ASTM F2223-19a

Standard Guide for ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is to be used to assist the playground owner/operator, specifier, designer, etc., in determining the properties that can be considered with regard to the protective surfacing in the playground. It is the intent to outline the requirements associated with design, installation, and maintenance of the surface. This is not a technical document and technical information must be found in the various standards.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers standards for selecting and specifying surface systems under and around playground equipment.  
1.2 This guide describes how to apply existing ASTM standards to evaluate the impact attenuation, accessibility characteristics and product characteristics when selecting surfacing systems for use under and around playground equipment.  
1.3 This guide does not imply that an injury cannot be incurred when the surface system complies with standards referred to in this guide.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, in your state may be prohibited by state law.  
1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2019
• ICS: 97.220.10 - Sports facilities
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.63 - Playground Surfacing Systems

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F2223-19 - Standard Guide for ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM F963-23 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2023
• Refers: ASTM F1292-18 - Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2018
• Refers: ASTM F1292-17a - Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Refers: ASTM F2479-17 - Standard Guide for Specification, Purchase, Installation and Maintenance of Poured-In-Place Playground Surfacing
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Refers: ASTM F1292-17 - Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-May-2017
• Refers: ASTM F2479-12(2017) - Standard Guide for Specification, Purchase, Installation and Maintenance of Poured-In-Place Playground Surfacing
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Refers: ASTM F963-16 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2016
• Refers: ASTM F1292-13 - Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM F2479-12 - Standard Guide for Specification, Purchase, Installation and Maintenance of Poured-In-Place Playground Surfacing
• Effective Date: 15-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM F963-11 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Refers: ASTM F2479-11 - Standard Guide for Specification, Purchase, Installation and Maintenance of Poured-In-Place Playground Surfacing
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM F1487-11 - Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2011
• Refers: ASTM F2075-10a - Standard Specification for Engineered Wood Fiber for Use as a Playground Safety Surface Under and Around Playground Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2010
• Refers: ASTM F2075-10 - Standard Specification for Engineered Wood Fiber for Use as a Playground Safety Surface Under and Around Playground Equipment
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2010

Overview

ASTM F2223-19a: Standard Guide for ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing provides essential guidance for playground owners, operators, specifiers, and designers in selecting and specifying surface systems for areas under and around playground equipment. Published by ASTM International, this standard focuses on outlining key requirements related to the design, installation, and ongoing maintenance of playground surfacing, placing an emphasis on impact attenuation, accessibility, and safety. While not a technical specification itself, ASTM F2223-19a consolidates references to various ASTM standards that govern protective surfacing criteria, helping users make informed choices to promote playground safety and accessibility.

Key Topics

• Impact Attenuation: Explains the importance of selecting surface systems that reduce the risk and severity of injuries resulting from falls. The guide identifies relevant standards for testing surfaces to ensure they meet minimum g-max and head injury criteria (HIC) thresholds.
• Accessibility: Discusses requirements for ensuring playground surfaces are accessible to users of all abilities, referencing standards that guide testing and evaluating surface accessibility, such as maneuverability for wheelchairs.
• Material Selection: Details the types of materials used for playground surfacing, including loose-fill and unitary options, and explains the necessity of testing to confirm compliance with referenced ASTM standards.
• Installation and Maintenance: Outlines best practices for installing surface systems and stresses the importance of ongoing maintenance to sustain safety and accessibility throughout the playground’s lifecycle.
• Hazardous Substances: Warns about the use of hazardous materials such as mercury or heavy metals, emphasizing compliance with relevant environmental and safety regulations.

Applications

ASTM F2223-19a is valuable across a variety of playground environments, supporting stakeholders in:

• Public and Private Parks: Guiding municipalities, schools, and private facilities in specifying, purchasing, and maintaining compliant surfacing that enhances child safety and accessibility.
• Design and Specification: Assisting designers and specifiers in selecting appropriate surface materials and verifying compliance with impact attenuation and accessibility requirements as dictated by referenced standards.
• Risk Management: Providing playground operators with best practices to minimize injury risks and maintain surfaces to required safety levels through periodic inspections and field testing.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that playground surfacing systems meet legal and industry norms, including those related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and hazardous substances guidelines.

Related Standards

ASTM F2223-19a consolidates and references key ASTM and related standards that govern critical aspects of playground surfacing:

• ASTM F1292: Specification for impact attenuation of surfacing materials within the use zone of playground equipment.
• ASTM F1951: Specification for determination of accessibility of surface systems under and around playground equipment.
• ASTM F2075: Specification for engineered wood fiber for playground safety surfacing.
• ASTM F3012: Specification for loose-fill rubber for playground safety surfaces.
• ASTM F2479: Guide for specification, purchase, installation, and maintenance of poured-in-place playground surfacing.
• ASTM F963: Consumer safety specification for toy safety, including hazardous metal content.
• CSA Z614: Canadian standard for children’s playspaces and equipment.
• CPSC Handbook for Public Playground Safety: US Consumer Product Safety Commission publication.
• ADA Accessibility Guidelines (36 CFR Part 1191): Accessibility guidelines for play areas.

Practical Value

By outlining the interplay among impact attenuation, accessibility, installation, and maintenance, ASTM F2223-19a serves as a comprehensive reference for ensuring safer, more inclusive, and regulation-compliant playground environments. It supports playground stakeholders in making surface system decisions that align with the very latest playground safety and performance standards, reducing risk and enhancing community trust in public and private play spaces.

Keywords: playground surfacing, ASTM playground standards, impact attenuation, accessibility, playground safety, surface system, maintenance, hazardous materials, F2223-19a

