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Surface Impact Test
Protecting Children from Playground Fall Injuries
Falls are the leading cause of injuries on playgrounds, accounting for around 70% of all incidents, including serious head, neck, and spinal injuries. These accidents often result from impacts with hard or non-compliant surfacing beneath the play equipment.
At Playsafe, we offer a Certified Surface Impact Test to ensure your playground surface meets critical safety standards and provides adequate protection in the event of a fall.
What is a Surface Impact Test?
Our Surface Impact Test evaluates the shock-absorbing properties of playground surfacing materials. It determines whether the surface meets the Critical Fall Height (CFH) requirements for your playground equipment as per NZS 5828:2015 and EN1177 standards.
Using our HIC Surface Impact Tester, we simulate real-world fall scenarios and assess the surface's ability to absorb impact and reduce the risk of serious injury.
What's Included in the Test?
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Impact Drop Testing using a calibrated Head Injury Criteria (HIC) device
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Measurement of fall height per activity to determine relevant test points
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Multiple drops performed from increasing heights to determine Critical Fall Height (CFH)
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Impact severity measured for each drop (Head Injury Criteria - HIC and Gmax values)
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Drop Curve Graph generated to visually represent impact vs. height
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Digital Test Report including:
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Pass/Fail outcome based on compliance
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Site photos and documentation
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Summary of surface condition and maintenance notes
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How the Test Works
Our testing process uses a sensor-equipped headform to replicate a fall and measure key impact metrics such as:
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Velocity at impact
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Gmax (maximum deceleration)
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HIC (Head Injury Criteria)
From this data, we determine whether your surface can sufficiently absorb energy from a fall and prevent traumatic injury. This ensures your surfacing aligns with the CFH requirements of nearby play equipment.
Common Surface Types We Test
We test a wide range of surfacing systems, including:
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Play Matta® Tiles
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Numat Tiles
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Wetpour Rubber
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Synthetic Turf with or without infill
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Grass Retenion Tilles
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Pour’n’Play systems
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Corkeen/Mulch Set Products
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Any other custom surface installations
Why Regular Testing Matters
All playground surfaces degrade over time due to UV exposure, heavy usage, and weather. Regular testing helps you:
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Identify safety risks before they lead to injury
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Maintain compliance with NZS5828 + EN1177 standards
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Avoid costly liabilities or required surface replacement
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Provide peace of mind to caregivers, operators, and councils
Test Options
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On-site (in-situ) Testing: For existing playgrounds and surface installations
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Lab-Based Certification: For new surface systems or product testing at our facility (Contact us for more details)
Keep Your Playground Safe and Compliant
Don't wait until there's a problem. Ensure your playground surfaces meet safety standards today.
📞 Contact Playsafe to book your Certified Surface Impact Test or to learn more about how we help protect playground users from serious fall injuries.
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What is a Certified Level 3 Playground Inspection?A Level 3 inspection is the most comprehensive audit available, conducted by an RPII-certified inspector. It assesses compliance with NZS5828:2015/EN1176, identifies safety risks, and provides actionable recommendations.
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Who needs a Level 3 inspection?Schools, early childhood centres, councils, and anyone responsible for playground safety should schedule regular Level 3 audits to ensure legal and ethical responsibilities are met.
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How often should I get a Level 3 inspection?The NZS5828 standard recommends an annual Level 3 inspection to maintain compliance and identify issues such as wear and tear, environmental changes, or structural concerns. In practice, we advise Schools and Councils to schedule comprehensive inspections annually, while Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres may consider a 2-yearly inspection cycle.
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What does the inspection cover?Our 10-point audit includes structural integrity, entrapment risks, fall zones, surfacing, maintenance issues, material condition, and full compliance with NZS5828:2015.
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What qualifications do your inspectors have?All inspections are carried out by RPII Level 3 Certified Playground Inspectors — the highest internationally recognised certification for play safety auditing.
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What do I receive after the inspection?You’ll get a digital report with risk ratings, recommendations, compliance details, photos, a Certificate of Inspection, and an audit label for your site.
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Is this service recognised by the Ministry of Education or ERO?Yes. Our inspection service is recommended by both the Ministry of Education and the Education Review Office (ERO), and is widely used across New Zealand by Local Govt, Early Childhood and Indoor Commercial entities.
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Is the inspection impartial?Absolutely. Playsafe provides unbiased, third-party evaluations. We are independent of all suppliers and manufacturers and do not sell equipment, so our advice is always in your best interest.
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How long does an inspection take?Most inspections take 1–2 hours on site, depending on the size and complexity of the playground. The final report is typically delivered within 5 working days.
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What if my playground doesn’t pass the inspection?Don’t worry — our reports include practical guidance to bring your playground up to standard, whether that’s through repairs, replacements, or surface improvements.
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Are your inspectors vetted and insured?Yes. All Playsafe inspectors are police-vetted, professionally trained, and covered by public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
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Can you inspect multiple sites or centres?Yes, we offer inspections for multi-site providers, trusts, and councils. Group discounts and consolidated reporting are available.