ASTM F3313-18
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining Impact Attenuation of Playground Surfaces Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment as Tested in the Field
Standard Test Method for Determining Impact Attenuation of Playground Surfaces Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment as Tested in the Field
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
6.1 The purpose of this test method is to establish impact attenuation for the installed playground surface at the time of testing.
6.2 This test method provides a uniform means of quantifying the impact attenuation performance of installed playground surfaces.
6.3 This test method is to be used as a reference for specifying the impact attenuation performance of an installed playground surface.
6.4 This test method provides a uniform means of comparing the impact attenuation performance of installed playground surfaces with the performance requirements of this test method and with other performance requirements expressed in terms of drop height. Consequently, the test method is appropriately used to determine the actual impact attenuation performance of installed playground surfaces under ambient conditions of use.
6.5 In combination with data relating impact test scores to head injury, the information generated by application of this test method is suitable to estimate the relative risk of a severe head injury due to a fall.
6.6 Performance of this test does not satisfy the requirements to certify surfaces to the specification Specification F1292.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides a means of determining impact attenuation performance of a playground using a test method that simulates the impact of a child's head with the playground surfaces.
1.2 This test method is specific to surfacing materials used in conjunction with playground equipment, such as that described in Specifications F1148, F1487, F1918, CSA Z614 (Canada), and SS457 (Singapore).
1.3 This test method establishes procedures for determining the impact attenuation value of playground surfaces as tested in the field and for comparison with the test performed under laboratory conditions in Specification F1292 and contract and warranty requirements. This test method does not establish the critical fall height for an installed playground surface.
1.4 The field test required by this test method addresses the performance of playground surfaces as they are found in the field during a time when play by children 2-12 is anticipated.
1.5 The impact attenuation test method and test methods established in this test method are specific to the risk of head injury. There is evidence that lowering impact attenuation values can reduce the risk of other kinds of serious injury (for example, long bone fractures).
1.6 This test method 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 test method will reduce the risk of severe injury and death from falls, adherence to this test method will not prevent all injuries and deaths.
1.7 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.
1.8 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.
1.9 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
Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: F3313 − 18
Standard Test Method for
Determining Impact Attenuation of Playground Surfaces
Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment as Tested in
1
the Field
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3313; 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
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Surveys by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and others have
shown that falls from playground equipment onto the underlying surface are a significant cause of
injuries to children. While entanglement is the leading cause of deaths in playground, severe head
injuries are the most frequently implicated cause of death in playground equipment-related falls. Falls
are 79% of playground injuries. Use of appropriate impact-attenuating surfacing materials in the use
zone of playground equipment can reduce the severity of fall-related injuries. In particular, there is
evidence from automotive industry research testing that lowering impact values reduces head injury
severity. Lower impact values also reduced the severity of all injuries when appropriate surfacing
materials are installed based on reasonable foreseeable use of the play structures associated with the
surface.
This test method provides a means of determining impact attenuation performance of a playground
using a test method that simulates the impact of a child’s head with the playground surfaces. The test
method quantifies impact in terms of g-max and Head Injury Criterion (HIC) scores. G-max is the
measure of the maximum acceleration (shock) produced by an impact. The Head Injury Criterion or
HIC score is an empirical measure of impact severity based on published research describing the
relationship between the magnitude and duration of impact accelerations and the risk of head trauma.
The purpose of this test method is to reduce the frequency and severity of fall-related head injuries
to children by establishing a uniform and reliable means of comparing and specifying the impact
attenuation of playground surfaces. Although the focus is on head injury, lower values for impact
attenuation should lower the severity of other impact related injuries. Its use will give designers,
manufacturers, installers, specifiers, prospective purchasers, owners, and operators of playgrounds a
means of objectively assessing the performance of surfacing materials under and around playground
equipment and hence of evaluating the associated injury risk.
1. Scope scribed in Specifications F1148, F1487, F1918, CSA Z614
(Canada), and SS457 (Singapore).
1.1 This test method provides a means of determining
impact attenuation performance of a playground using a test
1.3 This test method establishes procedures for determining
method that simulates the impact of a child’s head with the
theimpactattenuationvalueofplaygroundsurfacesastestedin
playground surfaces.
the field and for comparison with the test performed under
laboratory conditions in Specification F1292 and contract and
1.2 This test method is specific to surfacing materials used
warranty requirements. This test method does not establish the
in conjunction with playground equipment, such as that de-
critical fall height for an installed playground surface.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports 1.4 The field test required by this test method addresses the
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
performance of playground surfaces as they are found in the
Subcommittee F08.63 on Playground Surfacing Systems.
field during a time when play by children 2-12 is anticipated.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2018. Published December 2018. DOI:
10.1520/F3313-18.
1.5 The impact attenuation test method and test methods
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U.S. CPSC Special Study. Injuries and Deaths Associated with Children’s
established in this test method are specific to the risk of head
Playground Equipment, April 2001. US Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Washington DC. injury. There is evidence that lowering impact attenuation
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F3313 − 18
values can reduce the risk of other kinds of serious injury (for SS457 Specification for Playground Equipment for Public
example, long bone fractures). Use
1.6 This test method relates only to the impact attenuation
3. Terminology
properties of playground surfacing materials and does not
address other factors that contribute to fall-related injuries.
3.1 Definitions of
...
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