A RotaƟ onal Penetrometer (RP) is used here to measure the fi rmness and stability of the surfaces. Regular inspecƟ ons of the playground surface and equipment should be conducted to ensure conƟ nued safety and accessibility for all users. These inspecƟ ons should include safety checks, the accessibility assessment of the accessible route, and fi eld tesƟ ng of the playground surface. Field tesƟ ng conducted on the playground surface in the use zone should measure the impact aƩ enuaƟ on for children who may fall, along with fi rmness and stability for accessibility to people with disabiliƟ es. This fi eld tesƟ ng should be conducted upon installaƟ on and throughout the life cycle of the playground. The Accessibility Standards require the accessible route within the play area comply with two referenced ASTM standards: ASTM F1951-99 Standard Specifi caƟ on for DeterminaƟ on of Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment; and ASTM F1292-99/04 Standard Specifi caƟ on for Impact AƩ enuaƟ on of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment. ASTM F1951-99: Lab Test This is a laboratory test measuring the work force required for a 165 (+11 or -4.4) lb. individual in a manual wheelchair to propel across a given surface. The lab test uses a 7 percent ramp as a baseline for the wheelchair rider. AŌ er the baseline is established, the rider conducts a series of straight propulsions over the sample surface for a minimum distance of 6.56 Ō . The force needed to propel the wheelchair rider over the surface is measured. A Measuring Up: Playground Surface Field TesƟ ng The “wheelchair test” is conducted on a sample test bed in the lab to determine the results for ASTM F1951-99. 12 second series of tests are then run where the wheelchair rider makes a 90 degree turn and the force is measured again. If the average work per foot for the sample surface is less than the work force to propel up the 7 percent ramp, the surface sample is considered as passing ASTM F1951-99. The advantage of the ASTM F1951-99 test procedure is that it provides a starƟ ng point to compare various surfaces by an objecƟ ve measurement. However, the primary disadvantage and criƟ cism of the protocol is that it is designed as a lab test in a controlled environment and cannot be easily replicated in the fi eld or outdoors at mulƟ ple playground sites. Researchers have aƩ empted to address the portability of this test protocol with the development of the RotaƟ onal Penetrometer (RP) described below. Firmness and Stability: Field Test While the ASTM F1951-99 protocol does not include a procedure for fi eld tesƟ ng outdoors at a playground, a fi eld test method has been developed by the same engineering company that developed the original lab test method. A portable instrument known as a RotaƟ onal Penetrometer (RP) has been designed to measure the fi rmness and stability of surfaces. For the purpose of the NCA study, the RotaƟ onal Penetrometer was used as the fi eld instrument to measure fi rmness and stability in lieu of the costly equipment for ASTM F1951-99. Documented research has shown the RotaƟ onal Penetrometer to have a high degree of repeatability and reproducibility (ASTM, May 27, 2005; ASTM, September 2010). These research fi ndings also correlate to the lab test.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTkzMzk=