Created on 07.31
Components of children's slide
As a outdoor playground equipment, the structural stability of children's slide, safety and reasonable of material and reasonable assembly of equipment are closely related to the use of safety and service life. No matter for users who are going to buy or assemble children's slide, it’s necessary for them to know its main structural parts and relative specifications. This article will analyze main structural parts, connection and fastening parts, safety protection and function expansion accessories of outdoor slide as well as its main specification of material and technology step by step, and offer users both scientific reference.
Main structural parts
The main structural parts are the key parts which can form the main frame of children's playground slide and bear the main load, and their design and material are directly based on the stability and safety of the slide.
Slide track
Slide track,as the core part of kids slide, the selection of material is very important, commonly imported plastics (LLDPE), glass fiber reinforced plastic （FRP）or stainless steel. Among them, LLDPE material is directly through the rotomolding process of one-piece molding, and its wall thickness is generally not less than 6mm. It can ensure enough strength and toughness at the same time. From the point of view of safe sliding, the starting section of slide and horizontal plane angle shall be limited to ≤ 5 ° so as to achieve the effect of smooth start; the main body of sliding section of average angle about 40 °, balancing the fun and safety; exit section shall slow down to ≤ 10 ° so as to avoid children rush out and collide with each other. In order to prevent children from being stuck in slide, there are clear specifications for different types of slides: the free space of spiral slide shall be ≥1500mm, the inner diameter of sliding tube (tunnel) is generally 650-800mm, and open sliding board shall comply with corresponding spacing standard. In addition, the surface of slide shall be smooth and burr-free. It shall be equipped with anti-UV stabilizers and anti-static agents so as to adapt to outdoor environment and slow down aging and fading.
Platform & Base
Platform & Base is the transition area between stairs and slide, and also the main bearing platform for children to wait. The material is mostly high strength cold rolled steel plate （thickness ≥ 2.0mm）or anti-corrosion wood. The steel platform surface will be punched or pressed micro-wave pattern process, and then baked varnish process of plastic or resin will be used to improve the strong anti-slip and drainage function. In the commercial slide, the common platform size is 1145mm × 1145mm, which can meet the needs of multiple people moving at the same time.
Support Columns
Support Columns, as the vertical support skeleton of the slide, is the load-bearing skeleton of the whole structure, and is generally made of national standard galvanized steel pipes. Different specifications of columns are used according to the scale and design of the slide. The outer diameter of round tube is Φ114mm / Φ89mm / Φ76mm, and the square tube is 50mm×50mm. The wall thickness of different specifications is clearly defined.The wall thickness of different specifications has clear standards: Φ114mm round tube 2.2-2.5mm, Φ76mm and Φ89mm round tube 2mm, and 50mm square tube 1.5mm. In order to ensure the service life of galvanized steel tubes, tubes need to undergo descaling, sandblasting, phosphate treatment and then electrostatic spraying and baking at high temperature to form anti-wear, UV resistant and non-falling color coatings.
Crossbe & Brace
Crossbe & Brace are the steel tubes connecting the columns horizontally or diagonally. Its core role is to increase the stability of the whole frame and prevent the whole structure from shaking during use. Crossbe & Brace are made of the same material and process as the columns, galvanized steel tubes and electrostatic spraying. Uniform structure and anti-wear and corrosion.
Stairs & Climbing Ascent
Stairs & Climbing Ascent provides children with the way to reach the platform, and is also an important physical coordination exercise component, including treads, side panels and handrails. The treads adopt anti-slip design and are firmly installed in the positioning hole of the side panels. In addition to the traditional stairs, it can also be extended to rope nets, climbing walls and other forms. Generally, climbing nets are made of marine grade cables with stainless steel cores inside and nylon ropes wrapped outside. The diameter is ≥16mm to ensure that the load capacity and service life meet the requirements.
Roof, Guardrails & Panels
Roof, Guardrails & Panels Both sun and rain, protection and decoration, generally made of engineering plastics or glass fiber reinforced plastic. Various cartoon or thematic designs can be designed for the panel.
