Equipment and Site Design Flashcards

A belt swing seat for school-age children must be positioned at what minimum height above the safety surface when at rest?

Answer: 16 inches

Belt swing seats must be positioned at least 16 inches above the safety surface at rest to prevent a child from being struck or tripped by the seat.

Which fastener condition is considered a protrusion hazard according to ASTM F1487?

Answer: A bolt protruding 2 mm beyond the nut face

Any bolt or fastener protruding more than 2 threads (approximately 2 mm) beyond the face of the nut is considered a protrusion hazard that can cause lacerations.

For a freestanding arch climber with a maximum height of 5 feet, what is the required use zone extension beyond the outermost edge of the equipment?

Answer: 6 feet

Equipment with heights up to 6 feet requires a minimum 6-foot use zone extending beyond the outermost edge of the structure on all sides.

What type of wood preservative is no longer recommended for children's playground equipment due to health concerns?

Answer: Chromated copper arsenate (CCA)

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) was phased out for residential and playground use due to arsenic leaching concerns and is no longer recommended by CPSC.

Which design approach best reduces the risk of 'pushed-in' entrapment at an opening between two structural members?

Answer: Ensuring the opening is either smaller than 3.5 inches or larger than 9 inches

Openings must be either less than 3.5 inches (too small for a head to enter) or greater than 9 inches (large enough for the body to pass through) to eliminate entrapment zones.

When assessing a merry-go-round, which clearance dimension is measured to check the 'underclearance' entrapment hazard?

Answer: The gap between the platform underside and the safety surface

Underclearance is the gap between the bottom of the rotating platform and the safety surface — if it exceeds 9 inches, a child's body could become trapped underneath.

Which drainage design consideration is most important when selecting a site for a new playground?

Answer: Grading the site so water drains away from equipment and surfacing

Proper grading to drain water away from the playground prevents surfacing degradation, ice formation, and standing water that can create hazards and reduce surface effectiveness.