Audit, Inspection, and Maintenance Flashcards

What does the term 'use zone' refer to in the context of playground inspection?

Answer: The area beneath and around equipment where a child may fall

The use zone is the surface area beneath and around playground equipment that must have adequate protective surfacing to cushion falls.

A CPSI is auditing a tire swing. Which entrapment check is unique to tire swings compared to belt swings?

Answer: Verifying the drainage hole in the tire bottom

Tire swings must have a drainage hole at the bottom to prevent water accumulation, which can breed mosquitoes and create a drowning hazard for small children.

When inspecting a guardrail on equipment designed for 5–12 year olds, what is the minimum height a guardrail must be above the platform?

Answer: 38 inches

For equipment intended for 5–12 year olds, ASTM F1487 requires guardrails to be at least 38 inches above the platform surface.

A school district asks a CPSI to differentiate between routine maintenance and capital replacement. Which scenario represents capital replacement?

Answer: Removing all equipment and installing a new structure

Capital replacement involves a major investment to remove aging or non-compliant equipment and install new equipment, versus routine maintenance which keeps existing equipment operational.

Which of the following is an example of a proactive maintenance strategy on a playground?

Answer: Replacing hardware on a scheduled cycle before failure occurs

Proactive (preventive) maintenance involves scheduled replacement or servicing before parts fail, reducing injury risk and reactive repair costs.

During an inspection, a CPSI finds wood chips compacted to 6 inches depth under a structure with an 8-foot critical fall height. What action is required?

Answer: Add material to restore adequate depth for an 8-foot fall height

An 8-foot critical fall height requires more than 6 inches of wood chips; material must be added to meet the depth required by ASTM F1292 impact attenuation standards.

An inspector notices a bolt on a deck has a nut that can be turned by hand. What type of hazard does this represent?

Answer: Structural/mechanical hazard

A loose fastener undermines structural integrity and is classified as a mechanical hazard requiring immediate tightening and follow-up inspection.