Professional Documents
Culture Documents
INTRODUCTION
According to CPSC data, each year, on average, 350 children under five years of age drown in
swimming pools, with most deaths occurring in residential settings. Also, each year, on average, 2,600
children under five years of age are treated in hospital emergency rooms for near drowning incidents
in swimming pools. About 42 % of the incidents require hospitalization of the child. About 79 % of
the near drowning incidents occur in a residential setting. These numbers have remained relatively
unchanged for the past several years.
Copyright ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
PS 128
the alarm when tested in accordance with 5.1. For alarms with
variable sensitivity, the setting shall be set at the least sensitive,
according to manufacturers instructions.
4.3.2 Type B alarms are not to alarm when tested in
accordance with 5.2. For alarms with variable sensitivity, the
setting shall be set at the most sensitive, according to manu-
facturers instructions.
4.3.3 Type B alarms are not to alarm when tested in
accordance with 5.3. For alarms with variable sensitivity, the
setting shall be set at the most sensitive, according to manu-
facturers instructions.
4.4 Type C:
4.4.1 Type C alarms are to provide for automatic sound of
the alarm when tested in accordance with 5.4, according to
manufacturers instructions.
4.4.2 Type C alarms are not to alarm when tested in
accordance with 5.5, according to manufacturers instructions.
4.5 Type D:
4.5.1 Type D alarms are to provide for automatic sound of
the alarm when tested in accordance with 5.6, according to
manufacturers instructions.
4.5.2 Type D alarms shall have a key locking device to
prevent the removal or disabling of the device.
5. Test Procedures
5.1 The Child Intrusion Simulator (Fig. 1) weighing 18 6
0.5 lb is dropped horizontally into the water from a height of 6
in. above the water surface. The Child Intrusion Simulator shall
be dropped into the pool at the farthest point from the alarm to
simulate worse case conditions. This test shall be repeated two
times in ten-minute intervals. The Child Intrusion Simulator
weighing 18 6 0.5 lb is dropped vertically at a 45-degree angle
6 10 degrees into the water from a height of 6 in. above the FIG. 1 Child Intrusion Simulator
water surface. The Child Intrusion Simulator shall be dropped
into the pool at the farthest point from the alarm to simulate
worse case conditions. This test shall be repeated two times in Both fans must be operated at the same time for the test. See
10 min intervals. The Child Intrusion Simulator shall subse- Notes on Fig. 2. This test is completed one time.
quently be dropped into the pool at a second but similar 5.4 The Child Intrusion Simulator (Fig. 1) is introduced
location that would also simulate worse case conditions. Both vertically at a 45 angle 610 and then horizontally, (crossing
the horizontal and vertical test shall be repeated two times in 10 the field of detection at 2 to 4 mph and removed) at the point
min intervals. (There is a total of four drops for each test farthest from the sensor. This test is repeated three times.
location). 5.5 A sheet of metal, 2 by 2 in. at 12 in. thick, is introduced
at 36 6 1 in. from the sensor into the field of detection at 6 mph
NOTE 2All testing shall be done in a standard 16 by 32 ft rectangular and removed. This test is repeated three times at 10-minute
swimming pool with a maximum depth varying between 6 and 8 ft. (See intervals.
Fig. 2)
5.6 The personal alarm device is to be installed on the Child
5.2 A regulation size basketball is dropped into the water Intrusion Simulator (Fig. 1) and the Child Intrusion Simulator
from a height of 6 in. above the water surface and at a distance dropped into the water from a height of 6 in. above the water
of 36 6 1 in from the pool alarm. This test is repeated three surface. The test is repeated three times.
times at 10-min intervals.
5.3 A simulated wind test is generated to impact the pool 6. Quality Assurance
alarm and the pool surface. Using the test pool model (16 by 32 6.1 Manufacturers shall have a quality assurance program
ft) and a 15 in diameter fan, generate wind from one end of the providing for frequent testing of the finished product to ensure
pool creating a wind velocity of 15 mph on the pool surface compliance with the ASTM standard.
within 24 in of the pool wall registered by a wind anemometer
(See Fig. 2). Locate another 15 in diameter fan by the alarm 7. Instructions
location on the side of the pool creating a wind velocity of 15 7.1 Instructions shall be shipped with each unit and shall
mph on the pool surface within 24 in of the pool wall and at the address, at minimum:
pool alarm, registered by a wind anemometer (See Fig. 2). 7.1.1 Proper installation.
2
PS 128
The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection
with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such
patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.