Backyard Adventures Playcenter Belmont User manual

Owner’s Manual
And
Assembly Instructions
The Belmont
Model 1-AP003

Document Number 101-000 Rev. 000 Date 2/23/04
1
Dear Customer:
Thank you for purchasing a Backyard Adventures Playcenter. We hope it will bring you
and your children many years of safe and enjoyable backyard fun. Backyard Adventures
equipment is recommended for use by children 3 to 11 years of age. Backyard
Adventures structures are not intended for public use. Backyard Adventures does not
warranty any of its residential structures subjected to commercial use.
Please follow all recommendations below. Failure to do so may result in the warrant
being void and/or safety violations that could result in serious injury. The following
information has been provided to help you in your installation, continued satisfaction, and
safe operation of your Backyard Adventures Inc. purchase.
Always keep the safety of your children in mind as your play structure is being built and
as your children play on the set. Children must not use the Playcenter until
completely assembled and properly installed and anchored to prevent serious
injury. Before your children play on the set please review the Operation instructions
with them to help ensure their safety.
PLEASE RETAIN THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
KEEP THEM IN A SAFE PLACE WHERE YOU CAN REFER TO THEM AS
NEEDED.
General information:
Manufacturer Backyard Adventures Dealer________________________
14201 Interstate 27 ________________________
Amarillo, TX 79119 ________________________
Ph. 1-800-856-4445 (for Mass Mer) ________________________
Fax [phone] ________________________
e-mail – [email protected] (Specialty e-mail address)
[email protected] ( Mass Merchant e-mail address)
Unit Type:
Unit Name: The Belmont Revision Date:2/23/02
Unit Model Number: Model 1-AP003
Instruction Manual Information
Maximum Fall Height: 7’-8”
The instructions and owner’s manual for your new Playcenter should be read in its
entirety before starting assembly to minimize problems and safety issues during the
assembly process. We recommend this be done after your have identified all of the
parts for your Playcenter as discussed in the Helpful Installations Hints section below.
Positioning Your Playcenter

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1. The Playcenter is designed to be installed on a level surface. Try to place in a flat
area of your yard to minimize ground preparation.
2. Place the equipment not less that 6 ft from any structure or obstruction such as a
fence, garage, house, overhanging branches, laundry lines, or electrical wires.
3. It is a good idea to place your Playcenter in an area that is convenient for adults to
watch children at play.
4. The area that you choose should be policed for glass, rocks or anything jagged or
sharp that could endanger your children’s safety. The surface underneath your
play system can cause or prevent injuries. We have additional suggestions in the
Suggested Playground Surfacing Section.
Anchoring Instructions
Anchoring instructions are included in the installation instructions along with 6 wooden
anchoring stakes for normal installations. The accessory, Anchor It kit, should be used if
the Playcenter is to be used in sandy soil. The kit includes 4 powder coated anchors,
fully illustrated plans, and all the hardware required for installation.
Tools Required for Installation:
1. 3/8” Drill
2. 3/8” socket wrench
3. 7/16” socket, ½ box wrench
4. 7/16” box wrench, ½ “ box wrench
5. Tape measure
6. Level
7. Phillips bit for drill
8. 3/8” socket drive adapter for drill (optional)
9. ¼”, 5/16” and 3/8” drill bit
10. Hammer
Helpful Installation Hints
1. Identify all of the parts for your Playcenter. Empty each box and lay out boards
so you can see each part. Your instruction book will have detailed drawings that
will make it easy for you to recognized individual parts. Keep all hardware and
metal parts separated from wooden pieces.
2. After everything is laid out, check carefully to ensure all parts are present. Make
sure there are no broken boards.
3. Find an area to sort your hardware. It is best to open the hardware onto a solid
surface so that you do not lose any hardware in the grass. This will save time and
help you to familiarize yourself with all the different pieces in the hardware bag.
4. Important note: Wood has some natural defects such as knots, surface cracks,
etc… We reject parts that are structurally defective. We use a high quality

