This specification covers engineered wood fiber for use as a playground safety surface under and around playground equipment. This specification establishes minimum requirements for the factors that determine particle size, consistency, purity, ability to drain, and heavy metal concentrations considered hazardous to children. This specification does not imply that an injury cannot be incurred if the engineered wood fiber complies with this specification. The performance requirements for (1) sieve test analysis, (2) hazardous metal test (for antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and selenium), and (3) magnetic and nonmagnetic tramp metal tests are specified. The sieve test apparatus shall include balances, sieves, sieve shaker, and oven. The test apparatus for hazardous metal test shall include metal sieve, pH, membrane filter, reagents, hydrochloric acid solution, Type 3 water, centrifuge, and container. The test apparatus for magnetic tramp metal test shall be an industrial grade magnetic wand with a cylindrical neodymium iron-boron rare earth magnet at the end of the probe. A schematic diagram of the magnetic probe is provided. The sampling method, sample test preparation, test procedure, and test report for the three test methods are detailed.

1.1 This specification establishes minimum characteristics for those factors that determine particle size, consistency, purity, and ability to drain.

1.2 Engineered wood fiber that meets the requirements of this specification must comply with Specification F1292, if the surface is in the use zone as defined in Specification F1487.

1.3 A sample of wood fiber that meets the requirements of this specification may be designated engineered wood fiber and be suitable for playground safety surfacing.

1.4 This specification does not imply that an injury cannot be incurred if the engineered wood fiber complies with this specification.

1.5 To meet the requirements of this specification, the material shall perform as follows:

1.5.1 The material shall meet particle size requirements.

1.5.2 The material shall meet the requirement for metal particles.

1.5.3 The material shall meet the allowable heavy metal concentrations considered hazardous to children.

1.5.4 The material shall meet the requirements of Specification F1292.

1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values in parentheses are mathematical conversions. SI units, which are provided for information, are not considered the standard, except in 8.4.

1.7 Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, in your state may be prohibited by state law.

1.8 The following precautionary statement pertains to the test method portions only, in 7.4, 8.4, and 9.4 of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.