Backyard DISCOVERY 2102323 Beacon Heights Elevated Playhouse Owner’s Manual

Backyard DISCOVERY 2102323 Beacon Heights Elevated Playhouse

Operating Instructions and Safety Warnings

NOTE:
Your Children’s Safety ls Our #1 Concern!
Observe the following statements and warnings to reduce the likelihood of serious or fatal injury. Please review these safety rules regularly with your children.

WARNING:
BURN HAZARD

• Pay special attention to plastic and metal surfaces as they may be hot enough to cause burns.
• Always check the temperature of the product before letting your children play on it.
• Remember that the product may cause burns if left in direct sunlight.
• Always be aware of the sun and weather conditions, and do not assume that the equipment is safe because the air temperature is not very high.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Equipment is recommended for use by children 2 to 10 years of age.
• On-site adult supervision is required.
• Instruct children not to climb when the equipment is wet.
• Instruct children to never crawl on top of a play house roof.
• The parents should have the children dress appropriately with well-fitting shoes. Loose clothing such as scarves and ponchos should not be worn.
• 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.
• Do not allow children to walk, in front, between, behind or close to moving rides.
• Instruct children not to attach items to the equipment that are not specifically designed for use with that equipment (such as ropes, clothesline, pet leashes, etc.).
• Instruct children to remove their bike or other sports helmet before playing on the playground equipment.
• Do not allow children to go down slide head first or run up slide.
• Instruct children to look before they slide to make sure no one is at the bottom.
• On sunny and/or hot days, check the slide and other plastic rides to assure that they are not hot to the touch to cause burns. Cool hot slide and rides with water and wipe dry prior to using.
• Children must wear shoes when using the set. Do not allow children to wear open toe or heel footwear like sandals, flip flops or clogs.

Assembly

Positioning Your Playhouse

• The playhouse is designed to be installed on a level surface by an Adult with an Adult helper. Place in a fl at area of your yard to minimize ground preparation.
• Choose a level location for the equipment. This can reduce the likelihood of the playhouse tipping over and loose-fi lI surfacing material washing away during heavy rains.
• Place the equipment not less than 6′-7″ (2.0 m) from any structure or obstruction such as a fence, garage, house, overhanging branches, laundry lines, or electrical wires.
• It is a good idea to place your playhouse in an area that is convenient for adults to watch children at play.
• Create a site free of obstacles that could cause injuries- Such as low overhanging tree branches, overhead wires, tree stumps and/or roots, large rocks, bricks and concrete. We have additional suggestions in the Suggested Playground Surfacing Section.
• Do not build your playhouse on top of surfacing material.

Suggested Playground Surfacing

• Do not install home playground equipment over concrete, asphalt, packed earth, grass, carpet, or any other hard surface. A fall onto a hard surface can result in serious injury to the equipment user.

• Do not install loose-fill surfacing Over hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.

• Shredded bark mulch, wood chip and fine gravel, are added as shock-absorbing materials after assembly. If used properly these materials can absorb some of the impact of a child’s fall

• All surface material should extend a minimum of 6 feet in all directions around the play area.

• Do not apply playground surfacing until after the unit is completely constructed. Playhouse should not be built on top of surfacing.

• Use containment, such as digging out around the perimeter and/or lining the perimeter with landscape edging.
  Installations of rubber tiles or poured-in-place surfaces (other than loose- fill materials) generally require a professional and are not “do- it-yourself projects.

• Shall use Playground Surfacing Materials (other than loose-fill material) which comply with the safety standard ASTM F1292 Standard Specification of Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment.

