Study on the Safety of Playground Flooring Made of Polyolefin Foam Waste and Rubber Paving

This study is purposed to verify the safety of the floor of the children’s playground using polyolefin foam waste and rubber paving. The critical fall height, walking suitability, long term physical fatigue expectation and slipperiness were tested. Polyolefin foam wastes in thickness of 30mm, 50mm and 70mm were prepared with paving the rubber paving materials in 12mm and 15mm thickness respectively. The test on the critical fall height was carried out according to KS G 5758:2009. The floor hardness test equipment (O-Y HMA) was used for the test on hardness of the floor from a viewpoint of walking suitability and fatigue. A portable slipperiness tester (ONO PPSM) was used for slipperiness test. It was revealed from the test that the floor made of the polyolefin foam waste and rubber paving were considerably safe from a viewpoint of impact absorption. With regards to the hardness of the floor, it was shown the excellent performance in the aspects of walking and fatigue for male. But it was not suitable with walking on the shoes(middle heels) for female. And they will be very fatigue if they were in a long time walking or standing. As far as the slipperiness is concerned, it was shown that it was comparatively safe for the ordinary motions even though the surface was wet.