ASTM F2373-11(2017)
(Specification)Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Public Use Play Equipment for Children 6 Months through 23 Months
Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Public Use Play Equipment for Children 6 Months through 23 Months
SCOPE
1.1 This consumer safety performance specification provides safety and performance requirements for various types of public use play equipment such as, but not limited to, composite play structures, climbing structures, to-fro swings, spring rocking equipment, and slides. It is intended to apply to play equipment that is used in places of public assembly, including early care and education facilities, parks, or playgrounds. Public use play areas for children in this age range include both indoor (classroom) settings and outdoor playgrounds. Where appropriate, distinctions will be made between indoor and outdoor settings where there is supervision (for example, a play area that is part of an early care and education facility), and settings with unlimited access (for example, public playgrounds and parks).
1.2 The range of users encompassed by this consumer safety performance specification is the 5th percentile 6 month old through the 95th percentile 23 month old.
1.3 The purpose of this specification is to reduce the potential for life threatening and debilitating injuries.
1.4 Accessory toys attached to play equipment must meet all relevant standards including this consumer safety performance specification.
1.5 Home playground equipment, amusement park equipment, sports equipment, fitness equipment, soft contained play equipment, tricycles, toys, juvenile care products such as, but not limited to, infant swings, play yards, expansion gates, and expandable enclosures, furniture (including child-sized house play furnishings and sand/water tables intended primarily for indoor use), bassinets and cradles, infant walkers, bouncer seats, jumpers, infant stationary activity centers, and infant carriers are not included in the scope of this specification.
1.6 This consumer safety performance specification includes the following sections:
Title
Section
Scope
1
Referenced Documents
2
ASTM Standards
2.1
ANSI Standards
2.2
Federal Standards
2.3
CPSC Documents
2.4
UL Standard
2.5
European Standard
2.6
Terminology
3
Materials and Manufacture
4
General Requirements
4.1
Fasteners
4.2
Toxic or Hazardous Substances
4.3
Stuffing, Loose Fillers, and Padding Materials
4.4
General Requirements
5
Compliance Documentation
5.1
Small Parts
5.2
Asphyxiation Hazard
5.3
Performance Requirements
6
Head and Neck Entrapment
6.1
Sharp Points and Sharp Edges
6.2
Protrusions
6.3
Entanglement Hazards
6.4
Crush and Shear Points
6.5
Ventilation
6.6
Closures
6.7
Suspended Hazards
6.8
Requirements for Access and Egress
7
Access and Egress Components That Shall
Not Be Used
7.1
Adjacent Platforms
7.2
Step Ladders, Stairways, Flexible Access
Components, and Access Ramps
7.3
Climbing Equipment Used for Access and Egress
7.4
Handrails and Other Means of Hand Support
7.5
Requirements for Platforms, Landings, and Other
Designated Play Surfaces
8
Platforms and Similar Surfaces
8.1
Adjacent Platforms
8.2
Protective Barriers
8.3
Equipment Specifications
9
Equipment That Shall Not Be Used
9.1
Climbing Equipment
9.2
Slides
9.3
Spring Rocking Equipment Intended for Use Without
Adult Assistance
9.4
To-Fro Swings
9.5
Structural Integrity and Stability
10
General Requirements
10.1
Structural Integrity Tests for Rungs, Steps, and
Horizontal Supporting Members
10.2
Structural Integrity and Stability Tests for
Platforms and Ramps
10.3
Test for Dynamic Strength of Barriers and Handrails
10.4
Structural Integrity and Stability Tests for Slides
10.5
Structural Integrity Test for Spring Rocking Equipment
10.6
Structural Integrity and Stabili...
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F2373 −11 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for
Public Use Play Equipment for Children 6 Months through
23 Months
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2373; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 This consumer safety performance specification in-
cludes the following sections:
1.1 This consumer safety performance specification pro-
Title Section
videssafetyandperformancerequirementsforvarioustypesof
Scope 1
public use play equipment such as, but not limited to, compos-
Referenced Documents 2
ite play structures, climbing structures, to-fro swings, spring
ASTM Standards 2.1
ANSI Standards 2.2
rocking equipment, and slides. It is intended to apply to play
Federal Standards 2.3
equipment that is used in places of public assembly, including
CPSC Documents 2.4
early care and education facilities, parks, or playgrounds.
