Playground Equipment › Safety
Playground Fall Zone Calculator
Calculate the required fall zone area and minimum impact attenuation surfacing depth per AS 4685 and NZS 5828. Enter equipment footprint dimensions and critical fall height.
Playground Fall Zone Calculator
Enter equipment dimensions and critical fall height to calculate fall zone.
Per AS 4685.0 / NZS 5828. Fall zone = equipment footprint + 1.8 m overhang on all sides; 2.25 m at slide exit. Surfacing depths are minimums — actual HIC testing of installed surface is required for compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do rubber tiles need to be as deep as bark?
No — rubber tiles and wet-pour rubber have higher shock absorption per millimetre, so minimum depths are lower. At CFH 1.5 m, bark/sand requires 150 mm but rubber tiles only 65 mm. Always verify the specific product's HIC test certificate.
Can fall zones for adjacent equipment overlap?
Yes, but only if neither piece of equipment can be in simultaneous use — i.e. they cannot be used at the same time by multiple children. Otherwise fall zones must remain separate.
Is a fall zone inspection required by law in NZ?
NZS 5828 and the Building Act require playground equipment installed in public spaces to be inspected annually by a competent inspector. Schools and councils are typically required to maintain compliance records.
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