ECE Softfall Surfaces: Why Impact Testing Matters

Adam Stride
Dec 9, 2022
2 min read

Updated: Feb 9

Softfall surfacing plays a critical role in keeping children safe in Early Childhood Education (ECE) outdoor play environments. Whether it’s synthetic turf, wet-pour rubber, tiles, or rubber mulch systems, these surfaces are designed to absorb impact and reduce the risk of serious injury when children fall—something that happens every day as part of active, exploratory play.

Because young children are still developing balance, coordination, and spatial awareness, falls are expected. What matters is how the surface performs at the moment of impact.

Not All Softfall Surfaces Perform the Same

While many softfall systems are marketed as “compliant” or “certified,” real-world performance can change over time. Common issues we see during inspections include:

Material degradation from UV exposure, weathering, and heavy use
Compacted or failing shockpads beneath synthetic turf
Incorrect installation depths or seams opening over time
Play equipment with fall heights exceeding the surface’s tested capacity

In these situations, a surface that once performed well may no longer provide adequate protection against head injuries.

Your Responsibility as a Licensed ECE Service

ECE services are required to ensure that outdoor play surfaces are safe, suitable, and fit for purpose. This obligation sits across several frameworks, including:

NZS 5828 / EN 1176 – Playground equipment and surfacing
EN 1177 – Impact attenuation testing of playground surfaces
Ministry of Education Premises & Facilities Criterion 5 (PF5) – Safe furniture, equipment, and materials

If a serious injury occurs, services may be required to demonstrate that reasonable steps were taken to verify surface performance, not just that the surface was once installed as “compliant.”

What Is an Impact Test?

Impact attenuation testing is the only reliable way to confirm whether a softfall surface is still performing as intended.

The test uses specialised portable equipment to simulate a head-first fall by dropping an instrumented mass from a controlled height onto the surface. Two key values are measured:

HIC (Head Injury Criterion)
- Maximum allowable value: 1000
- Indicates the likelihood and severity of head injury
g-max (Peak Acceleration)
- Maximum allowable value: 200 g
- Measures how abruptly the head decelerates on impact

If either value exceeds the allowable limit, the surface fails to provide adequate impact protection for that fall height.

How Often Should Softfall Be Tested?

Playsafe recommends impact testing every two years, or sooner if:

New equipment has been installed or heights have changed
The surface shows visible wear, hardening, or movement
You are preparing for an ERO visit or licensing review
There has been a serious fall or incident

Regular testing provides confidence that your softfall surface continues to protect children as intended—and that you have the documentation to prove it.

How Playsafe Can Help

Playsafe conducts independent Impact Attenuation Testing on synthetic softfall surfaces across ECE services, schools, and public play areas. Our testing: