ASTM F2223-03
(Guide)Standard Guide for ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing
Standard Guide for ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing
SCOPE
1.1 This guide references 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 SI units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 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.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
Designation: F 2223 – 03
Standard Guide for
ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 2223; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 Canadian Standard:
CSA Z614 Children’s Playspaces and Equipment
1.1 This guide references standards for selecting and speci-
2.3 Government Publications:
fying surface systems under and around playground equip-
CPSC (US Consumer Product Safety Commission) Hand-
ment.
book for Public Playground Safety, Pub. No. 325
1.2 This guide describes how to apply existing ASTM
US Code of Federal Regulations Part 3, 36 CFR Part
standards to evaluate the impact attenuation, accessibility
1191 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
characteristics and product characteristics when selecting sur-
Guidelines: Play Areas: (Final Rule)
facing systems for use under and around playground equip-
ment.
3. Terminology
1.3 This guide does not imply that an injury cannot be
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
incurred when the surface system complies with standards
3.1.1 acceleration—the time rate of change of velocity.
referred to in this guide.
3.1.2 critical height—the maximum height in full feet for a
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
surfacing system that, when tested using Specification F 1292,
as standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for informa-
no value shall exceed 200 g-max or 1000 HIC.
tion only.
3.1.3 deceleration—the time rate of reduction of velocity.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.4 drop height—the distance from which the instru-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
mented headform is released to the surface.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.5 fall height—the vertical distance between a designated
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
play surface of the play equipment and the protective surfacing
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
beneath it. In the case of swings, the vertical distance from the
2. Referenced Documents pivot point for the swinging element to the protective surface
beneath it. The playground standard that has relevant jurisdic-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 tion should be consulted with relation to specific play struc-
F 963 Consumer Safety Specification on Toy Safety
tures.
F 1292 Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface
2 3.1.6 g—acceleration due to gravity at the earth’s surface at
Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment
2 2
sea level (32 ft/s (9.8 m/s )).
F 1487 Consumer Safety Performance Specification for
2 3.1.7 g-max—the multiple of g that represents a maximum
Playground Equipment for Public Use
deceleration experienced during an initial impact.
F 1918 Safety Performance Specification for Soft Con-
2 3.1.8 headform—the striking part of testing apparatus.
tained Play Equipment
3.1.9 head injury criteria (HIC)—a measure of impact
F 1951 Specification for Determination of Accessibility of
severity that considers the duration over which the most critical
Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equip-
section of the deceleration pulse persists as well as the peak
ment
level of deceleration.
F 2075 Specification for Engineered Wood Fiber for Use as
3.1.10 impact attenuation—the ability of a surface to reduce
a Playground Safety Surface Under and Around Play-
and dissipate the energy of an impacting body.
ground Equipment
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.63 on Available from CSA International, 5060 Spectrum Way, Suite 100, Missis-
Playground Surfacing Systems. sauga, ON, Canada L4W 5N6.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2003. Published February 2003. Available from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, DC
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.07. 20207, website: www.cpsc.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F2223–03
3.1.11 impact velocity—the velocity of a falling body im- 7. Impact Attenuation
mediately prior to striking the surface.
7.1 The initial work of Subcommittee F08.63 was especially
3.1.12 loose fill system—a surface system consisting of
important since injuries sustained from falls to the surface were
small independent, moveable components; such as sand,
determined to be 60 % of all playground injuries.
gravel, wood chips, engineered wood fiber, rubber particles and
7.2 There are two measurements considered in the standard.
like materials.
The first is the g-max and the second is the HIC or Head Injury
3.1.13 surface system—all materials that contribute to the
Criteria. It should be recognized that serious injuries (for
impact absorption of force to minimize the likelihood of a life
example, long bone injuries, etc.) might occur even though the
threatening head injury under and around a piece of playground
playground surfacing system meets the requirements of Speci-
equipment.
fication F 1292.
3.1.14 theoretical drop height—equates the measured ve-
7.3 The g-Max—The g-max is the measurement of the peak
locity of the headform to a height that would generate the same
deceleration of an instrumented metal headform when it
velocity if the test were performed at sea level and there was no
impacts the surface. When the object falls from the same height
friction to retard the headform during a drop from that height.
onto a hard surface, such as concrete, the impact duration will
be very short and therefore the peak deceleration (g-max) will
3.1.15 unitary system—a surface system consisting of one
be high. Whereas, an impact on a resilient surface that yields
or more components bound together; such as foam composites,
and deforms with the force, results in a longer impact and a
urethane/rubber systems such as prefabricated blocks, tiles or
lower peak deceleration (g-max).
mats or as poured in place, and like materials.
7.4 Head Injury Criteria (HIC)—A measure of impact
severity that considers the duration over which the most critical
4. Significance and Use
section of the deceleration pulse persists as well as the peak
4.1 This guide is to be used to assist the playground
level of the deceleration.
owner/operator, specifier, designer, etc., in determining the
7.5 Critical Height—The maximum height from which the
properties that can be considered with regard to the protective
instrumented metal headform, upon impact, yields either a
surfacing in the playground. It is the intent to outline the
g-max that does not exceed 200 g’s or HIC exceeding 1000,
requirements associated with design, installation and mainte-
when tested in accordance with the procedure described in
nance of the surface. This is not a technical document and
Specification F 1292. The United States Consumer Product
technical information must be found in the various standards.
Safety Commission states that “Critical Height—the fall height
below which a life-threatening head injury would not be
5. Background and Rationale
expected to occur.”
5.1 Since 1986 ASTM has been involved in the ongoing
7.5.1 The surfacing material used under and around a
development and publishing of a standard specification for the
particular piece of playground equipment should have a
impact attenuation of the surface systems installed under and
Critical Height value of at least the height of the highest
around playground equipment. This is the work of the F08.63
designated play surface on the equipment.
subcommittee on playground surfaces. This subcommittee
7.5.2 The CPSC Handbook for Public Playground Safety
consists of a broad spectrum of members including testing
(see 2.3), Specification F 1487 for play structures, as well as
laboratory personnel, scientists, engineers, manufacturers,
other national standards (see Section 2), provide fall heights for
safety experts and owner/operators of playgrounds.
various pieces of playground equipment.
5.2 In 1986, Subcommittee F08.63 was given the responsi-
7.6 Testing:
bility to respond to the need for a standard for the impact-
7.6.1 Laboratory Testing (Three Temperatures)—
attenuating surface under and around playground equipment.
Specification F 1292 recognizes that children play in climates
Specification F 1292 was first published in 1991. Since then the
with diverse temperature ranges. For this reason, the materials
standard has been revised five times in ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, and
that are used under playground equipment are required to be
’99.
tested in a laboratory at the temperatures of 30°F, 72°F, and
5.3 In 1998, the subcommittee published a provision
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.