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: F2223 − 19a An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2223; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This guide covers standards for selecting and specifying
surface systems under and around playground equipment.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 This guide describes how to apply existing ASTM 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
standards to evaluate the impact attenuation, accessibility
C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
characteristics and product characteristics when selecting sur-
Aggregates
facing systems for use under and around playground equip-
E1613 Test Method for Determination of Lead by Induc-
ment.
tively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry
1.3 This guide does not imply that an injury cannot be
(ICP-AES), Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
incurred when the surface system complies with standards (FAAS), or Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spec-
referred to in this guide.
trometry (GFAAS) Techniques
F963 Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
F1292 Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
Materials Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
F1487 ConsumerSafetyPerformanceSpecificationforPlay-
and are not considered standard.
ground Equipment for Public Use
1.5 Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and
F1951 Specification for Determination of Accessibility of
many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause
Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equip-
central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or
ment
its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to
F2075 Specification for Engineered Wood Fiber for Use as a
materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and
Playground Safety Surface Under andAround Playground
mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Ma-
Equipment
terial Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website
F2479 Guide for Specification, Purchase, Installation and
(http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional informa-
Maintenance of Poured-In-Place Playground Surfacing
tion. Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury-
F3012 Specification for Loose-Fill Rubber for Use as a
containingproducts,orboth,inyourstatemaybeprohibitedby
Playground Safety Surface under and around Playground
state law.
Equipment
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
F3313 Test Method for Determining Impact Attenuation of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Playground Surfaces Within the Use Zone of Playground
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Equipment as Tested in the Field
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
2.2 Canadian Standard:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
CSA Z614 Children’s Playspaces and Equipment
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
2.3 Government Publications:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
CPSC (US Consumer Product Safety Commission) Hand-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
book for Public Playground Safety, Pub. No. 325
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of the ASTM website.
Subcommittee F08.63 on Playground Surfacing Systems. Available from Canadian Standards Association (CSA), 178 Rexdale Blvd.,
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2019. Published December 2019. Originally Toronto, ON Canada M9W1R3.
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as F2223 – 19. DOI: Available from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC
10.1520/F2223-19A. 20207, website: www.cpsc.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2223 − 19a
EPA Method 3050B Acid Digestion of Sediments, Sludges, 3.1.13 surface system—all materials that contribute to the
and Soil impact absorption of force to minimize the likelihood of a life
EPA Method 3051A Microwave Assisted Acid Digestion of threateningheadinjuryunderandaroundapieceofplayground
Sediments, Sludges, Soils, and oils equipment.
EPA Method 6010B
3.1.14 theoretical drop height—equatesthemeasuredveloc-
EPA Method 7470A Mercury in Liquid Wastes (Manual
ity of the headform to a height that would generate the same
Cold-Vapor Technique)
velocityifthetestwereperformedatsealevelandtherewasno
16 CFR 1500.48 Technical requirements for determining a
friction to retard the headform during a drop from that height.
sharp point in toys and other articles intended for use by
3.1.15 unitary system—a surface system consisting of one
children under 8 years of age
or more components bound together, such as foam composites,
US Code of Federal Regulations Part 3, 36 CFR Part
urethane/rubber systems such as prefabricated blocks, tiles, or
1191 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
mats or as poured in place, and like materials.
Guidelines: Play Areas: (Final Rule)
4. Significance and Use
3. Terminology
4.1 This guide is to be used to assist the playground
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
owner/operator, specifier, designer, etc., in determining the
3.1.1 acceleration—the time rate of change of velocity.
properties that can be considered with regard to the protective
surfacing in the playground. It is the intent to outline the
3.1.2 critical height—the maximum height in full feet for a
requirements associated with design, installation, and mainte-
surfacing system that, when tested in accordance with Speci-
nance of the surface. This is not a technical document and
fication F1292, no value shall exceed 200 g -max or 1000 HIC.
technical information must be found in the various standards.
3.1.3 deceleration—the time rate of reduction of velocity.
5. Background and Rationale
