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Handbook for Playground Safety <br />Step 8: With the plane of the large head template parallel <br />to the opening in Plane B, determine if the opening <br />in Plane B admits the large head template. <br />No: Fail. The largest user at risk cannot exit the <br />opening in Plane B. <br />Yes: Pass. The openings in Plane A and Plane B do <br />not pose an entrapment risk. <br />B.2.6.5 Flexible openings <br />Climbing components such as flexible nets are also a special <br />case for the entrapment tests because the size and shape of <br />openings on this equipment can be altered when force is <br />applied, either intentionally or simply when a child climbs on <br />or falls through the openings. Children are then potentially <br />at risk of entrapment in these distorted openings. <br />The procedure for determining conformance to the entrap- <br />ment recommendations for flexible openings requires two <br />three-dimensional test probes which are illustrated in Figure <br />B6, Figure B7, and Figure B8 are applied to an opening in a <br />flexible component with a force of up to 50 pounds. <br />B.2.6.5.1Test procedure <br />Step 1: Select the appropriate small torso template based <br />on the intended users of the playground (Figure B3 <br />for toddler playgrounds, Figure B4 for preschool -age <br />and school -age playgrounds). <br />Step 2: Identify all completely bounded openings with flexi- <br />ble sides. <br />Step 3: Place the small torso probes (Figures B6 and B7) in <br />the opening, tapered end first, with the plane of its <br />base parallel to the plane of the opening. <br />Step 4: Rotate the probe to its most adverse orientation <br />(major axis of probe parallel to major axis of open- <br />ing) while keeping the base parallel to the plane of <br />the opening. <br />Step 5: Determine whether the probe can be pushed or <br />pulled through the opening by a force no greater <br />than 30 pounds on toddler playgrounds or 50 <br />pounds on preschool -age and school -age play- <br />grounds. <br />Step 6: <br />Step 7: <br />No: Pass. Stop <br />Yes: Continue. <br />Place the large head probe (Figure B8) in the open- <br />ing with the plane of its base parallel to the plane of <br />the opening. <br />Determine if the large head probe can be pushed or <br />pulled through the opening by a force no greater <br />than 30 pounds on toddler playgrounds or 50 <br />pounds on preschool -age and school -age play- <br />grounds. <br />Yes: Pass. Stop. <br />No: Fail. <br />51 <br />