ASTM F1487-17

Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use

SCOPE
1.1 This consumer safety performance specification provides safety and performance standards for various types of public playground equipment. Its purpose is to reduce life-threatening and debilitating injuries.  
1.2 The range of users encompassed by this consumer safety performance specification is the 5th percentile 2-year-old through the 95th percentile 12-year-old.  
1.3 Home playground equipment, toys, amusement rides, sports equipment, fitness equipment intended for users over the age of 12, public use play equipment for children 6 to 24 months, and soft contained play equipment are not included in this specification.  
1.4 Products or materials (site furnishings) that are installed outside the equipment use zone, such as benches, tables, independent shade structures, and borders used to contain protective surfacing, are not considered playground equipment and are not included in this specification.  
1.5 This specification does not address accessibility, except as it pertains to safety issues not covered in the DOJ 2010 Standard for Accessible Design.  
1.6 This consumer safety performance specification includes the following sections:    
Title  
Section Number    
Scope  
1  
Referenced Documents  
2  
Terminology  
3  
Materials and Manufacture  
4  
General Requirements  
5  
Performance Requirements  
6  
Requirements for Access/Egress  
7  
Equipment  
8  
Playground Layout  
9  
Accessibility  
10  
Installation  
11  
Structural Integrity  
12  
Maintenance  
13  
Signs or Labels, or Both  
14  
Manufacturer Identification  
15  
Keywords  
16  
Figures  
Annex A1  
1.6.1 The requirements in this specification are designed to mitigate the hazards typically presented by various types of equipment. New equipment may not specifically fit into the designated types listed in the specification; however, the designer or manufacturer, or both, shall use professional judgment to perform and document a hazard analysis and follow appropriate requirements to mitigate the hazards.  
1.7 General Measures, Tolerances, and Conversions:  
1.7.1 The general tolerances for this specification (unless otherwise specified) are as follows:    
Dimension  
Tolerance  
X   in.  
±0.5 in.  
X.X   in.  
±0.05 in.  
X.XX   in.  
±0.005 in.
These tolerances still apply to a dimension even when terms like greater than, less than, minimum, or maximum are used.  
1.7.2 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.  
1.7.3 The conversion factor from inch-pound to metric units is 1 in. = 25.4 mm, and 1 lb = 0.45359 kg.  
1.7.4 See Annex A1 for figures referenced throughout this specification.  
1.7.5 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 limitations prior to use.  
1.8 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Feb-2017
• ICS: 97.200.40 - Playgrounds
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.29 - Playground Equipment for Public Use

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
Designation:F1487 −17
Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for
1
Playground Equipment for Public Use
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1487; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This consumer safety performance specification establishes nationally recognized safety standards
for public playground equipment to address injuries identified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC).
During 1999 the CPSC estimated that about 156 000 victims were treated in U.S. hospital
emergency rooms for injuries associated with public playground equipment. About three fourths of
these injuries resulted from falls, primarily to the surface on which the equipment was located. Other
hazard patterns involved impact by swings and other moving equipment and contact with protrusions,
crush or shear points, and sharp edges. Fatalities reported to the CPSC resulted from falls;
entanglement of clothing or similar items on equipment; entanglement in ropes tied to or caught on
equipment; head entrapment; impact by equipment that tipped over or otherwise failed; and impact by
moving swings. This consumer safety performance specification does not eliminate the need for
supervision of children on public playground equipment. It is intended to minimize the likelihood of
life-threatening or debilitating injuries, such as those identified by the CPSC.
There has been significant harmonization of this performance specification and CAN/CSA-Z614.
1. Scope 1.5 This specification does not address accessibility, except
as it pertains to safety issues not covered in the DOJ 2010
1.1 This consumer safety performance specification pro-
Standard for Accessible Design.
vides safety and performance standards for various types of
1.6 This consumer safety performance specification in-
public playground equipment. Its purpose is to reduce life-
threatening and debilitating injuries. cludes the following sections:
Title Section Number
1.2 Therangeofusersencompassedbythisconsumersafety
performance specification is the 5th percentile 2-year-old
Scope 1
Referenced Documents 2
through the 95th percentile 12-year-old.
Terminology 3
Materials and Manufacture 4
1.3 Home playground equipment, toys, amusement rides,
General Requirements 5
sportsequipment,fitnessequipmentintendedforusersoverthe
Performance Requirements 6
age of 12, public use play equipment for children 6 to 24
Requirements for Access/Egress 7
Equipment 8
months, and soft contained play equipment are not included in
Playground Layout 9
this specification.
Accessibility 10
Installation 11
1.4 Products or materials (site furnishings) that are installed
Structural Integrity 12
outside the equipment use zone, such as benches, tables, Maintenance 13
Signs or Labels, or Both 14
independent shade structures, and borders used to contain
Manufacturer Identification 15
protective surfacing, are not considered playground equipment
Keywords 16
and are not included in this specification. Figures Annex A1
1.6.1 The requirements in this specification are designed to
mitigate the hazards typically presented by various types of
1
equipment. New equipment may not specifically fit into the
This consumer safety performance specification is under the jurisdiction of
ASTM Committee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of
designated types listed in the specification; however, the
Subcommittee F15.29 on Playground Equipment for Public Use.
designer or manufacturer, or both, shall use professional
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2017. Published April 2017. Originally
judgment to perform and document a hazard analysis and
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as F1487 – 11. DOI:
10.1520/F1487-17. follow appropriate requirements to mitigate the hazards.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F1487−17
1.7 General Measures, Tolerances, and Conversions: F1951 Specification for Determination of Accessibility of
1.7.1 The general tolerances for this specification (unless Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equip-
otherwise specified) are as follows: ment
F2373 Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Pub-
Dimension Tolerance
X in. ±0.5 in.
lic Use Play Equipment for Children 6 Months through 23
X.X in. ±0.05 in.
Months
X.XX in. ±0.005 in.
4
2.2 ANSI Standards:
These tolerances still apply to a dimension even when terms
ANSI Z535.1 Safety Color Code
like greater than, less than, minimum, or max
...

