Safety Standards
Certification Programs
International Safety Compliance - Playworld Systems maintains a proactive approach to safety compliance, constantly updating existing equipment and creating new activities that meet or exceed both domestic and international requirements.
Playworld Systems is a founding member of the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA), a member-driven organization whose mission is to assist in providing safe environments for children to play. In the interest of playground safety, IPEMA provides a Third Party Certification service whereby a designated independent laboratory, Detroit Testing Laboratory, Inc. (DTL), validates a participant's certification of conformance to the following standards:
- ASTMI standard F1487, Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specifications for Playground Equipment for Public Use
- CAN/CSA Z614, Guideline on Children's Play Spaces and Equipment
- ASTM F1292-99, Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation Under and Around Playground Equipment.
The use of the corresponding IPEMA Certification Logos (shown right) signify that Playworld Systems has received written validation from an independent laboratory that the product associated with the use of the logo conforms with the requirements of the indicated standard.
Check the IPEMA website (www.ipema.org) to confirm product validation.
The American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTMI) is the scientific and technical organization chiefly responsible for developing standards for testing different materials. In 1993, the ASTMI published Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specifications for Playground Equipment for Public Use, designated as F1487. It is this standard that establishes minimum acceptable performance specifications for everything from swings to surfacing. For more information, contact ASTMI at (610) 832-9585 or visit ASTMI online at www.astm.org.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government whose purpose is to inform the public of risks associated with consumer products. The CPSC's Handbook for Public Playground Safety is the key reference tool for the playground industry, including specifications for the use of play equipment and recommendations concerning age-related designs and play components. The CPSC can be reached in Washington, D.C., at (800) 638-2772 or online at www.cpsc.gov.
FEPI Playworld Systems is a founding member of the Federation of the European Play Industry. Visit FEPI online at www.fepi-play.org.
The European Norm EN 1176 covers general safety requirements and test methods, and outlines additional specific safety requirements and test methods for swings, slides, runways, carousels, rocking equipment, and guidance for installation, inspection, maintenance and operation. Most Playworld Systems products have been tested and certified by APAVE to be in compliance with EN 1176. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) document, Children's Play Spaces and Equipment, a National Standard of Canada (Standard CAN/CSA-Z614), contains recommendations on technical requirements and practices applicable to design, manufacture/construct, install, and provide maintenance and inspection of children's play equipment for use in public playspaces. Call CSA at (800) 463-6727 or visit them online at www.csa.ca.
Safety Standards Links
IPEMA (www.ipema.org)
ASTMI (www.astm.org)
CPSC (www.cpsc.gov)
FEPI (www.fepi-play.org)
CSA (www.csa.ca)
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