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ADA-Expert, Inc.

Play Areas

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Play Areas

P1 Is there an accessible route to the entrance of the play area? If there are separate play areas within a site for specific age groups, is there an accessible route to each play area? Is there an accessible route within the play area connecting ground level play components that are on an accessible route and elevated play components that are on an accessible route including the entry and exit points of those components?
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P2 Is there an accessible route to at least one of each type of ground level play component? Notes: 1. A play component is an element designed to generate play, socialization and learning. In the 2010 Standards ramps, transfer systems, steps, decks and roofs are not considered play components. 2. Ground level play components are components that can be approached and exited at ground level. Examples include rockers, swings, diggers, and stand-alone slides. When distinguishing between types of components consider the experience provided. Examples include rocking, swinging, climbing, digging, spinning and sliding.
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P3 If there are elevated play components, is there an accessible route to at least the following number and type of ground level play components? See chart below. Notes: 1. The intent is to provide a variety of experiences for children who want to remain in their wheelchair or with another mobility device and who choose not to transfer to elevated components. 2. If a play area includes two or more composite structures for the same age group, use the total number of elevated components to determine the additional number and types of ground level play components to provide on an accessible route. 3. If ramps provide access to at least 50 percent of the elevated components and the ramped route goes to at least three different elevated play types, the ground level components in the chart are not required. 4. The number of ground level components determined by “one of each type” can fulfill the minimum ground level requirements in the table.
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P4 If two or more ground level play components are on an accessible route are they dispersed throughout the play area and integrated with other play components?
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P5 If there is a soft contained play structure with three or fewer entry point, is there an accessible route to at least one entry point?
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P6 Accessible Route Connecting Ground Level Play Components: Use the checklist for Priority 1: Approach & Entrance with the following exceptions and requirements. Note: If there is a water play component and the accessible route is submerged, it is not required to be slip resistant, the running slope may be steeper than 1:12 and the cross slope may be steeper than 1:48.
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P7 Is the vertical clearance of the accessible route at least 80 inches above the ground surface? Note: Objects below 80 inches may not protrude into the accessible route.
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P8 If the play area is less than 1000 square feet: Is the route at least 44 inches wide? If the route exceeds 30 feet in length is a wheelchair turning space provided, i.e. a circle at least 60 inches in diameter or a T-shaped space within a 60-inch square?
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P9 If the play area is 1000 square feet or greater is the route at least: 60 inches wide or 36 inches wide for a distance no greater than 60 inches if reduced segments are separated by segments at least 60 wide and at least 60 inches long? Note: This permits flexibility around site features such as trees and equipment.
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P10 Is the route no steeper than 1:16, i.e. for every inch of height change there are at least 16 inches of run?
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P11 If the route is steeper than 1:20 and the rise for a ramp run is higher than 6 inches are there handrails on both sides of the ramp run? Notes: 1. Handrail extensions are not required. 2. Handrails are not required on ramps within ground level use zones. The use zone is the area beneath and adjacent to a play structure upon which a user would land when falling from or exiting a play structure.
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P12 Is the top of the handrail gripping surface no less than 20 inches and no greater than 28 inches above the ramp surface?
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P13 Is the handrail gripping surface: Circular with an outside diameter of at least .95 inch and no more than 1.55 inches? or Non-circular providing an equivalent gripping surface?
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P14 Elevated Play Components: Is there an accessible route to entry and exit points of at least 50 percent of elevated components? At least 32 inches wide for a distance no greater than 24 inches if the reduced width segments are separated by segments at least 48 inches long and at least 36 inches wide?
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P15 If there are 20 or more elevated play components are at least 25% connected by ramps? Are the other 25% that are required to be on an accessible route connected by either ramps or transfer systems?
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P16 If there are fewer than 20 elevated play components are at least 50% connected by either ramps or transfer systems. Note: Ramps are preferred but are not required.
