5. PARTS OF THE PLAYGROUND 5.1 Platforms, Guardrails and Protective Barriers 5.1.1 Platforms • Platforms should be generally flat (i.e., within ± 2° of horizontal). • Openings in platforms should be provided to allow for drainage. • Platforms should minimize the collection of debris. • Platforms intended for toddlers should be no more than 32 inches from the ground. 5.1.2 Stepped platforms On some composite structures, platforms are layered or tiered so that a child may access the higher platform without steps or ladders. Unless there is an alternate means of access/egress, the maximum difference in height between stepped platforms should be: • Toddlers: 7 inches. • Preschool-age: 12 inches. • School-age: 18 inches. An access component (such as a rung) is needed if the difference in height is more than 12 inches for preschool-age and 18 inches for school-age children. The space between the stepped platforms should follow the recommendations to minimize entrapment hazards in enclosed openings: • Toddlers: if the space is less than 7 inches, infill should be used to reduce the space to less than 3.0 inches. • Preschool-age: if the space exceeds 9 inches and the height of the lower platform above the protective surfacing exceeds 30 inches, infill should be used to reduce the space to less than 3.5 inches. • School-age: if the space exceeds 9 inches and the height of the lower platform above the protective surfacing exceeds 48 inches, infill should be used to reduce the space to less than 3.5 inches. 5.1.2.1 Fall height • The fall height of a platform is the distance between the top of the platform and the protective surfacing beneath it. 5.1.3 Guardrails and protective barriers Guardrails and protective barriers are used to minimize the likelihood of accidental falls from elevated platforms. Protective barriers provide greater protection than guardrails and should be designed to discourage children from climbing over or through the barrier. Guardrails and barriers should: • Completely surround any elevated platform. • Except for entrance and exit openings, the maximum clearance opening without a top horizontal guardrail should be 15 inches. • Prevent unintentional falls from the platform. • Prevent the possibility of entrapment. • Facilitate supervision. For example: • Guardrails may have a horizontal top rail with infill consisting of vertical bars having openings that are greater than 9 inches. These openings do not present an entrapment hazard but do not prevent a child from climbing through the openings. • A barrier should minimize the likelihood of passage of a child during deliberate attempts to defeat the barrier. Any openings between uprights or between the platform surface and lower edge of a protective barrier should prevent passage of the small torso template (see test in B.2.5). Guardrails or protective barriers should be provided on elevated platforms, walkways, landings, stairways, and transitional surfaces. In general, the younger the child, the less coordination and balance they have, therefore the more vulnerable they are to unintentional falls. Toddlers are the most vulnerable, and equipment intended for this age should use barriers on all elevated walking surfaces above 18 inches. Physical skills develop further in preschool-age children and then more with school-age children; therefore, minimum elevation recommendations for guardrails and barriers increase with each age group. Handbook for Public Playground Safety 20
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