Introduction

• Create Awareness on Playground safety and impart knowledge and information

to decision makers of playground industry.
• Provide basic knowledge and information, in order for parties involves to detect
and rectify potential hazards at site, thus reducing unnecessary injuries at
playgrounds.
• Advocate for post-installation inspection (preferably by qualified independent
personnel) to ensure playgrounds meets proper safety requirements before
opening to users.
• Ensure that the latest safety standards and practices for all aspects of
playgrounds in Malaysia are adopted to ensure recreational facilities are up to the
latest international requirements and standards.
• In Malaysia between 2014 to 2016, 530 injuries caused by falls cases
were reported in public hospitals involving playground equipment
(Jolyn N., 2018)
• In 2012, 75% of playground injuries were caused specifically due to
falls, and climbing equipment was accounted for causing the most
injury among children.
• in 2014, children overall suffered most from injuries involving the
head. Data taken from MOH for year 2015.
Critical Fall Height
• A measure of impact attenuation of a surfacing material at the highest
theoretical drop.
• Use to determine the approximate of maximum fall height where life
threatening head injury is not expected to occur.
• Define the highest theoretical height where no value of;
1. Head injury criterion, HIC < 1000
2. Gmax < 200
• Threshold for life threatening injury set by US Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) using the AIS scale.
AIS 2- Moderate injury

AIS 3- Serious injury

(serious, non life
threatening)

Ais 4-Severe (Severe with

survival probable)

Ais 5-Critical Injury

(survival uncertain)
Testing Critical Fall Height
• ASTM F1292,
 To determine minimum impact attenuating surface performance for playground
surface material under laboratory conditions.

• ASTM F3351
 To determine impact attenuating surface performance at specific height for
playground surface material under laboratory conditions.

• ASTM F3313
 To determine impact attenuating surface performance compliance post
installation on the field.
• ASTM 2479
Serves as a guide to maintain pour in place playground surfacing.

• MS 966
Compliance to Malaysia’s version of safety and performance standards for
playground and play ground equipment. Reference to F 1487 standard.
Test is carried by
• Certified Playground technicians that undergo playground surfacing
technical course training.
• From system manufacturer or certified body.

Equipment for measure

• Triax 2015 impact tester which consist of;
• Head Form/Missile
• Tripod support
• Hand held data reader
Parties responsible for safety standards.

Playground
System Owner Installer Supplier Manufacturer
owner