Certified Playground Safety Inspector
(CPSI) Exam Questions and Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of playground
injuries?
a. Weather exposure
b. Poor supervision
c. Falls
d. Insect bites
Falls are the leading cause of playground injuries, often from
equipment like slides and climbing structures.
2. What is the recommended maximum height for a playground slide
in a community park?
a. 4 feet
b. 6 feet
c. 8 feet
d. 10 feet
Standards recommend slides be limited to reduce fall injuries, with
height limits typically set at 8 feet for public playgrounds.
3. Which surfacing material provides the best impact attenuation
under playground equipment?
a. Grass
b. Concrete
c. Asphalt
, d. Engineered wood fiber
Engineered wood fiber, rubber mulch, and poured-in-place rubber
are designed to reduce injury severity from falls.
4. How often should playground inspections be conducted in public
parks?
a. Every 6 months
b. Weekly or monthly depending on risk
c. Annually
d. Every 2 years
Frequent inspections help identify hazards early; high-use areas
may require weekly checks.
5. Which of the following is considered a critical component of
playground safety?
a. Signage
b. Surfacing under equipment
c. Colorful paint
d. Lighting
Proper surfacing is crucial to reduce injuries from falls.
6. What is the minimum clearance zone required around swings?
a. 2 feet
b. 4 feet
c. 6 feet
d. 10 feet
A 6-foot clearance on all sides reduces the risk of collisions.
7. At what angle should playground slides be installed for safe use?
a. 10–15 degrees
b. 25–30 degrees
c. 30–35 degrees
d. 40–45 degrees
, Slides should be installed at angles that allow safe descent
without excessive speed.
8. Which of the following materials is NOT recommended for
playground equipment?
a. Stainless steel
b. High-density polyethylene
c. Untreated wood with splinters
d. Powder-coated metal
Untreated wood can splinter, creating hazards for children.
9. How deep should loose-fill surfacing be under a 6-foot high piece
of equipment?
a. 6 inches
b. 8 inches
c. 12 inches
d. 18 inches
Depth of surfacing is critical for absorbing impacts; 12 inches is
standard for equipment up to 6 feet.
10. What type of inspection identifies hazards caused by
vandalism or wear and tear?
a. Annual inspection
b. Routine inspection
c. Risk assessment
d. Certification inspection
Routine inspections help detect and correct hazards caused by
everyday use or vandalism.
11. Which of the following playground features has the highest
risk of entrapment?
a. Swing set
b. Slide
(CPSI) Exam Questions and Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of playground
injuries?
a. Weather exposure
b. Poor supervision
c. Falls
d. Insect bites
Falls are the leading cause of playground injuries, often from
equipment like slides and climbing structures.
2. What is the recommended maximum height for a playground slide
in a community park?
a. 4 feet
b. 6 feet
c. 8 feet
d. 10 feet
Standards recommend slides be limited to reduce fall injuries, with
height limits typically set at 8 feet for public playgrounds.
3. Which surfacing material provides the best impact attenuation
under playground equipment?
a. Grass
b. Concrete
c. Asphalt
, d. Engineered wood fiber
Engineered wood fiber, rubber mulch, and poured-in-place rubber
are designed to reduce injury severity from falls.
4. How often should playground inspections be conducted in public
parks?
a. Every 6 months
b. Weekly or monthly depending on risk
c. Annually
d. Every 2 years
Frequent inspections help identify hazards early; high-use areas
may require weekly checks.
5. Which of the following is considered a critical component of
playground safety?
a. Signage
b. Surfacing under equipment
c. Colorful paint
d. Lighting
Proper surfacing is crucial to reduce injuries from falls.
6. What is the minimum clearance zone required around swings?
a. 2 feet
b. 4 feet
c. 6 feet
d. 10 feet
A 6-foot clearance on all sides reduces the risk of collisions.
7. At what angle should playground slides be installed for safe use?
a. 10–15 degrees
b. 25–30 degrees
c. 30–35 degrees
d. 40–45 degrees
, Slides should be installed at angles that allow safe descent
without excessive speed.
8. Which of the following materials is NOT recommended for
playground equipment?
a. Stainless steel
b. High-density polyethylene
c. Untreated wood with splinters
d. Powder-coated metal
Untreated wood can splinter, creating hazards for children.
9. How deep should loose-fill surfacing be under a 6-foot high piece
of equipment?
a. 6 inches
b. 8 inches
c. 12 inches
d. 18 inches
Depth of surfacing is critical for absorbing impacts; 12 inches is
standard for equipment up to 6 feet.
10. What type of inspection identifies hazards caused by
vandalism or wear and tear?
a. Annual inspection
b. Routine inspection
c. Risk assessment
d. Certification inspection
Routine inspections help detect and correct hazards caused by
everyday use or vandalism.
11. Which of the following playground features has the highest
risk of entrapment?
a. Swing set
b. Slide
