Health & Safety: Why EPDM Is the Best Surface Material for Children's Playgrounds
Amid the laughter and joy of children, a playground is not just a space for fun—it’s their very first gateway to exploring the world. Yet, safety remains the top concern for both parents and designers.
As awareness of health and safety reaches new heights in 2024, EPDM granules are emerging as the preferred surface material for playgrounds worldwide, thanks to their outstanding performance.
In this article, we’ll explore how EPDM has become a trusted “guardian for children”—from its safety and durability to its role in shaping the future of playground design.
EPDM: The Perfect Balance of Safety and Fun
1. Unmatched Shock Absorption and Protection
When children fall while running, the ground’s ability to absorb impact directly affects the risk of injury.
FieldsMaster’s EPDM granules offer excellent elasticity, capable of absorbing up to 90% of impact force (with tensile strength >10 MPa and elongation at break ≥700%).
The surface is also designed with anti-slip properties, further reducing the chances of slipping.
For example, after one kindergarten upgraded to FieldsMaster’s EPDM surfacing, minor injury incidents dropped by 70%. Parents reported that “even when kids fall, they can get right back up and keep playing."
2. Exceptional Longevity in Extreme Environments
The FieldsMaster Pro series EPDM granules feature a density of 1.36 g/cm³ and UV resistance with a color fastness rating of 4-5. Whether under scorching sun or heavy rain, they maintain their vibrant colors for a decade. A community in the U.S. that built a playground with this series saw no cracking or fading after ten years of use, saving significant costs from frequent renovations.
3. Stimulating Creativity Through Color
FieldsMaster's EPDM offers 112 color options, allowing designers to demarcate different play areas with colored blocks: blue running tracks, green climbing zones, yellow sandpits, etc. One of our clients created a "Rainbow Sky" using our colors, which became an Instagrammable spot , proving that safety and aesthetic education can coexist.
Beyond Playgrounds:
EPDM's Versatile Safety Solutions EPDM's innovative value is being rediscovered in various fields, from protecting children's stumbles to cushioning athletes' landings and preventing slips for the elderly on wet paths. Here’s how it addresses safety challenges across scenarios:
1. Children’s Parks: Breaking the "Safety vs. Fun" Paradox
Pain Points: Hard surfaces limit creative play, leading to overprotection by parents; monotonous colors reduce engagement, with children leaving after just 10 minutes.
FieldsMaster EPDM’s Solution: 30mm-thick cushioning layer ensures no serious injuries from 2-meter falls. 3D color mosaic technology creates story-driven scenes to spark independent exploration.
Case Study: Average playtime increased from 25 to 85 minutes in a contracted park.
2. Leisure Walkways: Say Goodbye to "Rainy-Day Slipping" and "Summer Scalding"
Pain Points: Stone slabs and tiles become "ice rinks" when wet, posing risks for senior pedestrians; plastic walkways emit pungent odors and reach surface temperatures exceeding 60°C under the sun.
FieldsMaster EPDM’s Solution: Honeycomb structure enables instant drainage, tripling in rainy conditions. Low thermal radiation formula reduces summer surface temperature by 15°C, making barefoot walking comfortable.
Case Study: A 60% drop in morning exercise slip incidents after installation.
3. Sports Venues: Ending the "Concrete Nightmare"
Pain Points: Concrete/asphalt floors exceed impact standards, increasing knee injury risks; traditional plastic floors harden and crack, requiring renovations every three years; cracked concrete poses tripping hazards, and icy winters force activity cancellations.
FieldsMaster EPDM’s Solution: Dynamic cushioning layers absorb 70% of impact force, protecting athletes’ joints. Seamless elastic structure withstands extreme temperature changes, extending service life to 8 years.
Case Study: A 45% reduction in sports injury complaints after a court renovation.
4. Water Parks: Cracking the "Wet-Slip Curse"
Pain Points: Tiles lose friction (coefficient drops to 0.3 when wet), making splash zones accident-prone; chlorine corrosion causes flooring to brittle, requiring annual replacements.
FieldsMaster EPDM’s Solution: Micro-level anti-slip textures maintain a friction coefficient of 0.8 even under water flow. Chlorine-resistant molecular layers defy chemical corrosion, tripling lifespan.
Case Study: An 87% annual reduction in slip accidents in shower areas.
5. Artificial Turf: Ending the "Granule Compaction" Dilemma
Pain Points: Regular filling granules compact within six months, turning fields as hard as concrete; sports dust causes respiratory issues, and flying granules pollute the environment.
FieldsMaster EPDM’s Solution: Spherical structure maintains 90% rebound rate for over 3 years. Electrostatic adsorption technology reduces dust and granule loss by 85%.
Case Study: Annual maintenance costs reduced by ¥370,000 in a contracted stadium.
FieldsMaster EPDM’s Innovation Logic: From Passive Protection to Active Prevention
While traditional materials focus on “how to reduce injuries,” EPDM is already asking, “how can we prevent danger from happening in the first place?” This isn’t just a material upgrade—it’s a shift in mindset.
By applying scenario-based engineering thinking, EPDM aims to eliminate safety risks before they occur.
From analyzing the force dispersion curve of a child’s fall to fine-tuning micro-level friction under water flow, every design detail reflects one core idea: True safety begins with a deep understanding of human needs.
Building a Safety Foundation for Every Laugh
When children leap and play on an EPDM surface, they’re not just landing on a soft layer of protection—they’re stepping onto a foundation where technology meets thoughtful care.
Choosing FieldsMaster EPDM means investing in a safer, more sustainable future for your playground. Because the best playground is one where kids can run freely— and no one ever has to say, “Watch your step.”
FieldsMaster — with expert EPDM solutions, we protect every step of growth for millions of children around the world. Contact us today to design your own safe and joyful playground.
