UFC 4-740-14
1 August 2002
6-3.3
Utilize Existing Features. Preserve natural landscape features, including
existing topography, trees, and vegetation and supplement as needed to help children
explore movement in space, to lend novelty and challenge, and to assist children in
developing awareness of nature. Exercise care to ensure that natural features such as
hills and nature areas are accessible to everyone and that plants and vegetation are
non-toxic and don't have seeds or other elements that could be choked on. Integrate
plants into the entire play area rather than provide isolated nature areas.
6-3.4
Utilities. The only utilities permitted in the outdoor activity area are those
actively supporting the outdoor activity area. Specifically, Do not locate mechanical
equipment, transformers, storm drains, and manholes in the outdoor activity area.
6-3.5
equipment to permit use of the playground after inclement weather. Additional grading
and drainage criteria is in Chapter 3.
6-3.6
Adjacencies (to building, age-specific areas). Design outdoor play
areas to directly adjoin the CDC building. Locating play area immediately adjacent to
the activity room of the children using the play area is preferred. Locate play areas in
view of the activity rooms they serve.
6-3.7
Access and Exiting. For the play area, provide a minimum of two access
points, one from the activity room into the play area, and one from the play area outside
to the site. Design the access point from the play area to the site beyond to allow the
retrieval of play equipment (balls, etc.). Design to accommodate the movement of
maintenance equipment into the play area and allow an emergency exit. Pave the main
entrance pathway.
6-3.8
Climate Considerations. When planning the play areas, consider
prevailing weather patterns that may affect children's comfort. For example, locate the
play areas on the south side of the building in some geographical areas where they will
be protected from northerly winds. Provide natural wind breaks (trees) for extra
protection from the elements. Pay close attention to providing both natural and artificial
shade.
6-4
GENERAL SAFETY. The major cause of playground injury is falling onto
hard surfaces. Falls, head entrapments, strangulations, and contact with
protrusions/projections on heavy swing seats account for most fatalities. A "use zone"
is the area beneath and immediately adjacent to a play structure or equipment that is
designated for unrestricted circulation around the equipment and on whose surface it is
predicted that a user would land when falling from or exiting the equipment. Crush,
pinch, or shearing points are junctures that could cause contusion, laceration, abrasion,
amputation, or fracture during use. Locate moving elements in areas away from natural
child movement between zones. Refer to Section 6-2 for equipment specification
requirements. The CPSC and ASTM standards provide appropriate criteria with regard
to use zones, radiused corners, and crush, pinch, or shearing points.
6-4
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