The following chart explains the fall height in feet from which a life threatening head injury would not be expected

Critical Heights in feet (m) of Tested Materials

(2.13m)
Engineered Wood Fibers| 6′ (1.83m)| 7′ (2.13m)| >12′ (3.66m)| 6′ (1.83m)
Fine Sand| 5′ (1.52m)| 5′ (1.52m)| 9′ (2.74m)| 5′ (1.52m)
Coarse Sand| 5′ (1.52m)| 5′ (1.52m)| 6′ (1.83m)| 4′ (1.22m)
Fine Gravel| 5′ (1.52m)| 7′ (2.13m)| 10′ (3.05m)| 6′ (1.83m)
Medium Gravel| 5′ (1.52m)| 5′ (1.52m)| 6′ (1.83m)| 5′ (1.52m)
Shredded Tires*| 10-12′ (3.0-3.6m)| 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.

APPENDIX A

The following information is from the United States ConsumerProductSafety Commission’sInformation Sheet for playground surfacing material; also see the following website for additional information: www.cpsc.gov

•  SECTION 4 OF THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION’S OUTDOOR HOME PLAYGROUND SAFETY HANDBOOK

  • Select Protective Surfacing-One of the most important things you can do to reduce the likelihood of serious head injuries is to install shock-absorbing protective surfacing under and around your play equipment. The protective surfacing should be applied to a depth that is suitable for the equipment height in accordance with ASTM Specification F 1292. There are different types of surfacing to choose from; whichever product you select, follow these guidelines:
  • Loose-Fill Materials
  • Maintain a minimum depth of 9 inches of loose-
  • materials such as wood mulch/chips, engineered wood ! ber (EWF), or shredded/recycled rubber mulch for equipment up to 8 feet high; and 9 inches of sand or pea gravel for equipment up to 5 feet high. NOTE: An initial ! | level of 12 inches will compress to about a 9-inch depth of surfacing overtime. The surfacing will also compact, displace, and settle, and should be periodically refilled to maintain at least a 9-inch depth.

• Use a minimum of 6 inches of protective surfacing for play equipment less than 4 feet in height. If maintained properly, this should be adequate. (At depths less than 6 inches, the protective material is too easily displaced or compacted.)
  NOTE: Do not install home playground equipment over concrete, asphalt, or any other hard surface. A fall onto a hard surface can result in serious injury to the equipment user. Grass and dirt are not considered protective surfacing because wear and environmental factors can reduce their shock absorbing effectiveness. Carpeting and thin mats are generally not adequate protective surfacing. Ground level equipment such as a sandbox, activity wall, playhouse or other equipment that has no elevated play surface – does not need any protective surfacing.

• Use containment, such as digging out around the perimeter and/or lining the perimeter with landscape edging. Dont forget to account for water drainage.

  • Check and maintain the depth of the loose! l surfacing material. To maintain the right amount of loose-fill materials, mark the correct level on play equipment support posts. That way you can easily see when to replenish and/or redistribute the surfacing.

  • Do not install loose-ill surfacing over hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.

  • Poured-In-Place Surfaces or Pre-Manufactured Rubber Tiles- You may be interested in using surfacing other than loose-fill materials – Ilike rubber tiles or poured-in-place surfaces.

  • Installations of these surfaces generally require a professional and are not “do-it-yourself” projects.

  • Review surface specification before purchasing this type of surfacing. Ask the installer/manufacturer for a report showing that the product has been tested to the following
    safety standard: ASTMF 1292 Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment. This report should show the specific height for which the surface is intended to protect against serious head injury. This height should be equal to or greater than the fall height vertical distance between a designated play surface (elevated surface for standing, sitting, or climbing) and the protective surfacing below- of your play equipment

  • Check the protective surfacing frequently for wear.

• placement-Proper placement and maintenance of protective surfacing is essential. Be sure to:

  • Extend surfacing at least 6 feet from the equipment in all directions.
  • For to-fro swings, extend protective surtacing in front of and behind the swing to a distance equal to twice the height of the top bar from which the swing is suspended.

This 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: O$ ce of Public A” airs, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C., 20207 or call the toll-free hotline: 1-800-638-2772
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! ve 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 you should make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards. 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.

Instructions for Proper Maintenance

IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHECK AND TIGHTEN ALL HARDWARE AT THE BEGINNING AND DURING
THE SEASON AS THEY MAY LOOSEN DUE TO woOD EXPANSION AND cONTRACTION.

