ASTM F3012-22

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it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F3012 − 14 F3012 − 22
Standard Specification for
Loose-Fill Rubber for Use as a Playground Safety Surface
under and around Playground Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3012; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Recycled rubber used in loose-fill applications is found in a wide variety of products, including
landscaping mulch, equestrian surfacing, artificial turf in-fill, and resilient playground surfacing. The
goal of this specification is to provide test methods and performance requirements for loose-fill rubber
playground-surfacing products. It is intended to complement existing ASTM International standards
for determining the shock attenuation and accessibility of a playground surface. This specification will
assist playground designers and specifiers, owner/operators, and playground-surfacing suppliers in
evaluating loose-fill rubber products for playground use.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification establishes test methods and performance requirements for particle size distribution, extractable hazardous
metal content, total lead content, tramp metal content, and sharp tramp metal content for loose-fill rubber that is intended to be
used as a playground surface.
1.2 This specification does not contain test methods or performance requirements for the accessibility of loose-fill rubber
playground surfacing. The specification also does not establish test methods or performance requirements to characterize the
release of organic chemicals from loose-fill rubber intended to be used as a playground surface. Appendix X1 and Appendix X2
contain additional information on these topics.
1.3 If loose-fill rubber which meets the requirements of this standard is to be installed in the use zone of playground equipment,
it must also comply with Specification F1292.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.63 on Playground Surfacing Systems.
Current edition approved May 1, 2014Feb. 1, 2022. Published May 2014February 2022. Originally approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as
F3012 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/F3012-14.10.1520/F3012-22.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3012 − 22
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E1613 Test Method for Determination of Lead by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES),
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS), or Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS) Techniques
(Withdrawn 2021)
F963 Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
F1292 Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
2.2 U.S. EPA Standards and Methods:
EPA Method 3050B Acid Digestion of Sediments, Sludges and Soils; SW 846, Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste,
Physical/Chemical Methods
EPA Method 3051A Microwave Assisted Acid Digestion of Sediments, Sludges and Soils; SW 846, Test Methods for Evaluating
Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods
EPA Method 6010B Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry; SW 846, Test Methods for Evaluating Solid
Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods
EPA Method 7470A Mercury in Liquid Waste (Manual Cold-Vapor Technique); SW 846, Test Methods for Evaluating Solid
Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods
2.3 Federal Standards:
16 CFR 1500.48 Technical Requirements for Determining a Sharp Point in Toys and Other Articles Intended for Use by Children
Under 8 Years of Age
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 hazardous metal, n—metal that could have the potential to cause harm to humans
3.1.2 organic chemical, n—chemical compound containing carbon and hydrogen.
3.1.3 particle size distribution, n—list of values that defines the relative amounts of particles present in a mixture.
3.1.4 sieve analysis, n—procedure used to determine the particle size distribution of a granular material.
3.1.5 tramp metal, n—unwanted metal that finds its way into loose-fill rubber, generally steel.
3.1.6 use zone, n—area beneath and immediately adjacent to a play structure or playground equipment that is designated for
unrestricted circulation around the equipment and on whose surface it is predicted that a user would land when falling from or
exiting the equipment.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 buffıng, rubber, n—elongated rubber strand.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
The approximate dimensions (0.039 to 0.375 inches thick (1 to 9.5 mm), 0.039 to 0.50 in. (1 to 12.7 mm) wide, 0.079 to 3.0 in.
(2 to 76.2 mm) long) of buffings used in loose-fill rubber playground surfacing differ from those of buffings used in poured-in-place
rubber playground surfacing.
3.2.2 loose-fill rubber, n—rubber particles in the form of nuggets or buffings.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Available from the U.S. EPA, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, (5305P), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20460.
Code of Federal Regulations, available from U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
F3012 − 22
3 7
3.2.3 nugget, rubber, n—rubber granule, irregular in shape, with maximum dimension of approximately ⁄8 to ⁄8 in. (9.5 to 22.2
mm).
