MALAYSIAN

STANDARD

MS 966 : PART 1 : 2001

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT :
PART 1 : SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
(FIRST REVISION)

ICS : 97.200.40
Descriptors : domestic equipment, playground equipment, pre-school equipment, public
equipment, specifications, material requipments

Copyright
DEPARTMENT OF STANDARDS MALAYSIA

DEVELOPMENT OF MALAYSIAN STANDARDS

The Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM) is the national standardisation and
accreditation body.

The main function of the Department is to foster and promote standards,

standardisation and accreditation as a means of advancing the national economy,
promoting industrial efficiency and development, benefiting the health and safety of the
public, protecting the consumers, facilitating domestic and international trade and
furthering international cooperation in relation to standards and standardisation.

Malaysian Standards are developed through consensus by committees which comprise

of balanced representation of producers, users, consumers and others with relevant
interests, as may be appropriate to the subject in hand. To the greatest extent possible,
Malaysian Standards are aligned to or are adoption of international standards. Approval
of a standard as a Malaysian Standard is governed by the Standards of Malaysia Act
1996 (Act 549). Malaysian Standards are reviewed periodically. The use of Malaysian
Standards is voluntary except in so far as they are made mandatory by regulatory
authorities by means of regulations, local by-laws or any other similar ways.
The Department of Standards appoints SIRIM Berhad as the agent to develop
Malaysian Standards. The Department also appoints SIRIM Berhad as the agent for
distribution and sale of Malaysian Standards.
For further information on Malaysian Standards, please contact:
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E-mail: central@dsm.gov.my

OR

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

CONTENTS
Page
Committee representation

ii

Foreword

iii

Scope

Referenced documents

Definitions

Materials

Labelling and marking

Figure 1

Basic level mark

Referenced documents

Painting methods

Appendices

10

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

Committee representation
The Consumer Products, Personal Safety and Services Industry Standards Committee (ISC C) under whose
supervision this Malaysian Standard was developed, comprises representatives from the following organisations:
Department of Standards Malaysia
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association
Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Association
Institut Kualiti Malaysia
Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan Malaysia
Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri Malaysia
Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna (Bahagian Pengguna dan Bahagian
Penguatkuasa)
Kementerian Kewangan Malaysia
Malaysian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Malaysian Trade Union Congress
Department of Occupational Safety and Health
The Technical Committee on Playground Equipment which developed this Malaysian Standard consists of
representatives from the following organisations:
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur
DSP (M) Sdn Bhd
Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers
Hospital Besar Kuala Lumpur
Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerja
Jabatan Landskap Negara
Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia
Majlis Perbandaran Petaling Jaya
Malaysian Paint ManufactLlrers Association
Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Park Games Equipment (M) Sdn Bhd.
Park World Recreation Sdn Bhd
Plastic and Rubber Institute of Malaysia
Reka Setia Trading
SIRIM Berhad (Secretariat)

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

FOREWORD
This Malaysian Standard was developed by the Technical Committee on Playground
Equipment under the authority of the Consumer Products, Personal Safety and Services
Industry Standards Committee.
This standard is based on BS 5696-1 :1997, Playground equipment Part 1. General safety
requirements and test methods and EN 1176-1 : 1998, Playground equipment Part 1
General safety requirements and test methods.

This standard is one of the parts of series of MS 966 : Playground equipment. Other parts in
the series are as follows:
Part 2: General safety requirements
Part 3 : Test methods
This revised Malaysian Standard cancels and replaces MS 966 : Part 1: 1986 which has been
technically revised.
Compliance with a Malaysian Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal
obligations.

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT:
PART 1: SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS
(FIRST REVISION)
1.

Scope

This part of MS 966 specifies material requirements for the design and construction of
playground equipment.

2.

Referenced documents

The referenced documents listed in Appendix A contain provisions which, through reference
in this text, constitute provisions of this Malaysian Standard. For dated references,
subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications do not apply. However,
parties to agreements based on this Malaysian Standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the referenced documents. For undated
references, the latest edition of the publication referred to applies.

3.

Definitions

For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply.

