6.1.0.4: Elevated Play Areas

Elevated play areas that have been created using a retaining wall should have a guardrail, protective barrier, or fence running along the top of the retaining wall.

If the exposed side of the retaining wall is higher than two feet, a fence not less than six feet high should be installed. The bottom edge of the fence should be less than three and one-half inches from the base and should be designed to prevent children from climbing it. Fences should be designed so all spaces are less than three and one-half inches (1). If the height of the exposed side of the retaining wall is two feet or lower, a guardrail should be installed if caring for preschool and school-age children. The space between the bottom of the guardrail and the ground should be more than nine inches but less than or equal to twenty-three inches. For school-age children, the space between the bottom of the guardrail and the ground should be more than nine inches but less than or equal to twenty-eight inches. If caring for infants or toddlers, a protective barrier should be installed. The space between the barrier and the ground should be less than three and one-half inches and should be from four to six feet in height.

RATIONALE

Children falling from elevated play areas may suffer fatal head injuries. All spaces in fences or barriers are recommended to be less than three and one-half inches to prevent head entrapment (1,4) and climbing.

Guardrails are designed to protect against falls from elevated surfaces, but do not discourage climbing or protect against climbing through or under. Protective barriers protect against all three and provide greater protection. Guardrails are not recommended to use for infant and toddlers; protective barriers should be used instead.

COMMENTS

If the exposed side of the retaining wall is less than two feet high, additional safety can be provided by placing shock-absorbing material at the base of the exposed side of the retaining wall. A Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) can be utilized for guidance in assisting with elevated play areas.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), guardrails are not recommended for use with infants and toddlers because they do not discourage climbing or protect against climbing under or through (1). Protective barriers are recommended for infants and toddlers because they provide better protection and protect against all three risks (1).

For a list of shock-absorbing materials, see Appendix Z, the CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook, and the ASTM International (ASTM) standards “F2223-09: Standard Guide for ASTM Standards on Playground Surfacing” and “F1292-09: Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment” (2,3). To locate a CPSI, check the National Park and Recreation Association (NPRA) registry at https://ipv
.nrpa.org/CPSI_registry/.

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

RELATED STANDARDS

6.1.0.8 Enclosures for Outdoor Play Areas
6.2.3.1 Prohibited Surfaces for Placing Climbing Equipment
Appendix Z: Depth Required for Shock-Absorbing Surfacing Materials for Use Under Play Equipment

REFERENCES

1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). 2008. Public playground safety handbook. Bethesda, MD: CPSC. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/325.pdf.
2. ASTM International (ASTM). 2009. Standard guide for ASTM standards on playground surfacing. ASTM F2223-09. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
3. ASTM International (ASTM). 2009. Standard specification for impact attenuation of surfacing materials within the use zone of playground equipment. ASTM F1292-09. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.ASTM International (ASTM). 2009. Standard specification for impact attenuation of surfacing materials within the use zone of playground equipment. ASTM F1292-09. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
4. ASTM International (ASTM). 2009. Standard safety performance specification for fences/barriers for public, commercial, and multi-family residential use outdoor play areas. ASTM F2049-09b. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.