What Is HIC Score for Playground Tiles?
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What Is HIC Score for Playground Tiles?
ASTM Guidelines are used to determine the impact attenuation standards for protective surfacing, including playground flooring. ASTM 1292 establishes critical fall height requirements for playground flooring, including for tiles and loose-laid surfaces.
According to ASTM F1292, the HIC score of playground flooring must be below 1,000. A HIC score, or Head Injury Criterion score, measures the potential for a head injury during a fall onto a certain surface. Essentially, the HIC score measures the time duration of head deceleration during a fall. The score is numerical; the higher the score, the less safe the flooring is.
ASTM F1292 also specifies that playground flooring must have a G-Max under 200. The G-Max score measures the maximum shock during a fall. A playground flooring tile can have a passing G-Max score but a failing HIC score, indicating it isn’t suitable for use on playgrounds.
How Is HIC Score Determined?
A HIC score is calculated by a drop test. A machine drops a spherical piece of metal that imitates a child’s head onto the surface to be tested. The metal contains technology inside that calculates the impact and produces a score.This test is often repeated in multiple locations to establish an accurate score. This testing must also be performed at different temperatures, including cold, ambient, and hot.
While HIC score testing can be performed on an existing playground, it’s an essential part of evaluating a product before it’s brought to market. If playground tiles don’t receive a passing HIC score, they can’t be released to the playground flooring market.
HIC scoring is used to establish a playground tile's ASTM fall height rating. For a tile to qualify for a fall height rating, its HIC score must be under 1,000 when the drop test is performed from the corresponding height. For example, for a four-foot fall height rating, the tile must have a HIC score of below 1,000 when the drop test is performed from a four-foot height.
| Playground Tile Thickness | Critical Fall Height (CFH) | Head Injury Criterion (HIC) | G-Max Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.25'' | 4 Feet | < 700 | < 125 |
| 3.25'' | 6 Feet | < 700 | < 125 |
| 4.25'' | 8 Feet | < 700 | < 125 |
| 5'' | 10 Feet | < 700 | < 125 |
Which Factors Affect Playground Tiles' HIC Score?
Playground tiles perform differently, resulting in varying HIC scores. Several factors contribute to that variation in performance:- Material density: Different types of materials have varying densities. Even different types of rubber can be more or less dense, which affects the amount of cushion that the tile provides upon impact.
- Tile thickness: Thicker tiles feature more material and usually provide better shock absorption than thinner playground tiles. Playground tiles are often quite thick, and that’s not just because they need to be durable – that thickness offers greater fall protection.
- Installation: The way that tiles are installed can affect their performance, too. For example, installing tiles over a proper base can support their effectiveness.
How to Choose the Right Playground Flooring for Your Needs
The HIC score is part of what establishes a playground tile's ASTM fall height rating, and that rating can help you choose flooring products that are safe for your playground. The ASTM F1292 critical fall height rating establishes the maximum vertical distance a child can fall onto that tile without a life-threatening head injury, and you can use that information to select a safe product, given the height of the tallest piece of equipment that will be present on your playground.While the HIC score helps measure and calculate a tile's overall safety and suitability for playground use, it’s not the only factor you need to consider when choosing playground flooring. It’s important to weigh everything from the flooring tile’s thickness to its cost and installation methods to ensure you’re buying the right product for your project.