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: F1487 − 11 F1487 − 17
Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for
1
Playground Equipment for Public Use
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1487; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This consumer safety performance specification establishes nationally recognized safety standards
for public playground equipment to address injuries identified by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC).
During 1999 the CPSC estimated that about 156 000 victims were treated in U.S. hospital
emergency rooms for injuries associated with public playground equipment. About three fourths of
these injuries resulted from falls, primarily to the surface on which the equipment was located. Other
hazard patterns involved impact by swings and other moving equipment and contact with protrusions,
crush or shear points, and sharp edges. Fatalities reported to the CPSC resulted from falls;
entanglement of clothing or similar items on equipment; entanglement in ropes tied to or caught on
equipment; head entrapment; impact by equipment that tipped over or otherwise failed; and impact by
moving swings. This consumer safety performance specification does not eliminate the need for
supervision of children on public playground equipment. It is intended to minimize the likelihood of
life-threatening or debilitating injuries, such as those identified by the CPSC.
There has been significant harmonization of this performance specification and CAN/CSA-Z614.
1. Scope
1.1 This consumer safety performance specification provides safety and performance standards for various types of public
playground equipment. Its purpose is to reduce life-threatening and debilitating injuries.
1.2 The range of users encompassed by this consumer safety performance specification is the 5th percentile 2-year-old through
the 95th percentile 12-year-old.
1.3 Home playground equipment, toys, amusement rides, sports equipment, fitness equipment intended for users over the age
of 12, public use play equipment for children 6 to 24 months, and soft contained play equipment are not included in this
specification.
1.4 Products or materials (site furnishings) that are installed outside the equipment use zone, such as benches, tables,
independent shade structures, and borders used to contain protective surfacing, are not considered playground equipment and are
not included in this specification.
1.5 This specification does not address accessibility, except as it pertains to safety issues not covered in the DOJ 2010 Standard
for Accessible Design.
1.6 This consumer safety performance specification includes the following sections:
Title Section Number
Scope 1
Referenced Documents 2
Terminology 3
Materials and Manufacture 4
General Requirements 5
Performance Requirements 6
Requirements for Access/Egress 7
1
This consumer safety performance specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F15.29 on Playground Equipment for Public Use.
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 2011Feb. 15, 2017. Published October 2011April 2017. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 20072011 as
ε1
F1487 – 07aF1487 – 11. . DOI: 10.1520/F1487-11.10.1520/F1487-17.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1487 − 17
Equipment 8
Playground Layout 9
Accessibility 10
Installation 11
Structural Integrity 12
Maintenance 13
Labeling 14
Signs or Labels, or Both 14
Information Signage and Labels 15
Manufacturer Identification 15
Keywords 16
Figures Annex A1
1.6.1 The requirements in this specification are designed to mitigate the hazards typically presented by various types of
equipment. New equipment may not specifically fit into the designated types listed in the specification; however, the designer or
manufacturer, or both, shall use professional judgment to perform and document a hazard analysis and follow appropriate
requirements to mitigate the hazards.
1.7 General Measures, Tolerances, and Conversions:
1.7.1 The general tolerances for this specification (unless otherwise specified) are as follows:
Dimension Tolerance
X in. ±0.5 in.
X.X in. ±0.05
...