ASTM F1951-99

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AnAmerican National Standard
Designation: F 1951 – 99
Standard Specification for
Determination of Accessibility of Surface Systems Under
and Around Playground Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1951; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
The need for systematic and consistent means of evaluating the capability of surface systems to
provide access to playgrounds has been amplified by the passage of the Federal Americans with
Disabilities Act. The goal of this specification is to establish uniform means to measure the
characteristics of surface systems in order to provide the potential buyer with performance
specifications to select materials for use as an accessible surface under and around playground
equipment.
Standard Specification for Determination of Accessibility of Surface
1. Scope
Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment.
1.1 This specification establishes minimum characteristics
for those factors that determine accessibility.This specification
2. Referenced Documents
applies to all types of materials that can be used under and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
around playground equipment.
E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
1.2 The material under and around playground equipment
ASTM Test Methods
that meets this specification must also comply with Specifica-
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
tion F 1292 if the surface is within the fall zone.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.3 This specification does not imply that an injury cannot
F 1292 Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing
be incurred if the surface system complies with this specifica-
Materials Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment
tion.
F 1487 Consumer Safety Performance Specification for
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Playground Equipment for Public Use
as standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for informa-
2.2 U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Com-
tion only.
pliance Board Document:
1.5 The following precautionary statement pertains only to
Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines
thetestmethodportions,Sections6and7,ofthisspecification:
for Buildings and Facilities
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety
2.3 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Document:
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
Handbook for Public Playground Safety, 1991
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
3. Terminology
limitations prior to use.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
NOTE 1—Specification F 1951 – 99 replacesASTM PS 83, Provisional
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F08 on Sports For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.63 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Playground Surfacing Systems. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 1999. Published June 1999. the ASTM website.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959, United States.
F1951–99
3.1.1 camber, n—the angular position in the vertical direc- or data acquisition equipment residing on the wheelchair, shall
tion of the individual main wheel axis. Zero camber occurs be a minimum of 187.2 lb (85 kg) and a maximum of 255 lb
when the wheel axis is parallel to the ground surface. (116 kg).
3.1.2 loose fill system, n—a surface system consisting of
6.1.4 Weight Distribution—The wheelchair rider shall be
small independent, movable components; that is, sand, gravel,
seated in the wheelchair such that 406 2 % of the total weight
wood chip, etc.
issupportedbythefrontcastersandtherearwheelssupportthe
3.1.3 maneuverability, n—the ability of a surfacing material
remaining 60 6 2 % when measured in a static position with
to allow unencumbered traversing or locomotion of a person
the wheelchair rider’s hands placed on the rear wheel pushrims
with or without prosthetic aids or wheelchair.
in the topmost position.
3.1.4 toe, n—the difference in separation distance between
6.1.5 Distance Measurement—A method to measure the
the front of the two main wheels and the rear of the two main
total distance that the wheelchair has been propelled must be
wheels of a wheelchair. Proper toe alignment occurs when the
present.Thisdistanceshallbe6.56+0.66/–0ft(2.0+0.20/–0
axle is perpendicular to the direction of rolling.
m) from its starting, measured to an accuracy of 6 0.79 in. (2
cm).
4. General Requirements
6.1.6 Wheel Angular Displacement Measurement
4.1 Playground surfaces represented as complying with this
(Optional)—Amethod to measure the angular displacement of
specification shall meet all applicable requirements specified
the pushrim force measuring wheel can be used. It shall have
herein.Anyone representing compliance with this specification
an accuracy of at least 6 0.5°.
shall keep such essential records as are necessary to document
6.1.7 Data Acquisition—A data acquisition system shall be
any claim that the requirements within this specification have
used to record the forces applied to the pushrim and the end of
been met.
the trial at a minimum frequency of 50 Hz.
4.2 For the surface within the fall zone of the surrounded
6.2 Test Specimen:
playground equipment, the surface must meet U.S. Consumer
6.2.1 An installed site of playground surfacing shall be used
Product Safety Commission minimum requirements of 200
as the test specimen. The minimum test specimen size shall be
g-max and 1000 HIC at its critical height when tested in
4 ft (1.22 m) wide by 8 ft (2.44 m) in length.
accordance with Specification F 1292.
6.2.2 The surface shall be level and free of surface dirt, ice,
4.3 Accessibilityspecificationcertificationcomplianceshall
or contaminants.
be conducted by an independent accredited testing laboratory.
