6.2.1.6: Size and Anchoring of Crawl Spaces

Crawl spaces in all pieces of playground equipment, such as pipes or tunnels, should be securely anchored to the ground to prevent movement and should have a diameter of twenty-three inches or greater to permit easy access to the space by adults in an emergency or for maintenance. Crawl tubes should have holes with less than three and one-half inches diameter in them so that adults can supervise the children and see them in the spaces (1).

RATIONALE

Playground equipment components must be secure to prevent sudden falls or collisions by children (1,2). Adequate access space permits adult assistance and first aid measures.

TYPE OF FACILITY

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

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. Fiene, R. 2002. 13 indicators of quality child care: Research update. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. http://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/13-indicators-quality-child-care.