AS 4685.

1/Amdt 2/2008-04-28

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Amendment No. 2
to
AS 4685.1—2004
Playground equipment
Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods
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REVISED TEXT
The 2004 edition of AS 4685.1 is amended as follows; the amendment(s) should be inserted in the appropriate
place(s).
SUMMARY: This Amendment applies to Clauses 1.1, 1.4, 1.5.12, 1.5.33, 2.2.4.8, 2.2.7.2, 2.2.7.3, 2.2.8.1.3,
2.2.8.5, Sections 3 and 4, and Figures 10, 12A and 20A.
Published on 28 April 2008.

AMDT Clause 1.1

No. 2
APR Add the following:
2008
This Standard is not applicable to motor driven playground equipment. See AS 3533 for
motor driven playground equipment.

AMDT Clause 1.4

No. 2
APR Add the following to the list of Australian Standards:
2008
3533 Amusement rides and devices (series)

AMDT Clause 1.5.12

No. 2
APR Delete definition and replace with the following:
2008
Movement where the direction and the extent of the child's movement is determined by the
operation of the equipment, for example swinging, sliding, rocking and revolving.

AMDT Clause 1.5.33

No. 2
APR Insert new clause as follows:
2008
1.5.33 Supervised early childhood setting
A fenced play area attached to a children's service that is licensed, registered or approved
by a state regulatory body for children less than 6 years of age where persons engaged by
the service supervise the children during play.

AMDT Clause 2.2.4.8

No. 2
APR Delete existing text including the Notes and replace with the following:
2008
Engineering measures shall be taken to ensure that playground design inhibits unintended
access. For example, the design and installation of the hand supports shall not allow them to
be used as an intermediate step of less than 500 mm onto any adjacent barriers, or other
assemblies.
Where adjacent platforms are at different heights, the design of the guardrail or barrier on
the lower platform should not allow it to be used as an intermediate step on to any adjacent
barrier or other assembly.

ISBN 0 7337 8606 5

 NOTES:
1 Handrails, guardrails or grab handles should not provide a step less than 500 mm that may
provide easy access to unintended parts of the equipment.
2 The design or barriers should not encourage children to use any infill for climbing.
Examples of unintended access are shown in Figure 9. The Figure shows grab handles
allowing the user to climb onto guardrailing which then provides easy access to the roof as
the roof has no overhang. The flat roof provides a surface that can be used as a platform.
For this example the fall zone undersurfacing properties would need to be commensurate
with the potential free height of fall.
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AMDT Figure 10
No. 2
APR Delete existing figure and replace with the following:
2008

25 m m

8 mm

FIGURE 10 EXAMPLES OF PROTECTION FOR NUTS AND BOLTS

AMDT Clause 2.2.7.2

No. 2
APR Delete the second and third paragraphs of the clause and replace with the following:
2008
When tested in accordance with Paragraph D4.1, if accessible completely bound openings,
with a lower edge more than 600 mm above the ground or any adjacent standing surface
allow passage of the small probe, the large probe shall also be able to pass through.
Openings, including partially bound and V-shaped openings, with an entrance at 600 mm or
more above the ground or any adjacent standing surface shall be constructed so that
either—
(i) the opening is not accessible when tested in accordance with Paragraph D4.2; or
(ii) if accessible, when tested in accordance with Paragraph D4.2—
(A) the template apex contacts the base of the opening during test (see Figure D4
(a)); or
(B) the template contacts the sides of the opening at a height of less than 600 mm
above the ground or any adjacent standing surfaces (see Figure D4(b)).
 AMDT
Clause 2.2.7.3
No. 2 Insert at the end of the third paragraph:
APR
2008 See Figure 12A for example of the use of a spacer.

AMDT Figure 12A (new)

No. 2
APR After third paragraph of Clause 2.2.7.3 insert figure as follows:
2008
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Spacer

FIGURE 12A EXAMPLE OF THE USE OF A SPACER TO REDUCE CLOTHING AND

HAIR ENTRAPMENT

AMDT Clause 2.2.8.1.3

No. 2
APR Add the following at the end of the third paragraph:
2008
Fall zones for carousels are given in AS 4685.4. Fall zones for log rolls should be 2 metres
at right angles to the axis of rotation in the horizontal plane (i.e. backwards and forwards).
 AMDT Clause 2.2.8.5 and Figure 20A (new)
No. 2
APR Add the following paragraph and figure:
2008
Care should be exercised when placing items in a cluster such that users are not exposed to
impacts onto or into adjacent hard objects, and/or conflict with other users.
NOTE: This recommendation does not preclude the use of platforms connecting items of
equipment or other means of access to the equipment.
An example of poorly arranged equipment is given in Figure 20A.
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FIGURE 20A EXAMPLES OF INJURIES FROM POORLY ARRANGED EQUIPMENT

AMDT Section 3 (new)