6.2.3 Testing shall be conducted when surface temperature,
5. Performance Requirement
as measured by a temperature probe, is between 40 and 100°F
5.1 Maneuverability—When tested in accordance with the (4 and 38°C).
test methods described in Sections 6 and 7 of this specification,
6.3 Test Procedure:
a surface in place shall have average work per foot (work per
6.3.1 Startingfromastationarypositionwiththewheelchair
meter) values for straight propulsion and for turning less than
casters in the trailing position, the test wheelchair rider shall
the average work per foot (work per meter) values for straight
propel the wheelchair across the test surface a distance of 6.56
propulsion and for turning, respectively, on a hard, smooth
+0.66 / –0 ft (2.0 +0.20 / –0 m) using four uniform pushes.The
surface with a grade of 7.1 6 0.2 % (1:14).
distance the wheelchair actually rolls shall be recorded to an
accuracy of 6 0.79 in. (6 2 cm). The wheelchair rider shall
6. Wheelchair Work Measurement Method—Straight
contact the pushrims only during the trial and shall maintain
Propulsion
the same posture assumed during weight distribution measure-
6.1 Test Equipment and Setup:
ment. The wheelchair shall be propelled in a straight path. At
6.1.1 Test Wheelchair—A16-in. (40.64-cm) width rehabili-
least three of the wheelchair wheels shall be in contact with the
tation wheelchair with pneumatic rear tires, front wheels with
testsurfaceduringthetrial.Eachtrialshallbecompletedin7.0
pneumatic tires, and a total weight of 31 6 4.4 lb (14 6 2 kg)
61.0 s.
shall be used as the test wheelchair. The rear wheels shall be
6.3.2 Record the forces applied to the pushrim to an
identical with 24 by 1.375-in. (61 by 3.5-cm) pneumatic tires
accuracy of 6 0.15 ft 3 lbf (6 0.2 N 3 m), at a minimum
and pushrim diameters of 20 in. (50.8 cm). The front wheels
frequency of 50 Hz.
with pneumatic tires shall be identical with 8 by 1-in. (20.3 by
6.3.3 Consider the trial acceptable if it meets the following
2.54-cm) wheels with pneumatic tires. One main rear wheel
criteria:
shall be capable of measuring the forces applied to the pushrim
6.3.3.1 Pushrim torque values below –3.69 ft 3 lbf (–5.0 N
that are tangential to the pushrim and parallel to the direction
3 m) (reverse torque) do not occur;
of travel. The wheelchair shall be adjusted such that there is
6.3.3.2 One or more wheels do not slip on the surface
minimal toe and minimal camber. Tire pressures shall be set to
creating torque values above 7.38 ft 3 lbf (10 N 3 m) with no
the maximum pressure specified by the manufacturer 62 psi.
forward movement of the wheelchair;
6.1.2 Test Wheelchair Rider—A165+11,–4.4-lb(75+5,–2
6.3.3.3 The time to complete the 6.56-ft (2.0-m) distance is
kg) test wheelchair rider shall propel the wheelchair during
7.0 6 1.0 s;
testing.
6.1.3 Weight of Total System—The total weight of the 6.3.3.4 Thetorqueappliedtothewheelchairpushrimiszero
wheelchair-rider system, including any distance measurement or decreasing at the end of the trial;
F1951–99
6.3.3.5 The four propulsion strokes cause the wheelchair to 6.5.10 Work per foot (work per meter) values to the nearest
travel a total distance of 6.56 +0.66 / –0 ft (2.0 +0.20 / –0 m). 0.1 ft 3 lbf (0.1 N 3 m) and total trial times for all five trials
onthetestsurfaceandonthehard,smoothsurfacewithagrade
6.3.4 Repeat 6.3.1-6.3.3 until a total of five acceptable trials
of 7.1 6 0.2 % (1:14).
are recorded. Use a leveled surface for each trial. If testing
6.5.11 Average work per foot (work per meter) to the
cannotbecompletedsuccessfullyonthetestsurface,document
nearest 0.1 ft 3 lbf (0.1 N 3 m) for the test surface and for the
the reasons.
hard, smooth surface with a grade of 7.1 6 0.2 % (1:14). If
6.3.5 Repeat 6.3.1-6.3.4 with the same test wheelchair rider
testing could not be successfully completed on the test surface,
on a hard, smooth surface with a grade of 7.1 6 0.2 % (1:14)
the report must state this, as well as the reasons why testing
and a cross slope of 0 6 0.5 %.
could not be performed according to the test procedure. If the
6.4 Calculation:
wheelchair continued to roll and could not stop at the specified
6.4.1 Calculation of work per foot (work per meter):
distance, the work per foot (work per meter) required to
6.4.1.1 For each trial, calculate the average torque by
negotiate the test surface shall be considered less than on the
integrating the area under the torque-time curve and dividing
hard, smooth surface with a grade of 7.1 6 0.2 % (1:14).
by the time to complete the trial.