3.1.4 drop height—the distance from which the instru-
mented headform is released to the surface.
5.1 Since 1986, ASTM has been involved in the ongoing
development and publishing of a standard specification for the
3.1.5 fall height—the vertical distance between a designated
impact attenuation of the surface systems installed under and
play surface of the play equipment and the protective surfacing
around playground equipment. This is the work of the F08.63
beneath it. In the case of swings, the vertical distance from the
subcommittee on playground surfaces. This subcommittee
pivot point for the swinging element to the protective surface
consists of a broad spectrum of members including testing
beneath it. The playground standard that has relevant jurisdic-
laboratory personnel, scientists, engineers, manufacturers,
tion should be consulted with relation to specific play struc-
safety experts, and owner/operators of playgrounds.
tures.
5.2 In 1986, Subcommittee F08.63 was given the responsi-
3.1.6 g—acceleration due to gravity at the earth’s surface at
2 2
bility to respond to the need for a standard for the impact-
sea level (32 ft/s (9.8 m/s )).
attenuating surface under and around playground equipment.
3.1.7 g-max—the multiple of g that represents a maximum
SpecificationF1292wasfirstpublishedin1991.Sincethen,the
deceleration experienced during an initial impact.
specification has been revised ten times, in 1993, 1995, 1996,
3.1.8 headform—the striking part of testing apparatus.
1999, 2004, 2009, 2013, twice in 2017, and 2018.
3.1.9 head injury criteria (HIC)—a measure of impact 5.3 In 1998, the subcommittee published a provisional
severitythatconsidersthedurationoverwhichthemostcritical
standard specification (PS 83) for determination of accessibil-
section of the deceleration pulse persists as well as the peak ity for wheelchair access of surface systems under and around
level of deceleration.
playground equipment. The standard was elevated to a full
standard (see Specification F1951) in 1999. Since then, the
3.1.10 impact attenuation—the ability of a surface to reduce
specification has been revised several times, in 2007, 2008,
and dissipate the energy of an impacting body.
2009 (versions 09, 09a, and 09b), and 2014.
3.1.11 impact velocity—the velocity of a falling body im-
mediately prior to striking the surface.
6. Factors to Consider in the Selection and Specification
of Surface Systems
3.1.12 loose fill system—a surface system consisting of
small independent, moveable components such as sand, gravel,
6.1 Types of Material—Every surface system is unique in
wood chips, engineered wood fiber, rubber particles, and like
material, formulation, composition, and source of raw materi-
materials.
als and should be tested to confirm conformance with the
ASTM specifications as identified within this guide (Specifi-
cations F1292, F1951, and F2075).
AvailablefromUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),William
7. Impact Attenuation
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460,
http://www.epa.gov.
7.1 TheinitialworkofSubcommitteeF08.63wasespecially
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of
importantsinceinjuriessustainedfromfallstothesurfacewere
Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20401-0001, http://
www.access.gpo.gov. determined to be 60 % of all playground injuries.
F2223 − 19a
7.2 There are two measurements considered in the guide. Canada, CSA Z614), however, the purchaser may specify a
The first is the g-max and the second is the HIC or Head Injury higher drop height consistent with the specification at the time
Criteria. It should be recognized that serious injuries (for ofpurchase.Thespecificationrequiresthatthedropstakeplace
example, long bone injuries and so forth) might occur even at a minimum of three locations for each play structure or
though the playground surfacing system meets the require- functionally linked play structures in a playground site and
ments of Specification F1292. Lower values of g-max and HIC shall include those areas that may exhibit less than optimal
signify better performance for impact absorption. impact characteristics. These areas may be high traffic or
compressed areas as well as areas containing seams, partitions,
7.3 The g-max—The g-max is the measurement of the peak
cornersandfasteners,oranchors.Theequipmentoperatorshall
deceleration of an instrumented metal headform when it
be trained in the proper orientation of the test instrument by a
impactsthesurface.Whentheobjectfallsfromthesameheight
competent agency.
onto a hard surface such as concrete, the impact duration will
7.6.3.1 A failure for impact attenuation of the field test will
be very short and therefore the peak deceleration (g-max) will
be where the average of the last two of three drops at the exact
be high, but an impact on a resilient surface that yields and
same location and drop height using the procedure in the
deforms with the force, results in a longer impact and a lower
standardfromthedropheightspecifiedbythepurchaserforthe
peak deceleration (g-max).
surface produces a g-max greater than 200 or a HIC greater
7.4 Head Injury Criteria (HIC)—A measure of impact
than 1000. These tests can be carried out at any ambient
severitythatconsidersthedurationoverwhichthemostcritical
temperature. If the surface fails, the guide requires the owner/
section of the deceleration pulse persists as well as the peak
operator of the playground to repair or replace the failed
level of the deceleration.
surface with a surface that will comply with the standard or
take the applicable part of the playground (play structure and
7.5 Critical Height—The maximum height from which the
surface) out of service until the surface can be brought into
instrumented metal headform, upon impact, yields either a
compliance.
g-max that does not exceed 200 g’s or HIC exceeding 1000,