UL Standard 2.5
European Standard 2.6
Publicuseplayareasforchildreninthisagerangeincludeboth
Terminology 3
indoor (classroom) settings and outdoor playgrounds. Where
Materials and Manufacture 4
appropriate, distinctions will be made between indoor and General Requirements 4.1
Fasteners 4.2
outdoorsettingswherethereissupervision(forexample,aplay
Toxic or Hazardous Substances 4.3
area that is part of an early care and education facility), and
Stuffing, Loose Fillers, and Padding Materials 4.4
settings with unlimited access (for example, public play- General Requirements 5
Compliance Documentation 5.1
grounds and parks).
Small Parts 5.2
Asphyxiation Hazard 5.3
1.2 Therangeofusersencompassedbythisconsumersafety
Performance Requirements 6
performance specification is the 5th percentile 6 month old
Head and Neck Entrapment 6.1
through the 95th percentile 23 month old.
Sharp Points and Sharp Edges 6.2
Protrusions 6.3
1.3 The purpose of this specification is to reduce the
Entanglement Hazards 6.4
potential for life threatening and debilitating injuries. Crush and Shear Points 6.5
Ventilation 6.6
1.4 Accessory toys attached to play equipment must meet
Closures 6.7
Suspended Hazards 6.8
all relevant standards including this consumer safety perfor-
Requirements for Access and Egress 7
mance specification.
Access and Egress Components That Shall 7.1
Not Be Used
1.5 Home playground equipment, amusement park
Adjacent Platforms 7.2
equipment,sportsequipment,fitnessequipment,softcontained
Step Ladders, Stairways, Flexible Access 7.3
play equipment, tricycles, toys, juvenile care products such as, Components, and Access Ramps
Climbing Equipment Used for Access and Egress 7.4
but not limited to, infant swings, play yards, expansion gates,
Handrails and Other Means of Hand Support 7.5
and expandable enclosures, furniture (including child-sized
Requirements for Platforms, Landings, and Other 8
house play furnishings and sand/water tables intended primar- Designated Play Surfaces
Platforms and Similar Surfaces 8.1
ily for indoor use), bassinets and cradles, infant walkers,
Adjacent Platforms 8.2
bouncer seats, jumpers, infant stationary activity centers, and
Protective Barriers 8.3
infant carriers are not included in the scope of this specifica- Equipment Specifications 9
Equipment That Shall Not Be Used 9.1
tion.
Climbing Equipment 9.2
Slides 9.3
Spring Rocking Equipment Intended for Use Without 9.4
Adult Assistance
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
To-Fro Swings 9.5
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.29 on
Structural Integrity and Stability 10
Playground Equipment for Public Use.
