Playground Fiber
Also known as: engineered wood fiber, EWF, play chips
Playground fiber is engineered wood fiber designed as a cushioning surface under play equipment. Its interlocking fibers compact into an accessible, impact-absorbing surface that helps meet playground safety standards.
In simple terms
Playground fiber is special wood mulch made for under swings and slides. The fibers knit together into a firm but cushioned surface that softens falls and is easier to roll a wheelchair across than loose bark.
In depth
Engineered wood fiber (EWF) is produced to a controlled fiber size and shape so it knits into a firm, semi-bound surface that absorbs impact from falls — a key factor in meeting standards such as ASTM F1292 (impact attenuation) and ADA/F1951 accessibility. It is installed at a tested depth (commonly 9–12 inches for the required critical fall height) over proper drainage, and topped up as it compacts and decomposes. It differs from ordinary bark in fiber engineering, accessibility performance and safety testing.
Why it matters
Under play equipment, the surface is a safety system — engineered wood fiber provides tested fall protection and accessibility that decorative bark is not designed to deliver.
Common mistakes
- Substituting ordinary bark or nuggets for tested playground fiber under equipment.
- Installing too shallow, which reduces the critical fall-height protection.
Examples & uses
- Public and school playgrounds.
- Backyard play-structure landing zones.
- Accessible play surfaces requiring ADA compliance.