RSLSF HOME       Note to RSLSF entrants- the following backboard regulations are for those going to the Canada Wide Science Fair. These regulations are different from those of the RSLSF regulations and are listed here for those who hope to go to the CWSF and would like to prepare their backboards for that possibility.

Youth Science Foundation Canada

Canada-Wide Science Fair Project and Display Safety Policy

(approved December 13, 2003)
  1. Display dimensions
    2.
    1. Backboards, title boards, presentation and prop material and all display equipment must fit entirely within the following dimensions and restrictions:
      1. 1.2 m wide, 0.8m deep and 3.5 m high from the floor
      2. No portion of the display shall project into any aisle
    2. Exhibits exceeding these dimensions must be modified before they will receive safety approval.
  2. Backboard and Display Materials
    1. Backboards and title boards must be constructed of the following materials:
      1. Wood products and dimensional lumber at least 6 mm (0.25 inch) thick
        1. Includes fibreboard, hardboard, Masonite, particle board, plywood and other Class III or C materials.
      2. Sintra, Intefoam, Intecell
        1. These are trade names for smooth-surfaced expanded PVC plastic foam board, up to 12 mm (0.5 inch) thick, which is chemical resistant and fire retardant with flame spread not exceeding 150.
      3. Flame-Rated Corrugated Products
        1. Factory-treated, fire-retardant corrugated cardboard. Must display the certification mark of "WH (Warnock Hersey) Listed Fire Retardant Paper Product" (a UL-94 equivalent).
      4. Coroplast Firewall F.R.B. (Fire Resistant Board)
        1. UL-94 certified corrugated plastic (polypropylene) sheeting product. Certification label must be attached.
      5. Metal
      6. Plexiglas/Acrylic
      7. Other material that meets the UL-94 standard and bears a factory-attached UL-94 label.
        1. UL-94 is an industrial standard measurement of flammability that measures the difficulty with which a synthetic material can be ignited. UL-94 rated material does not burn easily or keep burning once a flame is removed.
    2. Backboards and title boards constructed of the following materials are specifically prohibited:
      1. Coroplast (except Firewall F.R.B.)
        1. Corrugated plastic (polypropylene) sheeting product.
      2. Foam board
        1. Plastic (PVC or polystyrene) foam sandwiched between sheets of paper product. Includes Foam core board, Gator Board.
      3. Paper products
        1. Includes art board, Bainbridge board, cardboard, chipboard/grey board/milboard/newsboard (recycled paper boards), corrugated cardboard, mat board, Peterboro board.
      4. Plastic
        1. Includes polyethylene sheeting (black/clear), foamed polystyrene (Styrofoam).
    3. Backboard panels may be painted with any common paint. Other coating materials (e.g., fabric) must be UL-approved and proof of such approval is required.
    4. Presentation information including text, graphics, photographs and other data on the backboard must be printed on bond (laser, inkjet, or standard copier), photographic or laminated paper.
    5. Construction paper, Bristol board and papers listed above in d) may be used to outline or border presentation information and to add small decorative elements to the backboard.
    6. Presentation information, including outlines, borders and decorative elements must be attached to approved backboard material with adhesive so it makes a solid contact over the complete surface.
    7. Anything used to raise presentation information more than 2 mm above the surface of the backboard must be constructed of approved backboard material.
    8. Papers presented on the exhibit table must be secured in a binder, Duo-tang, presentation folder, plastic sleeve or other appropriate enclosure.
  3. Fire Safety
    1. Operation of an open flame, candle, torch or any other heating device is not permitted.
    2. Smoking is not permitted in the exhibit area.
    3. Packing material shall not be stored under tables.
  4. Electrical Safety
    1. Electrical cords shall have a 3-wire conductor with ground and must be CSA approved and in good repair.
    2. Power bars, lighting and other electrical devices shall be CSA approved.
      1. Any modification to an electrical device negates the CSA approval and that device must not be used.
    3. Dry cells (Alkaline, NiCad, NiMH, LiIon, etc.) and sealed lead-acid batteries (gel cells) may be used. Wet cell batteries are not permitted.
    4. Electrical devices constructed by finalists must comply with the following requirements to be approved for display. As they cannot be CSA approved, these devices may only be connected and operated during judging.
      1. Electrical devices must be protected by a non-combustible enclosure.
      2. An insulating grommet is required at the point where electrical service enters an enclosure.
      3. Electrical devices shall use as low a voltage as possible.
      4. Exposed live parts over 36 Volts are not permitted. Current (amperage) must be low enough not to cause any danger or discomfort if touched.
      5. A pilot light should be used to indicate when power is on.
  5. Structural and Mechanical Safety
    1. Exhibits must be sturdy, self-supporting and with sufficient stability to keep from tipping.
    2. Sharp edges or corners of prisms, mirrors, enclosures and glass or metal plates that may be contacted by the public must be removed or protected to prevent injury.
    3. Dangerous moving parts, such as belts, gears, pulleys and blades, must be provided with a guard to prevent access to the moving parts.
    4. An in-running nip hazard of any part of a motor, device or thing that may be a danger shall be guarded to prevent contact with the pinch point.
    5. A pressure vessel must have a safety valve, rupture disc or similar device to limit internal pressure below the burst pressure of the vessel.
      1. The safety valve shall relieve to a safe or remote area.
    6. Compressed gas cylinders shall not be displayed.
    7. Moving exhibits (e.g., radio-controlled vehicles, robots) shall be restricted to the regulation display space. The Host Committee may, at its discretion, provide an area to safely demonstrate projects that require more space than the regulation display space.
  6. Chemical Safety
    1. The following materials are not allowed on displays:
      1. Flammable, toxic or dangerous chemicals
      2. Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications
    2. Photographs or empty packages of prohibited materials may be displayed.
    3. The display of chemicals is discouraged; however, other substances can be used to simulate chemicals for display purposes.
      1. Table salt can be used to simulate many chemicals, such as ammonium nitrate.
      2. Water can represent alcohol, ether and many other liquids.
      3. Molasses can be used to simulate petroleum products
    4. The total quantity of liquids displayed at a project shall not exceed 1 litre. Photographs and/or video should be used to demonstrate processes requiring larger quantities of liquid.
    5. When chemicals are simulated, they should be identified with the name of the substance they represent, preceded by the word "simulated." Any WHMIS labels (supplier or workplace) should be attached to show understanding of safe work practices.

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