General Requirements 10.1
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2017. Published August 2017. Originally
Structural Integrity Tests for Rungs, Steps, and 10.2
approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as F2373–11. DOI:
Horizontal Supporting Members
10.1520/F2373-11R17.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2373−11 (2017)
priate safety, health and environmental practices and deter-
Title Section
Structural Integrity and Stability Tests for 10.3
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Platforms and Ramps
1.11 This international standard was developed in accor-
Test for Dynamic Strength of Barriers and Handrails 10.4
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Structural Integrity and Stability Tests for Slides 10.5
Structural Integrity Test for Spring Rocking Equipment 10.6
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Structural Integrity and Stability Tests for Swings 10.7
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Play Equipment Use Zones, Non-Encroachment Zones, 11
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
and Placement
General Use Zone Requirements 11.1
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Exemptions from Use Zone Requirements 11.2
General Non-Encroachment Zone Requirements 11.3
2. Referenced Documents
Use Zones for Play Structures Having No Moving 11.4
Components
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Use Zones for Slides 11.5
Use Zones for Spring Rocking Equipment 11.6 D2240TestMethodforRubberProperty—DurometerHard-
Use Zones and Non-Encroachment Zones for To-Fro 11.7
ness
Swings
F406 Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size
Surfacing Materials for Use Zones 11.8
Fences and Gates 11.9 Baby Cribs/Play Yards
Placement of Play Equipment 11.10
F963Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
Labels and Signs 12
F1077Guide for Selection of Committee F16 Fastener
Compliance Requirements for Labels and Signs 12.1
Specifications for All Labels and Signs 12.2
Specifications (Withdrawn 2014)
Label Requirements on Play Equipment and Structures 12.3
F1148 Consumer Safety Performance Specification for
Signs Required for Play Equipment/Structures in 12.4
Home Playground Equipment
Settings with Unlimited Access
Replacement 12.5
F1292Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing
Installation 13
Materials Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
Designer’s or Manufacturer’s Responsibilities 13.1
F1487ConsumerSafetyPerformanceSpecificationforPlay-
Owner’s/Operator’s Responsibilities 13.2
Maintenance 14
ground Equipment for Public Use
Equipment 14.1
F2075SpecificationforEngineeredWoodFiberforUseasa
Play Area Surfacing 14.2
PlaygroundSafetySurfaceUnderandAroundPlayground
Records 14.3
Keywords 15
Equipment
Annex A1–Figures Annex A1
2.2 ANSI Standards:
Appendix X1–Rationale Appendix X1
Z535.1Safety Color Code
1.7 General Measures, Tolerances, and Conversions:
Z535.4Product Safety Signs and Labels
1.7.1 The general tolerances for this specification are as
2.3 Federal Standards:
follows unless otherwise specified.
16 CFR 1303Ban of Lead-Containing Paint and Certain
Dimension Tolerance
Consumer Products Bearing Lead-Containing Paint
X. in ±0.5 in.
16 CFR 1500Hazardous Substances Act Regulations, in-
X.X in. ±0.05 in.
X.XX in. ±0.005 in.
cluding Sections:
16 CFR 1500.18(a)(16)(i)Banned Toys and Other Banned
These tolerances still apply to a dimension even when terms
Articles Intended for Use by Children—Infant Cushion or
like greater than, less than, minimum, or maximum are used.
Infant Pillow
1.7.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
16 CFR 1500.48Technical Requirements for Determining a
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
Sharp Point in Toys and Other Articles Intended for Use
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
by Children Under 8 Years of Age
information only and are not considered standard.
16 CFR 1500.49Technical Requirements for Determining a
1.7.3 The conversion factor from imperial to metric units
Sharp Metal or Glass Edge in Toys and Other Articles
are:
Intended for Use by Children Under 8 Years of Age
1 in. = 25.4 mm
16 CFR 1501Method for Identifying Toys and Other Ar-
2 2
1in. = 6.45 cm
3 3 ticles Intended for Use by Children Under 3Years ofAge
1in. = 16.39 cm
1 lb = 0.454 kg Which Present Choking, Aspiration or Ingestion Hazards
1 lbf (pound force) = 4.45 Newtons
Because of Small Parts
1.8 See Annex A1 for figures referenced throughout this
specification.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1.9 The text of this specification references notes and
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
footnoteswhichprovideexplanatorymaterial.Thesenotesand
the ASTM website.
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
considered as requirements of the specification.
www.astm.org.
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401.
F2373−11 (2017)
16 CFR 1610Standard for the Flammability of Clothing 3.1.12 crush and shear point, n—juncture at which the user
Textiles could suffer contusion, laceration, abrasion, amputation, or
fracture during use of the play equipment.
2.4 CPSC Documents:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,Handbook for 3.1.13 designated play surface, n—any elevated surface for
Public Playground Safety
standing, walking, crawling, sitting, or climbing, or any el-
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,Never Put evated flat surface larger than 2.0 in. (51 mm) wide by 2.0 in.
Children’s Climbing Gyms On Hard Surfaces, Indoors or
(51 mm) long, having less than a 30° angle from horizontal.
Outdoors
3.1.14 early care and education facility, n—settinginwhich
2.5 UL Standard:
out of home care is provided for eleven or more children.
UL969Standard for Safety: Marking and Labeling Systems
3.1.15 entanglement, n—condition in which the user’s
2.6 European Standard: clothesorsomethingaroundtheuser’sneckbecomescaughtor
EN 71-1Safety of Toys—Part I: Mechanical and Physical
entwined on a component of play equipment.
Properties
3.1.16 entrapment, n—any condition which impedes with-
drawal of a body or body part that has penetrated an opening.
3. Terminology
3.1.17 fall height, n—vertical distance (1) between a desig-
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
nated play surface and the surface beneath it; or (2) between
3.1.1 access ramp, n—ramp used to move onto or into a
specified parts of a play structure; or (3) between a specified
piece of play equipment.
part of a play structure and the ground.
3.1.2 accessible, adj—relating to a part or portion of the
3.1.18 fully enclosed swing seat, n—suspended device upon
play equipment (1) that can be contacted by any body part, or
which a user sits which has non-removable supports on all
(2) that a user can enter, leave, play on, in, or under.
sidesandbetweenthelegsofauser.Thesupportsareintended
3.1.3 accessory toy, n—toy attached to, removable from, or
to prevent a user from falling out of the device while it is in
sold with a piece of play equipment, as well as the means of
motion (for example, a fully enclosed bucket seat, see Fig.
attachment.
A1.1).
3.1.4 adjacent platforms, n—two platforms with some de-
3.1.19 functionally linked play structures, n—play structure
viation in their heights having a common vertical plane.
that acts as a single unit in its physical form or sense of
function as continuous play, even if the components are not
3.1.5 anchor(s), n—accessories used to minimize possible
physically attached.
tipping of the play equipment, or lifting of the support legs
during normal use.
3.1.20 hand-support component, n—component, such as a
3.1.6 cable, n—strands of metallic wire, twisted or laid handrail, intended to steady a user or support a user’s body
weight.
together.
3.1.7 climbing equipment, n—play equipment or equipment 3.1.21 handrail, n—rigid linear device, following the path
parts that require the user to maintain three points of contact of access or egress, that, when grasped, provides balance and
while moving about. support in maintaining a specific body posture.
3.1.8 completely bounded non-rigid opening, n—any open- 3.1.22 impact attenuating surfacing, n—material(s) that
ing in a piece of equipment that is totally enclosed by flexible
comply with Specification F1292.
boundarieswhichcandeformordeflectduringnormaluse(for
3.1.23 maximum user, n—23-month-oldchild;measurement
example, the openings in a flexible net or lattice of webbing).
characteristics are the 95th percentile values for combined
3.1.9 completely bounded rigid opening, n—any opening in
sexes.
a piece of play equipment that is totally enclosed by fixed,
3.1.24 minimum user, n—6-month-old child; measurement
inflexible boundaries so that the perimeter of the opening is
characteristics are the 5th percentile values for combined
continuous.
sexes.
3.1.10 component, n—any portion of the play equipment
3.1.25 moving component, n—portionoftheplayequipment
that generates specific activity and cannot stand alone.
that imparts movement to the equipment or the user, for
3.1.11 composite play equipment, n—two or more pieces of
example, swing or spring-mounted rocker.
play equipment attached or functionally linked, to create one
3.1.26 non-encroachment zone, n—obstacle-free area desig-
integral unit that provides more than one play activity (for
nated for unrestricted circulation.
example, a combination slide and climbing equipment).
3.1.27 partially bounded opening, n—any opening that is
not totally enclosed by boundaries on all sides so that the
perimeter of the opening is discontinuous.
Available from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC),
Washington, D.C. 20207-0001.
3.1.28 partially enclosed swing seat, n—single occupant
Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Corporate Progress, 333
suspended device upon which a user sits which has non-
Pfingsten Rd., Northbrook, IL 60062.
removable supports on all sides, but not between the user’s
Available from British Standards Institute (BSI), 389 Chiswick High Rd.,
London W4 4AL, U.K. legs.
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.