EUROPEAN STANDARD DRAFT

NORME EUROPÉENNE prEN 1176-10

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
January 2006

ICS

English Version

Playground equipment and surfacing - Part 10: Fully enclosed

play equip-ment

Spielplatzgeräte und Spielplatzböden - Teil 10: Vollständig

umschlossene Spielgeräte

This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 136.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language
made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to
provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2006 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 1176-10:2006: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
prEN 1176-10:2006 (E)

Contents Page

Foreword..............................................................................................................................................................3
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................4
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................4
3 Definitions ..............................................................................................................................................4
4 Safety requirements ..............................................................................................................................5
4.1 General....................................................................................................................................................5
4.2 Emergency procedures and fire safety management ........................................................................5
4.2.1 Materials including flammability ..........................................................................................................5
4.2.2 Evacuation..............................................................................................................................................6
4.3 Design and manufacture .......................................................................................................................7
4.3.1 Structural integrity.................................................................................................................................7
4.3.2 Impact protection...................................................................................................................................7
4.3.3 External climbability ..............................................................................................................................7
4.3.4 Visibility ..................................................................................................................................................7
4.3.5 Determination of spaces and areas .....................................................................................................8
4.3.6 Connections ...........................................................................................................................................8
4.3.7 Ropes and nets ......................................................................................................................................8
4.3.8 Lighting...................................................................................................................................................8
4.3.9 Signage ...................................................................................................................................................9
4.4 Specific equipment ................................................................................................................................9
4.4.1 Drop slides .............................................................................................................................................9
4.4.2 Overhead track rides ...........................................................................................................................10
4.4.3 Ball pools..............................................................................................................................................12
4.4.4 Electrically powered equipment.........................................................................................................13
5 Information to be provided by the manufacturer/supplier ..............................................................13
5.1 Inspection and maintenance information .........................................................................................13
5.2 Marking .................................................................................................................................................14

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 prEN 1176-10:2006 (E)

Foreword
This document (prEN 1176-10:2006) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 136 “Sports,
playground and other recreational equipment”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.

This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.

This standard consists of a number of parts as follows:

EN 1176-1 Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods.

EN 1176-2 Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 2: Additional specific safety requirements and test
methods for swings.

EN 1176-3 Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 3: Additional specific safety requirements and test
methods for slides.

EN 1176-4 Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 4: Additional specific safety requirements and test
methods for runways.

EN 1176-5 Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 5: Additional specific safety requirements and test
methods for carousels.

EN 1176-6 Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 6 : Additional specific safety requirements and test
methods for rocking equipment.

EN 1176-7 Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 7: Guidance on installation, inspection,

maintenance and operation.

EN 1176-10 Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 10: Additional specific safety requirements and
test methods for fully enclosed play equipment.

EN 1176-11 Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 11: Additional specific safety requirements and
test methods for spatial network.

EN 1177 Impact attenuating playground surfacing —Test methods.

This part of the standard should not be used in isolation, but in conjunction with parts EN 1176-1 and
EN 1176-7.

For inflatable play equipment see

EN 14960 Inflatable play equipment — Safety requirements and test methods.

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1 Scope
This part of the standard is applicable to fully enclosed play equipment intended for installation inside and out-
side buildings, and for children up to 14 years old, see 3.1.

The purpose of this standard is to provide additional safety requirements covering particularities of these
structures, such as exits and escape routes, visibility, external "climbability", containment walls/netting in rela-
tion to safety area, ignition resistance, specific equipments/components, impact-absorbing surfaces, signage,
specific inspection, maintenance and monitoring procedures.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated refer-
ences, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.

EN 1021-1, Furniture — Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture — Part 1: Ignition source
smouldering cigarette

EN 1021-2, Furniture — Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture — Part 2: Ignition source match
flame equivalent

prEN 1176-1:2006, Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 1: General safety requirements and test
methods

prEN 1176-3:2006, Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 3: Additional specific safety requirements
and test methods for slides

prEN 1176-4:2006 Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 4: Additional specific safety requirements
and test methods for runways

prEN 1177:2006, Impact alternating playground surfacing — Test methods

ISO 11925-2, Reaction for fire tests — Ignitability of building products subjected to direct impingement of
flame — Part 2: Single-flame source test

3 Definitions
For the purposes of this standard, the definitions given in prEN 1176-1 and prEN 1177 apply, together with the
following:

3.1
fully enclosed play equipment
equipment and structures, including components and constructional elements with, or on which, children can
play that are within a three dimensional enclosure with specified entrances and exits

3.2
drop slide
an open-fronted, near vertical free-fall slide which then curves to a near horizontal run-out

3.3
overhead track ride
equipment on which children can travel by self propulsion along a fixed horizontal or inclined overhead track

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3.4
terminus or starting point
the area in which the user can reach the grip and/or "seat" and set the equipment in motion

3.5
area of travel
area in which the user can travel freely

3.6
overhead track
the part of the structure that supports the traveller

3.7
traveller
moving part that, by influence of self propulsion by the user, he/she moves along the overhead track

3.8
linage element
the part of the structure between the traveller and the "seat" and which often also provides grip

3.9
end stops
energy absorbing materials positioned to cushion the impact of the traveller at the start and end of the over-
head track

3.10
ball pools
an enclosure designed to contain a depth of balls within which children can play

3.11
evacuation passage
an uninterrupted path enabling adult access to bring a child to an exit. This includes access/egress points

3.12
evacuation slide
a slide which ends either outside the play equipment or directly in front of an exit, with a maximum distance of
2,5 m between the end of the sliding surface and the exit

4 Safety requirements

4.1 General

Fully enclosed play equipment shall comply with the requirements of prEN 1176-1:2006 except in so far as
they are modified by this standard.

4.2 Emergency procedures and fire safety management

4.2.1 Materials including flammability

Materials used in the construction of fully enclosed play equipment shall conform to ISO 11925-2 and/or
EN 1021-1 and EN 1021-2.

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4.2.2 Evacuation

4.2.2.1 General requirements for entrapment of the whole body

In order to prevent entrapment of the whole body, the requirements for tunnels shall comply with the require-
ments for tunnels in 4.2.7.4 of prEN 1176-1:2006.

4.2.2.2 Evacuation passages

Evacuation passages shall comply with Table 1.

No point of the equipment shall be more than 5 m from an evacuation passage or from the entrance/exit of the
play equipment or from an evacuation slide.

NOTE Evacuation passages can also include slides.

4.2.2.3 Distance to the exit

Distance to the exit shall comply with Table 1.

There are some special cases for calculation of this distance:

 for a slide, the distance is half of the length of the sliding surface;

 for a climbing tower, add vertical and horizontal distances between the geometric centres of the platforms.

4.2.2.4 Access and egress

The number of access and egress points shall comply with Table 1.

Access/egress points shall be located so as to distribute evacuation through different zones of the play
equipment (see Table 1).

Table 1 — Evacuation passages, access and egress points

Dimensions in metres

Type
A B C D
Capacity (number of children) < 20 < 50 < 100 > 100
Platform height <2 <4 <6 >6
Minimum number of evacuation passages 0 1 1 2
Minimum number of access points 1 2 3 4
Minimum number of egress points 1 2 3 4
Maximum distance to the exit 18

NOTE In the case of Type A, minimum opening shall be 0,75 m diameter.

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4.2.2.5 Capacity

Capacity shall be calculated taking into account:

a) The strength of the structure according to prEN 1176-1

b) Practical use based upon the formula:

Capacity calculated according to EN 1176-1 + capacity of ground floor playing area, calculated at 3 chil-
dren per square metre) divided by 2

NOTE This takes into consideration that the structure is not fully loaded at the time of use.

4.3 Design and manufacture

4.3.1 Structural integrity

Structural integrity shall comply with prEN 1176-1.

4.3.2 Impact protection

4.3.2.1 Free height of fall

The maximum fall height allowable shall be 2 m.

