Education And Testing
For better playground-asset management
As a playground owner/operator, you not only have the responsibility of opening playgrounds in a socially and physically distanced world, but you must concern yourself with preventing injuries and complying with ASTM standards, regulations, and laws.
You already know that falls account for 72 percent of all playground injuries and you have to meet ASTM-F1292. You likely have CPSIs looking after the structures and doing their best with inspection and maintenance, but really need help with surfacing requirements. Waiting for an ADA complaint or injury and lawsuit are not a winning strategy and only consume money and resources.
Standards compliance is really a matter of asset management and acquiring the knowledge and tools on how best to do that are the key.
Recent Changes
At the ASTM level, there have been changes to surfacing standards that you need to know about. First the Field Test became its own standard, ASTM F3313, and it requires that the owner/operator set the drop height prior to purchase. It also allows you to establish the g and HIC values provided they are lower than those set in ASTM F1292.
What do you do with existing playgrounds that you are just trying to keep up with? Good question and we could tell you that the formal field test in ASTM F3313 with a Triax2015 or TriaxTouch is the answer. You might say, “We cannot afford the device or hire a third party to test all our playgrounds.” So, let’s consider strategies you already have in place to make this a reality.
The ASTM F1487 Standard states that the probes for entrapment must be rigid, but most use plastic probes that flex under load (not rigid) and are therefore only “check probes.” They have served you well for many years. This same option is available in surface testing with the GfactorGo from the same people that designed and manufacture the Triax.
The Good News
The GfactorGo is a “check device” with considerable horsepower. It is the same material, dimension, and weight of the formal Triax systems (as required in ASTM F355), but only allows for single drops from a height to a location. It can hold data from as many as 1,000 drops and you can upload and save these as part of your inspection protocols and due diligence.
Many of you are thinking this is a good idea, but you need to know more about what is happening with standards and compliance issues. Again, good news, International Playground Safety Institute, LLC (IPSI) with Ken Kutska and Canadian Playground Advisory Inc. (CPA), with Rolf Huber have teamed up to provide a number for courses at www.standardscompliance.thinkific.com. Some of these courses are approved for LA/CES CEUs and cover everything you are going to need to know about playground surfacing from the initial selection and design, to installation, inspection, and maintenance.