1. Scope

1.1 This specification establishes minimum performance requirements for the impact attenuation of playground surfacing materials installed within the use zone of playground equipment.

1.2 This specification is specific to surfacing used in conjunction with playground equipment, such as that described in Specifications F 1148, F 1487, F 1918, F 1951, and F 2075.

1.3 This specification establishes an impact attenuation performance criterion for playground surfacing materials; expressed as a critical fall height.

1.4 This specification establishes procedures for determining the critical fall height of playground surfacing materials under laboratory conditions. The laboratory test is mandatory for surfaces to conform to the requirements of this specification.

1.5 The laboratory test required by this specification addresses the performance of dry surfacing materials.

1.6 The critical fall height of a playground surfacing material determined under laboratory conditions does not account for important factors that may influence the actual performance of installed surfacing materials. Factors that are known to affect surfacing material performance include but are not limited to aging, moisture, maintenance, exposure to temperature extremes (for example, freezing), exposure to ultraviolet light, contamination with other materials, compaction, loss of thickness, shrinkage, submersion in water, and so forth.

1.7 This specification also establishes a procedure for testing installed playground surfaces in order to determine whether an installed playground surface meets the specified performance criterion.

1.8 The results of a field test determine conformance of installed playground surfacing materials with the criterion of this specification and are specific to the ambient conditions under which the test was performed.

1.9 The impact attenuation specification and test methods established in this specification are specific to the risk of head injury. There is only limited evidence that conformance with the requirements of this specification reduces the risk of other kinds of serious injury (for example, long bone fractures).

Note 1The relative risk of fatality and of different degrees of head injury may be estimated using the information in , which shows the relationships between the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) scores of an impact and the probability of head injury.

1.10 This specification relates only to the impact attenuation properties of playground surfacing materials and does not address other factors that contribute to fall-related injuries. While it is believed that conformance with the requirements of this specification will reduce the risk of serious injury and death from falls, adherence to this specification will not prevent all injuries and deaths.

1.11 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information only.

1.12 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

F355 Test Method for Impact Attenuation of Playing Surface Systems and Materials

F429 Test Method for Shock-Attenuation Characteristics of Protective Headgear for Football

F1148 Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Home Playground Equipment

F1487 Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use

F1918 Safety Performance Specification for Soft Contained Play Equipment

F1951 Specification for Determination of Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment

F2075 Specification for Engineered Wood Fiber for Use as a Playground Safety Surface Under and Around Playground Equipment

SAE Standard

Keywords

critical fall height; head impact; head injury criterion; HIC; impact; impact attenuation; impact test; injury; play; playground; play structure; shock; surface; Impact testing--sports applications/equipment; Instrumental measurement; Playground equipment--specifications; Sports equipment--specifications; Sports facilities playing surfaces--specifications; Velocity; Attenuation; Comparison techniques; Consumer safety specifications (playgrounds); Digitizers; Free fall test method; Head form velocity;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 97.200.40 (Playgrounds)

DOI: 10.1520/F1292-04

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.