3.1

Basic level mark

The basic level mark given by the manufacturer on the equipment shows the level of the
playing surface (see Figure 1).
3.2

Domestic equipment

Equipment designed for use in domestic situations.

3.3

Playground equipment

Equipment and structures, including components and constructional elements with, or on

which, children can play outdoors or indoors, either individually or in groups, according to their
own rules or own reasons for playing which can change at any time.
3.4

Pre-school equipment

Equipment designed for use by children up to the age of 5 years in a school, a kindergarten or
in public playgrounds.
3.5

Public equipment

Equipment erected in parks, public playgrounds and schools.

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

4.

Materials

This section specifies minimum requirements for materials used in the manufacture of
playground equipment. Other materials which give equivalent or better performance may be
used.
4.1

Steel

4.1.1 Steel tubes shall comply with the appropriate requirements of BS 1387. In all cases
the dimensions of the tube used shall be appropriate to the design of the other parts of the
equipment.
4.1.2 Steel sections shall conform to the dimensions and quality requirements of ASTM A
500 and shall have a minimum tensile strength of 410 MPa.
4.1.3 Flat bars shall comply with the requirements of JIS G 3101 and shall have a minimum
tensile strength of 400 MPa.
4.1.4 AngIe bars shall comply with the requirements of BS 7613 and BS 7668 and shall
have a minimum tensile strength of 400 MPa.
4.1.5

Stainless steel tubes shall comply with the requirements of JIS G 3459.

4.1.6 Steel sheet shall comply with the requirements for grade Z25, Z28, Z32 or Z40 of MS
606, with coating class type Hi. Hot-rolled or cold-rolled sheet of equivalent performance may
be used.
4.1.7 Steel wire used for the manufacture of chain wire shall be manufactured from steel
having a tensile strength of not less than 370 MPa. Where a polymeric coating is used, the
wire shall be pre-treated for proper adhesion and shall be galvanized.
4.2

Cast iron

4.2.1

Iron castings shall be any of the following:

a)

Grey iron castings shall be in accordance with the requirements for grade 150 of BS
1452.

b)

Modular graphite iron castings shall be in accordance with the requirements for grade
370/17 or grade 420/12 of BS 2789.

c)

Whiteheart malleable iron castings shall be in accordance with the requirements for
grade W41 0/4 or grade W340/3 of BS 6681.

d)

Black heart malleable iron castings shall be in accordance with the requirements for
grade B34011 2, grade B31 0/10 or grade B290/6 of BS 6681.

4.2.2 Grey iron castings shall not be used where components will be subject to impact or
reversal of stress.
4.2.3 Cast iron shall not be used as material for any type of seat (spring animals, swings,
seesaws etc.) as they can cause burns in the afternoon sun.

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

4.3

Copper and copper alloys

Copper or copper alloys shall not be used except for bushes and bearings (see 4.6).
NOTE. The products of corrosion of copper and copper alloys may stain clothing and could be toxic.

4.4

Aluminium

4.4.1
Aluminium and aluminium alloy components shall comply with AA 6063 standards or
AA 6061 standards.
4.4.2 Aluminium alloy cold-drawn wire used for the manufacture of chain wire shall have a
minimum tensile strength of 370 MPa.
4.5

Fasteners

4.5.1 All fastening components shall be of stainless steel or be provided with a corrosionresistant coating to prevent possible rust due to abrasion or possible vandalism. All nuts must
be tamper-resistant, to prevent vandalism. Due cognizance shall be taken of the significance
of the electrolytic corrosion effects of dissimilar metals in contact.
4.5.2 Where corrosion-resistant or non-ferrous fasteners are used, they shall be either
natural-finished or post-finished (e.g. anodized or electroplated) in accordance with MS 739 or
zinc electroplated in accordance with BS 3382-2, with appropriate chromate conversion
coating.
4.5.3

A protective cap shall be used for special types of fastener which cannot be

galvanized.
4.6

Bushes or bearings

Bushes or bearings shall be of the self-lubricating type, either sintered bronze or

thermoplastic of equivalent performance.
4.7

Wire mesh

4.7.1
Wire mesh panels shall be either of galvanized steel wire, polymeric-coated (of at
least 2 mm thickness) galvanized wire as specified in 4.1.7 or aluminium alloy wire as
specified in 4.4. If the galvanized steel wire is required to be painted, the painting method
shall be in accordance with Bi in Appendix B.
4.7.2
mm.

