SASO 765

(GS 416)

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR CHILDREN

PARKS – PART 1: GENERAL SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS
 PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR CHILDREN
PARKS – PART 1: GENERAL SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS

ICS: 97.200.40

Date of GSMO Board of Directors Approval : 1415(H)-06-13 (1994-11-16)

Date of Publication in the Official Gazette : 1415(H)-10-16 (1995-03-17)
Date of Enforcement of this Standard : 1415(H)-10-16 (1995-03-17)

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR CHILDREN

PARKS - PART 1: GENERAL SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS
GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

1. SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION

This standard is concerned with the general safety requirements for minimizing
the potential hazards in playground equipment used in children parks.

2. COMPLEMENTARY REFERENCES
2.1 SASO 766/1994 “Playground Equipment for Children Parks - Part 2: Sites and
Installations Requirements”.
2.2 SASO 767/1994 “Playground Equipment for Children Parks - Part 3:
Maintenance and Inspection”.

3. DEFINITIONS
3.1 Static equipment: Equipment that contains no moving parts.
3.2 Agile equipment: Static equipment which enables its users to balance, climb,
swing, twist, curl or otherwise play on stationary structures above the level of
the ground.
3.3 Slides: Static equipment which incorporates a surface that enables its users to
slide from an upper to a lower level.
3.4 Moving equipment: Equipment that contains one or more moving parts.
3.5 Swinging equipment: Moving equipment with user's supports suspended from
above the intended user's position which allows its users to move backwards
and forwards in a continuous arc on either side of the rest position.
3.6 Rocking equipment: Moving equipment with user's supports balanced about
one or more fulcrums. Motion of the user's positions is based upon an arc
around each fulcrum.
3.7 Rotating equipment: Moving equipment with user's supports rotating around a
central axis.
3.8 Combined equipment: Equipment which combines different types of static
equipment, moving equipment, or both.
3.9 Permanent components: Components or structures designed to last throughout
the lifetime of the equipment.

3.10 Consumable components: Components subject to wear and designed to be

renewed several times throughout the lifetime of the equipment.
3.11 Replaceable components: Permanent or consumable components which may, if
necessary, be replaced at the site.
3.12 Non-replaceable components: Permanent components which either cannot be
replaced without affecting the structural integrity of the equipment or
necessitate dismantling of equipment for any repair, overhaul or replacement.

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

3.13 Accessible part: Any part of the equipment that under conditions of normal use
may come into contact with any part of a child's body.
3.14 Normal use: Use of the equipment in accordance with the manner prescribed
by the manufacturer or which conforms to playground patterns that have been
established by traditional practice.
3.15 Foreseeable misuse: Use of the equipment in a manner not originally intended
by manufacturer and not considered customary.
3.16 Sharp edge: Any edge that can cut the skin during normal use.
3.17 Protrusion: An element or component that protrudes from the equipment in any
plane or in a manner posing a potential impact hazard.
3.18 Protective barrier: A side enclosing device around an elevated surface that aids
in the prevention of falling to lower levels.

4. REQUIREMENIN
4.1 Material
The following requirements shall be met in the materials used for
manufacturing children's playground equipment:
4.1.1 The materials used shall be of durable, corrosion and weather resistant metals.
4.1.2 The materials used shall comply with the requirements specified in relevant
Saudi standards.
4.1.3 The timber used shall be seasoned to a moisture content of 20 to 25 percent.
4.1.4 The timber shall be free from inner flaws, splits, rot, decay or insect attacks.
Small knots - of a diameter not exceeding 1/8 times the width of timber section
- are permitted if the timber is sound and tight.
4.1.5 Care shall be taken to ensure that materials used are of known characteristics
and that components and equipment are designed, manufactured, assembled,
erected and installed so that loads, stresses and strains are within acceptable
limits. The safety factor allowed shall be at least 3.
4.1.6 Materials used for the finish of equipment shall not cause any toxic hazards.
4.2 Design
4.2.1 General
The following general requirements shall be taken into consideration on
designing playground equipment for children:
4.2.1.1 Exposed ends of tubes shall be sealed to prevent the entry of water.
4.2.1.2 Chains used shall have a safety factor of 5.
4.1.2.3 The design calculation of loads for different equipment shall not be less than
the values specified in Table 1.

