Artificial grass is an increasingly popular choice for commercial settings. It offers a tidy, low‑maintenance aesthetic and can reduce water and upkeep costs. For businesses considering artificial turf for playgrounds, office courtyards or retail displays, key questions are: is it safe, compliant with regulations, easy to maintain, and cost-effective in the long term? This post covers relevant safety standards for play areas, anti‑slip and fire ratings, recommended maintenance schedules for businesses, and practical cost/benefit examples.
Where artificial grass works in commercial settings
- Playgrounds: schools, nurseries, public parks and childcare centres. Impact absorption is essential.
- Offices: courtyards, rooftop terraces, breakout spaces and meeting areas. Appearance and drainage are important.
- Retail: street displays, store entrances, showrooms and event spaces. Durability and ease of cleaning are priorities.
Each use case has different regulatory and safety priorities: impact attenuation for play areas, slip resistance and drainage for high footfall office/retail areas, and fire performance where building regulations require it.
Safety standards for play areas
Play areas require materials and installation that reduce the risk of head and body injuries. Key standards and requirements:
- BS EN 1177 — Critical Fall Height (CFH): measures shock absorption of surfacing materials. Surfaces must be tested to show they limit head injury for falls from specified heights. For example, if playground equipment has a platform at 1.5 m, the surfacing must provide adequate attenuation at that fall height.
- BS EN 1176 — covers playground equipment and surfacing interactions and installation guidance.
- Local or national regulations: many countries or local authorities adopt EN 1177 and EN 1176 or local equivalents as minimum requirements for public play spaces.
How this applies to artificial grass:
- Artificial grass for playgrounds is typically installed over an engineered sub‑base of impact‑absorbing material (e.g., bonded rubber, rubber mulch, or compacted stone with shock pads) to achieve the required CFH.
- The finished system is tested as a whole to confirm the CFH; manufacturers or installers should provide test certificates that match the intended fall heights of installed equipment.
- Drainage and edge detailing must prevent trip hazards and pooling; regular inspection is needed to maintain performance.
What to request from suppliers:
- BS EN 1177 test report for the complete surfacing system (not just the turf yarn).
- Installation details and warranties.
- Maintenance and inspection schedule aligned to the local authority or insurance requirements.
Anti‑slip performance for offices and retail
Slip risk is a major concern where people move fast or surfaces get wet. Standards and guidance:
- BS EN 14231 and Pendulum Test: measures slip resistance for floorings. Some national standards reference pendulum values for wet and dry conditions.
- HSE and local building regulations: require reasonable steps to reduce slipping hazards in workplaces and public spaces.
Artificial grass characteristics:
- Good artificial turf has textured fibres and a backing that provides grip underfoot and channelled drainage to prevent surface water buildup.
- For high‑footfall or wet areas, closed‑cell shock pads should be avoided at edges where movement could cause instability; instead, use stable, well‑compacted infill layers or specialist sub‑bases.
- Anti‑slip performance can be improved with coarse fibre textures, latex backing with anti‑slip coatings, or mechanically fixed edges and ramps.
What to request:
- Slip resistance data (pendulum or equivalent) where available.
- Product recommendations for wet or inclined areas.
- Installation details for transitions and thresholds to eliminate trip risks.
Fire ratings and combustibility
Artificial grass products vary in their fire performance. For commercial projects, particularly indoor, rooftop or near escape routes, confirm suitability:
- EN 13501‑1: European reaction‑to‑fire classification for construction products. Ratings range from A1 (non‑combustible) to F (no classification).
- For exterior ground coverings, manufacturers often provide performance data for ignition resistance and flame spread.
- For indoor or covered commercial spaces, check building regulations and local fire authority guidance. Materials close to escape routes or internal areas may need better reaction‑to‑fire performance.
Typical guidance:
- Many polyethylene/polypropylene turfs are not fully non‑combustible but can be classed as Class C or D depending on backing and infill. Avoid installing standard turf where a higher reaction‑to‑fire rating is required.
- Use fire‑retardant treated products or specialist systems for indoor or high‑risk installations.
- Keep ignition sources (barbecues, heaters, smoking) away from turf areas; signage and policy help manage risk.
What to request:
- EN 13501‑1 or equivalent test certificates for the product and backing.
- Manufacturer advice on recommended uses (indoor/outdoor) and any treatment or protective measures.
Maintenance schedules for businesses
- Ongoing 5–10 year maintenance: natural turf is significantly more expensive over time (mowing, water, fertiliser, repairs); artificial turf needs occasional brushing/cleaning/
Cost and return on investment (ROI) examples
Costs vary with product quality, site prep, necessary sub‑base, drainage, shock‑absorption systems, and labour.
Simple ROI comparison example
- Upfront cost: £8,000
- Annual savings vs. natural turf: labour + irrigation + materials ≈ £1,800
- Payback period: ~4.5 years
- After payback, ongoing saving contributes to net benefit for the remaining product life (typically 10+ years).
Other financial benefits
- Water saving and sustainability credentials.
- Lower insurance premiums if playground surfacing meets standards and reduces injury risk.
- Reduced downtime and disruption from lawn maintenance for retail/office operations.
Practical tips and final considerations
- Match the product to the use: playgrounds need certified impact attenuation; retail needs visual quality and easy cleaning; offices need durable, well‑drained solutions.
- Don’t cut corners on sub‑base and drainage — many failures stem from poor preparation rather than the turf itself.
- Keep clear maintenance records — these are important for safety audits and insurance.
- Consider whole‑life cost rather than just upfront price. Better systems reduce long‑term replacement and maintenance costs.
- For indoor or sensitive areas, check fire ratings closely and, if needed, select specialist fire‑retardant systems.
