ASTM F1148

1.1 This consumer safety specification provides safety requirements for various types of home playground equipment intended for use by children aged from over eighteen months through 10 years. It further provides such requirements for swings intended specifically for toddlers. Different age limits for various requirements are found in this specification. These limits reflect the nature of the hazards and the expected mental or physical ability, or both, of the child to cope with the hazards.

1.2 Home playground equipment is defined as any product in which the support structure remains stationary while the activity is taking place and is intended for a child to perform any of the following activities: climbing, swinging, sliding, rocking, spinning, crawling, or creeping, or combination thereof. Fitness equipment is specifically excluded unless attached to the play equipment. This specification is not intended to apply to juvenile care products such as, but not limited to, infant swings, playpens/enclosures, beds, or furniture (including outdoor furniture, such as picnic tables, cradle rockers, activity centers being used as walker substitutes, bouncers, jumpers, infant carriers, and products specifically designed for therapeutic use). This specification is not intended to apply to equipment to be used in places of public assembly such as schools, nurseries, day-care centers, and parks. Equipment intended to be in child-care centers in private homes is not exempt from the requirements of this specification. Such centers are defined as situations in which the child-care provider does not care for more than six children under the age of ten that are not residing in the household of the caregiver, and the total number of children under the age of ten does not exceed ten, including the caregiver's own children.

1.3 Methods of identifying products that comply with this consumer safety specification are given. The illustrations of home playground equipment shown in Figs. A1.1-A1.4 are for informational purposes only and are not intended to limit or endorse certain types of playground equipment or equipment features. These illustrations are not intended to limit the variety or various combinations of equipment that are covered by this consumer safety specification.

1.4 The purpose of this specification is to reduce the likelihood of life-threatening or debilitating injuries.

1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 If toy accessories or toy chests are attached to home playground equipment, they are applicable to this consumer safety specification and to any other applicable safety standards.

Note 1—See for figures referenced throughout this consumer safety performance specification.

2. Referenced Documents

D2240 Test Method for Rubber Property-Durometer Hardness
1500.48 Technical Requirements for Determining a Sharp Point in Toys and Other Articles Intended for Use by Children Under 8 Years of Age
1500.49 Technical Requirements for Determining a Sharp Metal or Glass Edge in Toys and Other Articles Intended for Use by Children Under 8 Years of Age
1500.52 and .53 Test Methods for Simulating Use and Abuse of Toys and Other Articles Intended for Use by Children
16 CFR 1501 Method for Identifying Toys and Other Articles Intended for Use by Children Under 3 Years of Age Which Present Choking, Aspiration, or Ingestion Hazards Because of Small Parts
16 CFR 1500 Hazardous Substances Act Regulations, including sections:
16 CFR 1303 Ban of Lead-Containing Paint and Certain Consumer Products Bearing Lead-Containing Paint
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218
SAE J211 Instrumentation for Barrier Collision

Index Terms

acute angles; climbing equipment; climbing rope; consumer safety specifications; emplaygrounds; dome climber; enclosed openings; home playground equipment; jungle gym; ladders; merry-go-round; metals and metallic materials; multiple occupancy swings; performance; emconsumer products; plastics (general); playground equipment; safety precautions; emconsumer materials/applications; single occupancy swings; slides (playground); structural integrity; swings; ICS Number Code 97.200.40

Citing ASTM Standards

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