CPSI Rotating Equipment and Rocking Equipment Standards 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to CPSC guidelines, what is the minimum use zone distance required around rotating equipment such as merry-go-rounds?
- 3 feet in all directions
- 6 feet in all directions (Correct answer)
- 9 feet in all directions
- 12 feet in all directions
Correct answer: 6 feet in all directions
CPSC guidelines require a minimum use zone of 6 feet in all directions from the outermost edge of rotating equipment.
Question 2: What is the maximum height of the seat or designated play surface on a spring rocker, per CPSC public playground guidelines?
- 12 inches above protective surfacing
- 15 inches above protective surfacing
- 18 inches above protective surfacing (Correct answer)
- 24 inches above protective surfacing
Correct answer: 18 inches above protective surfacing
CPSC guidelines specify that the seat or designated play surface of a spring rocker must not exceed 18 inches above the protective surfacing.
Question 3: Spring rockers on public playgrounds are primarily designed for which age group?
- 6–23 months
- 2–5 years (Correct answer)
- 5–12 years
- All ages equally
Correct answer: 2–5 years
Spring rockers are designed for children ages 2–5 years because they are low to the ground and appropriate for toddler-sized users.
Question 4: Which specific entrapment hazard is most associated with the mechanical component of spring rockers?
- Head entrapment between uprights
- Neck entrapment on handholds
- Limb entrapment in the spring mechanism (Correct answer)
- Torso entrapment under the seat
Correct answer: Limb entrapment in the spring mechanism
The coil or spring mechanism of spring rockers can trap children's fingers, hands, or feet, creating a limb entrapment hazard.
Question 5: What design feature should seesaws incorporate to prevent impact injuries when the occupied seat strikes the ground?
- Rubber grip handles
- Energy-absorbing material beneath each seat (Correct answer)
- A center restraining rail
- Elevated foot platforms
Correct answer: Energy-absorbing material beneath each seat
Seesaws should have energy-absorbing material (such as rubber bump stops) under each seat to cushion the impact when the seat descends rapidly.
Question 6: According to ASTM F1487, which safety feature is required on merry-go-rounds to reduce fall injuries to occupants?
- Electronic speed limiters
- Fully enclosed platforms with rails
- Accessible handholds for all occupants (Correct answer)
- Seat harnesses for children under age 5
Correct answer: Accessible handholds for all occupants
ASTM F1487 requires merry-go-rounds to provide handholds that are accessible to all occupants to prevent falls during rotation.
Question 7: What is the primary concern a CPSI inspector focuses on when examining the pivot point of a seesaw?
- Fading paint or UV damage
- Excessive wear or looseness in the pivot bearing (Correct answer)
- Height adjustment capability
- Manufacturer's label legibility
Correct answer: Excessive wear or looseness in the pivot bearing
Excessive wear or looseness in the pivot bearing creates unpredictable movement and increases injury risk, making it the priority inspection point on a seesaw.
CPSI Rotating Equipment and Rocking Equipment Standards 1
According to CPSC guidelines, what is the minimum use zone distance required around rotating equipment such as merry-go-rounds?