Critical Fall Height (CFH) in Playground safety.

What is Critical Fall Height (CFH)?

Critical Fall Height (CFH) is the maximum height from which a child can fall onto a safety surface without sustaining a serious injury. CFH is a vital factor in playground design, helping ensure equipment and surfacing work together to keep children safe.

CFH is measured through impact testing, often using an instrumented headform to simulate a child’s fall. This determines the thickness and type of safety surfacing required under play equipment.

Why CFH Matters

CFH is a key consideration in playground safety standards, including BS EN 1177 in the UK. Correct CFH application ensures:

• The right safety surfacing is used for each piece of equipment.
• Reduced risk of serious injuries from falls.
• Compliance with legal and safety regulations.

Playgrounds without proper CFH considerations may pose serious injury risks and fail safety inspections.

At Everyday Play, we take safety seriously. All our playground equipment and safety surfacing are designed to meet CFH standards, and we are proud to be ROSPA certified, ensuring the highest level of playground safety for children.