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lumber in our structures; however, you should inspect each part for splinters or
rough spots and sand them smooth to prevent injury.
5. After steps 1 thru 4 have been completed, read all the way through the
instructions completely. Reading instructions after you have studied the parts will
help you understand more clearly the installation process, and help to eliminate
unnecessary mistakes.
6. Pay close attention to the diameter and length of each bolt and screw. There will
be different sizes in the same bag, so they must be sorted correctly.
7. Swing hangers should be buried past the threads, so that the loop is against the
swing beam. Backyard Adventure cannot be responsible for incorrect
installations or swing hangers. Failure to properly install swing hangers may
cause severe injury.
8. Never tighten hardware completely at first. It helps to have some adjustment for
bolt alignment while you are attaching parts together. After everything is square
tighten each joint.
9. After the main unit is assembled it is critical that the floor is level and square. If
the main frame is not level, the walls and floor will be out of square.
10. After you complete installation, make sure every bolt, screw, and nut is tight, and
every board is secure. Wood will expand and contract with the seasons. Check
all bolt connections and swing hangers every two weeks.
READ! VERY IMPORTANT!
If you are missing parts or have questions regarding the installation of our quality product
PLEASE call us directly at the factory (1-800-856-4445). Our trained staff will be happy
to assist you.
Customer service hours:
Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm
Saturday 9am to 2pm
Central Standard Time.
e-mail: [email protected]
Suggested Playground Surfacing
 Playground equipment should never be placed on hard surfaces such as concrete
or asphalt. While grass may appear to be soft, it can turn hard very quickly in
high traffic areas.
 Shredded bark mulch, wood chips, fine sand and fine gravel, are commonly used
as shock absorbing materials under play equipment. If used properly these
materials can absorb some of the impact from a child’s fall.
 All surface material should extend a minimum of 6 feet in all directions around
the play area.

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The following chart explains the fall height in feet from which a life threatening head
injury would not be expected
Critical Heights (in feet) of Tested Materials
Material Uncompressed depth Compressed depth
6 in. 9 in. 12 in. to 9 in.____
Wood Chips 7 10 11 10
Double-shredded bark mulch 6 10 11 7
Engineered Wood Fibers 6 7 >12 6
Fine Sand 5 5 9 5
Coarse Sand 5 5 6 4
Fine Gravel 6 7 10 6
Medium Gravel 5 5 6 5
Shredded Tires* 10-12 N/A N/A N/A
* This data is from tests conducted by independent testing laboratories on a 6-inch depth of
uncompressed shredded tire samples produced by four manufacturers. The tests reported
critical heights, which varied from 10 feet to greater than 12 feet. It is recommended that
persons seeking to install shredded tires as a protective surface request test data from the
supplier showing the critical height of the material when it was tested in accordance with
ASTM F1292.
This information is intended to assist you in comparing the relative shock absorbing
properties of various materials. Each material is only effective when it is properly
maintained at the proper depths determined necessary for your equipment.
Operating Instructions:
NOTE: Observing the following statements and warnings reduce the likelihood of serious
or fatal injury.
1. This Playcenter is designed for use with 5 occupants with a combined weight not
to exceed 500 pounds.
2. On-site adult supervision is recommended and should be required for children of
all ages.
3. Instruct children not to walk close to, in front of, behind, or between moving
swings or other moving playground equipment.
4. Instruct children should sit and never stand on swings
5. Instruct children not to twist swing chains or ropes or loop them over the top
support bar since this may reduce the strength of the chain or rope.
6. Instruct children to not jump from swings or other playground equipment in
motion.
7. Instruct children to avoid swinging empty seats. They might come back and hit
them and cause serious injury.
8. Instruct and teach children to sit in the center of the swings with their full weight
on the seats.
9. Instruct children not to use the equipment in a manner other than intended.

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10. Instruct children to always go down slides feet first. Never slide headfirst.
11. Instruct children to look before they slide to make sure no one is at the bottom.
12. Instruct children to never run up a slide, as this increases their chances of falling.
13. The parents should have the children dress appropriately with well-fitting shoes
and the avoidance of ponchos, scarves, and other loose-fitting clothing that is
potentially hazardous while using equipment). Always take off, tie up or tuck in
cords and drawstrings on children’s clothing. These things can get caught on
playground equipment and strangle a child.
14. Instruct children not to climb when the equipment is wet.
15. Instruct children to never jump from a fort deck. Always use the ladder, ramp or
slide.
16. Instruct children to never crawl or walk across the top of monkey bars.
17. Instruct children to never crawl on top of a fort roof.
18. Instruct children to always use two hands when going down a fireman pole.
19. Verify that any suspended climbing ropes, chain, or cable are secured at both ends
and that they cannot be looped back on itself.
20. Instruct children not to attach items to the playground equipment that are not
specifically designed for use with the equipment, such as, but not limited to, jump
ropes, clothesline, pet leashes, cables and chain as they may cause a strangulation
hazard.
21. The following warning statement applies only if your equipment has two- or four-
passenger lawn swings that have an opening between the seat and the back
surfaces: WARNING: Lawn swings are designed for use by children two years of
age and older. Use by children under the age of two can result in entrapment
between the seat and back areas. NEVER place children in a rearward facing
position or with legs between the seat and backrest because the child’s body may
pass through the opening causing entrapment of the child’s head.
Maintenance Instructions:
1. Check all nuts and bolts twice monthly during the usage season for tightness and
tighten as required. (But not so tight that you crack the wood) We recommend
you check the swing beam and hardware every two weeks due to wood expansion
and contraction. It is particularly important that this procedure be followed at the
beginning of each season.
2. Remove plastic swing seats and take indoors or do not use when the temperature
drops below 32 °F.
3. Oil all metallic moving parts monthly during the usage period.
4. Check all coverings for bolts and sharp edges twice monthly during usage season
to be certain they are in place. Replace when necessary. It is especially important
to do this at the beginning of each new season.
5. Check swing seats, ropes, cables and chains monthly during usage season for
evidence of deterioration. Replacement should be made of any swing seat that
has developed cracks in the plastic seats and has exposed metal in the edges of the
swing seat. If there are already exposed metal inserts on the edge of the seat,
immediately remove the seats and chains to prevent serious injury from the seat or

