Child Care Centers - We Certify Day Care Center Playgrounds

How do the new “2 months - 24 months old” rules affect you

Prior editions of the Consumer Product Safety Commission Handbook for Public Playground Safety (“the Handbook”) only specifically addressed playgrounds used by 2-12 year old children. The 2008 edition has been expanded to include children from 6 months to 24 months old.  These are the issues now addressed for “toddlers” in the new handbook. Bear in mind that these are in addition to the concepts and rules in the Handbook that apply to all playgrounds. ·

• Age appropriate equipment for toddlers. The handbook states “This is not an all-comprehensive list and, therefore, should not limit inclusion of current or newly designed equipment that is not specifically mentioned”.
  • Climbing equipment under 32” high
  • Ramps
  • Single file step ladders
  • Slides
  • Spiral slides less than 360 degrees
  • Spring rockers
  • Stairways
  • Swings with full bucket seats
• Surfacing – the Handbook states that playgrounds intended for toddlers should not use loose-fill surfacing
• Platforms for toddlers should be no more than 32 inches from the ground.
• The maximum difference in height between stepped platforms should be 7 inches
• Openings between stepped platforms should be less than 3”
• All elevated walking spaces above 18” should have a barrier
• Barriers
  • If platform fall height is 18” or higher than
  • Bottom edge of barrier should be less than 3” from platform
  • Top edge of barrier should be 24” or higher from platform
• Methods of access and egress
  • Ramps
  • Straight stairways
  • Spiral stairways
• Handrails
  • Should be between .60” and 1.20”
  • Ideal diameter is .90”
• Vertical distance between the top front edge of a step or ramp surface and the top surface of the handrail above it should be between 15 and 20”.
• Designated play surfaces on climbing equipment should be no higher than 32”
• Slides
  • Slide platforms should be at least 19” deep
  • Average incline of a slide should be no more 24 degrees
  • Exit region should be between 7 and 10” long if any portion of the slide exceeds a 24 degree slope
  • Be no more than 6” above the protective surfacing
  • Have a transition from the sliding portion to the exit region with a radius of curvature of at least 18”.
• Slide Use Zone – Limited access environment. NOTE, LIMITED ACCESS ENVIRONMENT IS NOT DEFINED IN THE HANDBOOK
  • The use zone should be at least 3’ around the slide
  • The slide exit use zone should not overlap with use zones of other equipment
• Slide Use Zone-with unlimited access
  • Stand alone slide 6’ use zone
  • Slides that are part of a composite structure – 3’ between the side of the slide cute and access components
  • End of the slide – minimum of 6’ and no overlap with use zones of other equipment
• Spring Rockers
  • Seat design should not allow rocker use by more than the number of users intended
  • Seat height – between 12 – 16”
  • 37” between seats for spring rockers with opposing seats intended for more than one child
• Swings
  • Toddlers should be in full bucket type swing seats
  • 20” between outer edge of swing seat and swing support leg
  • 20” between swings
  • 24” minimum height
  • 20” minimum distance between attachments to swing cross bar