For many children, physical education classes are a highlight of the school day. Even after decades of being out of school, you may still recall fond memories of basketball game-winning shots, the thrill of a well-executed alley-oop, and the extra surge of excitement that shot through your veins when you ended up on the same team as your best friend—because together, you were undefeatable.
Can you still see that old gym? The white flooring, the multiple basketball hoops mounted around the room, and even the color of the custom gym wall padding with the emblem of your school mascot emblazoned in the center. There was pride in being a part of your school community.
At the time, those custom wall pads offered some semblance of safety, a little protection should a relay race go awry and a student fall headfirst into the wall. But back then, there were no real industry standards for wall padding other than foam thickness and density specifications. After years of sub-standard wall padding, testing determined that different types of foam provided different levels of protection. In 1994, The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) developed industry standards that implemented wall padding safety across the board. These specifications for commercial wall padding for gyms focused on five main components:
- Impact
- Head Injury Criteria (HIC)
- Fire Safety
- Sizing
- Installation
Creating a safe space is essential for the participants and the gym or training facility in which they play. While wall padding seems simple enough, these safety standards can be the difference between a headache and a serious head injury.
Impact
The main goal of wall padding in gyms and other facilities is to improve safety by reducing the potential harm caused by impacting hard surfaces. Accomplishing this goal means striking a balance. Padding that is too soft cannot slow a player’s momentum enough to keep them from impacting the hard surface beneath the padding. Likewise, padding that is too stiff can actually do more harm than good, as impacting the padding could cause an injury. For this reason, there are standards that dictate how padding should react to impacts and it’s all about the GMAX score.
A GMAX score measures the maximum deceleration of an object impacting wall padding, field turf, and other safety equipment. The higher the GMAX score the more quickly deceleration occurs. Slower deceleration is desirable as it protects players from more serious injuries. Consider the behavior of a car. When a car hits a brick wall, it decelerates rapidly, and passengers are more likely to experience injuries. If the car impacts a sandy embankment, it decelerates more slowly, potentially causing less harm to the car’s occupants.
For sporting equipment, the higher the GMAX, the less impact force the padding absorbs. Industry standards for wall padding require a GMAX of 200 or below.
Head Injury Criterion
Because head injuries can have serious consequences, wall padding must meet specific testing and impact standards called head injury criterion (HIC). This metric measures the acceleration of a test head upon impact. It also takes into account the duration of the impact. Current standards require wall padding to have a HIC of less than 1000. A lower HIC measurement means there is a lower risk of a head injury during a head-to-wall collision.
Fire Safety
Proper wall padding adds a secure level of protection in the event of a fire. Fire testing measures the spread of flames and the development of smoke within the padding. Pads receive different classifications according to the outcome of these tests. Class A wall padding meets the highest standards for reducing flame spread and smoke production. It minimizes the spread of smoke and flames and is highly recommended for recreational spaces. Fire safety requirements vary by location, so it is best to check with your local fire marshall before ordering wall padding for your facility.
Standard Sizing
Most wall padding comes in a standard 2’x6′ size, though wall padding suppliers can customize your pads to fit specific spaces. When estimating how many wall pads your gym needs, it is relatively easy to do the math. If a wall is 30′ across and the pads are a standard 2’x6′ size, you would need 15 pads to cover the area correctly.
Be sure to consider things like outlets, electrical boxes, fire extinguishers, doors, and windows when calculating your wall padding. These interruptions in the wall space require special attention and knowledgeable installation to maintain safety standards.
Installation
Before the ASTM created the codes in 1994, there were no specific instructions about how and where contractors should install wall padding. With no directive given, ineffective wall padding placement could leave gaps where the wall was exposed, opening the door to the possibility of serious injury. For example, wall impacts can occur at any height or spot along the wall. Current industry standards require wall padding to have a 4-inch maximum distance from the bottom of the padding to the floor.
A Safety First Mentality
Understanding gym wall padding standards is essential in creating a safe and functional environment in any training facility. Code-compliant wall padding prioritizes the safety of every gym guest, whether they are there to play or there to cheer. If you are building a new gym space or remodeling an existing one, taking the time to research the five areas of wall padding standards will ensure a safe, welcoming environment. And allow the next generation of athletes to continue creating lasting memories for years.
Infographic
Physical education classes are a highlight for many children, making gym safety crucial. Proper wall padding is essential; it can prevent minor bumps from turning into serious injuries. Read on to learn more about gym wall padding safety standards in this infographic.