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 GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

Table (1)
Basic Weights

Number of children accommodated

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 or
more
Effective weight per 79.00 68.00 59.10 54.65 51.98 50.20 48.93
child (Kg)
Dynamic factor (k) 1.38 1.31 1.23 1.16 1.09 1.02 1.0
Minimum average 109.5 89.5 73.0 63.5 57.0 51.5 49.0
design weight per child
(Kg)

4.2.1.4 During design, sufficient allowance shall be made for safety factor, wear, rust
and corrosion, static and dynamic overload or shock load.
4.2.1.5 There shall be no sharp edges, points, corners, protrusions, or surfaces on any
part of the equipment capable of inflicting a cut on a child during normal use or
foreseeable misuse.
4.2.1.6 No component or group of components shall form angles or openings that can
trap the child's head, or any part of his body.
4.2.1.7 Accessible openings shall be wide enough so as not to obstruct withdrawal of a
child's body or head.
4.2.1.8 Use of swinging exercise rings with diameters ranging between 125 mm and
250 mm is not allowed.
4.2.1.9 Open ended “S” hooks are not allowed in any part of the equipment.
4.2.1.10 Equipment with accessible pinch, crush, or scissor-like areas caused by
adjacent moving components shall not be allowed.
4.2.2 Hollow sections
The following shall be taken into consideration on designing the hollow
sections used in playground equipment for children:
4.2.2.1 All hollow sections shall be durably sealed to prevent the ingress of water or
suitably perforated and ventilated to drain away any water. or water vapour.
4.2.2.2 All open tubing ends, not resting on the ground shall be provided with
protective, smoothly finished caps or plugs tightly-fitted, so as not to be easily
removed.
4.2.3 Nuts, bolts, set screws and screws
4.2.3.1 Bolts, screws or set screws used in accessible positions shall be either
countersunk, or dome or cup headed.

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

4.2.3.2 Bolt ends shall not protrude beyond the nuts by more than the diameter of the
bolt when the nut is tightened.
4.2.3.3 All accessible nuts shall be recessed into the adjacent component or surface
and the projecting thread of the bolt shall be cut off with the remainder safely
riveted, to ensure absence of sharp edges or shall be otherwise protected to
provide a similar degree of safety.
4.2.3.4 All nuts, bolts, screws and set screws shall be secured against loosening under
vibration (e.g. by means of springs or lock nuts, etc.). The manufacturer's
instructions shall be followed.
4.2.3.5 Exposed bolt ends shall be covered with smoothly finished caps.
4.2.3.6 All bolts shall be provided with lock washers, self-locking nuts, or other
locking means.
4.2.4 Joints and connections
4.2.4.1 Joints and connections shall be so designed as to be well - ventilated and self-
draining or shall be sealed to prevent the ingress of water.
4.2.4.2 The inner surfaces of joints and connections shall have better quality of surface
protection than that recommended for outer surfaces.
4.2.4.3 Joints and connections made between dissimilar metals shall be of suitable
dimensions so as to prevent bimetallic corrosion.
4.2.5 Finish
All parts not naturally resistant to atmospheric corrosion or deterioration shall
be protected against corrosion or deterioration by impregnation or surface
coating.
4.2.6 Bases of support members
The support members shall be suitably terminated for permanent installation,
e.g. be equipped with projections or sole plates for setting into concrete or with
base plates for bolting to prepared foundation blocks.
4.2.7 Consumable components
Consumable components shall be so designed as to be readily replaceable with
their fasteners considered as part of the consumable component.
4.2.8 Bearings
4.2.8.1 Bearings used shall be of the self-lubricating type, wherever possible.
4.2.8.2 Non self-lubricating bearings shall be designed in such a way as to require the
minimum maintenance.
4.2.9 Rivets
4.2.9.1 Rivets shall be of sufficient length to provide an adequate head after riveting.
4.2.9.2 Rivets shall completely fill the holes when driven in.
4.2.9.3 The countersunk heads of rivets shall be flushed if projecting out in such a way
as to contact with the user's body.

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

4.2.10 Wire mesh

4.2.10.1 The railing's wire mesh panels shall be either of galvanized steel, or of
aluminium appropriate to the type used with a minimum diameter of 3.15 mm.
4.2.10.2 The chain of wire mesh panels shall be manufactured from galvanized steel
wire or PVC coated galvanized wire.
4.2.10.3 The openings in the railing's mesh shall be so designed as to prevent
entrapment of fingers and limbs.
4.2.11 Slip-resistant surfaces
4.2.11.1 Slip-resistant surfaces shall be durable.
4.2.11.2 Sliding on slip-resistant surfaces shall be minimized by any of the following:
– Be made from narrow width slats.
– Be suitably perforated;
– Be made from ribbed or grooved metal;
– Be free from finely sand painted or polished surfaces (timber).
4.2.12 Welded joints The following requirements shall be met in the welded joints:
4.2.12.1 They shall be sound and neat;
4.2.12.2 They shall be free from any welding flaws;
4.2.12.3 They shall be ground smooth to give a neat appearance.
4.2.12.4 The main welded joints shall be examined by non-destructive testing using x-
ray to ensure that they are free from cracks, gaps or discontinuity between the
two welded parts.
4.3 Profiles and exposed surfaces
4.3.1 General
The equipment and its component parts shall not have any rough or sharp
edges or projections in any position that may cause injury.
4.3.2 Any damage arising from transit or other handling procedures shall be rectified
to avoid any injury.

4.3.3 Exposed protruding edges shall be rounded to a radius of not less than 6 mm.
4.3.4 Exposed edges of materials whose thickness prohibits the profile being formed
shall be of curled-in edges or provided with rounded capping.
4.4 Access
4.4.1 General
4.4.1.1 Where access is necessary to the top of an equipment, permanent fixed access
shall provided either by means of a climbing frame or by a ladder.
4.4.1.2 Surfaces intended for contact by feet shall be horizontal and uniform.

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

4.4.1.3 Treads, steps and rungs or the complete access shall be of the replaceable type.
4.4.2 Access to the top shall conform to the following:
4.4.2.1 Up to 15 o: the access shall be by means of a ramp with a flat upper surface.
4.4.2.2 Over 15 o and up to 45 o: access shall be by means of uniformly spaced treads
or steps which may be closed or opened.
They shall not have a rise of less than 100 mm or more than 220 mm.
The step or tread width shall not be less than 600 mm.
4.4.2.3 Over 45o and up to 55 o: access shall be by means of uniformly spaced treads or
steps, which may be closed or opened.
They shall not be less than 100 mm deep and between 285 mm and 510 mm
wide.
They shall not have a rise of less than 150 mm or more than 220 mm, nor shall
they have a going of less than 100 mm or more than 180 mm.
4.4.2.4 Over 55o and up to 70o: access shall be by means of treads or rungs uniformly
spaced, between 175 mm and 275 mm.
Tread or rung width shall not be less than 285 mm or more than 510 mm.
Tread depth shall not be less than 75 mm if opened or less than 150 mm if
closed.
Rungs shall have a diameter of not less than 25 mm and not more than 38 mm
or be of an equivalent section suitable for gripping.
Treads above 1000 mm height shall be provided with handrails.
4.4.3 Spiral stairways
They shall conform to one of the recommendations given in 4.4.2 with respect
to measurement of rise, going and tread depth, as follows:
4.4.3.1 For stairways with an outside radius of not less than 500 mm and not more than
1 m at 70% of the width of the step measured from the inner edge of the step.
4.4.3.2 For stairways with an outside radius of over 1 m but not more than 2 m at 60%
of the width of the step measured from the inner edge of the step.
4.4.3.3 For stairways with an outside radius of over 2 m at 50% of the width of the
step measured from the inner edge of the step.
4.4.3.4 Spiral stairways shall not have an outside radius of less than 500 mm, and the
inner edge of the step shall not be less than 100 mm deep for any design.
4.5 Protective rails and infilling
4.5.1 General
4.5.1.1 In the case of static equipment, protective rails shall be provided to all
platforms and to all access steps and ladders rising more than 500 mm above
ground level or other adjacent surface, conforming to the requirements of 4.4.
4.5.2 Handrails

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

4.5.2.1 The vertical height of any handrail measured on a vertical line tangential to the
nosing of a step from the top of the handrail to the point where the vertical line
intersects with a horizontal line from the step immediately below, shall not be
less than 500 mm or more than 900 mm.
4.5.2.2 Handrails shall have a diameter of not less than 25 mm and not more than 40
mm or be of an equivalent section suitable for gripping.
4.5.2.3 Handrails shall be rigid.
4.5.3 protective rails (except handrails)
4.5.3.1 The vertical height of the top rail above its supporting position or above access
surfaces shall be at least 1 m.
4.5.3.2 Between the top and bottom rails there shall not be any horizontal or near
horizontal bars that may be used as steps by children attempting to climb.
4.5.4 infilling
4.5.4.1 The spaces between rails and posts shall be filled with wire mesh, vertical bars
or other suitable materials in such a way as not to have gaps greater than 100
mm.
4.5.4.2 Infilling may be provided separately or may be integral with the protective rails
or handrails.
4.5.4.3 Infilling shall be shattering or splintering proof and shall be fixed by welding,
or with bolts and nuts.
4.5.5 Design loads
4.5.5.1 The posts, rails and infilling shall be so designed as to bear the minimum
uniformly distributed forces specified in Table (2) when they are separately in
the horizontal and vertical directions.

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

Table (2)
Minimum Forces Affecting Rails

Minimum Design Forces

Rails(per End and 90o corner Other posts Infilling

metre posts (medium)
length)
Parallel Normal Parallel Normal

N N N N N N
700 700 700 700 1400 500

4.6 Clearance between parts

4.6.1 Finger, hand, foot, head and limb traps
4.6.1.1 There shall be no pinch, crush or sharp points caused by junctures of two
components moving relative to one another which could cause a contusion,
laceration, abrasion, amputation or fracture during normal use or reasonably
foreseeable misuse.
4.6.1.2 Equipment shall be so designed that any part of the body is prevented from
touching any moving parts of the operating mechanisms or becoming trapped
between moving and stationary parts or between adjacent stationary parts.
4.6.1.3 There shall be no wedge traps on any parts of the equipment at or above 1 m
above ground level.
4.6.1.4 Any acute angle formed by two or more members with an interior angle less
than 501 shall be covered with strong shield or cover.
4.7 Static equipment
4.7.1 General
4.7.1.1 Shock absorbing surfaces shall be provided in the area below and immediately
surrounding the static equipment.
4.7.1.2 The allowable weights and dimensions shall be provided, at a prominent point,
on the static equipment.
4.7.2 Agility equipment The following requirements shall be met in agile equipment:
4.7.2.1 The overall height of agile equipment whether independent or attached to or an
integral part of other equipment shall not exceed 2.5 m.
4.7.2.2 The distance between horizontal bars in agile equipment shall not restrict the
withdrawal of child's body or head.
4.7.2.3 The climbing components shall be cylindrical and 40 mm in diameter.
4.7.3 Slides

