What fall height can playground safety mats and tiles protect against?

The term critical fall height refers to the maximum height from which a person can fall onto the surface without sustaining a life-threatening head injury. Playground safety mats and tiles are designed to protect against such impacts – tested and certified in accordance with European Standard EN 1177.

Tested safety according to EN 1177

In the test, a standardised instrumented headform is dropped onto the surface to measure the deceleration at impact – similar to a crash test in the automotive sector. The result is the so-called HIC value (Head Injury Criterion). If the HIC exceeds 1000, the surface is considered unsafe for that fall height.

Typical fall heights covered by certified safety mats:

– Up to 100 cm: e.g. playhouses, balance elements, low platforms

– Up to 150 cm: e.g. slides, seesaws, low climbing units

– Up to 200 cm: e.g. rope structures, climbing frames, multi-play systems

– Up to 300 cm: e.g. tall climbing towers and advanced playground structures

Manufacturer certification is decisive

The actual protection level does not depend on the thickness of the mat or tile, but solely on its certified critical fall height. WARCO indicates this value for every product – based on independent lab testing in accordance with EN 1177.

Not every mat is suitable for every fall height

A 2-metre fall requires a different product than a 1-metre fall. Always choose safety surfacing that is EN 1177 certified and matched to the maximum fall height of the play equipment. When in doubt, opt for the next higher protection level – and for the same fall height, choose the thicker and heavier mat or tile.