Head Injury Criterion (HIC)
The number that tells you how safe a playground really is
What Is a HIC Score and
Why Should You Care?
HIC stands for Head Injury Criteria. HIC scores measure the risk of serious head injury from a fall.
RubberBond Elevate averages 450.
55% safer than the ASTM-required limit.
HIC scores come from standardized drop tests, where a weighted head form is dropped onto a surface. Sensors measure the impact and convert it into a single HIC value—one of the most advanced, research-backed ways to evaluate how well a surface protects a child during a fall.
In the United States, ASTM F1292 is the governing standard. It sets the maximum allowable HIC score at 1,000 at a surface’s critical fall height. Any surface scoring above 1,000 fails to meet the minimum safety threshold.
Engineered for Performance, Not Just Compliance
RubberBond Elevate averages a HIC score of 450. OUR score is well below the 1,000 ASTM threshold across a range of critical fall heights. That’s not accidental. Four specific engineering decisions drive that performance:
1.5" EPDM Wear Course: The Industry's Thickest
Binder-Free Rubber Mulch Cushion Layer
Seamless, Uniform 5" System Depth
Certified Installation Protocols
RubberBond Elevate vs. Traditional PIP
Specification
Wear Course Thickness
Cushion Layer
Total System Depth
Average HIC Score
Fall Height Rating
Seam Detail
Warranty
ASTM/IPEMA/CPSC
RubberBond Elevate
1.5″ EPDM
3.5″ Binder-Free Rubber Mulch
5″ Uniform
~450
Up to 14 feet
Full-depth keyway system
8-Year
Meets or Exceeds All
Traditional PIP
0.375″–0.5″ EPDM
1.5″–3″ Binder-Based
2″–3.5″ Variable
800+
6-8 feet
Adhesive-only
Limited / Varies
Meets Minimum
It's not just about passing a test.
t’s about building a playground you can stand behind. Our team can walk you through the right system for your fall heights, site conditions, and design vision.