CPSI Core Knowledge Areas 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to ASTM F1292, what does the term 'critical height' refer to?
- The maximum height of a playground structure
- The fall height below which a life-threatening head injury is unlikely (Correct answer)
- The height at which safety surfacing must begin
- The minimum height requirement for protective barriers
Correct answer: The fall height below which a life-threatening head injury is unlikely
Critical height is the fall height below which a life-threatening head injury is unlikely, as defined by ASTM F1292 impact attenuation testing.
Question 2: Which federal agency publishes the Handbook for Public Playground Safety?
- OSHA
- EPA
- CPSC (Correct answer)
- ASTM
Correct answer: CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) publishes the Handbook for Public Playground Safety, a key reference for CPSI inspectors.
Question 3: What is the minimum required unobstructed fall zone around freestanding climbers with no platforms above 2 feet?
- 3 feet in all directions
- 4 feet in all directions
- 6 feet in all directions (Correct answer)
- 8 feet in all directions
Correct answer: 6 feet in all directions
CPSC guidelines require a minimum 6-foot use zone in all directions for freestanding climbers with no platforms above 2 feet.
Question 4: A protrusion that could catch a child's clothing or entangle a drawstring is classified as what type of hazard?
- Entrapment hazard
- Entanglement hazard (Correct answer)
- Impalement hazard
- Fall hazard
Correct answer: Entanglement hazard
Entanglement hazards include protrusions, hooks, or openings that can catch clothing, drawstrings, or jewelry and pose strangulation risks.
Question 5: When inspecting a tire swing, the inspector should verify that the tire has drainage holes to prevent:
- Rusting of the metal rim
- Mosquito breeding and standing water accumulation (Correct answer)
- UV degradation of the rubber
- Excessive swinging amplitude
Correct answer: Mosquito breeding and standing water accumulation
Drainage holes in tire swings prevent standing water accumulation, which can breed mosquitoes and create a public health hazard.
Question 6: Under ASTM F1487, what is the maximum allowable height for the highest designated play surface on equipment intended for children ages 2–5?
- 3 feet (0.9 m)
- 4 feet (1.2 m) (Correct answer)
- 5 feet (1.5 m)
- 6 feet (1.8 m)
Correct answer: 4 feet (1.2 m)
ASTM F1487 limits the highest designated play surface to 4 feet (1.2 m) for equipment intended for children ages 2–5.
Question 7: Which of the following is considered a 'composite structure' in playground terminology?
- A single slide attached to a climbing wall
- Two or more pieces of equipment linked by connectors intended for use by children (Correct answer)
- Any metal and plastic combined equipment unit
- A swing set with two different seat types
Correct answer: Two or more pieces of equipment linked by connectors intended for use by children
A composite structure is two or more pieces of play equipment linked by connectors such as bridges or ramps that children can use to move between them.
CPSI Core Knowledge Areas 2
According to ASTM F1292, what does the term 'critical height' refer to?