Section R381-100-19 - Play Equipment(1) The provider shall ensure that children using play equipment use it safely and as intended by the manufacturer.(2) The provider shall ensure that the highest designated play surface on stationary play equipment used by infants or toddlers does not exceed three feet in height.(3) The provider shall ensure that swings used by infants or toddlers have enclosed seats.(4) The provider shall ensure that stationary play equipment has a surrounding use zone that extends from the outermost edge of the equipment and that, with the exception of swings, stationary play equipment that is: (a) used by infants or toddlers has at least a three-foot use zone if any designated play surface is higher than 18 inches;(b) used by preschoolers has at least a six-foot use zone if any designated play surface is higher than 20 inches; and(c) used by school-age children has at least a six-foot use zone if any designated play surface is higher than 30 inches.(5) The provider shall ensure that the use zone in the front and rear of a single-axis, enclosed swing extends at least twice the distance of the swing pivot point to the swing seat.(6) The provider shall ensure that the use zone in the front and rear of a single-axis swing extends at least twice the distance of the swing pivot point to the ground.(7) The provider shall ensure that the use zone for a multi-axis swing, including a tire swing, extends: (a) at least the measurement of the suspending rope or chain plus three feet, if the swing is used by infants or toddlers; or(b) at least the measurement of the suspending rope or chain plus six feet, if the swing is used by preschoolers or school-age children.(8) The provider shall ensure that the use zone for a merry-go-round extends at least six feet in any direction from its outermost edge.(9) The provider shall ensure that the use zone for a spring rocker extends: (a) at least three feet from the outermost edge of the rocker when at rest; or(b) at least six feet from the outermost edge of the rocker when at rest if the seat is higher than 20 inches, and the rocker is used by preschoolers or school-age children.(10) The provider shall ensure that the following use zones do not overlap the use zone of any other piece of play equipment: (a) the use zone in front of a slide;(b) the use zone in the front and rear of any single-axis swing, including a single-axis enclosed swing;(c) the use zone of a multi-axis swing; and(d) the use zone of a merry-go-round if the platform diameter measures 20 inches or more.(11) Unless prohibited in Subsection R381-100-19(10), the provider shall ensure that the use zones of play equipment only overlap when: (a) the equipment is used by infants or toddlers, and there is at least three feet between the pieces of equipment; or(b) the equipment is used by preschoolers or school-age children and there is at least six feet between the pieces of equipment if the designated play surface is 30 inches or lower, or there is at least nine feet between the pieces of equipment if the designated play surface is higher than 30 inches.(12) The provider shall ensure that, when in use, stationary play equipment is not placed on a hard surface including concrete, asphalt, dirt, or the bare floor.(13) The provider shall ensure that protective cushioning covers the entire surface of each required use zone and that its depth or thickness is determined by the highest designated play surface of the equipment.(14) If the provider uses sand, gravel, or shredded tires as protective cushioning, the provider shall:(a) ensure that the cushioning is periodically checked for compaction and loosened to the depth listed in Table 2 if compacted;(b) if the material cannot be loosened due to extreme weather conditions, not allow children to play on the equipment until the material can be loosened to the required depth; and(c) ensure that the depth of the material meets the guidelines in Table 2. TABLE 2 |
Depths of Protective Cushioning Required for sand, Gravel, and Shredded Tires and Rubber Products |
Highest Designated Play Surface, Climbing Bar, or Swing Pivot Point | Fine sand | Coarse Sand | Fine Gravel | Medium Gravel | Shredded Tires and Rubber Products |
Up to 5' high | 6" | 6" | 6" | 6" | 6" |
Over 5' up to 6' | 6" | 9" | 6" | 9" | 6" |
Over 6' up to 9' | 9" | Not allowed | 9" | Not allowed | 6" |
Over 9' up to 10' | Not allowed | Not allowed | 9" | Not allowed | 6" |
Over 10' up to 12' | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | 6" |
(15) If the provider uses shredded wood products as protective cushioning, the provider shall: (a) keep on-site for review by the department documentation from the manufacturer that the wood product is protective cushioning;(b) ensure there is adequate drainage under the material; and(c) ensure the depth of the shredded wood meets the guidelines in Table 3. TABLE 3 |
Depths of Protective Cushioning Required for Shredded Wood Products |
Highest Designated Play Surface, Chinbing Bar, or Swing Pivot Point | Engineered Wood fibers | Wood Chips | Double Shredded Bark Mulch |
Up to 6' high | 6" | 6" | 6" |
Over 6' up to 7' | 9" | 6" | 9" |
Over 7' up to 11' | 9" | 9" | 9" |
Over 11 | 9" | Not allowed | Not allowed |
(16) If the provider uses a unitary cushioning' the provider shall maintain on-site for review by the department documentation from the manufacturer that the material is cushioning for playgrounds.(17) If a unitary cushioning, the provider shall ensure that the cushioning material is securely installed, so that it cannot become displaced when children jump, run, walk, land, or move on it, or be moved by children picking it up.(18) The provider shall ensure that a play equipment platform that is more than:(a) 18 inches above the floor or ground and used by infants or toddlers has a protective barrier that is at least 24 inches high;(b) 30 inches above the floor or ground and used by preschoolers has a protective barrier that is at least 29 inches high; and(c) 48 inches above the floor or ground and used by school-age children has a protective barrier that is at least 38 inches high.(19) The provider shall ensure that there is no gap greater than 3-1/2 inches m or under a required protective barrier on a play equipment platform.(20) The provider shall ensure that stationary play equipment is stable or securely anchored.(21) The provider shall ensure that there are no trampolines on the premises that are accessible to any child in care.(22) The provider shall ensure that there are no entrapment hazards on or within the use zone of any piece of stationary play equipment.(23) The provider shall ensure that there are no strangulation hazards on or within the use zone of any piece of stationary play equipment.(24) The provider shall ensure that there are no crush, shearing, or sharp edge hazards on or within the use zone of any piece of stationary play equipment.(25) The provider shall ensure that there are no tripping hazards including concrete footings, tree stumps, tree roots, or rocks within the use zone of any piece of stationary play equipment.Utah Admin. Code R381-100-19
Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2015-10, effective 5/1/2015Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2018-1, effective 12/28/2017Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2018-16, effective 8/10/2018Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-05, effective 2/25/2020Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-17, effective 9/1/2020Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2022-12, effective 6/1/2022Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2023-22, effective 11/9/2023