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P17 Elevated Play Components Accessible Route: Use the checklist for Priority 1: Approach & Entrance and the following exceptions and requirements. Is the accessible route connecting elevated play components: At least 36 inches wide? or At least 32 inches wide for a distance no greater than 24 inches if the reduced width segments are separated by segments at least 48 inches long and at least 36 inches wide? or If part of a transfer system, at least 24 inches wide?
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P18 If there is a ramp are there handrails on both sides? Note: Handrail extensions are not required.
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P19 Is the top of the handrail gripping surface no less than 20 inches and no greater than 28 inches above the ramp surface?
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P20 If the handrail gripping surface is: Circular, is the outside diameter no less than .94 inch and no greater than 1.55 inch? Non-circular, is it equivalent to a circular gripping surface with a diameter no less than .94 inch and no greater than 1.55 inch?
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P21 Is the rise for any ramp run connecting elevated play components no greater than 12 inches?
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P22 If a transfer system is provided is the transfer system at least 24 inches wide?
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P23 Is the top of the transfer platform no less than 11 inches and no greater than 18 inches from the ground?
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P24 Is the transfer platform at least 14 inches deep by at least 24 inches wide?
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P25 Is there a clear transfer space at least 30 inches wide by at least 48 inches long adjacent to the platform, with the longer dimension centered on and parallel to the 24 inch minimum long side of the platform?
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P26 Is the side of the transfer platform adjacent to the clear space unobstructed?
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P27 If movement is intended from transfer platforms to levels with elevated play components that are required to be on an accessible route, are transfer steps provided?
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P28 Are the transfer steps: At least 14 inches deep? At least 24 inches wide? No higher than 8 inches?
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P29 Is there at least one means of support for transferring: On and off the platform? Up and down the transfer steps? Note: Examples of supports include a rope loop, a loop type handle, a slot in the edge of a flat horizontal or vertical member, poles or bars, or D rings on the corner posts.
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P30 Play Components: Is there at least one clear space for a person in a wheelchair to turn around, i.e. a circle at least 60 inches in diameter or a T-shaped space within a 60-inch square, at: Ground level play components on an accessible route? Elevated play components connected by ramps? Note: The turning space is not required at elevated play components connected only by transfer system.
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P31 If there are swings, is there clear space for a person in a wheelchair to turn around, i.e. a circle at least 60 inches in diameter or a T-shaped space within a 60-inch square, immediately adjacent to at least one swing?
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P32 Is there a clear ground/floor space at least 30 inches wide and 48 inches long at: Each ground level play component required to be on an accessible route? Each elevated play component required to be on an accessible route that is connected by ramps? Notes: 1. The clear ground space is not required at elevated play components connected only by transfer system. 2. Clear ground spaces 30 inches min by 48 inches min, 60 inch min turning spaces and accessible routes may overlap.
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P33 If there is a play table for children older than 5 years: Are the tops of rims, curbs, or other obstructions no greater than 31 inches above the ground? Is there clear ground space at least 30 inches wide by at least 48 inches long for a forward approach? Is there clear knee space underneath: At least 17 inches high? Does it extend at least 17 inches deep? Is it least 30 inches wide?
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P34 If there is a play table for children 5 years or younger: Does it provide knee space as noted above? or Is there clear ground space at least 30 inches wide by at least 48 inches long for a parallel approach?
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P35 If a play component on an accessible route requires transfer to entry points or seats: Is the entry point or seat no less than 11 inches and no greater than 24 inches from the clear floor/ground space? Is there at least one means of transfer support?
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P36 If a play component on an accessible route requires transfer to entry points or seats: Is the entry point or seat no less than 11 inches and no greater than 24 inches from the clear floor/ground space? Is there at least one means of transfer support?
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P37 Do the ground surfaces within use zones (the ground level area beneath and immediately adjacent to a play structure or play equipment that is designated for unrestricted circulation around the play equipment and where it is predicted that a user would land when falling from or exiting the play equipment) comply with ASTM F 1292-04 Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surfacing Materials Within the Use Zone of Playground Equipment?
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