At the beginning of each play season

• Tighten all hardware.
• Lubricate all metallic moving parts per manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check all protective coverings on bolts, pipes, edges, and corners. Replace if they are loose, cracked, or missing.
• Check all moving parts including swing seats, ropes, cables, and chains for wear, rust, or other deterioration. Replace as needed.
• Check metal parts for rust. If found, sand and repaint using a non lead-based paint meeting the requirements of 16 CFR 1303.
• Check all wood members for deterioration and splinters. Sand down splinters and replace deteriorating wood members.
• Reinstall any plastic parts, such as swing seats or any other items that were removed for the cold season.
• Rake and check depth of loose fill protective surfacing materials to prevent compaction and to maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.

Twice a month during play season

• Tighten all hardware.
• Check all protective coverings on bolts, pipes, edges, & corners. Replace if they are loose, cracked, or missing.
• Rake and check depth of loose fll protective surfacing materials to prevent compaction and to maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.

Once a month during play season.

• Lubricate all metallic moving parts per manufacturer’s instructions
• Check all moving parts including swing seats, ropes, cables, and chains for wear, rust, or other deterioration. Replace as needed.

At the end of each play season or when the temperature drops below 32° E

• Remove plastic swing seats and other items as speciled by the manufacturer and take indoors or do not use.
• Rake and check the depth of loose fill protective surfacing materials to prevent compaction and to
  maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.

Additional Maintenance

• 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.
• Inspect wood parts monthly. The grain of the wood sometimes will lift in the dry season causing splinters to appear. Light sand may be necessary to maintain a safe playing environment. Treat your playset with stain regularly, to help prevent severe checking/ splitting and other weather damage.
• A waterborne transparent stain has been applied to your playset. This is done for color only. Once or twice a year, depending on your climate conditions, you must apply some type of protection (sealant) to the wood of your unit. Prior to the application of sealant, lightly sand any “rough”‘ spots on your playset. Please note this is a requirement of your warranty.
• Assembling and maintaining the playset on a level location is very important. As your children play, your playset will slowly dig its way into the soil, and it is very important that it settles evenly. Make sure the playset is level and true one 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.

Third Party Assembly

• Customers may, in their sole discretion, elect to use a third party person or service to assemble this product. Backyard Discovery assumes no responsibility or liability for any charge incurred by the Customer for any assembly services. Please see our warranty for more information about damaged and missing part replacement coverage. Backyard Discovery will not reimburse the Customer for the price of parts purchased
• Modifications made by the consumer to the original activity toy shall be carried out according to the instructions of the manufacturer. In particular, instructions shall be provided with kit/accessory about the installation of rope/nets concerning the minimum diameter, the need for fixation ends, overall length, and positioning in relation to other at both structures.

Your Backyard Discovery structure is designed and constructed of quality materials. As with all outdoor products it will weather and wear. To maximize the enjoyment, safety, and life of your structure it is important that you properly maintain it.

About Our Wood
Backyard Discovery uses 100% Cedar (C. Lanceolata) wood. Although we take great care in selecting the best quality lumber available, wood is still a product of nature and susceptible to weathering which can change the appearance of your set.

What causes weathering? Does it affect the strength of my product?
One of the main reasons for weathering is the effects of water (moisture); the moisture content of the wood at the surface is different than the interior of the wood. As the climate changes, moisture moves in or out of the wood, causing tension which can result in checking and or warping. You can expect the following due to weathering. These changes will not affect the strength of the product:

1. Checking is surface cracks in the wood along the grain. A post (4″x 4″) will experience more checking than a board (1 “x 4”) because the surface
   and interior moisture content will vary more widely than in thinner wood.

2. Warping results from any distortion (twisting, cupping) from the original plane of the board and often happens from rapid wetting and drying of the wood.

3. Fading happens as a natural change in the wood color as it is exposed to sun-light and will turn grey over time.

How canI reduce the amount of weathering to wood product?

