R381-70-19. Play Equipment

  (1) The provider shall ensure that children using play equipment use it safely and in the manner intended by the manufacturer.

  (2) With the exception of swings, stationary play equipment with any designated play surface higher than 30 inches shall have at least a 6-foot use zone measured from the outermost edge of the equipment.

  (3) The use zone in the front and rear of a single-axis swing shall extend at least twice the distance of the swing pivot point to the ground.

  (4) The use zone for the sides of a single-axis swing shall extend at least 6 feet from the outermost edge of the swing.

  (5) The use zone for a multi-axis swing, such as a tire swing, shall extend at least the measurement of the suspending rope or chain plus 6 feet.

  (6) The use zone for a merry-go-round shall extend at least 6 feet in all directions from its outermost edge.

  (7) The use zone for a spring rocker shall extend at least 6 feet from the outermost edge of the rocker when at rest if the seat is higher than 20 inches.

  (8) The following use zones shall not overlap the use zone of any other piece of play equipment:

  (a) the use zone in front of a slide,

  (b) the use zone in the front and rear of any single-axis swing,

  (c) the use zone of a multi-axis swing, and

  (d) the use zone of a merry-go-round if the platform diameter measures 20 inches or more.

  (9) Unless prohibited in R381-70-19(8), the use zones of play equipment may overlap when:

  (a) there is at least 6 feet between the pieces of equipment if the designated play surface is 30 inches or lower, or (b) there is at least 9 feet between the pieces of equipment if the designated play surface is higher than 30 inches.

  (10) Stationary play equipment without moving parts children sit or stand on shall not be placed on concrete, asphalt, dirt, a bare floor, or any other hard surface, but may be placed on grass or other cushioning, if the highest designated play surface measures between 6 to 30 inches.

  (11) Protective cushioning shall cover the entire surface of each required use zone and its depth or thickness shall be determined by the highest designated play surface of the equipment.

  (12) If sand, gravel, or shredded tires are used as protective cushioning, the depth of the material shall meet the CPSC guidelines in Table 1.

  (a) the provider shall ensure that the cushioning is periodically checked for compaction and loosened to the depth listed in Table 1 if compacted; and

  (b) if the material cannot be loosened due to extreme weather conditions, the provider shall not allow children to play on the equipment until the material can be loosened to the required depth.

TABLE 1

Depths of Protective Cushioning Required

for Sand, Gravel, and Shredded Tires

Highest Designated

Play Surface,

Climbing Bar, or

Swing Pivot Point Fine Coarse Fine Medium Shredded

                   Sand Sand Gravel Gravel Tires

4' high or less 6" 6" 6" 6" 6"

Over 4' up to 5' 6" 6" 6" 6" 6"

Over 5' up to 6' 6" 9" 6" 9" 6"

Over 6' up to 7' 9" not 9" not 6"

                           allowed allowed

Over 7' up to 8' 9" not 9" not 6"

                           allowed allowed

Over 8' up to 9' 9" not 9" not 6"

                           allowed allowed

Over 9' up to 10' not not 9" not 6"

                   allowed allowed allowed

Over 10' up to 11' not not not not 6"

                   allowed allowed allowed allowed

Over 11' up to 12' not not not not 6"

                   allowed allowed allowed allowed

  (13) If shredded wood products are used as protective cushioning:

  (a) the provider shall keep on-site for review by the Department documentation from the manufacturer that the wood product meets ASTM Specification F1292,

  (b) there shall be adequate drainage under the material, and

  (c) the depth of the shredded wood shall meet the CPSC guidelines in Table 2.

TABLE 2

Depths of Protective Cushioning Required

for Shredded Wood Products

Highest Designated

Play Surface,

Climbing Bar, or

Swing Pivot Point Engineered Wood Double Shredded

                     Wood Fibers Chips Bark Mulch

4' high or less 6" 6" 6"

Over 4' up to 5' 6" 6" 6"

Over 5' up to 6' 6" 6" 6"

Over 6' up to 7' 9" 6" 9"

Over 7' up to 8' 9" 9" 9"

Over 8' up to 9' 9" 9" 9"

Over 9' up to 10' 9" 9" 9"

Over 10' up to 11' 9" 9" 9"

Over 11' 9" not not

                                  allowed allowed

  (14) If a unitary cushioning is used, the provider shall ensure that the material meets the standard established in ASTM Specification F1292. The provider shall maintain on-site for review by the Department documentation from the manufacturer that the material meets these specifications.

  (15) If a unitary cushioning is used, the provider shall ensure that the cushioning material is securely installed, so that it cannot become displaced when children jump, run, walk, land, or move on it, or be moved by children picking it up.

  (16) A play equipment platform that is more than 48 inches above the floor or ground shall have a protective barrier that is at least 38 inches high.

  (17) There shall be no gap greater than 3-1/2 inches in or under a required protective barrier on a play equipment platform.

  (18) Stationary play equipment shall be stable and securely anchored.

  (19) There shall be no trampolines on the premises that are accessible to any child in the program.

  (20) There shall be no entrapment hazards on or within the use zone of any piece of stationary play equipment.

  (21) There shall be no strangulation hazards on or within the use zone of any piece of stationary play equipment.

  (22) There shall be no crush, shearing, or sharp edge hazards on or within the use zone of any piece of stationary play equipment.

  (23) There shall be no tripping hazards such as concrete footings, tree stumps, tree roots, or rocks within the use zone of any piece of stationary play equipment.