[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR1207.5]
[Page 270-281]
TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER II--CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
PART 1207_SAFETY STANDARD FOR SWIMMING POOL SLIDES--Table of Contents
Sec. 1207.5 Design.
(a) Strength. The strength of the assembled and installed swimming
pool slide shall be such that no structural failures of any component
part shall cause failures of any other component part of the slide as
described in the performance tests in paragraphs (d)(4) and (f)(9) of
this section.
(b) Edges. Edges of swimming pool slide runways, ladders, handrails,
and deck anchor flanges shall be designed, finished (deburred, polished,
etc.), or protected in such a manner as to prevent cutting human tissue
on casual contact and intended use. If edge guards are used, they shall
be permanently affixed to the structure in a tamper-proof fashion.
(c) Ladders, steps, stairs, or ramps--(1) General. Swimming pool
slide ladders, steps, stairs, or ramps shall have treads, not rungs, if
the angle of the incline is 15[deg] or greater from a plumbline.
(2) Angle. Swimming pool slide ladders not using rungs shall be
designed and installed in such a manner that the user's center of
gravity will be approximately positioned directly over each step during
the use of the ladder. When tread design ladders are used, the minimum
installed angle shall be not less than 15[deg] from a plumbline dropped
from a ladder step as shown in figure A. If stairs or ramps are used to
ascent to the top of the slide, they shall be designed in accordance
with reference (c) of Sec. 1207.11, pages 457-463.
(Note: To convert the English system values given in the figures to
metric values, the following conversion factors should be used: 1
inch=2.54 cm., 1 foot=30.48 cm., 1 square inch=6.452 sq. cm., 1 lb.
(mass)=0.4536 kg., 1 lb. (force)=4.448 newtons, and 1 ft.-lb.=1.356
newton-meters.)
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.017
(3) Steps--(i) Dimensions. Slide ladder treads may have flat or
curved tread surfaces and shall be designed so that they have a minimum
tread width of 2 inches (5.08 cm) and a minimum length of 12 inches
(30.48 cm) (reference (c) of Sec. 1207.11). The riser height of slide
ladder treads shall be no more than 12 inches (30.5 cm) nor less than 7
inches (17.8 cm) and shall be constant over the entire height of the
ladder (reference (c) of Sec. 1207.11).
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.018
(ii) Tread curvature. If slide ladder tread surfaces are curved,
they shall not have a radius of curvature less than seven times the
tread width.
(iii) Slip resistant surfaces--(A) General. The tread surface of all
swimming pool slide ladders shall have a slip-resistant surface that is
either an integral part of or permanently attached to the ladder steps.
The performance test is designed to insure that all tread slip-resistant
surfaces shall have the ability to maintain a barefooted 50-percentile
adult male (reference (d) of Sec. 1207.11) at an angle of repose of
33[deg] 1[deg] without movement with a safety
factor of 2.0. The angle of repose is the angle formed by the
intersection of the ladder rails and the line connecting the user's feet
and center of gravity. The tread and the foot shall be wet for this
test.
(B) Performance test. A wooden block shall be prepared in accordance
with figure C. The contact surface area of the block shall be 8 square
inches (51.61 square cm) to simulate the ball of the foot (reference (d)
of Sec. 1207.11). It shall be covered with \1/4\\1/8\ inch (.64.32 cm) of natural
or silicone rubber sponge capped with porous soft leather as shown in
figure C.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.019
The tests shall be carried out on a slide assembled and installed
according to the manufacturer's instructions. The block shall be soaked
in pool water for at least 3 minutes and placed at the midpoint of the
wet step with the centroid of load of the block on the longitudinal axis
of the step. The block shall be loaded symmetrically on its upper
bearing surface with a weight of 3002 pounds
(136.1.9 kg). A controlled and measured force
shall be applied at the tangential load ring of the block tangent to the
horizontal and increased at a rate of no more than 20 pounds (88.96
newtons) per second. If the block does not move at the point that the
tangential load is equal to 105 pounds (467.1 newtons), the tread
surface passes this performance test. Other force-creating means that
produce equal forces on the block (3002lbs, 1,334
newtons) may be substituted for weights if they result in substantially
identical slip-resistance measurements.
(iv) Fastener requirements. Ladder treads shall be attached to the
ladder rails in such a manner that continued intended use or reasonably
foreseeable abuse shall not cause any fastener to loosen, crack, or
break. All attachment methods that are used to hold the ladder tread to
the ladder rails shall be permanent and tamperproof. If fasteners are
used for the tread-rail attachment, the number and placement of such
fasteners shall not cause a failure of the tread under the ladder
loading conditions specified in this paragraph (c)(3).
(v) Aboveground pool ladders. Above-ground pool slides equipped with
swing-up ladders shall be designed so that the ladders may be fixed in
the up position by a tamperproof lock.
(vi) Ladder platforms. Swimming pool slides whose height above the
surface upon which the slide is mounted is greater than 7.5 feet (2.29
meters) shall have a platform built into the ladder. This platform shall
be located at least 6 feet (1.83 meters) above the deck and shall have
minimum dimensions of 12 by 12 inches (30.48x30.48 cm.). The floor of
the platform shall have a slip-resistant surface whose performance
exceeds the requirements of the tests specified in paragraph
(c)(3)(iii)(B) of this section. A minimum dimension of two times the
riser height shall be maintained from the platform to the top of
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the slide runway. Transitional handrails shall be provided when a
platform is used.
(vii) Static load performance test. Ladder treads or rungs shall be
capable of supporting a 300-pound (1,334-newton) static load in the
center without failure or permanent deformation.
(d) Handrails. Swimming pool slide ladders shall be equipped with
handrails to aid the slider in safely making the transition to the
runway. The handrails shall extend no more than 18 inches (45.72 cm)
above the top of the slide runway platform (see figure D1).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.020
(1) Size. The outside diameter of handrails shall be between 1.00
and 1.90 inches (2.54 and 4.83 cm) (references (c) and (d) of Sec.
1207.11).
(2) Extent of handrails--(i) Maximum angle ladder. If ladder
handrails for a ladder inclined 15 degrees or less from the vertical
extend below the slide transition area, they shall be parallel to the
ladder rails at a perpendicular distance from them of 4 to 6 inches
(10.16 to 15.24 cm) (see figure D2). The handrail shall begin
3 to 5 feet (0.91 to 1.52 meters) above the pool deck. Handrails should
not provide a means of entrapment.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.021
(ii) Extent of handrails for ladders, steps, stairs, or ramps. For
slides not using the minimum angle ladder (15 degrees or less from the
vertical), the perpendicular distance between the ladder handrails and
the ladder rails below the slide transition area shall be the distance
``l'' as shown in table 1.
Table 1--Variations of l
Ladders: 15[deg]<[thetas]<40[deg]......... L=(34.09[thetas]rad-3.86)
1
=(86.59[thetas]rad-
9.80)2.54 cm
Stairs: 40[deg]<[thetas]<70[deg].......... l=341
=86.362.54 cm
Ramps: [thetas]<70[deg]................... l=421
=106.682.54 cm
(3) Bracing of handrails. If handrail braces are used, they shall
withstand intended use and reasonably foreseeable abuse.
(4) Attachment and strength of handrails. Handrails and their
fasteners shall withstand allowable shear, bending, and cyclical loading
in intended use and reasonably foreseeable abuse. All fasteners for
handrail connections shall be vibrationproof, selflocking, and
tamperproof. Threaded fasteners shall be capable of withstanding a 1-
foot-pound (1,356-newton meter) back-off torque.
(i) Sockets performance test. If handrail sockets are used, the
handrail end shall be permanently fixed in the socket so that it cannot
be pulled out or bent at the socket by a moment of 233 foot-pounds (316
newton-meters) applied clockwise around point A in figure E. The socket
shall not permanently deform under the maximum applied loads.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.022
(ii) Side forces. If the handrail is in a socket or attached to the
side of the slide runway rail, the attachment methods must be capable of
withstanding all shear and bending forces induced by a 172-foot-pound
(233-newton-meter) moment counterclockwise around point A in figure F.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.023
(iii) Performance tests--(A) Strength for climbing and falls. (1)
Attach a pull loop to point C of the upper handrail (figure E). Point C
is the point where a perpendicular to the axis of the handrail passes
through point A, the socket, or other attachment point. Attach a
stranded steel cable or wire rope to point C. All cables and ropes shall
have at least a 1,000-pound (4,448-newton) tensile capacity. Attach a
162-pound (73.5-kg) weight to this cable at least 4 feet (1.22 meters)
below point C. Observe any permanent deformation or bending on the hand-
rail at point A. If none exists, the handrail passes this performance
test.
(2) Lift the weight one foot (30.48 cm) from its maximum static
position and drop it. Observe any permanent deformation of the handrail
or its attachments at point A. If each handrail will still support the
162-pound (73.5-kg) weight for a period of 15 minutes and has not been
bent more than 45[deg] from its original direction, it passes this
performance test.
(B) Transition handrail strength. Rotate the assembled slide into
the horizontal position on its side on a loading dock or other platform.
Move the slide into such a position that the entire
[[Page 277]]
handrail assembly overhangs the platform and level the slide. Fasten the
slide firmly in this position and attach a 115-pound (52.2-kg) weight to
point D, as shown in figure F, and check for any visible permanent
deformation of the handrail at point A. If none exists, the handrails
pass this performance test.
(e) Lubrication. Swimming pool slides shall either be equipped with
a method of lubrication (for example, water) or have a similar
coefficient of friction so that the slider has a smooth, continuous
slide. If water is used, the nozzles, piping, or hoses that deliver
water to the runway shall be recessed or designed in such a fashion as
not to interfere with a slider's progress down the slide or create
tripping hazards on the slide.
(f) Runways--(1) Curvature. Slide runway curvature between the front
and rear support legs of the slide shall be consistent with maintaining
the slider safely on the slide during intended use and reasonably
foreseeable abuse.
(2) Dynamic equilibrium. (i) Swimming pool slide runways, whether
straight or curved, shall be designed as ``balanced curves.'' On a
balanced curve, the test fixture discussed in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of
this section shall stay on a trajectory that keeps it within a distance
of 41 percent of the runway width to the runway
centerline at all points along the runway without contacting the runway
rails.
(ii) Performance test--(A) Direct measurement. Build a wooden pallet
no larger than 5 by 5 inches (12.7x12.7 cm), as shown in figure G.
Securely attach a lead rod or bar on the pallet. Size the bar so that
the weight-to-area ratio of the assembly is 1.300.05 lbs./sq. in. (8,960340
newtons/sq. meter) and the pallet does not tip over when in motion.
Attach a felt pen or other suitable marking device to the pallet
assembly as shown in figure G to mark the slide during descent.
(B) Test. Lubricate the slide in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions. Center the pallet at the top of the slide runway and
release. Observe the pallet's descent and note if it touches the slide's
side rails. If it touches, check alignment and installation again. With
water off and the slide dry, center the pallet at the top of the runway
and release. Measure the distance from the felt pen marked line to the
centerline of the runway. If within 41 percent of
the width measured from the centerline along the entire path and if the
pallet does not contact the runway rails, the slide is dynamically
balanced and passes this performance test.
(3) Runway side rails. Swimming pool slide runways shall have
permanent runway side rails of at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) and height to
prevent lateral discharge of the slider off the slide under intended use
and reasonably foreseeable abuse.
(4) Runway side-rail heights. Runway side-rail heights shall be
designed as a function of the maximum slide-slope angle (as shown in
figure H). Table 2 that follows shows side-rail height versus maximum
slide-slope angle. If the maximum slide-slope angle is not shown in
table 2, the next higher side-rail height must be used. Maximum slide-
slope angles shall not exceed 75[deg]. (See figure H.)
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.024
Table 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Runway side-rail
[psi]=Maximum slide-slope angle height inches
(centimeters)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<60[deg].......................................... 2 (5.08)
60-70[deg]........................................ 3 (7.62)
70-75[deg]........................................ 3\1/2\ (8.89)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.025
(5) Slide geometry. Swimming pool slide runways shall have a smooth
transition section and have geometry such that the path of the center of
gravity of the slider is not more than 10[deg]
from the horizontal at the center of gravity's exit off the slide and
such that the slider's angle of attack ([alpha]), shown in figure I and
defined below, shall be at least +15[deg] when the slider's feet leave
the slide. (See figure I.)
(i) Performance tests. Measurement of the 50th-percentile adult male
(712 inches and 1625 pounds,
180.345.08 cm and 73.52.3
kg) \1\ slider's angle of attack shall be made using any of the
following methods or their equivalent:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See reference (f) of Sec. 1207.11 for full discussion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) Motion picture cameras (36 frames per second or more).
(B) Still cameras with strobe lights and reflectors on the head and
hip of the slider.
(C) Still cameras with rotating shutters and lights on the head and
hip of the slider.
(D) Video tape recorder.
(ii) Measurements shall be made from the still water level as the
horizontal. The path angle shall be determined by measuring the angle
between a tangent to the path of the center of gravity (line X) and the
horizontal taken through the center of gravity (line Y). At least five
consecutive runs with the same subject shall be made in order that an
average may be computed. \2\ Angle of attack shall be taken as the angle
between the slider's longitudinal axis (Z) and the tangent to the path
of his center of gravity (X). The slider's longitudinal axis shall be
located by the vertical line that passes through his center of gravity
when he stands erect. The slider shall wear usual swimming attire. The
angle-of-attack measurement shall be made after the
[[Page 279]]
slider's feet have cleared the slide, the distance between the end of
the slide and his feet being less than 8 inches (20.3 cm). The slider's
descent must be headfirst, prone, belly-down, and with arms extended in
front. Except when starting, the slider shall not augment the slide trip
by forcibly reacting with the slide through the use of his hands, arms,
feet and/or legs. The slider's starting reactions with the slide shall
be only as strong as necessary to start him moving. If the average angle
of attack measured and computed in the above manner is equal to or
greater than +15[deg], the slide passes this performance test.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Maximum measurement variation of 15
percent.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.026
(6) Runway exit lips. All runway exit lips of swimming pool slides
shall be smoothly faired into the runway surface with a radius of
curvature at the exit lip of the slide of at least 2\1/4\ inches (5.72
cm) (see figure J).
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.027
(7) Runway exit vertical angle. The angle of the runway at exit of
the slide () shall be -3 to -11 degrees from the horizontal as shown in
figure J.
(8)(i) Runway exit ramp lateral curvature and exit lip horizontal
angle. No net lateral forces on the slider shall exist in that portion
of the runway exit ramp beyond the forward support points of the slide.
All slides shall be designed and constructed so that the exit lip of the
slide is level at all points along the width of the runway at the runway
exit lip line drawn at the point where the lip curvature shown in figure
J is tangent to the runway. The slide shall be designed so that any side
forces on the user induced by prior lateral curvature will be reduced to
zero upon exit from the slide runway.
(ii) Performance tests. Those tests described in paragraph
(f)(2)(ii) of this section are also applicable to paragraph (f)(8) of
this section, and the path of the test fixture must be parallel to the
centerline of the slide at the exit lip (within 5[deg]) and not touching
the side rails of the runway.
(9) Strength of slide runways and supports--(i) Static loads. A
properly assembled and installed slide runway shall be
[[Page 280]]
capable of supporting a static load of at least 350 pounds (1,557
newtons) applied normal to the runway over an area of no more than 20
square inches (129.03 square cm) at any point along its length or width.
(ii) Dynamic loading. Properly assembled and installed slide runways
shall be capable of supporting, without structural failure except as
defined in paragraph (f)(9)(iii)(B)(3) of this section, a dynamic load
of at least 450 foot-pounds (610.2 newton-meters) dropped on an area of
20 square inches (129.03 square cm) at the midpoints of the upper runway
platform and the lower runway exit ramp.
(iii) Performance tests--(A) Static loads. Assemble and install a
slide according to the manufacturer's instructions. Prepare a 20-square-
inch (129.03 square cm) load-bearing pallet according to figure K. Place
the loaded pallet on the upper slide platform, positioned between the
runway rails, until the scale on the hoist line reads between 0 and 10
pounds (0 and 44.48 newtons). Keep the pallet in this position for 10
minutes. Remove the loaded pallet and observe the runway for any
significant structural failure such as permanent deformations or cracks.
If there are none, the slide passes the test. Repeat the same test on
the lower runway exit ramp.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.028
(B) Dynamic loads. (1) Assemble and install a slide according to the
manufacturer's instructions. Use the hardwood load pallet shown in
figure K and set it up under dynamic load guides fabricated as shown in
figure L, or an equivalent impact-testing machine.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.029
(2) Fabricate a 45-pound (20.4-kg) billet of 4.9000.005-inch (12.45.01 cm) steel rod
as shown in figure M, or equivalent, and load into the pipe above the
trigger slot. The length of the pipe from the trigger slot to the impact
pallet shall be 10.00.1 feet (3.05 meters3.05 cm).
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC03OC91.030
(3) Drop the billet onto the pallet and observe the slide for any
permanent deformations or cracks. If the slide runway can still support
a static load of 350 pounds (1,557 newtons) on the pallet without
further crack propagation, it passes this test.
(4) Perform the test on the entrance and exit platforms of the slide
runway.
[41 FR 2751, Jan. 19, 1976; 41 FR 9307, Mar. 4, 1976; 41 FR 10062, Mar.
9, 1976, as amended at 41 FR 12638, Mar. 26, 1976; 41 FR 13911, Apr. 1,
1976]