Component Playgrounds is a company that provides playground equipment. Their website includes a glossary defining common playground terms to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Some key terms defined include ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), impact absorbing surfacing, fall height, use zone, and age appropriate equipment. The glossary covers playground safety features, equipment types, materials, and benefits of component playgrounds.

1. Playground Glossary
www.componentplaygrounds.com/playground-glossary
Every industry has certain terms that you, the consumer, may not be familiar with. This can lead to
confusion and getting products that do not suit your needs. It is vital for parents, business owners, and
organizations looking to purchase or enhance a playground to be knowledgeable. Listed below are terms
with definitions to give you the information you need to make an informed purchase.
About Us:
Component Playgrounds - We are a company dedicated to safety, durability, and fair prices with our long
lasting playground equipment for the enjoyment of you and your family.
Regulations:
ADA - Enacted in 1990 by Congress, this is the Americans with Disabilities Act.
ADAAccessible - This describes playgrounds that have follow ADA approved guidelines.
ADA Compliant - Another way of saying that a playground is accessible by ADA standards, compliant
playgrounds follow the ADA guidelines.
Buoy Ball - Is a style of seat used on playgrounds. It is in the shape of a ball, and connects to the swing
set with chain and a support bar.
CPSC - The Consumer Product Safety Commission sets guidelines for playground equipment. States vary
in their need to comply with these guidelines.
Commissioner - The client who has been officially authorized to manage the creation of a new play space.
CPSI - The Certified Playground Safety Inspector determines a playground's safety level. This certification
is earned from the National Recreation and Park Association.
PLAYGROUND Safety
Age Group - Age Group is defined as the range of ages that the playground equipment was designed for,
specifically for safety reasons.
Barrier - Devices placed around an elevated surface to prevent falls, purposeful or accidental, are
required for safety.
Critical Height - The maximum height in which a fall will not lead to life threatening head injury is referred
to as the critical height.
Entanglement - Entanglement is when an article of clothing or accessory of a user of a playground
becomes wound or caught on the equipment.

2. Impact absorbing surfacing (IAS) - Shock absorbing play surfaces to prevent or minimize injuries are a
necessary addition to all playgrounds.
Fall Height - The distance between the highest play area and the safety surfacing underneath.
Use Zone - Also known as the safety zone, this is the area around and under the equipment designated
for falls and movement around the equipment.
Loose Fill Surfacing - Usually including sand, gravel, rubber mulch, or wood mulch, these loose particles
are used as protective surfacing in playgrounds.
Safety Zone - This is the area around and under equipment where children land. It can also refer to the
area around equipment for movement.
Preschool age children - Children who are of the age to attend preschool, typically from ages 2-5.
School age children - Children who are of the age to attend elementary school, typically from ages 5-12.
Our Equipment:
Basketball Goal - Hoops are made up of a solid steel pole, fiberglass backboard, and basketball rim.
Bike Rack - These structures secure bicycles and include traditional school yard, serpentine, and pole
styles.
Climber - Equipment designed for safely climbing in and around are designated as climbers.
Commercial Swing Sets - Our swing sets are made of powder coated galvanized steel and in four styles:
super structures, A-frames, arch swing, and post swing. We can guide you through the process of finding
the right equipment for your business needs.
Fitness Playground Equipment - Playground equipment designed to increase the strength, agility, and
overall health of the user. Some of these play structures may include a balance beam, chinning bars, or
parallel bars.
Inclusive Playground - A playground designed to be used by children of all age groups, physical abilities,
and development.
Monkey Bars - This is a horizontally mounted ladder for overhead crossing and swinging.
Natural Playground - Playgrounds that create a play area out of natural objects, such as vegetation, and
material, like wood.
Playground - An indoor or outdoor space for children to play on or around equipment.
Polyethylene - A common plastic used in many products, including playground equipment.
Powder Coating - A painting technique when the paint is applied as a powder and baked on.
Slide - This is a component of a playground that has a smooth sloping surface for children to go down.
Swing set - With powder coated galvanized steel components for the use in playgrounds, our swing sets
come in many styles including A - frame, post, and clubhouse styles.

3. Tetherball - This is a game played with a ball on a cord secured to an upright pole that is batted around
with hands between opponents.
Teeter Totter - Also known as a seesaw, this simple and classic playground equipment is a long plank
secured on a middle platform with children on either side. With the push of their feet, they swing up and
down.
Tire Swing - This is a swing made up of a rope secured to a hanging tire as a seat. This is normally
attached to an anchored platform made of a variety of materials like natural structures (trees) or
manufactured poles.
Trampoline - This is a piece of playground equipment made of a sheet connected by springs to a frame
creating a flexible surface for gymnastic and aerobic bouncing.
Extra Information:
Footing - The process of securing playground equipment to the ground.
Footprint - The general area that the playground equipment occupies.
Park Amenities - Great for school playgrounds and public or private parks, park benches and picnic tables
are a great addition to any play area for functionality and style.
Benefits to a Component Playground:
Agility - This is the ability to move quickly and easily.
Fine Motor Skills - The coordination of small muscle groups, usually the hands and fingers, with the eyes.
Gross Motor Skills - Movements with the arms, legs, feet, and entire body.
Play - Activities that are engaged in for recreation and enjoyment falls under the scope of play.