Over 200,000 children are treated annually in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with outdoor play equipment according to CPSC. Playground equipment that is IPEMA certified is designed to meet ASTM and CPSC standards therefore make playgrounds safer for children.
ASTM Standards and the IPEMA Certification Program
Over the past few decades, organizations such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the National Playground Safety Institute , the Consumer Federation of America and the National Program for Playground Safety have helped bring playground safety to the forefront of national public awareness for the safety of children. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a statistically valid injury surveillance system monitored by CPSC, reports that over 200,000 children are treated annually in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with outdoor play equipment. In response to these reports, the public has begun to demand higher quality and safer playground environments at schools, parks and childcare facilities through the elimination of known hazards.
The demand for safe playgrounds led to the development of the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA). IPEMA is a not-for-profit international trade association with a membership of nearly 100 companies worldwide. Currently, IPEMA members manufacture residential and commercial play equipment and shock-absorbent resilient surfacing material in Asia, Canada, Europe, Puerto Rico and the United States. In the interest of public safety, IPEMA provides voluntary third party product certification services for public play equipment and public play surfacing materials. IPEMA certification provides the validation sought by consumers regarding manufacturers’ conformance to ASTM F 1487 (excluding sections 10 and 12.6.1) and ASTM F 1292, Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment. Additionally, in Canada, IPEMA certifies to the CAN/CSA Z614-98, Children’s Playscapes and Equipment (excluding clauses 9.6, 10.5 and 11.1.1).
Before purchasing a playground structure for your daycare, school, church or park it is advised to purchase equipment that is IPEMA certified to ensure that the children are on the safest playground equipment that is manufactured today.
There is existing playground equipment located at a behavioral health center in which we are working. Is there a local company that provides a service that tells us if the playground equipment meets code requirements.