Embankments & Man-Made Mounds - Playsafe Guidance Statement

Embankment slides and man-made mounds are not defined as a separate category within NZS 5828:2015. Accordingly, Playsafe assesses these features using the standard’s general principles relating to falling space, free height of fall (FHF), and hazardous gradients. Mounds are considered part of the surrounding play environment, and their geometry forms part of the fall height and fall path.

Risk Characteristics of Mounds

Although the sloped form of a mound provides a natural glancing mitigation effect, the primary hazards typically arise from perimeter elements such as:

• Timber or concrete edging and nibs

• Exposed rocks or boulders

• Perimeter logs

• Hard surfacing or objects within the landing zone

  
  

These features frequently represent a higher risk than the mound itself.

Falling Space Determination

Because users may fall down a mound rather than off it, falling space should begin where the mound reaches 600 mm FHF relative to the adjacent ground level.

From this point, Playsafe recommends a 1.50 m falling space / impact area, kept clear of obstacles and ideally surfaced with compliant impact-attenuating material.

Surfacing Requirements

Within this 1.50 m falling space:

• No hard or blunt objects should be present.

• The surfacing should be an accepted impact-attenuating material appropriate for the FHF.

• Well-maintained natural grass is acceptable for FHFs up to 1.0 m, as permitted within the standard.

  
  

Gradient Considerations

NZS 5828 does not specify a formal slope angle for defining an embankment. However, Playsafe applies the following practical guidance:

• Slopes under ~30° are typically treated as general terrain.

• Slopes over ~30° function more like an embankment, where users may slip, roll, or lose control, and therefore require falling-space considerations similar to those applied to low platforms or embankment slides.