HIC Tester - Maximum Fall Criteria - Cranial Impacts

Knowing the maximum recommended height relative to falling on pavements, on a defined surface, is key to determining the activities that can be carried out. There are regulations that determine how and when the surface is safe. In this post we are going to review everything you need to know about the HIC Tester

The surface quality are key to the safety of athletes and users of playgrounds. Injuries are often caused by falls, and for this reason, a way was sought to indicate the critical fall height of each surface. AENOR has developed the UNE EN 1177:2018+AC:2019 standard to determine the safety of the surfaces.

Standards and safety bodies have created the standards that parks and clubs must follow to ensure the well-being of users - UNE EN 1177:2018+AC:2019.

The HIC tester is the instrument that determines this critical drop height. It is a standardised artificial head with an integrated triaxial sensor which is dropped. Depending on the height, the instrument registers a different measurement. A critical drop is when the sensor registers a value of 1000HIC or 200g.

The HIC value is a device-specific measurement based on deceleration. The "g" value refers to the deceleration of gravity, 1g equals 9.8m/s2.

There are two key measurements that must be made with the HIC tester, the Critical Fall Height (C.C.H.) and the Clear Fall Height (F.F.H.).

• ACC - This measurement determines by means of HIC tester falls an impact curve which allows to determine the height at which the fall registers a value of 1000HIC or 200g. It can be used for example to determine the maximum height of swings or playground equipment for a given surface. For example, a soft rubber may have higher playground equipment than a hard rubber. It is a key measurement for new installations.
• ACL - This measure determines the HIC or g value of a particular piece of equipment already installed. An example would be the drop from the edge of a children's playground equipment to the floor. If the value recorded is greater than 1000HIC or 200g it would be advisable to change the flooring or lower the height of the playground equipment.

If you want to know more about the HIC tester measurements or the instruments to be used, write to soporte@tiloom.com and we will help you in everything you need.