7. Wheelchair Work Measurement Method—Turning
6.4.1.2 Calculate the total work required for each trial by
multiplyingtheaveragetorquevaluebythetotalwheelangular 7.1 Test Equipment and Setup:
displacement. If the test wheelchair was instrumented with
7.1.1 Test Wheelchair—A16-in. (40.64-cm) width rehabili-
only one pushrim force measuring wheel, multiply this value tation wheelchair with pneumatic rear tires, front wheels with
by two.
pneumatic tires, and a total weight of 31 6 4.4 lb (14 62 kg)
shall be used as the test wheelchair. The rear wheels shall be
6.4.1.3 For each trial, normalize the total work required to
identical with 24 by 1.375-in. (61 by 3.5-cm) pneumatic tires
work per foot (work per meter) by dividing by the length of the
and pushrim diameters of 20 in. (50.8 cm). The front wheels
trial.
with pneumatic tires shall be identical with 8 by 1-in. (20.3 by
6.4.2 Alternative method for calculating work per foot
2.54-cm) wheels with pneumatic tires. One main rear wheel
(work per meter):
shall be capable of measuring the forces applied to the pushrim
6.4.2.1 For each trial, calculate the average work per foot
that are tangential to the pushrim and parallel to the direction
(work per meter) by integrating the area under the torque-
of travel. The wheelchair shall be adjusted such that there is
angular displacement curve or the torque-distance curve, and
minimal toe and minimal camber. Tire pressures shall be set to
then dividing by the total angular displacement or length of the
the maximum pressure specified by the manufacturer 62 psi.
trial, respectively. If the test wheelchair was instrumented with
7.1.2 Test Wheelchair Rider—A165+11,–4.4-lb(75+5,–2
only one pushrim force measuring wheel, multiply this value
kg) test wheelchair rider shall propel the wheelchair during
by two.
testing.
6.4.3 Discard the low and high work per foot (work per
7.1.3 Weight of Total System—The total weight of the
meter) values and average the remaining three trials to deter-
wheelchair-rider system, including any distance measurement
mine the average work per foot (work per meter) required to
or data acquisition equipment residing on the wheelchair, shall
negotiate the test surface and the hard, smooth surface with a
be a minimum of 187.2 lb (85 kg) and a maximum of 255 lb
grade of 7.1 6 0.2 % (1:14).
(116 kg).
6.5 Report—Report the following information:
7.1.4 Weight Distribution—The wheelchair rider shall be
6.5.1 A reference to this specification.
seated in the wheelchair such that 406 2 % of the total weight
6.5.2 Complete identification of the test specimen including
issupportedbythefrontcastersandtherearwheelssupportthe
manufacturer, type, manufacturer’s lot number, if appropriate, remaining 60 6 2 % when measured in a static position with
thickness, and any other pertinent information.
the wheelchair rider’s hands placed on the rear wheel pushrims
in the topmost position.
6.5.3 For loose fill systems, specify the procedures used to
7.1.5 Turn Guide Test Fixture—A test-fixture shall be used
install the test specimen prior to testing, and the procedures
to guide the wheelchair through the turning maneuver.The test
used to level the test specimen prior to each test trial. Describe
fixture shall be constructed such that it guides the wheelchair
the method of compaction, if any.
through a 90° turn. The turn guide shall be 4.75 6 0.4 in. (12
6.5.4 Complete identification of the test wheelchair includ-
6 1 cm) in height and have a radius of curvature of 12.00 6
ing name of manufacturer, model, identification number, and
0.05 in. (30.5 6 0.13 cm) (see Fig. 1). The outside of the
weight.
12.0-in. (30.5-cm) turn guide shall by lined with a 0.25 6
6.5.5 Weight of the test wheelchair rider, total weight and
0.02-in. (0.635 6 0.05-cm) polyethylene str
...