has not been incorporated in the Department of Justice accessibility standards and therefore is not enforceable.
Newly designed or newly constructed and altered recreation facilities shall comply with the applicable requirements of section 4 and the special application sections, except as modified or otherwise provided in this section. Appendix Note
15.6.1* General. Newly designed and newly constructed play areas for children ages 2 and over and altered portions of existing play areas shall comply with the applicable provisions of section 4, except as modified or otherwise provided by this section. Where separate play areas are provided within a site for specified age groups, each play area shall comply with this section. Where play areas are designed or constructed in phases, this section shall be applied so that when each successive addition is completed, the entire play area complies with all the applicable provisions of this section. Appendix Note
EXCEPTION 1: Play areas located in family child care facilities where the proprietor actually resides shall not be required to comply with 15.6.
EXCEPTION 2: Where play components are relocated in existing play areas for the purpose of creating safe use zones, 15.6 shall not apply, provided that the ground surface is not changed or extended for more than one use zone.
EXCEPTION 3: Where play components are altered and the ground surface is not altered, the ground surface shall not be required to comply with 15.6.7 , unless required by 4.1.6(2) .
EXCEPTION 4: The provisions of 15.6.1 through 15.6.7 shall not apply to amusement attractions.
EXCEPTION 5: Compliance with 4.4 shall not be required within the boundary of the play area.
EXCEPTION 6: Stairs shall not be required to comply with 4.9 .
15.6.2* Ground Level Play Components. Ground level play
components shall be provided in the number and types required by 15.6.2.1
and 15.6.2.2. Ground level play components that are provided to comply
with 15.6.2.1 shall be permitted to satisfy the number required by 15.6.2.2,
provided that the minimum required types of play components are provided.
Where more than one ground level play component required by 15.6.2.1 and
15.6.2.2 is provided, the play components shall be integrated in the play
area.
Appendix Note
15.6.2.1 General. Where ground level play components are provided, at least one of each type provided shall be located on an accessible route complying with 15.6.4 and shall comply with 15.6.6 .
15.6.2.2 Additional Number and Types. Where elevated play components are provided, ground level play components shall be provided in accordance with Table 15.6.2.2. Ground level play components required by 15.6.2.2 shall be located on an accessible route complying with 15.6.4 and shall comply with 15.6.6 .
EXCEPTION: If at least 50 percent of the elevated play components are connected by a ramp, and if at least 3 of the elevated play components connected by the ramp are different types of play components, 15.6.2.2 shall not apply.
Table 15.6.2.2 Number
and Types of Ground Level Play Components
Required to be on Accessible Route
| Number of Elevated Play Components Provided | Minimum Number of Ground Level Play Components Required to be on Accessible Route | Minimum Number of Different Types of Ground Level Play Components Required to be on Accessible Route |
| 1 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 2 to 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 to 7 | 2 | 2 |
| 8 to 10 | 3 | 3 |
| 11 to 13 | 4 | 3 |
| 14 to 16 | 5 | 3 |
| 17 to 19 | 6 | 3 |
| 20 to 22 | 7 | 4 |
| 23 to 25 | 8 | 4 |
| More than 25 | 8 plus 1 for each additional 3 over 25, or fraction thereof | 5 |
15.6.3
* Elevated Play Components. Where elevated play components are
provided, at least 50 percent shall be located on an accessible route complying
with 15.6.4
. Elevated play components connected by a ramp
shall comply with 15.6.6
.
Appendix Note
15.6.4 * Accessible Routes. At least one accessible route complying with 4.3 , as modified by 15.6.4, shall be provided. Appendix Note
EXCEPTION 1: Transfer systems complying with 15.6.5 shall be permitted to connect elevated play components, except where 20 or more elevated play components are provided, no more than 25 percent of the elevated play components shall be permitted to be connected by transfer systems.
EXCEPTION 2: Where transfer systems are provided, an elevated play component shall be permitted to connect to another elevated play component in lieu of an accessible route.
EXCEPTION 3: Platform lifts (wheelchair lifts) complying with 4.11 and applicable State or local codes shall be permitted to be used as part of an accessible route.
15.6.4.1 Location. Accessible routes shall be located within the boundary of the play area and shall connect ground level play components as required by 15.6.2.1 and 15.6.2.2 and elevated play components as required by 15.6.3 , including entry and exit points of the play components.
15.6.4.2 Protrusions. Objects shall not protrude into ground level accessible routes at or below 80 in (2030 mm) above the ground or floor surface.
15.6.4.3 Clear Width. The clear width of accessible routes within play areas shall comply with 15.6.4.3.
15.6.4.3.1 Ground Level. The clear width of accessible routes at ground level shall be 60 in (1525 mm) minimum.
EXCEPTION 1: In play areas less than 1,000 square feet, the clear width of accessible routes shall be permitted to be 44 in (1120 mm) minimum, provided that at least one turning space complying with 4.2.3 is provided where the restricted accessible route exceeds 30 feet (9.14 m) in length.
EXCEPTION 2: The clear width of accessible routes shall be permitted to be 36 in (915 mm) minimum for a distance of 60 in (1525 mm) maximum, provided that multiple reduced width segments are separated by segments that are 60 in (1525 mm) minimum in width and 60 in (1525 mm) minimum in length.
15.6.4.3.2 Elevated. The clear width of accessible routes connecting elevated play components shall be 36 in (915 mm).
EXCEPTION 1: The clear width of accessible routes connecting elevated play components shall be permitted to be reduced to 32 in (815 mm) minimum for a distance of 24 in (610 mm) maximum provided that reduced width segments are separated by segments that are 48 in (1220 mm) minimum in length and 36 in (915 mm) minimum in width.
