WASPGUARD 65
2.83 mCritical fall height
WASPGUARDOn guard at every fall.
A shock pad system for playgrounds and artificial turf sports surfaces, made from 100% recycled cross-linked polyethylene (XPE). It absorbs impact, lets water through, insulates and does not rot.
- EN 1177:2018 + A1:2023
- CE
- 100% recycled XPE
Choose thickness for your equipment
Select the free fall height of the equipment, and the tool shows the thinnest WASPGUARD model that keeps HIC below 1000 at that height.
Choose thickness by fall height
Measured to EN 1177:2018 + A1:2023, Method 1, in a system with artificial grass and 25 kg/m² sand infill. Values for 65 and 80 mm are documented by independent laboratory reports.
| Model | Thickness | Critical fall height | HIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| WASPGUARD 20 | 20 mm | ≤ 1000 | |
| WASPGUARD 25 | 25 mm | ≤ 1000 | |
| WASPGUARD 35 | 35 mm | ≤ 1000 | |
| WASPGUARD 45 | 45 mm | ≤ 1000 | |
| WASPGUARD 55 | 55 mm | ≤ 1000 | |
| WASPGUARD 65 Lab tested | 65 mm | ≤ 1000 | |
| WASPGUARD 80 Lab tested | 80 mm35 + 45 | ≤ 1000 |
Measured to EN 1177:2018 + A1:2023, Method 1, with artificial grass (24–25 mm pile) and 25 kg/m² sand infill. Values for WASPGUARD 65 and 80 are documented by Sports Labs Ltd test reports. Values are indicative; system providers are responsible for testing their own installations.
HIC and critical fall height
HIC (Head Injury Criterion) measures the severity of an impact to the head during a fall. EN 1177 defines the critical fall height as the highest drop at which HIC stays at or below 1000 and peak acceleration (gmax) at or below 200 g.
Tested in an independent laboratory.
WASPGUARD 65 and WASPGUARD 80 were tested to EN 1177:2018 + A1:2023, Method 1, by Sports Labs Ltd, a sports surface testing laboratory in Scotland.
WASPGUARD 80
3.43 mCritical fall height
How the test was carried out
- A 1 × 1 m sample was loose laid on a concrete substrate.
- The pad was topped with artificial grass (25 mm pile) and 25 kg/m² silica sand infill.
- An instrumented headform was dropped onto 9 different points of the sample from increasing heights.
- The highest drop at which HIC did not exceed 1000 was calculated as the critical fall height.
Sports Labs Ltd, Livingston, Scotland. BS EN 1177:2018 + A1:2023, Method 1.
Request the test reportFour layers, one purpose.
A WASPGUARD system is built from the ground up in four layers. Each has its own job; a safe surface comes from all of them working together.
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Artificial grass
The surface players touch. The test systems use a 24–25 mm pile height.
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Sand infill
Holds the grass in place and stabilises the surface. 25 kg/m² in the test system.
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WASPGUARD shock pad
The layer that absorbs the energy of a fall. It drains water vertically, insulates the surface and, being closed-cell, takes up no water.
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Stable, permeable subsoil
A compacted, free-draining base that keeps the system level and stable.
Two panel designs, one for every site.
WASPGUARD is produced as straight panels and as panels with puzzle joints. A geotextile is bonded to one side as standard.
Straight panel
2.15 × 0.85 m
Fast laying with fewer joints on large, regular areas.
Puzzle panel
2.25 × 0.90 m
2.29 × 0.94 m including joints
Four dovetail joints on the long edge, three on the short edge. Panels lock together without adhesive, stay in place and can be replaced one by one.
What makes the ground safe
High impact absorption
The closed-cell XPE structure absorbs the energy of a fall and limits the impact to the head.
Excellent drainage
High vertical drainage means the surface is quickly usable again after rain.
Lightweight, easy to install
Light panels are easy to handle, quick to lay and shorten installation time.
Long service life
Takes up no water, does not rot and stays dimensionally stable.
Recycled and recyclable
Made from 100% recycled XPE and recyclable again at the end of its life.
Environmentally friendly
Contains no components harmful to the environment or human health.
Puzzle system
- Precision-cut dovetail joints
- Secure, self-locking connection
- No adhesive required
- Easy replacement and maintenance
- Stable, uniform surface
Technical specifications
- Material
- 100% recycled cross-linked polyethylene (XPE)
- Cell structure
- Closed-cell
- Thickness options
- 20, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 80 mm
- 80 mm build
- 35 mm + 45 mm, two layers
- Thickness tolerance
- ±3 mm
- Density
- 80 kg/m³ ±10% (72–88 kg/m³)
- Straight panel
- 2.15 × 0.85 m
- Puzzle panel
- 2.25 × 0.90 m (2.29 × 0.94 m including joints)
- Puzzle joint
- Dovetail; 4 joints on the long edge, 3 on the short edge
- Geotextile
- One side as standard; both sides or none on request
- Test
- EN 1177:2018 + A1:2023, Method 1
- Test system
- Artificial grass (24–25 mm pile), 25 kg/m² sand infill
- Independent test
- Sports Labs Ltd, United Kingdom (WASPGUARD 65 and 80)
- Marking
- CE
Frequently asked questions
Which thickness do I need?
Check the free fall height of your play equipment. The thinnest WASPGUARD model whose critical fall height is equal to or greater than that value is sufficient. For a 2.00 m fall height, for example, WASPGUARD 45 (critical fall height 2.25 m) is suitable. Values apply to a test system with artificial grass and 25 kg/m² sand infill.
What does HIC mean?
HIC (Head Injury Criterion) indicates the severity of an impact to the head during a fall. Under EN 1177, the critical fall height is the highest drop at which HIC does not exceed 1000 and peak acceleration (gmax) does not exceed 200 g.
Straight or puzzle panels?
Straight panels (2.15 × 0.85 m) allow fast laying with fewer joints on large, regular areas. Puzzle panels (2.25 × 0.90 m, 2.29 × 0.94 m including joints) lock together with dovetail joints: they need no adhesive, do not shift and can be replaced one by one.
What are the geotextile options?
As standard, a geotextile is bonded to one side of the panel. Depending on your project, panels can be produced with geotextile on both sides or without geotextile.
Does WASPGUARD hold water?
No. Its closed-cell structure takes up no water and does not rot; the pads let water pass vertically for high drainage.
Is the product certified?
WASPGUARD is tested to EN 1177:2018 + A1:2023, Method 1, and is CE-marked. WASPGUARD 65 and 80 were tested by Sports Labs Ltd, an independent sports surface laboratory in the United Kingdom; we share the reports on request. System providers are responsible for testing their own installations.
How is the 80 mm pad built?
WASPGUARD 80 consists of two layers, 35 mm and 45 mm, laid on top of each other. This build achieves a critical fall height of 3.43 m and suits tall play equipment.
Tell us about your project. We'll choose the right system together.
Share the area, the intended use and the fall height of your equipment, and we'll prepare the right product and quotation.