NOTE The possibility for free fall is limited by separation and containment.

4.3.2.2 Impact absorbing surfaces (IAS)

Impact attenuating surfacing shall be provided in accordance with EN 1177.

4.3.3 External climbability

Protection against climbing shall be provided up to 2 m height from floor level.

Protection against climbing shall be provided from ground level and from other features surrounding the
equipment.

Such methods of protection shall conform with entrapment specifications of EN 1176 and to the visibility re-
quirements of 4.3.4.

NOTE This may be achieved by small mesh netting, panels without openings or with openings of less than 8 mm up
to a height of 2 m.

4.3.4 Visibility

4.3.4.1 Good visibility is essential to the safety management of fully enclosed play equipment. Effective
supervision and monitoring are dependent upon it and fire risk assessment research has shown it is important
for successful search and rescue.

4.3.4.2 There shall be unrestricted sight lines from the supervision areas to the playing areas.

NOTE If, due to the shape of the building or other unavoidable design factors this cannot be achieved, closed circuit
television surveillance could be provided.

4.3.4.3 There shall be unrestricted sight lines from the public viewing areas to the playing areas.

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4.3.4.4 Activities within the playing area which are designed with no visibility from the outside shall be
positioned no more than 5 m from an access point.

4.3.5 Determination of spaces and areas

4.3.5.1 General

Fully enclosed play equipment has a number of unique features that make a different hazard approach to
EN 1176 necessary. Specific requirements are given in the clauses which follow for specific features.

4.3.5.2 Falling space

For a free height of fall > 600 mm or ≤ 1 500 mm the extent of the falling space as described in 4.2.8.2.4 of
prEN 1176-1:2006 can be reduced to 1 m around the accessible parts of the equipment if on the reduced
sides a protective surface against impact is provided.

4.3.5.3 Impact area

If the height of fall is ≤ 600 mm there are no special requirements. If the height of fall is > 600 mm and
≤ 1 500 mm the materials used in the horizontal impact area shall conform to 4.2.8.4 of prEN 1176-1:2006.

The extent of the impact area can be reduced to the extent of the falling space.

If the height of fall is > 1 500 mm then prEN 1176-1 for impact attenuation and extent shall be applied.

4.3.5.4 Free space

The dimensions of the free space shall allow access for adults in the event of evacuation.

4.3.6 Connections

Connections shall be inspected in accordance with the requirements of 5.1.

4.3.7 Ropes and nets

All rope features shall be securely knotted and strand ends treated to prevent fraying.

Care shall be taken when heat sealing nylon rope to avoid hard edges.

Cargo rope netting climbs and walks shall be designed in such a way as to prevent limbs from falling through,
for example by an additional mesh under-net. This shall not create an additional hazard.

Where rope nets go over a rigid bar they shall be secured against movement.

Where necessary to improve the safety of grip and/or to minimize friction burns, protection sleeves shall be
fitted to appropriate sections of rope features.

4.3.8 Lighting

Light fittings should be appropriately protected and out of the reach of children.

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4.3.9 Signage

Adequate and clear signage shall be displayed, to include:

 Age group

 Capacity

 Emergency signs

 Rules of play

4.4 Specific equipment

4.4.1 Drop slides

4.4.1.1 Drop slides shall be supervised and shall comply with the requirements of prEN 1176-1 except in
so far as they are modified by this standard.

4.4.1.2 Access

Access to the starting section shall be secured against access when no trained staff is available to monitor
safe use.

4.4.1.3 Starting section

Each slide shall have a horizontal starting section of at least 1 m in length. The starting section shall be sepa-
rated from travelling routes.

4.4.1.4 Sitting position

The minimum radius in the sitting position between starting and sliding section shall be at least 100 mm to
avoid bumping the back of the head.

4.4.1.5 Lateral protections (sides)

Lateral protections shall be provided on each side of a drop slide. The top edge of the lateral protection shall
be continuous from the starting section to the sliding section and the run out section.

