Poured-in-place protective surfacing is one of the most misunderstood types of surfaces with regard to compliance to ADA and various international Standards. Failure to meet the stipulated standards and other requirements of the ADA could cause the playground to be noncompliant. With poured-in-place surfacing being one of the highest capital cost surface currently available in playgrounds, a failure of this surface will have a significant financial impact on the owner/operator of the playground. Premature replacement (less than 10 years) of playground surfacing may affect the building of new playgrounds and purchasing of playground equipment.

The success of a poured-in-place surface will depend upon a number of elements; the rubber, the binder, the multiple layers and their makeup, the weather conditions during and just after the installation. The installation techniques will affect the performance as an impact absorbing surface as well as its long-term durability. An understanding of the interaction of these elements, the requirement for clear specifications, field testing and warranties are important to the owning of a poured-in-place surface with good functional longevity.

For this purpose a task group of the ASTM F08.63 sub-committee for playground surfaces has been working for a number of years to develop a Standard Guide for the Specification, Purchase, Installation and Maintenance of Poured-In-Place Playground Surfacing. This work has received tremendous industry support and will be of great assistance to the person interfacing with the poured-in-place surface supplier or manufacturer. The document lays out problems and concerns that must be addressed to ensure a successful installation. It is anticipated that this will be an educational document that will allow issues related to the poured-in-place surfaces related to other ASTM standards and requirements such as the ADA be discussed.