Wire of either galvanized steel or aluminium shall have a minimum diameter of 3.15

4.7.3 The wire mesh shall have a minimum aperture size of 40 mm (nominal) and shall
have a knuckled selvedge with all ends of wires formed to eliminate sharp points.
4.7.4 The wire mesh shall be securely fixed to frames by lacing with 2.00 mm diameter wire
or other means giving equivalent results.
4.7.5 Diamond-shaped wire mesh/wire grating used shall be such that a rod of diameter
between 8 mm and 25 mm cannot pass through the apertures to avoid finger entrapment.
Uncoated wire mesh/wire grating shall not be used as standing platform.
3

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

4.8

Timber

4.8.1

Timber used in playground equipment shall be of grade A as specified in MS 544.

4.8.2 For permanent structures, timbers of natural durability classes 1 and 2 as set out in
Appendix N of MS 360 shall be used. Timbers of lesser durability may be used for permanent
structures if preservative-treated to a level appropriate to the hazard.
4.8.3 Timber treated with creosote, pentachlorophenol or chlorinated hydrocarbon
pesticides shall not be used for the playground equipment.
NOTE. The sapwood of all timbers should be regarded as non-durable and if timbers containing sapwood are used
they will be required to be treated with preservatives to comply with the requirements of any legislation in force in any
state in which they are to be used.

4.8.4 Where glued wooden assemblies such as plywood and laminated beams are used,
the bending between components shall not be inferior to that provided by number 8 bond in
accordance with the bond quality scale defined in MS 228. Plywood shall not be used for
outdoor equipment.
4.9

Plastics

4.9.1

A variety of plastics can be used, selected with a view to suitability, strength and

environmental properties.
4.9.2

The plastic components are identified according to MS ISO 1043-1, allowing optimum

recycling.
4.9.3 All plastic components shall retain their properties in the temperature range from
40 C to 70 C.

4.9.4 The types of plastics used among others are nylon, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene
(PP), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS) and UV stabilized
polyethylene (PE).
4.9.5 Rotationally moulded plastic parts shall be moulded from polyethylene with ultraviolet
(UV) light stabilizers, anti-static guard and colour moulded in. This material shall comply with
ASTM D 790, ASTM D 638 and ASTM D 648, MS ISO 527, ISO 178, ISO 179 and ISO 868
and shall have an average of 5 mm thickness.
4.9.6 Impact absorbing polyurethane material shall be used for components like swing
seats with a plywood/aluminium/galvanized sheet core.
4.10

Concrete

4.10.1 Portland cement used shall be in accordance with MS 522: Part 1.

4.10.2 Ready-mixed concrete used shall comply with the requirements of MS 523 : Part 1.
4.10.3 Aggregate used shall comply with MS 29.
4.10.4 Concrete pipes used in a complex structure or below ground shall comply with MS
525.
4

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

4.11

Ropesand nets

4.11.1 To ensure a high tensile strength, all weather ropes and nets shall be built up of six
galvanized steel wire strands, in which each strand shall be tightly wrapped with polyethylene
yarn. Each rope shall be reinforced with a steel wire core.
4.11.2 Monofilament plastic ropes or ropes made from similar materials shall not be used.
4.11.3 Thimbles for ropes shall conform to MS 824. Net connectors and thimbles shall be
made of shock-proof nylon or aluminium alloy. The minimum tensile strength of the wire shall
be at least 1 500 MPa. Bare wires or bare steel ropes shall not be used.
4.11.4 Clamps for ropes shall comply with the requirements of ISO 1834.
4.11.5 Wire ropes shall be non-rotating and shall be made from galvanized or corrosionresistant wire.
4.11.6 In the case of climbing ropes, climbing nets, hanging ropes and the like, the strands
shall have a soft and non-slip covering, each strand shall be sheathed with yarn made from
synthetic or material fibres. The rope diameter shall be between 16 mm and 45 mm.
4.12

Chains

Chains shall comply with the relevant requirements of BS 6405. The chains shall have a
maximum opening of 8 mm in any one direction except where connections are made where
the maximum opening shall be greater than 25 mm or less than 8 mm.
4.13

Rubber

4.13.1 Natural or synthetic rubber used in the construction of swing seats shall comply with
the requirements specified for rubber of hardness (IRHD) 56 to 65 as given in ISO 4633.
NOTE. This requirement does not preclude the use of secondhand automotive tyres for swing seats provided that
they are not steel-belted radial tyres.

