AS 4685.6:2021 pdf Playground equipment and surfacing
1 Scope
This document is applicable to rocking equipment which is used as playground equipment for children,as defined in 3.1. Where the main play function is not rocking, the relevant requirements in this document may be used, as appropriate.
This document specifies additional safety requirements and test methods for seesaws and rocking
equipment intended for permanent installation for use by children.It is intended to provide protection to the user against possible hazards during use.
NOTE Guidance for assessing the safety of other forms of seesaw/rocking equipment is given in informative Annex A.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1176-1:2017, Playground equipment and surfacing — Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 1176-1 and the following
apply.
3.1 rocking equipment
seesaw (hereinafter referred to as equipment)
equipment that can be set in motion by the user and is generally characterized by a rigid element that rocks about a central support
Note 1 to entry: The equipment can have one or several seats or stands.
Note 2 to entry: Figure 1a) shows the principle components for rocking equipment. Figure 1b) shows the principle components for seesaws.
Note 3 to entry: The seesaw/rocking movement depends on the type and configuration of fixture (see Figures 2 to 7).
3.8 equipment body
main moving part connected to the equipment supporting component(s)
3.9 supporting component
component which connects the equipment body to the anchorage
3.10 Anchorage
means by which stability and fixation to the ground/surface is made
3.11 damping
combined effect of the supporting component(s) that moderates the speed at which the equipment can move and the reduction of shock effects at the outer positions of the equipment
3.12 range of movement
maximum horizontal and/or vertical deviation of the seat/stand during use from the centre point at
equilibrium position
4 Safety requirements
4.1 General
Unless otherwise specified, seesaw/rocking equipment shall conform to EN 1176-1.
4.2 Free height of fall
When measured at extreme positions of movement, the centre of the seat/stand shall have a maximum free height of fall in accordance with Table 1.
4.3 Seat/stand slope
When tested in accordance with normative Annex B, the maximum slope at the seat/stand shall be in accordance with Table 1.
4.4 Pinch, crush
When tested in accordance with normative Annex C, gaps in all accessible joints and supporting
components shall conform to EN 1176-1:2017, 4.2.6 and 4.2.7.
NOTE This requirement is intended to prevent pinching and crushing.
4.5 Restraint of motion
The motion of equipment should be regulated towards the extremities of movement so that no sudden stop or sudden reversal of the motion can occur, e.g. damping.
NOTE 1 The damping effect can be:
a) constant, where the effect is constant throughout the entire range of movement; or
b) varied, where the effect depends on the speed, mass and/or position of the rocking parts of the equipment.
NOTE 2 This is to reduce the risk of spinal injuries due to sudden shock load, e.g. by use of a spring or other damping elements.
4.6 Foot rests
Where foot rests are provided they shall be firmly fixed and unable to rotate without using tools.
When tested in accordance with normative Annex E, no part of the foot rest shall project beyond the
outer face of the gauge.
4.7 Hand supports
They shall be firmly fixed and unable to rotate without using tools.
For equipment accessible for use by younger children, the grip requirements should be selected from the lower end of the range; maximum diameter/cross-section of 30 mm is recommended.
When tested in accordance with normative Annex E, no part of the hand support shall project beyond the outer face of the gauge.
NOTE The intention of this requirement is to reduce the hazard of eye injury from the ends of projecting hand supports, by maintaining a cross sectional area of at least 15 cm 2 .
AS 4685.6:2021 pdf Playground equipment and surfacing