EXCEPTION 2: The clear width of transfer systems connecting elevated play components shall be permitted to be 24 in (610 mm) minimum.
15.6.4.4 Ramp Slope and Rise. Any part of an accessible route with a slope greater than 1:20 shall be considered a ramp and shall comply with 4.8 , as modified by 15.6.4.4.
15.6.4.4.1 Ground Level. The maximum slope for ramps connecting ground level play components within the boundary of a play area shall be 1:16.
15.6.4.4.2 Elevated. Where a ramp connects elevated play components, the maximum rise of any ramp run shall be 12 in (305 mm).
15.6.4.5 Handrails. Where required on ramps, handrails shall comply with 4.8.5 , as modified by 15.6.4.5.
EXCEPTION 1: Handrails shall not be required at ramps located within ground level use zones.
EXCEPTION 2: Handrail extensions shall not be required.
15.6.4.5.1 Handrail Gripping Surface. Handrails shall have a diameter or width of 0.95 in (24.1 mm) minimum to 1.55 in (39.4 mm) maximum, or the shape shall provide an equivalent gripping surface.
15.6.4.5.2 Handrail Height. The top of handrail gripping surfaces shall be 20 in (510 mm) minimum to 28 in (710 mm) maximum above the ramp surface.
15.6.5 * Transfer Systems. Where transfer systems are provided to connect elevated play components, the transfer systems shall comply with 15.6.5. Appendix Note
15.6.5.1 Transfer Platforms. Transfer platforms complying with 15.6.5.1 shall be provided where transfer is intended to be from a wheelchair or other mobility device (see Fig. 64 ).
15.6.5.1.1 Size. Platforms shall have a level surface 14 in (355 mm) minimum in depth and 24 in (610 mm) minimum in width.
15.6.5.1.2 Height. Platform surfaces shall be 11 in (280 mm) minimum to 18 in (455 mm) maximum above the ground or floor surface.
15.6.5.1.3 Transfer Space. A level space complying with 4.2.4 shall be centered on the 48 in (1220 mm) long dimension parallel to the 24 in (610 mm) minimum long unobstructed side of the transfer platform.
15.6.5.1.4 Transfer Supports. A means of support for transferring shall be provided.
15.6.5.2 Transfer Steps. Transfer steps complying with 15.6.5.2 shall be provided where movement is intended from a transfer platform to a level with elevated play components required to be located on an accessible route (see Fig. 65 ).
15.6.5.2.1 Size. Transfer steps shall have a level surface 14 in (355 mm) minimum in depth and 24 in (610 mm) minimum in width.
15.6.5.2.2 Height. Each transfer step shall be 8 in (205 mm) maximum high.
15.6.5.2.3 Transfer Supports. A means of support for transferring shall be provided.
15.6.6 * Play Components. Ground level play components located on accessible routes and elevated play components connected by ramps shall comply with 15.6.6. Appendix Note
15.6.6.1 Maneuvering Space. Maneuvering space complying with 4.2.3 shall be provided on the same level as the play components. Maneuvering space shall have a slope not steeper than 1:48 in all directions. The maneuvering space required for a swing shall be located immediately adjacent to the swing.
15.6.6.2 Clear Floor or Ground Space. Clear floor or ground space shall be provided at the play components and shall be 30 in (760 mm) by 48 in (1220 mm) minimum. Clear floor or ground space shall have a slope not steeper than 1:48 in all directions.
15.6.6.3 Play Tables: Height and Clearances. Where play tables are provided, knee clearance 24 in (610 mm) high minimum, 17 in deep (430 mm) minimum, and 30 in (760 mm) wide minimum shall be provided. The tops of rims, curbs, or other obstructions shall be 31 in (785 mm) high maximum.
EXCEPTION: Play tables designed or constructed primarily for children ages 5 and under shall not be required to provide knee clearance if the clear floor or ground space required by 15.6.6.2 is arranged for a parallel approach and if the rim surface is 31 in (785 mm) high maximum.
15.6.6.4 Entry Points and Seats: Height. Where a play component requires transfer to the entry point or seat, the entry point or seat shall be 11 in (280 mm) minimum and 24 in (610 mm) maximum above the clear floor or ground space.
EXCEPTION: The entry point of a slide shall not be required to comply with 15.6.6.4.
15.6.6.5 Transfer Supports. Where a play component requires transfer to the entry point or seat, a means of support for transferring shall be provided.
15.6.7 * Ground Surfaces. Ground surfaces along accessible routes, clear floor or ground spaces, and maneuvering spaces within play areas shall comply with 4.5.1 and 15.6.7. Appendix Note
15.6.7.1 Accessibility. Ground surfaces shall comply with ASTM F 1951 Standard Specification for Determination of Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment (incorporated by reference, see 2.3.2 ). Ground surfaces shall be inspected and maintained regularly and frequently to ensure continued compliance with ASTM F 1951.
15.6.7.2 Use Zones. If located within use zones, ground surfaces shall comply with ASTM F 1292 Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment (incorporated by reference, see 2.3.2 ).
15.6.8 Soft Contained Play Structures. Soft contained play structures shall comply with 15.6.8.
15.6.8.1 Accessible Routes to Entry Points. Where three or fewer entry points are provided, at least one entry point shall be located on an accessible route. Where four or more entry points are provided, at least two entry points shall be located on an accessible route. Accessible routes shall comply with 4.3 .
EXCEPTION: Transfer systems complying with 15.6.5 or platform lifts (wheelchair lifts) complying with 4.11 and applicable State or local codes shall be permitted to be used as part of an accessible route.