Why Wetpour Surfacing is being used in UK schools

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Remember the days of being at school? Playing games such as hopscotch, tag, jump rope and of course football. We would have such a great time, but for many, a small trip and a slip and we fall and graze our knees, or our elbows. But some types of injury can lead to broken arms or legs.

Times are changing since traditional solid concrete playgrounds, even the conventional black Tarmac. Schools know the dangers that can happen on the playground when children fall.

A WETPOUR SURFACE can reduce the risk of injury caused by children falling on hard surfaces.

So what is a WET POUR SURFACE?

Unlike traditional, hard black tarmac surfaces. Wetpour surfaces is made of rubber, otherwise known as soft tarmacadam. The great thing with this type of material is its versatility.

Wetpour comes in a range of fun colours and designs. The soft spongy surface is made up of two tiers. The first being an impact mat to absorb the shock of a fall, then a rubber mulch on top to ensure minimal injury.

Some schools and preschools have playgrounds available with climbing apparatus. But the higher the fall, the more the impact will be when they hit the ground. So let’s imagine if a child falls from a climbing frame, the chance of injury increases.

When the installer lays the soft surface, they should take into account the impact of a fall. So if a child falls from a climbing frame, the material is soft enough that the risk of injury is less.

But of course, safety is only one aspect of the material. Schools are recognising that outdoor learning, is as important as indoor learning. Children love nothing better than to interact with things, why not be able to learn at the same time?

Numbers and letters provide a fun activity for the children to do. When you think about traditional paint on the tarmac, the lines fade in time due to the elements and general wear and tear.

Installers use a material called thermoplastic, which is attached to the rubber surface by heat. Due to this, a wealth of games are made for children to enjoy while learning at the same time. Being a more robust product, it should eliminate the need for repainting the surface.

It is good to also see that the mulch is used is a recycled rubber material, for a useful purpose to help protect children, which is even better for the environment.

THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF GOOD PLAYGROUND FACILITIES.

Many schools may not be able to afford to replace large play areas. With the use of soft surfaces, they could reduce the costs by going for a basic black. even concentrating on a specific area.

Wetpour surfaces can replace any surface including your wet, muddy surfaces. Imagine that grassy football pitch in the winter, when you fall on the grass, it can feel as hard as stone. When playing after a rainfall it makes it pretty slippery to play on.Does this not then make the product more affordable to have using fewer materials?

Children need to be active, not only for learning but for health to minimise risks such as child obesity, which has become a growing concern in the media.

It is good to ensure that installers in the UK are a member of the API (Association of Play Industries.) which plays a role providing the ethical practices of all professional and trade bodies related to playtime areas.

Having such an organisation will help to ensure safety so that soft surfaces are installed according to specifications, which would reduce the risk of playground injuries at schools and preschools.

Wetpour can also be an excellent advantage for schools considering their increasing outdoor activities. This can also help parents plan where they would like to educate and invigorate their children, this helping them to improve their learning skills and abilities. Installers can also help with the overall design of the designated area, should the need be required to ensure that the playground is put to best use.

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