No. 2
APR Delete Section 3 and replace with the following:
2008

SECT ION 3 I N FORMAT I ON TO B E PROV I DED

B Y T H E M AN U FA CT U RE R/ SU PPL I E R

3.1 INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
3.1.1 General product information
The manufacturer/supplier shall provide instructions in the appropriate language(s) of the
country in which the equipment is to be installed and used. The instruction shall comply
with the following:
 (a) Instructions shall be printed legibly and in a simple form.
(b) Illustrations shall be used where possible.
(c) Instructions shall include at least the following information:
(i) Details of the installation, operation, inspection and maintenance of the
equipment.
(ii) A clause or note drawing the operator's attention to the need to increase
inspection/maintenance if the equipment is subject to heavy use and/or the
stability of the equipment relies on one post.
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(iii) Advice to take care, in relation to specific hazards to children, due to

incomplete installation or dismantling, or during maintenance.
The manufacturer/supplier shall supply copies of test reports to the purchaser upon request.
3.1.2 Pre-information
The manufacturer/supplier shall provide information concerning the safety of the
installation prior to acceptance of the order, e.g. a catalogue data sheet.
This information shall include at least the following, where relevant:
(a) The minimum space.
(b) Surfacing requirements (including free height of fall and extent of surfacing)
(c) The overall dimensions of the largest part(s).
(d) The mass of the heaviest part/section in kilograms.
(e) Guidance regarding the target user group for the equipment.
(f) If the equipment is intended only for indoor use or under supervised conditions.
(g) The availability of spare parts.
(h) Certification of conformity with this Standard.
3.1.3 Installation information
The manufacturer/supplier shall supply an equipment delivery part list with the equipment.
The manufacturer/supplier shall supply installation instructions for the correct assembly,
erection and placing of the equipment.
The information shall include at least the following:
(a) Minimum space requirements and safety clearances.
(b) Equipment and parts identification.
(c) Erection sequence (assembly instructions and installation details).
(d) Matching aids where necessary, e.g. signs on parts accompanied by appropriate
instructions.
(e) The need for any special tools, lifting devices, templates or other assembly aids to be
used and any precautionary measures to be taken (where necessary, torque values
should be given).
(f) The constructional space required to install the item of equipment.
(g) The orientation, where necessary, in relation to sun and wind.
(h) Details of the required foundation, under normal conditions, anchorage in the ground
and the design and location of the foundation (with a note that care should be taken
concerning abnormal conditions).
 (i) Specific instructions if a particular landscape profile is necessary for safe operation,
e.g. falling height.
(j) Free height of fall (for impact attenuation surfacing needs).
(k) The need for and details of the application of any painting or treatment.
(l) The removal of assembly aids before the equipment is used.
Drawings and diagrams shall clearly specify the principal dimensions of the equipment and
the relevant space, height and areas required for installation.
The manufacturer/supplier shall supply the details necessary for inspection of the
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playground equipment prior to its first use.

3.1.4 Inspection and maintenance information
The manufacturer/supplier shall provide instructions for maintenance (marked with the
number of this standard), which shall include a statement that the frequency of inspection
will vary with the type of equipment, e.g. equipment where the stability relies on one post,
or materials used and other factors, e.g. heavy use, levels of vandalism, coastal location, air
pollution, age of equipment.
The manufacturer/supplier shall also provide drawings and diagrams necessary for
maintenance, inspection and checking of correction operation, and, when appropriate, repair
of the equipment.
The instruction shall specify the frequency with which the equipment or its components
should be inspected or maintained and shall include guidance on the following, where
relevant:
(a) Routine visual inspection.
NOTES:
1 For playgrounds subject to heavy use or vandalism, daily inspection of this type may
be necessary.
2 Examples of visual and operation inspection points are: cleanliness, equipment ground
clearances, ground surface finishes, exposed foundations, sharp edges, missing parts,
excessive wear (or moving parts) and structure integrity.
(b) Operation inspection.
NOTES:
1 This should be carried out every 1 to 3 months, or as indicated by the manufacturer’s
instruction.
2 Special attention should be given to ‘sealed-for-life’ parts and equipment where
stability relies on one post.
3 The annual inspection may require excavation or dismantling of certain parts
The instructions shall also specify the following:
(i) Where necessary, the servicing points and methods of servicing, e.g. lubrication,
tightening of bolts, re-tensioning of ropes.
(ii) That replacement parts shall comply with manufacturer’s specifications.
(iii) If special disposal treatment is required for some equipment or parts.
(iv) Identification of spare parts.
(v) Any additional measures to be taken during the run-in period, e.g. tightening of
fastenings, tensioning of ropes.
(vi) The need to keep drainage holes clear.
(vii) The surfacing shall be maintained; in particular, the levels of loose fill materials.
(viii) The GRP (glass-reinforced plastics) shall be replaced or repaired before the glass
fibres become exposed through wear or damage. This particularly applies to slides.
 3.2 INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR
SUPPLIER OF IMPACT ATTENUATING SURFACING
3.2.1 Pre-information
Prior to the acceptance of the order the manufacturer or supplier shall provide information
on the critical fall height of the impact attenuating surfacing as tested.
3.2.2 Installation
The supplier of playgrounds shall provide instructions on the correct installation.
3.2.3 Inspection and maintenance
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The supplier of playground surfacing shall provide instructions on maintenance and

inspection procedures.

AMDT Section 4 (new)

No. 2
APR Add a new Section 4 as follows:
2008

SECT ION 4 MARK I NG

The equipment shall be marked legibly and permanently with at least the following:
(a) Name and address of manufacturer or authorized representative.
(b) Equipment reference and year of manufacture.
(c) Base level mark (see Figure 23) affixed during manufacture or installation of
equipment.
(d) The number of this Standard, i.e. AS 4685.1.
NOTE: Manufacturers making a statement of compliance with this Australian Standard on a
product, packaging or promotional material related to that product are advised to ensure that
compliance is capable of being verified.