Safe Playgrounds with Certified EPDM Surfaces

The correct thickness is determined by the Critical Fall Height (CFH) requirement, which equals the height of the highest accessible point of each piece of equipment. Indicative values: benches and low bars (0.6 m) — 25 mm; low climbing frames (1.0 m) — 40 mm; standard swings (1.5 m) — 65 mm; higher equipment (2.0 m) — 80 mm; large climbing structures (2.5-3.0 m) — 100 mm. Membriko always calculates the required thickness from the specific equipment inventory of each project, not from generic default values.

Yes. EPDM playground surfacing certified to EN 1177:2018 fully satisfies the requirements of Decreto-Lei 379/97. Membriko provides for every project the Declaration of Performance, CE marking and accredited laboratory test reports — all documentation required for municipal licensing and regulatory inspection in the Leiria, Coimbra, Santarém, Castelo Branco districts and nationally.

The PIP system is produced on site in two layers — recycled SBR as the base and pigmented EPDM as the wearing course. It creates a seamless, jointless surface ideal for large areas, integrated graphics and irregular geometries. EPDM tiles are factory-manufactured with certified thickness and CFH, installed with adhesive. They are individually replaceable and quicker to install. Membriko recommends the most appropriate system after the technical site visit.

Yes — EPDM is the only playground surface material that combines EN 1177 safety certification with a firm and stable surface accessible for wheelchair users (ASTM F1951). Membriko includes the necessary ramped access transition profiles in every installation to provide a continuous accessible route from the playground entrance to inclusive equipment, in compliance with Decreto-Lei 163/2006.

The EPDM wearing course has a typical service life of 15-20 years under Portuguese outdoor conditions. The SBR base layer has an effectively unlimited service life — it is not exposed to UV or direct mechanical wear. This longevity is far superior to synthetic grass (8-12 years) and incomparably better than loose-fill surfaces requiring continuous replenishment. Playgrounds with very intense UV exposure (Algarve, Alentejo) may reach the lower end (15 years); playgrounds with shade or in northern Portugal consistently achieve 18-20 years.

Yes, and permanently. Poured-in-place systems allow graphics in contrasting EPDM colours — hopscotch, number tracks, compass roses, letters, animal shapes, bespoke patterns — cast into the wearing course flush with the surface. There is no trip hazard (the graphic is level with the surface), no peeling (EPDM granule is not paint), and durability matches that of the wearing course. Membriko works with designers and landscape architects to develop bespoke graphic layouts for each project.

EPDM surfaces reach significantly lower temperatures than synthetic grass under direct sunlight. Synthetic grass can reach 60-80°C — a temperature that causes burns on the exposed skin of young children. EPDM in dark colours under full direct sun can reach 50-55°C; in light colours (light grey, beige, soft green), it typically remains below 45°C. Membriko always recommends lighter EPDM colours for playgrounds with intensive sun exposure and no shade from trees or structures.

Virgin EPDM used by Membriko is a synthetic elastomer containing no natural latex — it is safe for latex-allergic children. Unlike SBR granulate from recycled tyres, virgin EPDM contains no polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), substances subject to increasing EU regulatory restrictions. EPDM chemical composition is controlled and documented, with no PAH content.