5. At the end of each play season or when the
temperature drops below 32°F:
1. Remove plastic swing seats and other items as
specified by the manufacturer and take indoors or do not
use.
2. Rake and check depth of loose fill protective surfacing
materials to prevent compaction and to maintain
appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
6. Owners shall be responsible for maintaining the
legibility of the warning labels.
SECTION 4 OF THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
COMMISSION'S OUTDOOR HOME PLAYGROUND
SAFETY HANDBOOK
X2.1 Select Protective Surfacing—One of the most
important things you can do to reduce the likelihood
of serious head injuries is to install shock-absorbing
protective surfacing under and around your play
equipment. The protective surfacing should be applied
to a depth that is suitable for the equipment height in
accordance with ASTM Specification F1292. There are
different types of surfacing to choose from; whichever
product you select, follow these guidelines:
X2.1.1 Loose-Fill Materials:
X2.1.1.1 Maintain a minimum depth of 9 in. (229 mm) of
loose-fill materials such as wood mulch/chips, engineered
wood fiber (EWF), or shredded/recycled rubber mulch
for equipment up to 96 in. (2438 mm) high; and 9 in.
(229 mm) of sand or pea gravel for equipment up to
60 in. (1524 mm) high. NOTE: An initial fill level of 12 in.
(305 mm) will compress to about a 9 in. (229 mm) depth
of surfacing over time. The surfacing will also compact,
displace, and settle, and should be periodically refilled to
maintain at least a 9 in. (229 mm) depth.
X2.1.2 Use a minimum of 6 in. (152 mm) of protective
surfacing for play equipment less than 48 in. (1219 mm)
in height. If maintained properly, this should be adequate.
(At depths less than 6 in. (152 mm), the protective material
is too easily displaced or compacted.)
NOTE: Do not install home playground equipment over
concrete, asphalt, or any other hard surface. A fall onto a
hard surface can result in serious injury to the equipment
user. Grass and dirt are not considered protective
surfacing because wear and environmental factors can
reduce their shock absorbing effectiveness. Carpeting
and thin mats are generally not ad-equate protective
surfacing. Ground level equipment – such as a sandbox,
activity wall, playhouse or other equipment that has no
elevated play surface – does not need any protective
surfacing.
X2.1.3 Use containment, such as digging out around the
perimeter and/or lining the perimeter with landscape
edging. Don't forget to account for water drainage.
X2.1.3.1 Check and maintain the depth of the loose-fill
surfacing material. To maintain the right amount of loose-
fill materials, mark the correct level on play equipment
support posts. That way you can easily see when to
replenish and/or redistribute the surfacing.
X2.1.3.2 Do not install loose fill surfacing over hard sur-
faces such as concrete or asphalt.
X2.1.5 Placement—Proper placement and maintenance of
protective surfacing is essential. Be sure to:
X2.1.5.1 Extend surfacing at least 72 in. (1829 mm) from
the equipment in all directions.
X2.1.5.2 For to-fro swings, extend protective surfacing
in front of and behind the swing to a distance equal to
twice the height of the top bar from which the swing is
suspended.
X2.1.5.3 For tire swings, extend surfacing in a circle whose
radius is equal to the height of the suspending chain or
rope, plus 6 ft in all directions.
Operating Instructions
1. Observing the following statements and warnings
reduces the likelihood of serious or fatal injury.
2. We recommend that only two children, 50kg weight
max each, to play on the product at the same time.
3. Recommending on-site adult supervision for children of
all ages.
4. Warning the owner to instruct children not to walk close
to, in front of, behind, or between moving items.
5. Warning the owner to instruct children not to twist
swing chains or ropes or loop them over the top support
bar since this may reduce the strength of the chain or
rope,
6. Warning the owner to instruct children to avoid
swinging empty seats,
7. Warning the owner to teach children to sit in the center
of the swings with their full weight on the seats,
8. Warning the owner to instruct children not to use the
equipment in a manner other than intended.
9. Warning the owner to instruct children not to get off
equipment while it is in motion,
10. Warning the owner not to allow children to wear
inappropriate items, such as but not limited to, loose
fitting clothing, hood and neck drawstrings, scarves, cord-
connected items, capes and ponchos. These items can
cause death by strangulation.
11. Warning the owner to instruct children not to climb
when the equipment is wet.
12. Warning the owner to check the openings between
rollers and sliding surfaces of roller slides for foreign
materials that could be potentially hazardous to users.
13. Warning the owner to verify that suspended climbing
ropes, chain, or cable are secured at both ends.
14. Warning the owner to verify that suspended climbing
ropes, chain, or cable cannot be looped back on itself.
15. Warning the owner to instruct children not to
attach items to the playground equipment that are not
specifically designed for use with the equipment, such as,
but not limited to, jump ropes, clothesline, pet leashes,
cables and chain as they may cause a strangulation
hazard.
16. Warning the owner to instruct children to remove
their bike or other sports helmet before playing on the
playground equipment.
17. Warning the owner to dress children with
wellfitting and full foot enclosing footwear. Examples of
inappropriate footwear are clogs, flip flops, and sandals.
18. Never add extra length to chain or rope. The chains or
ropes provided are the maximum length designed for the
product.
Surface selection instructions
1. Loose-Fill Materials should be placed under the product
and 9 in. (229 mm) out in all directions.
2. Use a minimum of 6 inches of protective surfacing for
play equipment less than 4 feet in height. If maintained
properly, this should be adequate.
3. Use containment, such as digging out around the
perimeter and/or lining the perimeter with landscape
edging. Don't forget to account for water drainage.
4. Check and maintain the depth of the loose-fill surfacing
material. To maintain the right amount of loose-fill
materials, mark the correct level on play equipment
support posts. That way you can easily see when to
replenish and/or redistribute the surfacing.
5. Do not install loose fill surfacing over hard surfaces
such as concrete or asphalt.
Disposal Instructions
To dispose of the item, first disassemble it. Dispose of it in
such a way that no unreasonable hazards will exist at the
time that the item is discarded.
31