4. Performance Requiremetns
4.1 Loose-fill rubber represented as complying with this specification shall meet all applicable requirements specified herein.
Anyone representing compliance with this specification shall keep such records as are necessary to document any claim that the
requirements within this specification have been met.
4.2 Sieve Analysis:
4.2.1 Nuggets—When a sample of loose-fill rubber in the form of nuggets is tested in accordance with Section 7, the minimum
and maximum passing through the two sieves shall be as in Table 1.
4.2.2 Buffıngs—When a sample of loose-fill rubber in the form of buffings is tested in accordance with Section 7, the minimum
and maximum passing through four sieves shall be as in Table 2.
4.3 Hazardous Metal Content—When the sample is analyzed using the procedure described in Section 8 (including the correction
for statistical errors as described in 8.4.6), the maximum content of hazardous metals shall not exceed the concentrations shown
in Table 3.
4.4 Tramp Metal Content—When tested in accordance with the procedure described in Section 9, there shall be no tramp metal
particles with any dimension of 0.50 in. (12.7 mm) or greater or rubber particles which contain exposed metal that has any
dimension of 0.50 in. (12.7 mm) or greater.
4.5 Sharp Tramp Metal Content—When tested in accordance with the procedure described in Section 9, there shall be no tramp
metal particles with any dimension of 0.20 in. (5 mm) or greater which are determined to have sharp points; or rubber particles
that contain exposed metal which has any dimension of 0.20 in. (5 mm) or greater which is determined to have sharp points.
4.6 Total Metal Content—When tested in accordance with the procedure outlined in Section 9, the total exposed metal content,
ferrous and non-ferrous, shall not exceed 0.1 % as measured by weight.
4.7 Total Lead Content—When tested according to the procedure described in Section 10, total lead content shall not exceed 100
ppm.
4.8 The tests required to determine compliance with the foregoing performance requirements shall be conducted not more than
threefive years before the date of the installation of the loose-fill rubber playground surface.
5. Sampling
3 3
5.1 Five 3-yd (2.3-m ) sample piles of loose-fill rubber are required. A smaller sample of loose-fill rubber is taken from these
sample piles using the procedure in 5.2 and 5.3.
3 3
NOTE 1—The standard container size for bulk recycled loose-fill rubber is 3 yd (2.3 m ).
3 3
5.2 Eight 2-dry qt (2.2-L) samples are drawn from each 3-yd (2.3-m ) sample pile, taking two 2-dry qt (2.2-L) samples from each
quadrant of the pile, digging 1 to 2 ft (0.3 to 0.6 m) into the pile. Each of the two probes (in each quadrant) shall be in different
locations (in vertical and horizontal directions) in the quadrant.
TABLE 1 Sample of Loose-Fill Rubber in the Form of Nuggets
Tested in Accordance with Section 7
Sieve Size Minimum % Maximum %
⁄8 in. 99 100
No. 4 0 5
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TABLE 2 Sample of Loose-Fill Rubber in Form of Buffings Tested
in Accordance with Section 7
Sieve Size Minimum % Maximum %
1 in. 99 100
No. 5 0 45
No. 8 0 15
No. 16 0 5
5.3 Combine and thoroughly mix the 40 2-dry qt (2.2-L) samples to achieve a homogenous blend. The resultant 20-dry gal (88-L)
blended sample will be used to provide samples for the sieve analysis, hazardous metal content testing, tramp metal testing and
total lead content testing.
6. Summary of Test Methods
6.1 Particle size distribution is achieved using Test Method C136, which provides a test method for determining particle size
distribution by passing a sample of known mass through a series of sieves of progressively smaller openings.
6.2 Loose-fill rubber hazardous metal content is determined using a procedure contained in Specification F963. This procedure
simulates the situation in which loose-fill rubber remains in the digestive tract for 4 h after swallowing by extracting soluble
hazardous metals from the loose-fill rubber sample with an acidic solution. The resultant solution is then analyzed for mercury
content using EPA Method 7470A. The content of the balance of the hazardous metals is analyzed using EPA Method 6010B.
