STI makes safety a priority when constructing playgrounds

Safety always comes first with our synthetic turf playgrounds. Now we are excited to announce that commitment to quality and safety has been recognized by IPEMA, the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association.   STI has secured IPEMA certifications for five SoftLawn® Playground systems.

Our systems already exceeded national safety standards. But we believe it is important to seek and obtain third party verification. These certifications ensure that our systems have been tested and approved by a third party testing lab in accordance and compliance with the current published requirements associated with ASTM F1292 Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment.  This standard is based on the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) research data and created by ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International.

This certification process proved to be extensive. It included an authentication and assessment of the following criteria to ensure compliance with the ASTM F1292 standard:

• Individual certified system testing.
• Written and active quality control assurance program.
• Clear and concise procedural documents.
• Appropriate customer service discipline.
• Consistent quality guidelines and inspections.

So with all this talk of standards and testing, it all comes down to one important point – STI Playground systems help maximize a child’s safety, whether they are playing outside or indoors.

IPEMA provides 3rd party Product Certification services for U.S. and Canadian public play equipment and public play surfacing materials in the U.S. The association services IPEMA-certified member companies, affiliated playground industry groups and anyone with an interest in playground equipment regulations.

Synthetic Turf International Hoaloha Playground

With the Centers for Disease Control estimating that obesity rates among children younger than five have doubled over the last two decades, a growing number of schools and day care facilities are creating more outdoor play opportunities for the kids they serve.

Take for example the Hoaloha Kai Montessori School in Honolulu, Hawaii, a private school that serves children from the age of two months through sixth grade.  A significant portion of their students are between three to six years old.  While they recognized the importance of playing outside, the school faced the challenge of limited space and equally limited funds. Initially they compromised by converting the back parking area into a playground using a wooden freestanding unit over foam padding but it wasn’t up to industry safety guidelines. After enrollment and funds increased, they turned to Synthetic Turf International (STI) distributor NyLawn to construct a new, safer playground using their synthetic turf that would create more play value, aesthetic appeal and maximize the limited surface area.

“The play space required some much needed improvements to bring it up to a safe and professional looking facility,” noted Rory Otto, President of NyLawn. “We wanted to create a beautiful playground that protected the ‘Keiki,’ which is Hawaiian for kids.”

NyLawn came up with a Miracle 2-5 YO custom structure with curved edge Fall Zone and an exciting color scheme. They used a thick recycled foam underlayment with STI’s SoftLawn and sand/rubber infill, which created a critical fall height over eight feet. Installers followed the ASTM 1487 and CPSC Guidelines to be sure the perimeter met or exceeded the Use Zone of the equipment as well. Finally a race track painted around the perimeter for the Keiki to ride their tricycles on and NyLawn created an additional outdoor play space for the younger children’s area that enhanced curb appeal.

Today, preschoolers eagerly look forward to playing outside and parents are equally thrilled by the safe synthetic turf surface that protects their children.

“The new synthetic grass play area and wall has added to our curb appeal and prompted families to inquire about our school,” noted Hoku Chong, Director of Admissions at the Hoaloha Kai Montessori School. She also felt that one of their students expressed it most eloquently of all in stating “‘our courtyard is much more safe and awesome now!”