6.2.2.1: Use Zone for Fixed Play Equipment

All fixed play equipment should have a minimum of six feet use zone (clearance space) from walkways, buildings, and other structures that are not used as part of play activities (1,3). For fixed play equipment only used by children six months to twenty-three months, a minimum three-foot use zone is required (2).

RATIONALE

Injuries from falls are more likely to occur when equipment spacing is inadequate (1).

TYPE OF FACILITY

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

RELATED STANDARDS

6.2.2.2 Arrangement of Play Equipment
6.2.2.4 Clearance Requirements of Playground Areas
Appendix HH: Use Zones and Clearance Dimensions for Single-and Multi-Axis Swings

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). 2008. Standard consumer safety performance specification for public use play equipment for children 6 months through 23 months. ASTM F2373-08. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.
3. ASTM International (ASTM). 2007. Standard consumer safety performance specification for playground equipment for public use. ASTM F1487-07ae1. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM.