Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Exam –
Practice Questions and Verified Answers Updated
2025/2026
1.To be compliant with ASTM 1487, a designer or manufacturer of playground equipment
should - answer- provide buyers with a parts list for the playground
2. The fish or wedge probe is used to determine whether or not a hazard exists on - answer- a
partially bounded opening
3. Which of the following is correct regarding the impact-attenuation of surfacing material -
answer- Critical height must equal or exceed fall height
4. When evaluating the structural integrity of a support structure for a swing that appears to
be failing, a CPSI should - answer- hire a licensed professional engineer to certify the integrity
of the equipment
5. Manufacturers of playground equipment must: provide the manufacturer's identification of
the equipment - answer-
6. The majority of injuries associated with playground equipment result from - answer- falls
to the surface on which the equipment was located
7. An opening may present a common crush or shear hazard only if it - answer- grabs the
5/8" (16mm) dowel
8. The criteria for unitary surface materials includes meeting requirements of - answer- ASTM
F1292 and F1487
,9. Regarding playground safety signage, which of the following is correct - answer- Signage
may not prevent accidents but may reduce liability
10. Which of the following factors is MOST important when determining the frequency of
inspections of surfacing - answer- Type of surfacing and amount of use
11. When planning a playground for public use, the play equipment that is chosen must -
answer- be appropriate for the age of intended users
12. A spring rocker with seat height of 26" is about to be installed adjacent to the side of a
fully enclosed bucket swing set. The minimum distance required between the swing set and
the rocker is - answer- 108" or 9'
13. The Site History File for a playground should contains - answer- a comprehensive
inventory of all equipment, a parts list, maintenance, and inspection recommendations
14. What is the minimum use zone between a stand-alone climber and a standing-
rocking/springing playground piece - answer- 156" or 13'
15. The _____ of each play structure shall provide clear and concise inspection instructions -
answer- Manufacturer
16. Heights of guardrails and protective barriers are determined by which of the following
characteristics of children - answer- Center of gravity
17. Which of the following is allowed on a public playground - answer- Swinging exercise
rings less than 7" in length are approved for public playgrounds
18. A component on stationary equipment that fits within a projection gauge and extends
beyond the face of the gauge is technically defined as a - answer- protrusion
,19. According to the CPSC, which of the following statements is correct - answer- The use
zone is the area under and around the equipment where protective surfacing is required
20. According to CPSC, good playground supervisors must understand all EXCEPT - answer-
general playground design
21. Where is the best source for accessible design information - answer- DOJ 2010 ADA
Standard for Accessible Design
22. How should the CPSI determine the impact attenuation of the poured-in-place safety
surfacing when auditing a playground - answer- Verify the documentation from the
manufacturer
23. In the case that a CPSI will be training co-workers. The initial goal of the staff training
should be to - answer- ensure awareness of playground safety
24. What is the most serious type of injury that can occur from a play component projection -
answer- entanglement
25. Which of the following covers selecting and specifying surface systems under and around
playground equipment - answer- ASTM F2223
26. It is the responsibility of the ______ to replace signs or labels or both, should they become
illegible, destroyed, or removed - answer- Owner/Operator
27. Upon doing a routing inspection, a maintenance worker finds a badly cracked child's
swing seat. There is no other seat available. The maintenance worker should - answer-
remove the swing seat and chains
28. The ADA requires that accessible equipment on new or renovated playgrounds must -
answer- be on an accessible route
, 29. Which of the following is exempt from the head entrapment requirements - answer- The
opening between the surface and the first rung
30. When evaluating a site for it's potential as an appropriate site for future playground, all of
the following should be considered EXCEPT - answer- proximity to the closest existing public
playground with similar design
31. Which areas on a playground using loose fill surfacing are more susceptible to
displacement - answer- Under swings and slide exits
32. The purpose of installing and maintaining an appropriate amount or type of impact
attenuating surfacing under and around play equipment is to - answer- minimize the
likelihood of a serious head injury
33. Which of the following is compliant with ASTM F1487 - answer- An accessible bolt end
projecting two full threads beyond the face of a nut exposed on a guardrail is acceptable
34. The standard that is used to determine whether the playground surfacing is firm, stable,
and slip resistant is - answer- F1951
35. The standards of the CPSI Code of Professional Conduct include all of the following
EXCEPT - answer- Protecting the assets of the playground owner as a paramount objective
36. The guiding philosophy of risk reduction is to - answer- be proactive rather than reactive
37. Which of the following pieces of equipment is for children ages 2 to 5 - answer- 72" high
slide
Practice Questions and Verified Answers Updated
2025/2026
1.To be compliant with ASTM 1487, a designer or manufacturer of playground equipment
should - answer- provide buyers with a parts list for the playground
2. The fish or wedge probe is used to determine whether or not a hazard exists on - answer- a
partially bounded opening
3. Which of the following is correct regarding the impact-attenuation of surfacing material -
answer- Critical height must equal or exceed fall height
4. When evaluating the structural integrity of a support structure for a swing that appears to
be failing, a CPSI should - answer- hire a licensed professional engineer to certify the integrity
of the equipment
5. Manufacturers of playground equipment must: provide the manufacturer's identification of
the equipment - answer-
6. The majority of injuries associated with playground equipment result from - answer- falls
to the surface on which the equipment was located
7. An opening may present a common crush or shear hazard only if it - answer- grabs the
5/8" (16mm) dowel
8. The criteria for unitary surface materials includes meeting requirements of - answer- ASTM
F1292 and F1487
,9. Regarding playground safety signage, which of the following is correct - answer- Signage
may not prevent accidents but may reduce liability
10. Which of the following factors is MOST important when determining the frequency of
inspections of surfacing - answer- Type of surfacing and amount of use
11. When planning a playground for public use, the play equipment that is chosen must -
answer- be appropriate for the age of intended users
12. A spring rocker with seat height of 26" is about to be installed adjacent to the side of a
fully enclosed bucket swing set. The minimum distance required between the swing set and
the rocker is - answer- 108" or 9'
13. The Site History File for a playground should contains - answer- a comprehensive
inventory of all equipment, a parts list, maintenance, and inspection recommendations
14. What is the minimum use zone between a stand-alone climber and a standing-
rocking/springing playground piece - answer- 156" or 13'
15. The _____ of each play structure shall provide clear and concise inspection instructions -
answer- Manufacturer
16. Heights of guardrails and protective barriers are determined by which of the following
characteristics of children - answer- Center of gravity
17. Which of the following is allowed on a public playground - answer- Swinging exercise
rings less than 7" in length are approved for public playgrounds
18. A component on stationary equipment that fits within a projection gauge and extends
beyond the face of the gauge is technically defined as a - answer- protrusion
,19. According to the CPSC, which of the following statements is correct - answer- The use
zone is the area under and around the equipment where protective surfacing is required
20. According to CPSC, good playground supervisors must understand all EXCEPT - answer-
general playground design
21. Where is the best source for accessible design information - answer- DOJ 2010 ADA
Standard for Accessible Design
22. How should the CPSI determine the impact attenuation of the poured-in-place safety
surfacing when auditing a playground - answer- Verify the documentation from the
manufacturer
23. In the case that a CPSI will be training co-workers. The initial goal of the staff training
should be to - answer- ensure awareness of playground safety
24. What is the most serious type of injury that can occur from a play component projection -
answer- entanglement
25. Which of the following covers selecting and specifying surface systems under and around
playground equipment - answer- ASTM F2223
26. It is the responsibility of the ______ to replace signs or labels or both, should they become
illegible, destroyed, or removed - answer- Owner/Operator
27. Upon doing a routing inspection, a maintenance worker finds a badly cracked child's
swing seat. There is no other seat available. The maintenance worker should - answer-
remove the swing seat and chains
28. The ADA requires that accessible equipment on new or renovated playgrounds must -
answer- be on an accessible route
, 29. Which of the following is exempt from the head entrapment requirements - answer- The
opening between the surface and the first rung
30. When evaluating a site for it's potential as an appropriate site for future playground, all of
the following should be considered EXCEPT - answer- proximity to the closest existing public
playground with similar design
31. Which areas on a playground using loose fill surfacing are more susceptible to
displacement - answer- Under swings and slide exits
32. The purpose of installing and maintaining an appropriate amount or type of impact
attenuating surfacing under and around play equipment is to - answer- minimize the
likelihood of a serious head injury
33. Which of the following is compliant with ASTM F1487 - answer- An accessible bolt end
projecting two full threads beyond the face of a nut exposed on a guardrail is acceptable
34. The standard that is used to determine whether the playground surfacing is firm, stable,
and slip resistant is - answer- F1951
35. The standards of the CPSI Code of Professional Conduct include all of the following
EXCEPT - answer- Protecting the assets of the playground owner as a paramount objective
36. The guiding philosophy of risk reduction is to - answer- be proactive rather than reactive
37. Which of the following pieces of equipment is for children ages 2 to 5 - answer- 72" high
slide