when tested in accordance with the procedure described in
NOTE 1—Samples submitted for testing to Specification F1292 may not
Specification F1292. The United States Consumer Product berepresentativeofthosefoundinstalled,duetoambientconditionsfound
in the field. This is particularly true of materials tested at 25°F (–4°C),
Safety Commission states that “critical height—the fall height
which may be contaminated in the field by snow or ice, and therefore may
below which a life-threatening head injury would not be
not be compliant when tested toTest Method F3313 at temperatures lower
expected to occur.”
tha
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2223 − 19 F2223 − 19a An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2223; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers standards for selecting and specifying surface systems under and around playground equipment.
1.2 This guide describes how to apply existing ASTM standards to evaluate the impact attenuation, accessibility characteristics
and product characteristics when selecting surfacing systems for use under and around playground equipment.
1.3 This guide does not imply that an injury cannot be incurred when the surface system complies with standards referred to
in this guide.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central
nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution
should be taken when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) for details and EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be aware
that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, in your state may be prohibited by state law.
1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
E1613 Test Method for Determination of Lead by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES),
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS), or Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS) Techniques
F963 Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
F1292 Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials Within the Use Zone of 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
F2479 Guide for Specification, Purchase, Installation and Maintenance of Poured-In-Place Playground Surfacing
F3012 Specification for Loose-Fill Rubber for Use as a Playground Safety Surface under and around Playground Equipment
F3313 Test Method for Determining Impact Attenuation of Playground Surfaces Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
as Tested in the Field
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F08.63 on Playground Surfacing Systems.
Current edition approved July 1, 2019Dec. 1, 2019. Published July 2019December 2019. Originally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 20152019 as
F2223 – 15.F2223 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/F2223-19.10.1520/F2223-19A.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2223 − 19a
2.2 Canadian Standard:
CSA Z614 Children’s Playspaces and Equipment
2.3 Government Publications:
CPSC (US Consumer Product Safety Commission) Handbook for Public Playground Safety, Pub. No. 325
EPA Method 3050B Acid Digestion of Sediments, Sludges, and Soil
EPA Method 3051A Microwave Assisted Acid Digestion of Sediments, Sludges, Soils, and oils
EPA Method 6010B
EPA Method 7470A Mercury in Liquid Wastes (Manual Cold-Vapor Technique)
16 CFR 1500.48 Technical requirements for determining a sharp point in toys and other articles intended for use by children
under 8 years of age
US Code of Federal Regulations Part 3, 36 CFR Part 1191 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines: Play Areas:
(Final Rule)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 acceleration—the time rate of change of velocity.
3.1.2 critical height—the maximum height in full feet for a surfacing system that, when tested in accordance with Specification
F1292, no value shall exceed 200 g -max or 1000 HIC.
3.1.3 deceleration—the time rate of reduction of velocity.
3.1.4 drop height—the distance from which the instrumented headform is released to the surface.
3.1.5 fall height—the vertical distance between a designated play surface of the play equipment and the protective surfacing
beneath it. In the case of swings, the vertical distance from the pivot point for the swinging element to the protective surface
beneath it. The playground standard that has relevant jurisdiction should be consulted with relation to specific play structures.
2 2
3.1.6 g—acceleration due to gravity at the earth’s surface at sea level (32 ft/s (9.8 m/s )).
3.1.7 g-max—the multiple of g that represents a maximum deceleration experienced during an initial impact.
3.1.8 headform—the striking part of testing apparatus.
3.1.9 head injury criteria (HIC)—a measure of impact severity that considers the duration over which the most critical section
of the deceleration pulse persists as well as the peak level of deceleration.
3.1.10 impact attenuation—the ability of a surface to reduce and dissipate the energy of an impacting body.
3.1.11 impact velocity—the velocity of a falling body immediately prior to striking the surface.
3.1.12 loose fill system—a surface system consisting of small independent, moveable components such as sand, gravel, wood
chips, engineered wood fiber, rubber particles, and like materials.
3.1.13 surface system—all materials that contribute to the impact absorption of force to minimize the likelihood of a life
threatening head injury under and around a piece of playground equipment.
3.1.14 theoretical drop height—equates the measured velocity of the headform to a height that would generate the same velocity
if the test were performed at sea level and there was no friction to retard the headform during a drop from that height.
3.1.15 unitary system—a surface system consisting of one or more components bound together, such as foam composites,
