Frequently asked questions about the All Safe Guardian Safety System that has been successfully installed in numerous playground areas throughout New Zealand
Q Do All Safe Guardian Mats have a certificate of compliance to the latest New Zealand Standards (5828:2004)?
A Yes. Under natural weather conditions the Critical Fall Height was 2.8m and after watering Critical Fall Height exceeded 3.2m. Not only is the Guardian Safety Surface compliant to these latest standards, the impact attenuation results are excellent. It’s appropriate you should have complete test data prior to making your safety surfacing decision. Please ask.
Q How is the “Safe Fall Height” measured to this standard?
A The surface to be tested is placed on Grass, Asphalt or Concrete. Then a standard metal “headform” is dropped onto the surface and the forces on the headform are measured by computerised measuring equipment. The safer fall height is the greatest height from which the headform can be dropped without the forces exceeding the specification in the Standard and depends on the overall thickness and composition of the surface.
Q How long will the All Safe Guardian Mats last?
A Early installations in NZ are over 10 years old and remain in good condition. All Safe Guardian Mats have developed and improved over this time. All Safe Guardian Mats carry a five-year warranty for installation plus a five-year warranty for the product. This is subject to conditions like fire etc, although their serviceable life could be ten years or more. Please note that our installers are trained and approved by All Safe Ltd.
Q Are All Safe Guardian Mats appropriate for people with mobility restrictions?
A All Safe Guardian Mats are one of the few playgrounds surfaces suitable for wheelchair and physical disability traffic.
Q What is involved in maintaining a playground area that has Guardian All Safe Mats?
A Normal grass care is your only requirement.
Q What about the muddiness through the mat?
A We use a special underlay system which prevents the muddiness coming through safety mats and rendering them useless. This same underlay allows grass roots to grow through to the soil improving critical fall heights. This creates an inconspicuous natural surface remaining cool and green.
A During photosynthesis the grass takes in carbon and releases oxygen. The grass interwoven with the mats regulates the temperature between seasons, by not allowing the mats to get to hot in summer or frozen in the winter. The grass look and feel provides our children a natural but safe environment to play on. The integration of grass and mat increase the fall height and offer better traction.
Q Do you have any references?
A Yes. Just ask.
Q Are you represented nation-wide?
A Yes. We have an approved trained installer network throughout the length and breadth of NZ.
Q Some rubber surfaces are very slippery when wet. What about your surface?
A The cellular nature of the top layer ensures excellent traction. Of course through this grows grass which assists even further. Slopes are a popular installation on this basis.
Q It’s more interesting for our kids to enjoy slopes. Can you manage this?
A Yes. We are aware most sites are flat – in part because the safety surface dictates this. For the reasons answered directly above, slopes are a particularly satisfying installation for the clients and kids.
Q I have stood on synthetic surfaces with bare feet when the summer sun is out and It’s burning hot. Will yours do this to our kids?
A The grass under bare feet or skin regulates temperature with ease. It’s the same as standing on your lawn at home.
A Yes. All Safe will give as much or as little assistance as you choose – from removal of existing surfaces and site preparation through to completion. We also work efficiently with a number of key playground manufacturers to ensure a smooth project.
Q We’re non-profit and trying to get funding has been really hard. Any ideas?
A We have a list of funding ideas that may help. Speak to us more about it.
Q The budget is pretty tight. What can we do?
A Under some circumstances we can offer you a D.I.Y. package. Speak to us more about this.
Q The standards handbook says this sort of matting may need lifting after a few years. Is this true?
A Do not do this. It is specifically against our recommendations. You’ll kill off your grass, which is an important form (looks good) and function (assists higher Critical Fall Height) of your Guardian Safety Surface. It’s also a lot of unnecessary work. There are some rare circumstances that this should happen e.g. relocating your playground or removing it for truck access etc. Please speak to us about this if you’re unsure.
Q We’ve got Kikuyu and have been told it’s a bad thing to have growing in your mats.
A A lot of people don’t like Kikuyu but we love it! It’s a soft but tough, prickle free grass that doesn’t attract bees. We’d use it everywhere but this grass doesn’t like frosts. So our testing is completed on a grass seed mix that’ll grow anywhere in NZ. We will always ask your permission to grow Kikuyu if your area is good for it.
Q What about vandalism?
A The All Safe Guardian Safety Surface is installed flush with the surrounding area. Once the grass is established, it blends naturally with surrounding grasses so doesn’t stick out as a target. Additionally grass is not as vulnerable to spray paint graffiti and knife attacks compared to some surfaces. For extreme but fortunately rare circumstances, we install and underground perimeter and attach the surface to that.
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