4.4.1.6 Sliding section

Angles of inclination of the sliding section shall not exceed an average of 40° over the height difference of the
slide. The acceleration shall not exceed 2,6 g (g = acceleration due to gravity) at any point of the slide. Any
changes in angle of inclination shall not lead to removal from the surface.

4.4.1.7 Run-out section

At the run-out section a maximum speed of 5 m/s shall not be exceeded, considering a friction of µ = 0,3.

The length of the run-out section shall be calculated according to the speed.

NOTE Calculation for the length of a horizontal run-out section until the stop point can be carried out by the formula:
2
l = v /2 g µ.

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4.4.1.8 Impact area

The impact area shall comply with the requirements of 4.9 of prEN 1176-3:2006. In the case where the slider
stops before the end of the run-out section, the clearance distance beyond the end can be reduced to 1 m for
all slides.

4.4.2 Overhead track rides

4.4.2.1 The overhead track rider (see Figures 1 and 2) shall comply with the requirement of prEN 1176-1
except in so far as they are modified by this standard.

4.4.2.2 The traveller shall be fixed into position within the overhead track with movement restricted by the
provision of end stops.

4.4.2.3 There shall be only one traveller on each overhead track.

4.4.2.4 The traveller shall be protected to prevent the possibility of the users trapping their fingers in the
overhead track as the traveller moves along.

4.4.2.5 The end stop at the starting point or terminus shall be of suitable energy absorbing material and
shall be located a minimum of 1 200 mm from the back enclosure or a distance of 75 % of the total length of
the linkage element.

4.4.2.6 For overhead track rides arranged in parallel, a suitable barrier shall be installed between the two
units.

4.4.2.7 Linkage elements shall be designed to facilitate grip and where ropes are used they shall be be-
tween 16 and 45 mm diameter. The grip shall not be enclosed (e.g. a loop).

4.4.2.8 Seats shall be designed so that the user can get off the seat at any time.

Seats shall be made of, or covered by, suitable impact absorbing material.

The underside of the seat shall have a minimum ground clearance of 250 mm.

NOTE Seats comprising hoops or straps are unsuitable.

4.4.2.9 The maximum speed of the traveller shall not exceed 7 m/s when the seat is loaded as described
in prEN 1176-4.

4.4.2.10 The impact area shall be free from objects that may cause injury.

4.4.2.11 Vertical surfaces shall be present along the travel length (see Figure 2).

4.4.2.12 Clearance shall be provided to a distance of at least 1 200 mm to each side of the overhead track
unless a suitable form of enclosure is provided.

4.4.2.13 Impact attenuating surfacing shall be provided complying with 4.2.8.4 of prEN 1176-1:2006 for a
free height of fall of 1 000 mm in the impact area.

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Dimensions in millimetres

Key
1 Protection on traveller
2 Stopper
3 Overhead track
4 Padded net supports

Figure 1 — Overhead track rides — Typical section

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Dimensions in millimetres

Key
1 Overhead track
2 Netted
3 Terminus
4 Access
5 Travel length

a) Single

b) Double

Figure 2 — Overhead track rides — Typical plan layouts

4.4.3 Ball pools

4.4.3.1 Ball pools shall be designed to minimise ball spillage during normal play.

4.4.3.2 Impact absorbing continuous-level bases shall be fitted in accordance with 4.2.8.4 of
prEN 1176-1:2006.

4.4.3.3 Sides that are easily cleaned shall be provided.

4.4.3.4 The base shall be designed to prevent objects that might present a hazard from being lodged in
gaps.

4.4.3.5 To minimise the dangers of concealment of children in ball pools, the maximum depth shall not
exceed 600 mm in ball pools intended for use by children over 36 months, and 450 mm in ball pools intended
for use by children less than 36 months.

4.4.3.6 Balls shall be a minimum of 70 mm in diameter to prevent choking.

4.4.3.7 Any point of entry into a ball pool or any accessible platform within a ball pool shall not exceed a
height of 1 000 mm from the base of the ball pool.