urethane/rubber systems such as prefabricated blocks, tiles, or mats or as poured in place, and like materials.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This guide is to be used to assist the playground owner/operator, specifier, designer, etc., in determining the properties that
can be considered with regard to the protective surfacing in the playground. It is the intent to outline the requirements associated
with design, installation, and maintenance of the surface. This is not a technical document and technical information must be found
in the various standards.
5. Background and Rationale
5.1 Since 1986, ASTM has been involved in the ongoing development and publishing of a standard specification for the impact
attenuation of the surface systems installed under and around playground equipment. This is the work of the F08.63 subcommittee
Available from Canadian Standards Association (CSA), 178 Rexdale Blvd., Toronto, ON Canada M9W1R3.
Available from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC 20207, website: www.cpsc.gov.
Available from United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460,
http://www.epa.gov.
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20401-0001, http://www.access.gpo.gov.
F2223 − 19a
on playground surfaces. This subcommittee consists of a broad spectrum of members including testing laboratory personnel,
scientists, engineers, manufacturers, safety experts, and owner/operators of playgrounds.
5.2 In 1986, Subcommittee F08.63 was given the responsibility to respond to the need for a standard for the impact-attenuating
surface under and around playground equipment. Specification F1292 was first published in 1991. Since then, the specification has
been revised ten times, in 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2013, twice in 2017, and 2018.
5.3 In 1998, the subcommittee published a provisional standard specification (PS 83) for determination of accessibility for
wheelchair access of surface systems under and around playground equipment. The standard was elevated to a full standard (see
Specification F1951) in 1999. Since then, the specification has been revised several times, in 2007, 2008, 2009 (versions 09, 09a,
and 09b), and 2014.
6. Factors to Consider in the Selection and Specification of Surface Systems
6.1 Types of Material—Every surface system is unique in material, formulation, composition, and source of raw materials and
should be tested to confirm conformance with the ASTM specifications as identified within this guide (Specifications F1292,
F1951, and F2075).
7. Impact Attenuation
7.1 The initial work of Subcommittee F08.63 was especially important since injuries sustained from falls to the surface were
determined to be 60 % of all playground injuries.
7.2 There are two measurements considered in the guide. The first is the g-max and the second is the HIC or Head Injury
Criteria. It should be recognized that serious injuries (for example, long bone injuries and so forth) might occur even though the
playground surfacing system meets the requirements of Specification F1292. Lower values of g-max and HIC signify better
performance for impact absorption.
7.3 The g-max—The g-max is the measurement of the peak deceleration of an instrumented metal headform when it impacts
the surface. When the object falls from the same height onto a hard surface such as concrete, the impact duration will be very short
and therefore the peak deceleration (g-max) will be high, but an impact on a resilient surface that yields and deforms with the force,
results in a longer impact and a lower peak deceleration (g-max).
7.4 Head Injury Criteria (HIC)—A measure of impact severity that considers the duration over which the most critical section
of the deceleration pulse persists as well as the peak level of the deceleration.
7.5 Critical Height—The maximum height from which the instrumented metal headform, upon impact, yields either a g-max
that does not exceed 200 g’s or HIC exceeding 1000, when tested in accordance with the procedure described in Specification
F1292. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission states that “critical height—the fall height below which a
life-threatening head injury would not be expected to occur.”
7.5.1 The surfacing material used under and around a particular piece of playground equipment should have a critical height
value of at least the height of the highest designated play surface on the equipment.
7.5.2 The CPSC Handbook for Public Playground Safety (see 2.3), Specification F1487 for play structures, as well as other
national standards (see Section 2), provide fall heights for various pieces of playground equipment.
7.6 Testing:
7.6.1 Laboratory Testing (Three Temperatures)—Specification F1292 recognizes that children play in climates with diverse
temperature ranges. For this reason, the materials that are used under playground equipment are required to be tested in a laboratory
at the temperatures of 30°F, 72°F, and 120°F (–1°C, 23°C, and 49°C) to determine the height from which the g-max does not
exceed 200 or the HIC does not exceed 1000. The determination of this height is the critical height. When selecting an appropriate
playground surface system, the owner, specifier, or purchaser, or a combination thereof, of the playground should ensure that the
critical height meets or exceeds the fall height.
7.6.2 Minimum Performance Standards—Specification F1292 states that the pass/fail measurements for the specification are
minimums.
7.6.3 Field Testing—Specification F1292 allows for the performance testing of the playground surface in the field. Both the
g-max must not exceed 200 and the HIC must not exceed 1000 (the same as the laboratory test). The fall height is determined by
the appropriate playground equipment standard (for example, in the United States, Specification F1487, in Canad
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