CPSI Layout and Site Design Requirements (Use Zones) Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the use zone requirement for a merry-go-round?
- 6 feet from the outer edge of the platform at any position (Correct answer)
- 6 feet from the pivot point of the merry-go-round
- Equal to the diameter of the merry-go-round
- No use zone is required for merry-go-rounds
Correct answer: 6 feet from the outer edge of the platform at any position
Merry-go-rounds require a use zone of at least 6 feet from the outer edge of the rotating platform.
ASTM F1487 specifies that the use zone for merry-go-rounds (or rotating platforms) must extend at least 6 feet from the outer edge of the platform at any position during rotation. This means the use zone effectively must be maintained beyond the full diameter of the rotating platform plus 6 feet on all sides. The protective surfacing in this zone must meet ASTM F1292 requirements for fall attenuation from the height of the platform edge.
Question 2: What is the minimum use zone required beyond the low end of a slide exit?
- 4 feet
- 6 feet (Correct answer)
- 8 feet
- Equal to the slide length
Correct answer: 6 feet
The use zone must extend at least 6 feet beyond the low end of a slide exit to accommodate children's forward momentum upon exiting.
ASTM F1487 requires that the use zone extend at least 6 feet beyond the exit point of a slide in the direction of travel. This zone accommodates the forward momentum of children exiting the slide and provides a landing and stopping area free of obstacles and covered with compliant protective surfacing. The critical fall height for this zone is the height of the slide exit above the surfacing, which must be between 7 and 15 inches for standard slides.
Question 3: How does the required use zone change for a playground located at a higher elevation with slopes adjacent to the equipment?
- No change — use zone requirements are the same regardless of topography
- Use zones must extend further on downhill sides to account for increased rolling/sliding distance after a fall (Correct answer)
- Use zones can be reduced if the slope carries children away from the equipment
- Slopes are not addressed in ASTM F1487
Correct answer: Use zones must extend further on downhill sides to account for increased rolling/sliding distance after a fall
On sloped sites, use zones must extend further on downhill sides because a child who falls may continue rolling or sliding beyond the standard use zone boundary.
CPSC guidelines and good practice recommend extending use zone dimensions on sloped playground sites, particularly on downhill sides of equipment. A child who falls from equipment on a sloped site may roll or slide significantly further than the standard 6-foot zone due to gravity. The amount of extension depends on the slope grade. CPSIs evaluating sloped playgrounds should note this factor and recommend extending protective surfacing coverage beyond minimum dimensions on downhill sides to accommodate this increased fall trajectory.
Question 4: What separation distance from the use zone must be maintained for fixed objects like trees, utility poles, and fences?
- 3 feet
- 6 feet
- The fixed object must be entirely outside the use zone — no set distance applies (Correct answer)
- No requirement for fixed objects if they are natural features
Correct answer: The fixed object must be entirely outside the use zone — no set distance applies
Fixed objects like trees, utility poles, benches, and fences must be located entirely outside the equipment use zone.
ASTM F1487 and CPSC guidelines require that all fixed objects — trees, utility poles, fences, benches, water fountains, and any other immovable structures — be located entirely outside the use zones of playground equipment. A child who falls from equipment should land only in compliant protective surfacing, not strike a fixed object. The use zone dimension is calculated from the equipment, and all fixed objects must be beyond this boundary. CPSIs must note any fixed objects that intrude into use zones.
Question 5: What is the required minimum use zone for spring riders (spring animals and similar small spring-action equipment)?
- 3 feet in all directions
- 6 feet in all directions (Correct answer)
- The spring rider use zone equals the height of the seat above the ground
- No use zone is required for small spring riders
Correct answer: 6 feet in all directions
Spring riders require a minimum 6-foot use zone in all directions, as children can be thrown from the device.
ASTM F1487 applies standard use zone requirements to spring riders (spring animals, spring boards, and similar spring-action equipment) — a minimum 6-foot use zone must be maintained in all directions. Despite their small size and low profile, spring riders can throw a child in any direction if the spring mechanism is vigorously activated. The use zone must be covered with compliant protective surfacing meeting ASTM F1292 requirements for the fall height.
Question 6: When two swings are installed on the same support structure on one side, what is the minimum use zone calculation?
- Each swing needs its own 6-foot use zone that must not overlap
- The use zone extends 2 times the pivot height in front and back of the entire swing bay, and 6 feet to the sides of the outermost swings (Correct answer)
- The use zones of adjacent swings on the same structure can overlap with each other
- 4 feet between adjacent swings is sufficient
Correct answer: The use zone extends 2 times the pivot height in front and back of the entire swing bay, and 6 feet to the sides of the outermost swings
For a swing bay, the use zone extends 2 times the pivot height in front and back of the entire swing structure, and 6 feet beyond the outermost swing on each side.
ASTM F1487 calculates the swing use zone for the entire swing bay as a unit: the zone extends 2× the pivot height in front and behind all swings, and at least 6 feet beyond the outermost swing on each side. Adjacent swings on the same structure share their lateral space — the 6-foot side clearance is only required beyond the outermost swing. CPSIs must verify that the calculated use zone is entirely covered with compliant protective surfacing and is free of obstacles.
CPSI Layout and Site Design Requirements (Use Zones) Questions and Answers 2
What is the use zone requirement for a merry-go-round?