4.13.2 Rubber sleeves, plugs and shoes shall be of natural or synthetic rubber complying
with the requirements specified for rubber of hardness (IRHD) 56 to 65 as given in ISO 4633.
4.14

Protective coatings and finishes

All primers and paints used must be free from toxic heavy metals, including lead.
4.14.1 Public and pre-school equipment
In cases where mild steel is used as the base material there must be two layers of protective
coatings, (to maximize protection and prevent rust) namely:
a)
first protective coating to consist of galvanizing of not less than 70 iim (in compliance
with BS 729 or BS 3382-2);
b)

the second protective coating to consist of powder coating in accordance with BS

6497 or conventional coating systems; and
5

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

c)

conventional coating system comprising one coat of priming paint of a minimum

thickness of 25 pm, one coat of undercoating paint of a minimum thickness of 25 pm
and two finishing coat of a thickness of 25 pm each. The paint used shall he suitable
for outdoor application.

4.14.2 Domestic equipment

The surface of all ferrous parts of domestic structures shall be protected by one or more of
the following methods:
a)

Conventional coating system as in 4.14.1 c).

b)

Baked acrylic enamel, applied in accordance with B4 of Appendix B.

c)

Electroplated zinc in accordance with BS 3382-2 and with appropriate chromate

conservation coating.

4.14.3 Timber parts

Timber parts may be put into service without any finishing or they may be painted or stained
according to Appendix B.

5.

Labelling and marking

5.1

Labelling

5.1.1
The largest components~ofequipment of Malaysian manufacture shall be legibly and
indelibly labelled with the following information:
a)

manufacturers registered name and address; or

b)

manufacturers trade-mark and address; or

c)

manufacturers brand/mark;

d)

weight limitation (maximum possible load); and

e)

year of manufacture.

5.1.2

The largest component2~of equipment of overseas origin shall be legibly and indelibly

labelled with the name and address of the Malaysian distributor.

1)
2)

If there are two or more components of the largest size, then only one of them need carry the label.
If there are two or more components of the largest size, then only one of them need carry the label.

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

5.2

Marking

The equipment shall be marked legibly and permanently with at least the following:
a)

name and address of manufacturer or authorized representative;

b)

equipment reference and year of manufacture;

c)

basic level mark (see Figure 1), and

d)

the number and date of this Malaysian Standard.

1
2
3
4

Post
Playing surface
Top of foundation
Basic level mark

Linear dimensions in millimetres

NOTE. The basic level mark given by the manufacturer on the equipment shows the level of the playing surface. This
basic level should be maintained.

Figure 1. Basic level mark

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

Appendix A

(normative)
Referenced documents
ASTM A 500:1996

Specifications for cold-formed welded and seamless carbon steel

structure tubing in rounds and shapes

ASTM D 638:1997

Test method for tensile properties of plastics

ASTM D 648:1997

Test method for deflection temperature of plastics under flexural load

ASTM D 790:1997

Test methods for flexural properties of unreinforced and reinforced

plastics and electrical insulating material

BS 729:1971 (1 994)

Specifications for hot dip galvanized coatings on iron and steel

articles

BS 1387:1985(1990)

Specifications for screwed and socketed steel tubes and tubulars and
for plain end steel tubes suitable for welding or for screwing to BS 21
pipe threads

BS 1452:1990

Specifications for flake graphite cast iron

BS 2789:1985

Specifications for spheroidal graphite or nodular graphite cast iron

BS 3382

Specification for electroplated coatings on threaded corn ponents.