Document Number 101-000 Rev. 000 Date 2/23/04
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the free-hanging chains. Ropes, cables and chains should be removed and
replaced if excessive wear is found. Contact Backyard Adventures for
replacement parts.
6. Sand rusted areas on metallic members such as monkey bars, hand supports,
brackets, etc. and repaint using a nonlead-based paint meeting the requirements of
Title 16 CRF Part 1303.
7. Inspect wood parts monthly. The grain sometimes will lift in the dry season
causing splinters to appear. Light sanding may be necessary to maintain a safe
playing environment. If you are treating your Playcenter with stain regularly, it
will help prevent severe checking and other weather damage.
8. We recommend treating the wood components once or twice a year depending on
the type of weather you have and when sanding has been required to maintain a
good surface. We treat our redwood with a Waterborne Transparent Stain. For
details, contact the factory at 1-800-856-4445 or
custservice@adventureplaysets,com
9. Creating and maintaining the Playcenter on a location as close to level as possible
is very important. As your children play, your Playcenter will slowly dig its way
into the soil, and it is very important that it settles evenly. So make sure it is level
and true once each year or at the beginning of each play season.
Disposal Instructions:
When the Playcenter use is no longer desired, it should be disassembled and disposed
of in such a way that no unreasonable hazards will exist at the time the unit is
discarded.

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APPENDIX A
Information on Playground Surfacing Materials:
The following information is from the United States Consumer Product Safety
Commission’s Information Sheet for playground surfacing material Also see the
following website for additional information: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/323.html.
X3. CONSUMER INFORMATION SHEET FOR PLAYGROUND SURFACING MATERIALS11
X3.1 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that about 100,000 playground
equipment-related injuries resulting from falls to the ground surface are treated annually in U.S. hospital
emergency rooms. Injuries involving this hazard pattern tend to be among the most serious of all
playground injuries, and have the potential to be fatal, particularly when the injury is to the head. The
surface under and around playground equipment can be a major factor in determining the injury-causing
potential of a fall. It is self evident that a fall onto a shock-absorbing surface is less likely to cause a
serious injury than a fall onto a hard surface. Playground equipment should never be placed on hard
surfaces such as concrete or asphalt and while grass may appear to be acceptable it may quickly turn to
hard packed earth in areas of high traffic. Shredded bark mulch, wood chips, fine sand or find gravel are
considered to be acceptable shock absorbing surfaces when installed and maintained at a sufficient depth
under and around playground equipment.
X3.2 Table X3.1 lists the maximum height from which a child would not be expected to sustain a life-
threatening head injury in a fall onto four different loose-fill surfacing materials if they are installed and
maintained at depths of 6, 9, and 12 in. However, it should be recognized that all injuries due to falls
cannot be prevented no matter what surfacing material is used.
X3.3 It is recommended that a shock absorbing material should extend a minimum of 6 ft in all directions
from the perimeter of stationary equipment such as climbers and slides. However, because children may
deliberately jump from a moving swing, the shock absorbing material should extend in the front and rear of
a swing a minimum distance of 2 times the height of the pivot point measured from a point directly beneath
the pivot on the supporting structure.
X3.4 This information is intended to assist in comparing the relative shock-absorbing properties of various
materials. No particular material is recommended over another. However, each material is only effective
when properly maintained. Materials should be checked periodically and replenished to maintain correct
dept as determined necessary for your equipment. The choice of a material depends on the type and height
of the playground equipment, the availability of the material in your area, and its cost.
11This information has been extracted from the CPSC publications “Playground Surfacing —
Technical Information Guide” and “Handbook for Public Playground Safety.” Copies of these reports can
be obtained by sending a postcard to the : Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, Washington, D.C., 20207 or call the toll-free hotline: [phone].
The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting the validity of any
parent right asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are
expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such parent rights, and the risk of infringement
of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
The standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be
reviewed every five years and if not revised, either approved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited
either for revision of this standard or for additional standards and should be addressed to ASTM
Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical
committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing your
should make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards. 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Conshohocken, PA 19428.