What is 'Critical Fall Height'
- Critical Fall Height or free height of fall is the calculated height from which it is assumed that a surface will absorb the impact of a child's fall, without the child suffering severe head injuries.
- Under the new European Standard, the maximum free height for fall has been increased from 2.5 metres to 3.0 metres.
- To carry out the test, a steel sphere, refered to as a 'headform' is dropped from progressively increasing heights onto the surface under test in laboratory conditions. The severity of the impact is recorded. The greater the impact absorbtion of the surface under test, the higher the critical fall height will be.
- Melcourt are unique in having their entire LIAS product range tested in accordance with British Standard BS 7188:1998 at depths of 300, 200 and 100mm.
What is Head Injury Criteria ?
- Head injury criteria is the calculated value to assess the maximum height of a head-first fall, that an average childs' head could sustain onto a surface without suffering serious injury.
Who are British Standard Institute Testing ?
- British Standard Institute Testing is an independent product testing facility, which regularly tests manufacturers products to evaluate and confirm their performance to a wide range of criteria, Other centres such as The Centre for Sports Technology also carry out British Standard tests on LIAS.
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Do I always need an Impact Absorbing Surface ?
- Even though there is no legal requirement for impact absorbing surfacing to be installed, its use is recommended by all the safety organisations such as RoSPA, BSI, NPFA and government bodies duch as the Department of the Environment, the Department of Education and Science, Department of National Heritage and the Health and Safety Executive.
- Within BS EN 1177, Item 4.2.2 states that "Beneath playground equipment having a free height of fall of more than 600 mm, there shall be impact attenuating surfacing over the entire impact area."
What if I Decide to Use a Product Which has Not Been Tested in Accordance with British Standard 7188:1998 ?
- You would have no way of being able to calculate the LIAS depth to give the correct critical fall height.
- If you have any doubt whether a product has or has not been tested in accordance with the requirements of British Standard 7188:1998, insist that the supplier provides you with a valid copy of the relevant test certificate.
Do I Have to Use LIAS that Conforms to the Requirements of BS EN 1177 and BS 7188:1998 ?
- No. These standards are not mandatory. However, British Standards provide clear information for playground equipment manufacturers and purchasers on desirable safety levels, and proof of compliance with a relevant standard can help in provision of a defence if court action is taken. For example, in court cases alleging negligence brought against playground providers, compliance with the relevant standards has been taken as evidence of a provider's positive approach to the safety of the playground.
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