BS 3382-2

Zinc on steel components

BS 61 50:1 991

Code of practice for painting buildings

BS 6405:1984

Specification for non-calibrated short link steel chain (grade 30) for
general engineering purposes: Class 1 and 2

BS 6497:1984(1991)

Specification for powder organic coatings for application and stoving

to aluminium alloy extrusions, sheet and preformed sections for
external architectural purposes, and for the finish on aluminium alloy
extrusions, sheets and preformed sections coated with powder
organic coatings.

BS 6681:1986

Specification for malleable cast iron

BS 761 3:1994

Specification for hot rolled quenched and tempered weldable

structural steel plates

BS 7668:1994

Specification for weldable structural steels. Hot finished structural

hollow sections in weather resistant steels.

MS ISO 527-1:1994

Plastics
principles

Determination of tensile properties

Technical Corrigendum 1:1994

Part 1: General

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

ISO 178:1993

Plastics

Determination of flexural properties

ISO 179:1993

Plastics

Determination of Charpy impact strength

ISO 868:1985

Plastics and ebonite Determination of indentation hardness by

means of a durometer (Shore hardness)

MS ISO 1043-1:1994

Plastics Symbols and abbreviated terms

and their special characteristics

ISO 1834:1980

Short link chain for lifting purposes

acceptance

ISO 4633:200 1

Rubber seals
pipelines

Part 1: Basic polymers

General conditions of

Joint rings for water supply, drainage and sewerage

Specification for materials

JIS G 31 01:1995

Rolled steels for general structure

JIS G 3459:1997

Stainless steel pipes

MS 29:1995

Specification for aggregates from natural sources for concrete

MS 228:1991

Specification for plywood

MS 360:1991

Specification for treatment of timber with copper chrome/arsenic

preservatives

MS 522:Part 1:1989

Specification for portland cement (ordinary and rapid-hardening)

Part 1: Standard specification Amendment 1:1992

MS 523:Part 1: 1993

Specification for concrete, including ready-mixed concrete : Part 1

Guide to specifying concrete

MS 525:1986

Specifications for concrete porous pipes for under drainage

MS 544:2001

Code of practice for structural use of timbers

MS 606:1991

Specifications for hot dip zinc coated steel and coil

MS 739:1981

Specification for hot dip galvanized coatings on threaded fastness

MS 824:1983

Specifications for thimbles for wire ropes

MS 966: PART 1: 2001

Appendix B
(normative)
Painting methods
Bi.

Galvanized steel

Wipe down thoroughly with a solvent-soaked rag to remove all traces of grease and oil. Apply
suitable primer (see 4.14), and allow to dry thoroughly before applying specified subsequent
coatings.

B2.

Steel

Remove all rust, millscale, dirt and grease, preferably by sand blasting or by scraping with a
wire brush. Dust off and apply one coat of a suitable primer (see 4.14). Allow the primer to
dry thoroughly before applying specified subsequent coatings.

B3.

Timber

Sandpaper smoothly, removing all traces of dirt, grease or wax. Apply priming coat (see
4.14), allow to dry thoroughly and fill all cracks and nail holes with putty. Sandpaper
smoothly, dust off and apply specified undercoating and gloss finishing paints.

B4.

Steel

domestic equipment

Chemically degrease by immersion in appropriate preparation. Follow this by phosphating to

a minimum coating of 2 g/m2. Finish with stoving acrylic enamel which gives a finished
coating of 0.04 mm minimum thickness after adequate baking.
NOTE. Should additional information be required on preparation of surfaces or painting, reference may be made to
BS 6150.

10

Acknowledgements
Encik Muhamad Abd Latif (Chairman), Cik Shirley V Ramesh (Secretary), Puan Nor Anisah
Hashim, Encik Alagasan Gadigasalam, Cik Nornita Abdul Manaf, Puan Ranjana Jayadev,
Encik Fariz Abdul Rahim, Puan Ramuna Mohamed, Encik Chan Von Lian, Dr. Hejar Abdul
Rahrnan, Encik Esa Ahmad, Encik Roger Foo, Encik Liew Ying Kam, Encik Tan Yow Wah,
Encik Lee Peng Wang

Printed by: SSP, SIRIM Berhad (0951/01)