CPSI flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Fall height
- The vertical distance from the highest designated play surface of a piece of equipment to the protective surfacing below. It determines the required impact attenuation of the surfacing.
- Head entrapment
- A condition where an opening admits a small torso but not the head, trapping a child. Openings that can be entered feet-first and are between 3.5 and 9 inches are a concern.
- Strangulation hazard
- A protrusion, gap, or component that can catch clothing drawstrings, cords, or hoods. Common sources are open S-hooks, bolt ends, and gaps at the top of equipment.
- Crush and shear point
- A location at a moving joint, hinge, or swinging component where a body part can be caught and injured. These must be identified and guarded or eliminated.
- Hazard vs. risk
- A hazard is a condition with the potential to cause harm. Risk combines the likelihood of that harm with its severity, which is used to prioritize correction.
- ASTM F1487
- The voluntary consensus standard for public playground equipment intended for children 2 through 12 years. It defines use zones, entrapment criteria, and equipment requirements.
- ASTM F2373
- The standard covering public playground equipment for children under 2 years of age. It addresses equipment scaled for toddlers and their developmental needs.
- CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook
- Federal guidance on playground safety, not a legally binding regulation unless adopted by a jurisdiction. It provides recommended practices for equipment, surfacing, and layout.
- Age groupings in standards
- The three age groups are 6-23 months, 2-5 years (preschool), and 5-12 years (school-age). Equipment must be labeled for its intended group.
- ASTM F1292
- The impact attenuation specification for playground surfacing. It sets performance limits of g-max not exceeding 200 and HIC not exceeding 1000 for a fall.
- ASTM F1951
- The standard for accessibility of playground surfacing, addressing wheelchair maneuverability and firmness/stability of the surface material.
- Standard vs. guideline vs. regulation
- A standard is a voluntary technical requirement; a guideline is recommended practice; a regulation is legally enforceable. Jurisdictions may adopt standards as regulations.
- Use zone for stationary equipment
- The clear area extending at least 6 feet in all directions from stationary equipment and from the perimeter of a play structure, kept free of obstacles.
- Use zone for swings
- The clear area extending forward and back a distance equal to twice the pivot height, and 6 feet to the sides, measured from the swing structure.
- Use zone for slides
- The clear area extending at least 6 feet from the exit of the slide, measured from the end of the slide chute, not from the side.
- Use zone for rotating equipment
- The clear area extending 6 feet from the perimeter plus the swept radius of the rotating structure, kept free of obstacles.
- Age-area separation
- Design practice of separating preschool (2-5) and school-age (5-12) play areas to reduce collisions and match equipment to developmental ability.
- Accessible route
- A continuous, firm, stable path connecting the play area to the building, parking, and play components, required by ADA and addressed in ASTM F1487.
- Sightline design
- Layout principle ensuring caregivers can supervise all play areas from seating and circulation paths, and children do not cross active play paths.
- Loose-fill surfacing
- Material such as wood chips, sand, or pea gravel that must be maintained at the depth and uncompressed thickness specified by the manufacturer to meet the fall height.
- Unitary surfacing
- Poured-in-place rubber or rubber tiles installed to the manufacturer's fall-height rating. Damaged tiles must be replaced to preserve impact attenuation.
- g-max and HIC
- Impact attenuation metrics. g-max is peak deceleration and HIC is the Head Injury Criterion. ASTM F1292 limits are g-max 200 and HIC 1000.
- Fall height of a swing
- The vertical distance from the swing pivot to the surface below. It is used to determine the required surfacing performance.
- Guardrail vs. barrier
- A guardrail is required above certain platform heights to prevent falls. A barrier is required where fall height exceeds the standard threshold and provides fuller enclosure.
- Protrusion and hardware rule
- Bolts must be capped or recessed. No exposed threads, sharp edges, or protrusions that can catch clothing or cause injury may remain on equipment.
- Routine inspection
- A frequent visual check, often daily or weekly, for surfacing depth, litter, broken parts, and obvious hazards. Findings are documented and corrected.
- Periodic inspection
- A detailed inspection at a longer interval than routine checks, examining hardware, joints, wear, and structural integrity against the standard.
- Annual comprehensive inspection
- A thorough yearly inspection, often including impact testing of surfacing, covering all equipment, surfacing, and layout against the applicable standard.
- Inspection documentation
- A record of the checklist used, inspector name, date, findings, corrective action, and closure verification. It demonstrates due diligence and supports compliance.
- Impact testing of surfacing
- Testing per ASTM F1292 using a calibrated missile, reported as g-max and HIC. Retest after surface replacement or significant repair.
- Immediate hazard response
- When a hazard cannot be corrected before the next use period, close the equipment, tag and lock it out, and repair before reopening.
- Maintenance log
- A written record of repair date, part replaced, and verification that the repair restored the equipment to the standard, supporting insurance and regulatory compliance.