6.3 The presence of tramp metal metal, both ferrous and non-ferrous, in the loose-fill rubber is determined by visual inspection
as well as by collecting any ferrous tramp metal particles from the loose-fill rubber sample using a Ceramic Grade 8 hand magnet.
Tramp metal is tested for sharpness according to the procedure in 16 CFR 1500.48.
6.4 Total lead content of the loose-fill rubber sample is determined by strong acid digestion using EPA Method 3050B or 3051A,
followed by instrumental analysis of the resultant digestate using one of the test methods specified in ASTM E1613.
TEST METHODS
7. Sieve Analysis Test Method
7.1 Significance and Use—This test method is used to determine the particle size distribution of loose-fill rubber to insure that the
material tested has a particle size distribution that is appropriate for use as a playground surface. The specified particle size
distribution is one that provides sufficient porosity for drainage and limits compaction to allow for proper resilience.
7.2 Apparatus:
7.2.1 Balances—Balances or scales used in testing fine or coarse aggregate shall be readable and accurate to the greater of 0.018
oz (0.5 g) or 0.1 % of test load at any point within the range of use.
7.2.2 Sieves:
7.2.2.1 The sieve cloth shall be mounted on substantial frames constructed in a manner that will prevent loss of material during
sieving. The sieve cloth and standard sieve frames shall conform to the requirements of Specification E11. Nonstandard sieve
frames shall conform to the requirements of Specification E11, as applicable.
7 3
7.2.2.2 Sieve sizes required are: for nuggets; ⁄8 in. and No. 4 ( ⁄16-in. (4.8-mm)) sieves, and for buffings; one in., No. 5, No. 8,
and No. 16 sieves; mounted on a standard frame 8 in. (20 cm) in diameter and 2 in. (5 cm) high.
7.2.3 Sieve Shaker—A mechanical sieving device, if used, shall create motion of the sieves to cause the particles to bounce,
tumble, or otherwise turn so as to present different orientations to the sieving surface. The sieving action shall be such that the
criterion of adequacy of sieving described in this test procedure is met in a reasonable time period.
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TABLE 3 Maximum Allowable Soluble Concentration in mg/L
Antimony Arsenic Barium Cadmium Chromium Lead Mercury Selenium
(Sb) (As) (Ba) (Cd) (Cr) (Pb) (Hg) (Se)
60 25 1000 75 60 90 60 500
7.2.4 Oven—The oven used for drying the sample shall be of a size capable of accommodating a 1-dry gal (4.4-L) sample and
be capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 140 6 9°F (60 6 5°C).
7.3 Sample Preparation:
7.3.1 From the 20-dry gal (88-L) sample of loose-fill rubber, measure a 1-dry gal (4.4-L) sample for drying followed by sieve
testing.
7.3.2 Oven dry the 1-dry gal (4.4-L) test sample to a constant weight using an oven temperature of 140 6 9°F (60 6 –12.7°C).
(A constant moisture level is necessary to prevent weight changes because of changing moisture levels in the sample.)
7.4 Procedure:
7.4.1 Nest the sieves in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom and place the sample on the top sieve.
7.4.2 Agitate the sieve by hand or mechanical apparatus for a sufficient period, established by trial or checked by measurement
on the actual test sample, to meet the criterion for adequacy of sieving described in 7.4.5.
7.4.3 Limit the quantity of material on the sieve so that all particles have the opportunity to reach sieve openings a number of times
during the sieving operation.
7.4.4 Prevent an overload of material on the individual sieve by one of the following methods:
7.4.4.1 Insert an additional sieve with an opening size intermediate between the sieve that is overloaded and the sieve immediately
above that sieve in the original set of sieves.
7.4.4.2 Split the sample into two or more portions, sieving each portion individually. Combine the masses of the general portions
retained on a specific sieve before calculating the percentage of the sample on the sieve.
