Regulations
The American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM)
Playground safety has always been a matter of concern. Over
30 years ago the Consumer Product Safety Commission published
the Handbook for Public Playground Safety. This document was
intended to provide guidelines to make playgrounds safer.
These guidelines however did not provide technical requirements
and subsequently opened the door to misinterpretations. A
new approach to playground safety using the CPSC data was
developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM). Along with input from playground safety experts ASTM
developed the Standard F1487, Standard Consumer Safety Performance
Specifications for Playground Equipment for Public Use. These
standards became the benchmark for identifying and eliminating
the hazards which can cause serious injuries and sometimes
death on the public playgrounds.
Having these standards now available led to the need for verification
in the manufacturing process as well as the need for individuals
trained to comprehend and apply the technical requirements.
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association
(IPEMA) was formed. In the interest of public safety, IPEMA
provides third party product certification services for public
play equipment and public play surfacing materials.
As for in the field, the National Recreation and Park Association
has put together a program to certify individuals to audit
playgrounds for levels of risk. The National Playground Safety
Institute offers a comprehensive course on the ASTM technical
standards. Upon taking this course and successfully passing
the exam one can become a Certified Playground Safety Instructor.
This course is recommended for Architects, Administrators,
Public Works Departments, Playground Installers and Maintenance
Staff.
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American Society for Testing and Materials
100 Barr Harbor Dr
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent agency
of the federal government whose charter is to inform the public
of unreasonable risks associated with consumer products. In
1998, the CPSC printed the Handbook for Public Playground
Safety (to download an Adobe Acrobat format copy of this handbook
click
here ) in line with the standards set forth by ASTM 1487-95.
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U. S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20207
International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association
(IPEMA)
International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association is
a member-driven international trade organization which represents
and promotes an open market for manufacturers of play equipment.
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International Play Equipment
Manufacturers Association
8300 Colesville Road, Suite 250
Silver Spring, MD 209 10
National Program for Playground Safety
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ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)
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