From the safety protection angle, the height of the guardrails / rails around the platforms should be controlled at 600-900mm, and all edges should be rounded (radius of curvature ≥3mm). The gap between the rails should be scientifically designed, and the child's head should not reach and get stuck.
Connection and Fastening Components
Connections and Fasteners Connections and fasteners are the key to prevent the whole structure of the slide from loosening and shaking. It is directly related to the stability of the whole structure.
Screw & Nut
Screw & Nut System is made of 304 stainless steel or high quality alloy material so that it will not be corroded and affect the service life and safety. According to the different connecting parts we prepare some special parts: such as big cross nuts for side panels and stairs, small cross nuts for sliding plate interfaces, hexagonal nuts for slides fixings, expansion screws for floor fixings, etc.The two ends of all screws should be covered with plastic or cast-aluminum round safety caps to prevent the children’s scratching.
Connectors & Clamps
Connectors & Clamps are used for fixing columns and beams, platforms, railings and other components. The material is mostly high-strength cast aluminum alloy. It is molded by die-casting and has characteristics of high strength and not easy to break. Fasteners are generally equipped with rubber gaskets and machine fastening screws (positioning screws). It can prevent loosening in the process of use, and also can reduce the friction and noise between components.
Ground Anchors
Ground Anchors should be selected according to the type of ground: expansion screws are applicable to hardened concrete or masonry ground; ground embedded parts are applicable to dirt ground outside, which should be fixed by pouring concrete in advance first, and then fixed to the column through flanges. It can greatly enhance the wind resistance and overall stability of the slide.
Safety Protection and Function Extension.
These accessories enrich the playfulness and interestingness of the slide greatly on the basis of the protection of the safety.
safety protection
In terms of accessory for safety protection, the exit of the slide and the area below the slide must be paved with buffer mat made of EVA or EPDM rubber. The thickness of the mat is directly related to the falling height of the platform -- for example, for 2m platform height, it is recommended that the thickness of the mat should not be less than 50mm (5cm), so as to effectively absorb the impact and reduce the injury caused by falling. At the same time, the gaps between all movable and fixed parts must be strictly controlled (usually ≤3mm), so as to prevent the fingers or clothes of children from being caught; waterproof adhesive or seals should be adopted at the connection of metal parts to prevent rainwater from seeping into the parts, causing rusting, corrosion and reducing the structural strength.
Function extension
Function extension and decorative accessories can be added according to the needs, such as swings, basketball frames, binoculars, steering wheels, megaphones and other entertainment components to enhance the interactivity; climbing extension integrates the climbing wall (including the climbing point), climbing tube, transparent acrylic trestle, etc. to enrich the sports experience. In addition, different colors of plastic baffles, cartoon stickers, LED light strips, etc. can also be used to make the slide present a fascinating thematic style and attract children.
material and process.
choose children's slide, be sure to attention whether it meets recognized safety standard and process requirements, specification as follows.
Plastic parts used in food grade LLDPE according to GB/T 4454-1996 standard, rotomolding process molding, need to pass at least 500 hours of aging test, color fastness not less than 4, to guarantee that the product color do not easy to fade Cracking.
As for the metal parts, galvanized steel pipe should comply with GB/T 13793-2008 standard, the thickness of zinc layer should be ≥160g/m², which can improve the rust resistance; the welding process adopts argon arc welding + CO₂ protection welding, ensuring that the weld joints are smooth and without burrs; the spray coating is environmentally friendly and non-toxic, which meets the safety requirements of children's products.
As for the core safety requirements, the products should comply with Chinese national standard GB 6675-2014 “Toy Safety” series and GB/T 34022 “Non-Powered Play Equipment - Children's Slide” or international standard EU EN1176, to guarantee that the overall safety performance of the product meets the standard.
Main test items: the load-bearing capacity of the slide should be ≥450kg, and pass the dynamic load test, so as to guarantee that the product can be used by many people at the same time without falling Cracking; all the edges and corners that can be reached by children should pass the sharp edge test, and all the edges and corners should be round and without angles, so as to prevent children from being scratched.