CPSI Core Knowledge Areas 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following materials is NOT recommended as playground surfacing because it compacts and loses impact attenuation over time?
- Engineered wood fiber
- Pea gravel
- Dirt or soil (Correct answer)
- Shredded rubber
Correct answer: Dirt or soil
Dirt or soil compacts heavily with use and weather, losing impact attenuation properties and failing to protect against fall injuries.
Question 2: What is the maximum acceptable HIC (Head Injury Criterion) value for playground surfacing per ASTM F1292?
- 500
- 700
- 1000 (Correct answer)
- 1200
Correct answer: 1000
ASTM F1292 sets a maximum HIC value of 1000; surfacing exceeding this threshold is considered to pose a life-threatening head injury risk.
Question 3: A CPSI finds a bolt protruding more than two threads beyond the nut on a climbing structure. This is classified as what hazard?
- Entanglement hazard
- Protrusion/impalement hazard (Correct answer)
- Crush hazard
- Entrapment hazard
Correct answer: Protrusion/impalement hazard
Bolts protruding more than two threads beyond the nut are classified as protrusion or impalement hazards that can cut or puncture a child.
Question 4: When inspecting for accessibility under ADA and ASTM F1951, the inspector is evaluating the playground surface for:
- Impact attenuation only
- Firmness and stability to support wheelchair and mobility aid access (Correct answer)
- Color contrast for visual impairments
- Maximum slope of 5% in any direction
Correct answer: Firmness and stability to support wheelchair and mobility aid access
ASTM F1951 evaluates playground surfaces for firmness and stability to ensure children using wheelchairs or mobility aids can access play areas.
Question 5: Which of the following swing configurations is specifically prohibited by CPSC guidelines due to strangulation risk?
- Belt swings on shared beams
- Rope swings with knotted ends (Correct answer)
- Tire swings with chain hangers
- Infant bucket swings with leg openings
Correct answer: Rope swings with knotted ends
Rope swings with knotted or looped ends are prohibited by CPSC due to the strangulation risk if a child's head or neck becomes caught in the loop.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a 'use zone' on a playground?
- To designate areas for specific age groups
- To define the area where a child may land during normal and reasonable use (Correct answer)
- To mark boundaries for equipment maintenance access
- To indicate areas requiring ADA-compliant surfacing only
Correct answer: To define the area where a child may land during normal and reasonable use
The use zone is the area around equipment where a child might land from normal or reasonably foreseeable use and must be covered with impact-attenuating surfacing.
Question 7: Under CPSC guidelines, the use zone for a slide exit must extend a minimum of how far from the end of the slide?
- 3 feet
- 4 feet
- 6 feet (Correct answer)
- 8 feet
Correct answer: 6 feet
CPSC guidelines require the use zone to extend at least 6 feet from the exit end of a slide to protect children from landing injuries.
CPSI Core Knowledge Areas 4
Which of the following materials is NOT recommended as playground surfacing because it compacts and loses impact attenuation over time?