7.4.5 Continue sieving for a sufficient period and in such a manner that, after completion, not more than one mass percent of the
residue on any individual sieve will pass that sieve during 1 min of continuous hand sieving as follows: hold the individual sieve
provided with a snug-fitting pan and cover in a slightly inclined position in one hand. Strike the side of the sieve sharply and with
an upward motion against the heel of the other hand at a rate of about 150 times per minute, turning the sieve about one sixth of
a revolution at intervals of about 25 strokes. In determining the sufficiency of sieving for sizes larger than the No. 16 sieve, limit
the material on the sieve to a single set of particles. If the size of the mounted testing sieves makes the described sieving motion
impractical, use 8-in. (20-cm) diameter sieves to verify the sufficiency of sieving.
7.4.6 Hand sieve larger particles by determining the smallest sieve opening through which each particle will pass. Start the test
on the smallest sieve to be used. Rotate the particles, if necessary, to determine whether they will pass through a particular opening;
however, do not force particles to pass through an opening. Hand manipulation shall not include forcing of the particles; however,
natural breakdown of particles that are semi-attached through this practice is not necessarily detrimental.
7.4.7 Determine the mass of the size increment on a scale or balance (which conforms to the requirements specified in 7.2.1) to
the nearest 0.1 % of the total original dry sample mass. The total mass of the material after sieving shall be within 60.3 % of the
dry mass of the original sample. If this is not the case, the results shall not be used for acceptance purposes.
7.5 Calculations—Calculate percentages passing the sieve size to the nearest 0.1 % of the dry mass of the original sample.
7.6 Report:
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7.6.1 Nuggets:
7.6.1.1 The percentage of material that did not pass the ⁄8 in. sieve after hand manipulation is subtracted from 100 % and reported
as the percent passing the ⁄8 in. sieve.
7.6.1.2 The percentage of material that did not pass the No. 4 sieve after hand manipulation is added to the percentage of material
that did not pass the ⁄8 in. sieve. The sum is subtracted from 100 %. The resulting value is reported as the percent passing the No.
4 sieve.
7.6.2 Buffıngs:
7.6.2.1 The percentage of material that did not pass the 1 in. sieve after hand manipulation is subtracted from 100 % and reported
as the percent passing the 1 in. sieve.
7.6.2.2 The percentage of material that did not pass the No. 5 sieve after hand manipulation is added to the percentage of material
that did not pass the 1 in. sieve. The sum is subtracted from 100 % and reported as the percent passing the No. 5 sieve.
7.6.2.3 The percentage of material that did not pass the No. 8 sieve is added to the percentage of material that did not pass the
1 in. and No. 5 sieves. This sum is subtracted from 100 %. The resulting value is reported as the percent passing the No. 8 sieve.
7.6.2.4 The percentage of material that did not pass the No. 16 sieve is added to the percentage of material that did not pass the
1 in., No. 5 and No. 8 sieves. This sum is subtracted from 100 %. The resulting value is reported as the percent passing the No.
16 sieve.
7.7 Precision and Bias—The precision and bias of this test method for determining particle size distribution are as specified in Test
Method C136.
8. Hazardous Metal Test Method
8.1 Significance and Use—This test method is based on Section 8.3 of Specification F963, which specifies a test procedure to
determine the amount of hazardous metals that have the potential to be present in toys and handled or ingested by children. Since
it is also possible for children on a playground to handle and ingest loose-fill rubber particles, it is necessary to determine the level
of these hazardous metals in loose-fill rubber intended for use as a playground-surfacing material. The limits for hazardous metals
used in this specification are based on those specified in Specification F963, adjusted with a statistical error correction factor as
specified in Specification F963.
8.2 Apparatus:
8.2.1 pH Meter, accurate to 0.2 pH units.
8.2.2 Membrane Filter, having a pore size of 0.45 μm.
8.2.3 Centrifuge, capable of achieving 5000 6 500
...