Frequently Asked Questions: A-OK Playgrounds

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions for commercial playground equipment, playground equipment, indoor playground equipment, and outdoor playground equipment.

At A-OK Playgrounds, we always listen to our customers. Please explore our website and see the array of indoor and outdoor playground equipment products and services we have to offer.Our knowledgeable and professional sales staff, consultants, customer-service personnel, and certified installation specialists are chosen and trained to make your playground adventure easy and fun. Every staff member is committed to quality, honesty and value, and we are ready to work with you. Enjoy! We look forward to serving you.

Yes, this can be done, but the challenge level for all of the components will need to be appropriate for 2-5 year olds. Therefore, in many cases this does not make sense for age appropriate play and challenges for the 5-12 year olds. Play activities should be designed for children with varying ages and abilities. The CPSC guidelines recommended that separate areas be designated for the different age groups of 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds.

Falling is the number one cause of injuries on the playground. A child falling on a hard surface such as concrete or even grass can be seriously injured or even killed. The material underneath and around the playground should be resilient.

The general rule is to allow a minimum use zone of six feet around playground equipment. Refer to the ASTM F-1487-98 Standard or the Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines for specific use zone requirements.

Yes, the detailed instructions provided will guide you through the installation, however, if you have no experience with this type of installation it could take longer and be more difficult without some guidance and discussions about what to expect. We recommend that you discuss this with your sales consultant since some playground designs lend themselves to customers doing it themselves, while other designs and products require a bit more expertise.

No, typically installation costs need to be figured separately and will vary depending on a number of factors. If professional installation is required, then it is best to speak with our sales consultant regarding these costs.

If you need separation between any under drainage materials and the wood fiber, then fabric is recommended. This will help to prolong the life of the drainage system by keeping these materials separated while also lengthening the life of the organic wood fiber surfacing material. One of the main reasons to use landscape fabric beneath rubber mulch is the excellent barrier the cloth provides against weeds. Weeds can sprout up just about anywhere, and there's no telling what seeds and organic materials are present in the soil beneath the area set to receive mulch. Landscape fabric also helps keep the mulch clean. Without the fabric, mulch will eventually sink down slightly into the soil beneath. Fabric Cloth is recommended so water can flow through the mulch into the ground beneath, preventing flooding and runoff issues.

There are many circumstances that can affect this cost and it is best to check with our sales consultant for an accurate estimate of installation costs. Also, be sure to add all other components into the overall installation budget such as: unloading the truck upon delivery, excavation, boarders, drainage considerations, safety surfacing, site access, removal of existing equipment, signage, ADA access to the play area, etc.

Yes, this can be done, but the challenge level for all of the components will need to be appropriate for 2-5 year olds. Therefore, in many cases this does not make sense for age appropriate play and challenges for the 5-12 year olds. The CPSC guidelines recommended that separate areas be designated for the different age groups of 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds.

When figuring the total costs for a playground installation it is important to consider all or some of the following: freight, unloading of equipment (fork lift or lull?), storage of materials, sales tax, concrete, the use of an auger or other digging equipment, drainage considerations.

This is a complex answer that will vary depending on the existing conditions, drainage requirements, the fall height requirements, size of the area, and other factors. The basic answer is that engineered wood fiber is the least expensive resilient material, while loose fill rubber will cost about 2-3 times as much initially. Unitary mats, synthetic turf and poured-in-place rubber safety surfaces will initially cost 5-6 times as much as engineered wood fiber. Be sure to consider the overall lifetime costs for all these materials when comparing these material costs.

Refer to the ASTM F-1487-98 Standard or the Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines for specific use zone requirements.

Jutting pieces of hardware can cause serious injuries. There should be nothing that would snag pieces of clothing, jewelry, or strings. Surfaces should be smooth and level, with no tree stumps or roots.

Outdated playground equipment can be extremely dangerous. For example, during the 60's, 70's, and 80's, heavy metal animal swings were commonplace on playgrounds. This equipment can act as a lethal battering ram, potentially injuring children who walk in front of them.