How thick should Playground Safety Mats and Tiles be?

The required thickness of Playground Safety Mats and Tiles depends on the critical fall height they are intended to protect against. As a general rule: the higher the potential fall height, the thicker the mat or tile must be – provided it offers the necessary shock absorption.

Typical values for thickness and fall height (in accordance with DIN EN 1177):

– Up to 100 cm fall height: approx. 30 mm thick

– Up to 150 cm fall height: 40–50 mm thick

– Up to 200 cm fall height: 65–80 mm thick

– Up to 300 cm fall height: 90–100 mm thick

Durability also depends on thickness

For a given fall height, multiple tile thicknesses are often certified – especially when comparing different manufacturers. In general: the thinner the tile for the same certified fall height, the more stress it endures in daily use – and the faster it wears out. Thicker and heavier tiles typically offer longer service life at the same level of protection.

The sub-base also plays a role

A loose, elastic base layer can help improve impact absorption. However, it is not taken into account when determining the certified fall height. On hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete, the full impact protection must be provided by the tile itself. This is why Playground Safety Mats and Tiles are tested in accordance with EN 1177 on concrete.

Use certified products only

What matters most is not just the material thickness, but the certified critical fall height. WARCO offers Playground Safety Mats and Tiles in various thicknesses – each tested according to DIN EN 1177 and clearly labelled with their certified performance.