playground engineered wood fiber page.

9. How often should engineered wood fiber (EWF) playground surfaces be replenished?

EWF needs to be replenished regularly, especially in high-traffic areas. Over time, the wood fibers compact, reducing their ability to cushion falls. Routine maintenance ensures the surface remains at the recommended depth and continues to meet ASTM F1292 safety standards. For maintenance tips, visit our playground safety checklist.

10. How do I maintain an engineered wood fiber (EWF) playground surface?

Maintaining an EWF playground surface involves regular raking to keep the surface even and replenishing the wood fiber to maintain the correct depth. It’s important to remove debris and check for proper compaction after heavy use. Regular maintenance helps ensure the surface remains safe for children. For more details, visit our playground inspections page.

11. Is engineered wood fiber (EWF) an environmentally friendly option for playgrounds?

Yes, EWF is an environmentally friendly option for playground surfacing. It is made from natural wood, often sourced from recycled or sustainable materials, making it a renewable and biodegradable choice. This makes EWF both safe for children and beneficial for the environment. Learn more about eco-friendly playground surfaces.

12. What are the common risks if engineered wood fiber (EWF) is not properly maintained?

If EWF is not regularly maintained, it can compact, reducing its effectiveness in absorbing impact. Insufficient depth, debris buildup, or uneven surfaces can pose tripping hazards and increase the risk of injury. Regular inspections and maintenance ensure the surface continues to meet ASTM F1292 standards. For more on maintaining EWF playground surfaces, visit our site.

Additional FAQ: What is certified playground mulch, and how does it differ from regular mulch?

Certified playground mulch, such as engineered wood fiber (EWF), meets safety standards like ASTM F1292 and is specifically designed for impact absorption. Regular mulch may not offer the same level of protection or consistency, making certified mulch the better choice for playground safety. Learn more about certified playground mulch.