Playground Equipment: Classification and Burn Analysis

Authors

Gregory Andrew Ford, Adam James Moriarty, Daniel Paul Riches, Sarah Louise Walker

Sponsor

United States Consumer Product Safety Commission

Advisors

Joshua Rosenstock, Mustapha S. Fofana

Term

October – December 2011

Project Outcomes

Final Report

Abstract

This project examines the effectiveness of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s playground equipment categorization system and the dangers of thermal burn injuries on playgrounds. This was accomplished by researching new playground equipment, interviewing Consumer Product Safety Commission personnel familiar with the system and American Society for Testing and Materials members, and observing playground equipment directly. Our research concluded with the creation of a more modern playground equipment categorization system and recommendations for increasing public awareness regarding the dangers of thermal burns.