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4.4.3.8 Ball pools shall only be part of a slide run-off area if they are:

 separated from ball pool areas used for general play

 visible from viewing and supervision areas

 limited to 400 mm maximum depth of balls.

The minimum length of such al ball pool shall be 2 000 mm, measured from the end of the slide run-off.

Such ball pools shall be clear of obstructions.

The base of such ball pools shall have a minimum impact attenuating surface of 600 mm critical fall height.

4.4.4 Electrically powered equipment

4.4.4.1 The electrical appliances incorporated into fully enclosed play equipment shall meet the specific
standards for that equipment and shall be installed according to manufacturer's instructions and national regu-
lations.

4.4.4.2 Precautions shall be taken regarding the design of the fully enclosed play equipment in order to
limit heating of different appliances to values not exceeding the admissible limit specified in the corresponding
standards, as well as to limit any heating of materials set near these appliances to values compatible with the
nature of these materials.

4.4.4.3 The electrical supply cords shall not present any risk of entrapment, and shall be integral to the
play equipment.

5 Information to be provided by the manufacturer/supplier

5.1 Inspection and maintenance information

5.1.1 The manufacturer/supplier shall provide instructions for maintenance (marked with the number of the
standard), which shall include a statement that the frequency of inspection will vary with the type of equipment
or materials used and other factors, e.g. heavy use levels, of vandalism, air pollution, age of equipment.

Drawings and diagrams necessary for maintenance, inspection and checking of correct operation and, when
appropriate, repair of the equipment shall also be provided.

5.1.2 The instructions shall specify the frequency with which the equipment or its components should be
inspected or maintained.

5.1.3 The instructions shall also specify the following:

a) Where it is necessary, the servicing points and methods of servicing, e.g. lubrication, tightening of bolts,
re-tensioning of ropes and nets;

b) Replacement parts shall comply with the manufacturer's specifications;

c) If special disposal treatment is required for some equipment or parts;

d) Identification of spare parts;

e) Any additional measures to be taken during the run-in period, e.g. tightening of fastenings, tensioning of
ropes and nets;

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f) All damaged balls shall be removed from ball pools as they are found. Balls shall be maintained to an
even depth throughout the ball pool;

g) Safety surfacing shall be maintained.

5.1.4 All installations or equipment of the following types shall be maintained in accordance with EEC, Na-
tional and Local Standards and/or regulations:

a) Electrical

b) Gas

c) Lifting

d) Fire Detection

e) Fire Fighting

5.1.5 Additional safety testing procedures shall be determined and carried out for all areas in or adjacent to
the indoor play area.

5.1.6 A daily safety checklist, which is tailored to the specific needs of the facility and includes advice, shall
be obtained from the supplier. A daily checklist form shall be completed by the duty staff every day before the
facility opens to the public.

5.1.7 An annual inspection shall be carried out by a competent person with knowledge and experience in
this type of facility, to audit procedures and identify long-term problems. Special attention shall be given to
"sealed for life" parts.

5.1.8 Structural parts shall be inspected, at minimum annually, at the points relevant for strength and stabil-
ity, in particular the fixings on the ground and the connections off load bearing parts. If inside corrosion can
occur (e.g. in tubes) specific corrosion checks shall be carried out on load bearing parts at a maximum of
5 year intervals.

5.1.9 Any inspection and maintenance procedures carried out shall be documented. This shall include de-
tails of action taken and confirmation of all remedial work carried out. This written record shall be carefully and
systematically maintained and stored permanently, so that the results are available for examination by man-
agement, the supplier and an interested authority.

5.1.10 Fully enclosed play areas shall be efficiently maintained and cleaned at all times.

Points of access shall be positioned throughout the play frame to facilitate passage for cleaning and mainte-
nance personnel and equipment.

All cleaning and maintenance access points shall be capable of being secured against unauthorised access
when not in use.

5.2 Marking

Marking shall comply with prEN 1176-1:2006.

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