Play Equipment design and height


Play Equipment design and height

Play Equipment design and height

The long, low designs of equipment are preferable to those where height is the dominant feature. The play equipment must offer safe escape systems and routes. The essential design consideration is the space in and around each individual item of equipment: the minimum use zone. This is calculated by taking into account the space occupied by the apparatus and the area of its operation, together with an allowance for free movement of children. It is recommended that the 1800 mm is the minimum distance. This should not overlap between two pieces of the equipment. No reduction to this standard is acceptable. The Guidelines for specific items of playground equipment include the Horizontal ladders and track rides. The height of the horizontal ladder and track ride equipment needs to be greater than 1500 mm and less than 2000 mm to reduce injury. A compromise height of 1800 mm for horizontal ladders and track rides is recommended. In recent studies in Australia and New Zealand, a large proportion of body injuries were stated to result from falls from an overhead horizontal ladder. In general, these items should not be provided in playgrounds. However, when it comes to the development of the child, more protective wood track rides may be useful. The probability of receiving an injury when playing on monkey bars is twice that of a climbing frame and seven times that of a swing or slide. Therefore monkey bars are definitely with high risk, probably because of the upper-body strength and coordination they require. It has therefore been suggested that they should not be provided in playgrounds. Apart from that the monkey bars or upper body devices were the most common cause of all childhood extremity fractures. Slides are recommended; however, they should not be free-standing Slides are best located in an uncongested area of the playground, should have a smooth sliding surface without roughness, awaiting platform with a security fence around the top platform, a landing section parallel to the ground, and a maximum height of less than 1800 mm.Parent/guardian supervision of children aged under six years is obligatory. It is a fact that the swings are listed in the top ten of play and leisure activity products involved in injuries. Swings must have a protective bar and safe entries and exits to the area in which they are located. However, when the teeter boards are used, parent/guardian supervision of those aged under six years is obligatory.

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