CPSI Equipment and Site Design 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum overhead clearance required above the tallest accessible point of a climbing structure?
- 6 feet
- 7 feet (Correct answer)
- 8 feet
- 9 feet
Correct answer: 7 feet
CPSC guidelines require at least 7 feet of overhead clearance above the tallest accessible point to prevent head entrapment against overhead structures.
Question 2: Which slope gradient is considered the maximum allowable for a playground access path to remain ADA accessible?
- 1:10
- 1:12 (Correct answer)
- 1:16
- 1:20
Correct answer: 1:12
ADA standards require access paths to have a maximum slope of 1:12 (one inch of rise per 12 inches of run) to ensure wheelchair accessibility.
Question 3: When evaluating a composite play structure, which area presents the greatest entrapment hazard for children's necks?
- Deck railings spaced 3.5 inches apart
- Openings between 3.5 and 9 inches in diameter (Correct answer)
- Slide hoods with openings under 9 inches
- Ladder rungs spaced 7 inches apart
Correct answer: Openings between 3.5 and 9 inches in diameter
Openings between 3.5 and 9 inches in diameter create neck entrapment hazards because a child's body may pass through but their head can become trapped.
Question 4: A slide's exit region must extend at a minimum angle relative to horizontal to prevent a child from becoming airborne at the bottom. What is that minimum angle?
- 0 degrees (flat) (Correct answer)
- 5 degrees upward
- 10 degrees upward
- 15 degrees upward
Correct answer: 0 degrees (flat)
The slide exit region must be essentially flat (0 degrees or parallel to the ground) so children decelerate safely without becoming airborne.
Question 5: What is the maximum height above the safety surface for the lowest point of a horizontal ladder or overhead climbing component intended for school-age children (5–12)?
- 60 inches
- 72 inches (Correct answer)
- 78 inches
- 84 inches
Correct answer: 72 inches
For school-age children, overhead climbing components should be no more than 72 inches above the safety surface at their lowest point.
Question 6: Which type of surface material is classified as a unitary surface rather than a loose-fill surface?
- Engineered wood fiber
- Pea gravel
- Poured-in-place rubber (Correct answer)
- Sand
Correct answer: Poured-in-place rubber
Poured-in-place rubber is a unitary (bound) surface material, while engineered wood fiber, pea gravel, and sand are all loose-fill materials.
Question 7: According to ASTM F1487, what is the minimum width of an egress path from a slide exit zone to the surrounding use zone?
- 3 feet
- 4 feet (Correct answer)
- 6 feet
- 8 feet
Correct answer: 4 feet
ASTM F1487 requires egress paths from slide exits to be at least 4 feet wide to allow children to move away safely without re-entering the fall zone.
CPSI Equipment and Site Design 2
What is the minimum overhead clearance required above the tallest accessible point of a climbing structure?