CPSI Audit, Inspection, and Maintenance Questions and Answers 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a CPSI audit, what minimum depth of engineered wood fiber (EWF) is required for equipment with a critical height of 8 feet?
- 6 inches
- 9 inches
- 12 inches (Correct answer)
- 4 inches
Correct answer: 12 inches
For a critical height of 8 feet, engineered wood fiber must be maintained at a minimum depth of 12 inches to provide adequate impact attenuation.
Question 2: Which entrapment angle is considered a head entrapment hazard in a playground opening?
- Any opening with a diameter between 3.5 and 9 inches (Correct answer)
- Any V-shaped opening greater than 55 degrees at its narrowest point
- Any circular opening larger than 6 inches in diameter
- Any rectangular gap wider than 4 inches
Correct answer: Any opening with a diameter between 3.5 and 9 inches
Openings with a diameter between 3.5 and 9 inches present a head entrapment hazard because a child's head can enter but become trapped.
Question 3: A CPSI notices that rubber tire swings are connected with a single-axis swivel. What is the primary concern with this configuration?
- Excessive wear on the swivel hardware over time
- The tire can rotate and wrap chains around a child, creating a strangulation hazard (Correct answer)
- Single-axis swivels are not rated for the weight of rubber tires
- The configuration does not meet ADA accessibility requirements
Correct answer: The tire can rotate and wrap chains around a child, creating a strangulation hazard
Single-axis swivels on tire swings allow the tire to spin and wrap chains around a child's neck, creating a strangulation hazard; multi-axis swivels are required.
Question 4: What does the term 'critical height' refer to in playground safety standards?
- The maximum height from which a child is likely to fall from a piece of equipment (Correct answer)
- The height at which a slide must have side rails
- The minimum height required for equipment to be classified as a climbing structure
- The height at which equipment transitions from toddler to school-age classification
Correct answer: The maximum height from which a child is likely to fall from a piece of equipment
Critical height is the maximum height from which a fall could occur and is used to determine the required impact attenuation of the surfacing material.
Question 5: During an annual audit, an inspector finds excessive wear on a bolt hole that has elongated from circular to oval. What action is required?
- Apply thread-locking compound and re-torque the bolt
- Replace only the bolt with a larger diameter fastener
- Replace the component containing the elongated hole (Correct answer)
- Document and re-inspect at the next scheduled interval
Correct answer: Replace the component containing the elongated hole
An elongated bolt hole indicates structural wear that compromises the integrity of the connection; the affected component must be replaced, not just the fastener.
Question 6: Which of the following is the correct procedure when a CPSI identifies a hazard during a routine inspection but lacks the authority to close the equipment?
- Document the hazard and continue with the rest of the inspection without further action
- Immediately notify the responsible party and document the notification in writing (Correct answer)
- Post a warning sign on the equipment and schedule a follow-up inspection
- Contact CPSC directly to report the hazard
Correct answer: Immediately notify the responsible party and document the notification in writing
When a CPSI identifies a hazard and cannot close the equipment themselves, they must immediately notify the responsible party in writing to ensure the duty of care is transferred and documented.
Question 7: An audit of a playground finds that the use zone of two adjacent swings overlaps. What is the required corrective action according to CPSC guidelines?
- Install a physical barrier between the two swings
- Increase the spacing between swing bays to eliminate use zone overlap (Correct answer)
- Reduce the height of one swing to lower its critical height and use zone
- Post signage directing children to use only one swing at a time
Correct answer: Increase the spacing between swing bays to eliminate use zone overlap
CPSC guidelines require that use zones of adjacent swings do not overlap, meaning the swing bays must be repositioned with adequate spacing between them.
CPSI Audit, Inspection, and Maintenance Questions and Answers 4
During a CPSI audit, what minimum depth of engineered wood fiber (EWF) is required for equipment with a critical height of 8 feet?