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

4.7.3.1 The sliding surface of an embankment slide shall not be more than 350 mm
vertically above the adjacent ground level at any point along its length.
4.7.3.2 The accessible parts of other slides shall be so designed that a child cannot fall
by a distance more than 2.5 m to the ground or to other adjacent surfaces.
4.7.3.3 Slides shall be orientated away from the sun to avoid excessive build up of heat
from sunshine on the sliding surface.
4.7.3.4 Sliding surfaces shall have no joints. In case of using metal surfaces, they shall
be made of rust resisting materials such as stainless steel.
4.7.3.5 Slides shall be constructed in such a manner as to eliminate exposed blunt
vertical members or angular uprights.
4.7.3.6 The inclined sliding surface and the exit surface shall be one seamless surface.
4.7.3.7 The slide shall have raised ed.-es that project at least 100 mm above the sliding
surface when measured perpendicular to that surface.
4.7.3.8 The slide shall have a reduced gradient exit surface at least 400 mm in length.
4.7.3.9 The reduced gradient exit surface shall be a minimum angle of 18' from the
inclined sliding surface.
4.7.3.10 The exit surface shall be at an angle of O' to -4" from the horizontal.
4.7.3.11 The average incline of the sliding surface shall not exceed 30 mm and shall not
be less than 200 mm from the ground, when measured from the sliding surface.
4.7.3.12 The end of the slide shall not be more than 350 mm and not less than 200 mm
from the ground, when measured from the sliding surface.
4.7.3.13 Slip resistant surfaces shall be provided to all access steps.
4.7.3.14 Slide ladders shall be provided with continuous handrails on both sides to
provide security in the transition from the slide ladder to the sliding surface.
4.7.3.15 Spacing between steps and rungs shall be between 175 mm and 275 mm and
the width shall be at least 400 mm.
4.7.3.16 Slides over 1.2 m high shall have a platform and protective barriers/handrails
of at least 1 m height.
4.7.3.17 The length of the barrier shall be at least 250 mm and the width shall be equal
to the sliding surface.
4.7.4 Chutes
The following shall be met in chutes:
4.7.4.1 For straight chutes, the path of motion shall be described by a straight line in
the starting section, a smooth curve in the transition section and a straight line
in the run-out section.
4.7.4.2 The chute, excluding the run-out, shall be of such a shape and depth that the
possibility of the is avoided. users falling out when sliding
4.7.4.3 The chute shall not be inclined at an angle greater than 370 to the horizontal
and shall be designed to restrict speed at the end of the run-out section.

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

4.7.4.4 The sliding surface shall be flat and shall be of sufficient width to
accommodate the children.
4.7.4.5 The sliding surface of the run-out section shall be horizontal and shall not form
a water-trap.
4.7.4.6 At the commencement of the starting section a short length of horizontal
surface shall be provided to enable a child to sit down before sliding.
4.7.4.7 The retaining sides shall be an integral part of the chute.
4.7.4.8 The sides shall extend from the top of the chute to the point which is 1.5 m
above ground level or to the start of the transition section whichever is the
lower, from which point they may be diminished gradually.
4.7.4.9 The sides shall not be less than 50 mm high.
4.7.4.10 The sides may be either perpendicular to the sliding surface, or curved or
inclined at an acute angle to the sliding surface.
4.7.4.11 Handrails shall be provided at the top part of each chute and shall extend for
not less than 380 mm along the length of the chute.
4.7.4.12 In the case of slides with inclination greater than 37oand height more than 5 m,
the maximum run-out shall be at least 0.3 of the total sliding length of the slide.
4.7.4.13 The sides of embankment slides shall not be less than 1 10 mm high when
measured perpendicular to the sliding surface.
4.7.4.14 The sides of other slides shall not be less than 140 mm high when measured
perpendicular to the sliding surface.
4.7.4.15 The nominal angle between the sliding surface and each side shall be neither
less than 90onor more than 130o
4.7.4.16 The included angle between the sliding surface and a line from the centre of
the sliding surface tangential to the uppermost inner edge of one side shall not
be less than 25 o or more than 45 o.
4.7.4.17 Chutes other than straight and wavy shall meet the following:
– he sides shall not be less than 200 mm high when measured
perpendicular to the sliding surface.
– he nominal angle between the sliding surface and each side shall be
neither less than 90 o nor more than 125 o.
– he included angle between the sliding surface and a line from the centre
of the sliding surface tangential to the uppermost inner edge of one side
shall neither less than 35 o nor more than 500.

