U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
 Public Playground Safety Handbook 325
 New edition adopted in November 2010
 More consistent with ASTM F1487
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Age ranges include children as young as
6 months (ASTM F2373)
 Toddler – Ages 6-23 month

› Climbing equipment under 32” high, ramps,
single file step ladders, slides, spiral slides less
than 360 degrees, stairways, swings with full
bucket seats, spring rockers
Preschool – Ages 2-5 year
 Grade School – Ages 5-12 years
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
Guidelines for track rides and log roles
added
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
Slide use zones
harmonized with
ASTM F1487
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
Tube slides should have barriers or
textured surfaces to prevent sliding or
climbing
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Use existing shade,
design play structures
for shade, or create
more shade to
protect children from
the sun
 California Department of Health
Skin Cancer Prevention Program
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Skin
Cancer/Pages/default.aspx
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Loose fill – installation
over hard surfacing
 Depth of 9” or more
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
ASTM F1487 2011 Standard
Consumer Safety Performance
Specification for Playground
Equipment for Public Use

New edition will be out this year
http://www.astm.org/
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Americans with Disabilities Act
 Effective March 15, 2012
 Levels of playground surfaces

› ¼” maximum vertical change in
level
› Greater than ½” change in level
must be ramped
Accessible routes
 Regular inspection and frequent
maintenance of accessible surfaces (poured
in place and engineered wood fiber)
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
Ground level play components
› One of each type should have an
accessible route and be dispersed
throughout the playground (slides,
swings, spinners, rockers, climbers)

Elevated play components
› 50% should be accessible by ramp or
transfer (for 20 or more, ramps must reach a
minimum of 25%, ramp/transfer 50%)
› Ramps are preferable to transfer systems, as
they are used more often
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County of Los Angeles
Environmental Health
April 2010
 Recreational Waters Program
 Guidelines for Construction and
Operation of Spray Grounds, Splash Pads
and Interactive Features
 Concerns: Transmission of waterborne
disease outbreaks
 Construction and operation of spray
grounds in a safe and sanitary manner
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
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Area free of slip, trip, fall hazards
Sloped splash zone so water from
features flows back to reservoir
Continuous clear deck, at least 4’
wide
No ponding of water
Nozzles spraying from ground level
must be flush with the ground with
openings no greater than ½”
Spray devices above ground must
be high enough to be seen, not a
trip hazard
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Potable water source for foggers and fine
mist
 Artificial lighting for facilities used at night
and those without adequate natural light
 Recirculation pump – 4 turnovers prior to
opening, turnover rate not over 30 minutes
 Provision of sanitary facilities – restrooms
with diaper changing facilities, showers and
drinking fountains
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Free chlorine residual
of at least 3.0 ppm
 pH of 7.2-7.6
 Automatic shut off
 Validated UV light disinfection unit or
another approved treatment process
capable of reducing cryptosporidium
 4” lettering on one or more signs stating
Caution: Water is recirculated. Do not
drink.
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Mariposa County Environmental Health
Code, Chapter VI Section 10, June 2010
 Spray Ponds
 Potable water
 Recycled water
 Maximum slope of one in ten
 Fence or other barrier with
controlled access surrounding
the spray
 Turnover not to exceed one hour
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
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Non-slip surface free of obstructions
Height of water column not over 4’ for
in ground water spray features, 6’ for
water toys
Holes in floor fitting not over 5/16”
Velocity of nozzles shall not exceed
twenty feet per second
Exposed hardware or other projections
covered to prevent injuries
Diameter of piping 4” or more to
prevent climbing hazard
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Non-rigid surfacing must be
resistant to chlorine solutions
in a wet environment
 Shall not be installed in a
cave structure if dark, enclosed, and
continuously wet
 Pitched to allow drainage
 Periodic removal of an area to check
for contamination under the surfacing
 Cleaned at least weekly
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ASTM 2461-09 Standard
Practice for Manufacture,
Construction, Operation,
and Maintenance of
Aquatic Play Equipment
 ASTM 1487-11 Standard
Consumer Safety
Performance Specification
for Playground Equipment
for Public Use
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PlaySafe, LLC
PO Box 66056
Albuquerque, NM
87193
(505) 899-9532
http://www.playsafe.com
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