1. Your wood product is coated with a water-based stain. Sunlight will break down the coating, so we recommend applying a water repellent or stain on a yearly basis (see your local stain and paint supplier for a recommended product). You must apply some type of protection (sealant) to the wood of your product. Please note this is a requirement of your warranty. Most weathering is just the normal result of nature and will not affect safety. However if you are concerned that a part has experienced a severe weathering problem please call our customer service department for further assistance.
2. Inspect wood parts monthly. The grain of the wood sometimes will lift in the dry season causing splinters to appear. Light sanding may be necessary to maintain a safe environment. Treating your Product with protection (sealant) after sanding will help prevent severe checking/ splitting and other weather damage.

Assembly Tips

Protrusion Hazard

Proper Hardware Assembly

Bolt and T-Nut Assembly Tap T-nut into the provided hole. Insert your bolt through the lock washer and insert into the provided hole opposite from the T-Nut. Turn dockwise to thread into T-nut. Do not completely tighten until instructed.

Bolt and Barrel Nut Assembly Insert barrel nut through the lock washer and press the pair through the provided hole. Insert your bolt through the second lock washer and insert the pair into the provided hole opposite from the barrel nut. Turn clockwise to thread into the barrel nut. Do not completely tighten until instructed.

Lag Assembly Normally there will be a pre-drilled pilot hole on assemblies that require a Lag Screw. If there is no pilot hole, line up the two boards as they are to be attached and use the factory drilled hole as a guide to drill another pilot hole into the adjoining board. This will keep the wood from splitting. Only a lock washer is required for steps with Lag Screws.

ASSEMBLY TIP:
Keep and eye out for these boxes which will contain helpful pictures and information mnaking the assembly process as quick andpainless as possible.

**Sorting Wood

**

When removing the wood from the boxes we recommend arranging them by part number before you begin assembly. This will allow for faster assembly and easily identify any parts that may be missing or damaged.

Sorting Hardware

To help with assembly we recommend sorting your hardware bags with the seven digit alpha-numeric number printed on the bags or by hardware type (i.e. bolts, nuts, etc.). Organizing your hardware will make assembly easier.

Hardware identification

Hardware bags are printed with a seven digit alpha-numeric part number. During assembly you only need to reference the last three digits of the part number as noted in each step. This will make finding the correct hardware easier.

Electronics Safety Warnings

Note:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

Caution: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for

Tools Required for Installation

lcons and their uses you will see throughout this manual

You will need to make sure that your assembly is square before tightening your bolts.
For proper assembly you will need to ensure that your structure is level before proceeding to the next step.
Some steps in the assembly process will require an extra set of hands. Make sure you have a helper available.
This icon shows the size of an open-ended wrench. Using the wrench as the fraction bar.

When you see this icon you will need a socket wrench. The icons below show the size of attachments needed for assembly 1/2.
This icon warns you to not over-tighten your bolts. This is to prevent structural damage and also splintering your wood.
A ladder will be needed for assembly. Do NOT stand on the set when it is incomplete, unstable, and not anchored. Failure to do so may result in injury.
This icon will show you what drill attachments are needed. For this example you will need a Phillips head attachment and 3/8 drill bit.

Basic Setup Dimensions & Assembly Notes

Selecting the correct location for your play product is important for your children’s safety and the product’s longevity

• The safe play area refers to a zone extending 6′-7″ (2m) beyond the play product on all sides, including the space above the play product.

SAFE PLAY AREA DIAGRAM

Ground Dimension
6.25 ft [1.9 m] x 10.02 ft [3.1 m]

Safe Play Area
19.42 ft [5.9 m] x 23.19 ft [7.1 m] x 14.18 ft [4.3 m]

General Information

Your set has been designed and engineered for children only and for residential use only. A maximum of 150 Ibs. per child is recommended for play activities designed for individual use. A maximum of 120 bs. per child is recommended for play activities designed for multiple child use. A maximum of 6 children is recommended for this playhouse.

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