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

4.7.4.18 Means of access

When a chute is intended for use by only one child at a time, any platform or
cabin shall have only one entrance and one exit per chute, each of which
should prevent the passage of more than one child at a time.
4.7.5 Swinging equipment The following shall be met:
4.7.5.1 The clearance between adjacent seats or seat assemblies (side by side),
between a seat or a seat assembly and the adjacent fixed structure shall not be
less than 500 mm under any normal operating conditions.
4.7.5.2 The swing seats shall have sufficient resistance to slipping.
4.7.5.3 All seats shall have a ground clearance of not less than 350 mm when in the
normal resting position.
4.7.5.4 The seating surface shall be neither less than 455 mm nor more than 635 mm
above ground level.
4.7.5.5 The seats shall be designed for use by only one child and shall have a seating
area of not less than 700 cm2.
4.7.5.6 The seats shall be provided with impact absorbing materials (i.e. to deflect
upon impact and absorb all or much of the impact effect).
4.7.5.7 Seats for single use shall be of light weight not exceeding 0.681 kg.
4.7.5.8 All seat corners shall be rounded to avoid any injury-
4.7.5.9 multiple-occupancy swings shall be provided with platforms or footrests
meeting the following:
– The distance between the forward leading edge of the scat (measured
horizontally) and the outside edge of the platform or footrest shall not be
more than 76 mm.
– The bottom edge of the seat shall not be more than 250 mm or less than
100 mm above the top surface of the platform or footrest.
4.7.5.10 Protective barriers shall be provided as an enclosure to groups of swings in
order to prevent children from running into the path of moving swings.
4.7.5.11 The barriers shall be provided with infilling to prevent unintended access.
4.7.5.12 Support frames for swings shall be designed in such a way as to discourage
climbing.
4.7.5.13 All overhead wooden beams used in swinging equipment shall contain two
metal plates for additional strength, known as sandwich beams.
4.7.6 Rocking equipment
Rocking equipment with one fulcrum (simple see-saw) s hall have the
following:
4.7.6.1 Each seat shall be horizontal with the upper surface not more than 1 m above
the ground level, when the equipment is unladen and at rest in the equilibrium
position.

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

4.7.6.2 Surfaces which are horizontal in the rest or equilibrium position shall have a
maximum 200 angle or elevation to the horizontal at the extremity of
movement.
4.7.6.3 Motion shall be progressively restrained towards the extremities of movement
so that no sudden stop or sudden reversal of motion can occur.
4.7.6.4 No exposed moving part of the seat or its support shall move to a height more
than 1.8 m above the ground level.
4.7.6.5 The seating position shall be provided with a grip handle having a grip
diameter not less than 25 mm and not more than 40 mm and a clearance of not
less than 100 mm above the upper surface of the horizontal seat.
4.7.6.6 The suspension mechanism shall be enclosed so as to prevent unauthorized
access.
4.7.7 Rocking equipment with more than one fulcrum The following shall be met:
4.7.7.1 Surfaces which are horizontal at the rest or equilibrium position shall have a
maximum 201 angle of elevation to the horizontal at any position during
motion.
4.7.7.2 The suspended points shall be interdependent.
4.7.7.3 Motion shall be progressively restrained towards the extremities of movement
so that no sudden stop or sudden reversal of motion can occur.
4.7.7.4 When the equipment is in motion, no part of the moving assembly shall move
to a height more than 1.8 m above ground level.
When the equipment is stationary, the vertical distance from ground level to
the upper surface of any seat shall not exceed 1m.
4.7.7.5 The seat assembly shall have ground clearance throughout the range of motion
between 540 mm and 817 mm.
4.7.7.6 Grip handles
Each seating position shall be provided with a grip handle having a grip
diameter not less than 25 mm nor more than 40 mm and a clearance of not less
than 100 mm above the upper surface of the horizontal seat.
4.7.8 Rotating equipment The following shall be met:
4.7.8.1 The axis of support shall be vertical or horizontal or may be inclined. If
inclined, it shall not be more than 5' from either the vertical or the horizontal.
4.7.8.2 The equipment shall have simple rotary movement or may have principally
rotary movement with some oscillatory motion.
4.7.8.3 If oscillatory motion is provided, oscillation shall be restrained progressively
towards the extremities of movement so that no sudden stop or sudden reversal
of motion can occur.
4.7.8.4 Limits of the two extremities of any oscillatory motion shall not exceed 12o
from either side of the equilibrium position.

