New Service Introduction: Field Testing - Playgrounds
ASET provides independent 3rd party onsite playground surface testing according to ASTM F1292.
ASTM F1292 measures both the G-max and HIC levels of playground surfaces.G-max refers
to the maximum acceleration during impact, and is measured directly. HIC, or 'Head Injury Criteria'
is a calculated severity index. Currently ASTM standard F1292 calls for G-max levels
below 200g and HIC levels below 1000. Complying with ASTM F1292 is often considered
the 'Standard of Care' during injury litigation.
Commissioning: New Installations
There are a number of factors that can alter actual performance levels from those
promised in specifications. The only way that a playground owner/operator can be sure
that the surface meets or exceeds the specification requirements is through on-site testing
after the installation. Factors that can effect installed performance include actual
poured-in-place system depth, environmental conditions at the time of install (temperature,
precipitation, humidity), and raw material properties.
ASET will develop new installation testing services with the desired budget and outcome in mind.
Owners may wish to have their surface tested to the height of the existing equipment. Installation
companies may wish to have their surfaces tested according to the drawings and information provided
at the time of the project bid. There may be cases where the on-site testing is
to accomplish both tasks. In any case we work with our clients to meet their individual needs.
New installations should consider establishing levels below the current 200/1000 gmax/HIC levels
outlined in ASTM F1292. This practice helps to provide a surface that meets the requirements
for years to come. Because testing is conducted on select points, a slight reduction helps to
ensure that 100% of the surface area of the new installation will meet the 200/1000 levels.
Specified Gmax/HIC levels in the range of 175/850 are becoming more common in the industry.
Maintenance Testing
The only way to ensure that a 'safety surface' continues to comply with ASTM F1292
over the long term is to develop a maintenance testing schedule. The fact is that
safety surfaces tend to harden over time. This may be from base layers shifting slightly,
from debris being washed into the surface thus filling voids necessary to property reduce
impact forces or simply due to the breakdown of the original surface material.
Product Development
ASET works with a variety of surfacing companies by providing testing used for research and product development.
ASET can economically provide testing of systems in the prototyping or development phase. While ASET can not provide
IPEMA certification, ASET can provide manufacturers with a comparable 3rd party Gmax/HIC evaluation which may
be of use in the sales and marketing of certain products.
To learn more about our field testing services, please 'Contact us'.