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

4.7.8.5 Seating surfaces on equipment that rotates about a vertical or near vertical axis
shall not be more than 1 m above ground level.
4.7.8.6 Each seating or other user's position shall be provided with a grip handle.
4.7.8.7 Where elevated handgrips are provided for the children to suspend from, such
handgrips shall be of equal height and shall not be more than 2.0 m or less than
1.65 m above ground level.
4.7.8.8 Moving parts of equipment that rotate about a horizontal or near horizontal
axis, shall not approach closer than 350 mm to ground level, or rise to more
than 2.5 m above adjacent ground level.
4.7.8.9 moving parts of any equipment adjacent to the position normally occupied by a
child shall not approach any stationary part by closer than 500 mm.
4.7.8.10 Any enclosure provided for the stationary part shall prevent unauthorized
access to all parts, where movement of one part relative to another occurs.
4.7.8.11 Equipment that rotates about a vertical or near vertical axis shall have a ground
clearance of at least 500 mm.
4.7.8.12 Handrails attached to the base of the rotating equipment (merry-go-round) shall
not protrude beyond the edge of the base.
4.8 Motor driven equipment The following shall be met:
4.8.1 All moving dangerous parts such as belts and pulleys, shaft ends, keys and gear
wheels shall be securely fenced.
4.8.2 The accessible space between the moving playground equipment and the
watching area shall be provided with barriers or fence to avoid any accidents.
4.8.3 During operation of the equipment at least one attendant shall be on duty and
remain in close proximity of the equipment to attend to any emergency
situation.
4.9 Electrical supply
4.9.1 All electrical supply shall be permanently done through conduits which will
prevent its exposure to mechanical damage.
4.9.2 All electrical connections shall be properly insulated.
4.9.3 All exposed connections shall be done through permanent and encased
connectors.
4.9.4 The equipment driven by electricity shall be provided with a suitable circuit-
breaker in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

5. LABELLING, MARKING AND INSTRUCTIONS

5. 1 Labelling and marking
5.1.1 Each playground equipment shall be legibly and durably marked (or
accompanied) with the following information in Arabic and/or English:
5. 1. 1. 1 Manufacturer's name and/or trademark.
5.1.1.2 Month and year of manufacture.
5.1.1.3 Model number (if any).
5.2 Instructions panels
The equipment shall be provided with instructions panels containing the
following information and precautions:
5.2.1 There shall be detailed instructions and/or diagrams to enable the purchaser to
arrange for the equipment to be erected, operated and maintained in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions.
5.2.2 There shall be a diagram indicating (for each item) the minimum use zone and
the clearance to be provided between particular items and adjacent equipment
and the area (if any).
5.2.3 There shall be detailed instructions and diagrams for erection which shall
specify sizes and other details for foundations, the erection sequences, torque
tightening figures for all bolts and other similar items.
5.3 Instructions booklet Each equipment shall be provided with a manual
containing the following:
5.3.1 Recommendations for maintenance requirements with particular reference to
the correct lubrication and checking of joints and permissible degree of wear or
fitting tolerance of any moving part before replacement is necessary.
5.3.2 Cautionary statements shall be included stating that children should not use the
equipment until properly installed.
5.3.3 Operating instructions The manufacturer shall supply the following operating
instructions:
5.3.3.1 The maximum number and weight of occupants that may safely use the
equipment.
5.3.3.2 Advice on site that adult supervision is necessary for children under 4 years of
age.
5.3.3.3 Caution children about walking too closely in front of, or behind, or between
moving items.
5.3.3.4 Caution children not to twist swing chains as this may cause a reduction in the
strength of the chain.
5.3.3.5 Caution children to avoid swinging empty seats.
5.3.3.6 Caution children to avoid using the equipment in a way other than the one
recommended.

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GULF STANDARD GS 416/1994

5.3.3.7 Caution children not to stop the equipment suddenly while in motion.
5.3.3.8 The ride speed and the direction of travel with respect to a reference point.
5.3.3.9 The power requirement and ride speed (maximum or minimum revolutions per
minute).
5.3.3.10 Caution parents to dress their children well-fitting shoes and to avoid loose-
fitting clothing which might be caught between moving equipment.
5.3.3.11 The emergency and evacuation procedures.
5.3.3.12 Detailed explanation by sketches to show how the equipment can be used.

6. TRAINING
A responsible person shall be employed in each children's park with sufficient
training in the following:
6.1 Operating instructions of the manufacturer as specified in 5.3.3.
6.2 Recommended safety procedures and instructions and information about safety
equipment.
6.3 Information on total riders weight and maximum number of riders for each
equipment.
6.4 Description of any restraint system available, its recommended use and
operation.
6.5 Recommended visual inspection to be performed by equipment operators and
attendants prior to and during each ride or cycle.
6.6 Recommended information to be made available for each pattern of playground
equipment.
6.7 Operation recommendations and restrictions relating to environmental
conditions such as wind, rain or temperature fluctuations.
6.8 Manufacturer's recommended equipment operating procedures. including the
location and operation of equipment and their attendants.
6.9 Description of recommended steps to be followed in various cases to complete
the equipment operation procedures.
6.10 Manufacturer's recommended procedures in the case of emergency and
evacuation.
6.11 Description of any attached emergency equipment and their methods of use.
6.12 Description of necessary emergency procedures for the equipment in the case
of interruption of power, and restart procedures.
6.13 The responsible person shall prepare an operating fact sheet in accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions. The operating fact sheet shall be handed over
to the equipment operator and to the attendant.

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6.14 The use of fire extinguishers and other procedures to be adopted in the case of
fire or other similar emergency.
6.15 A first-aid box, equipped for the treatment of minor injuries, shall be available
in each children park and the responsible person shall be trained in first aid
treatment.
6.16 The telephone numbers of the local police and the emergency services to be
contacted in case of emergency.

7. RULES OF ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION

7.1 Each piece of playground equipment shall be accompanied with a test
certificate issued by an independent testing authority stating compliance of the
equipment to this standard and includ the following:
7.1.1 The date and results of test.
7.1.2 A guarantee valid for at least two years.
7.2 Prior to sending any playground equipment, the manufacturer shall present a
certificate of conformity in Arabic and/or English stating that such type of
equipment conforms to the requirements of Gulf standards on children
playground equipment or to standards applicable in the country of origin in
case no Gulf standards are available.

8. GENERAL REGISTER
8. 1 A general register shall be kept in the park and shall include the following
details:
8.1.1 Particulars of persons employed in the playground parks.
8.2 Test certificates for the playground equipment issued by the concerned
authority or engineer who carried out the test.
8.3 Copies of the relevant Gulf standards on playground equipment.

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