ADA and MAAB Requirements

Below are some highlights of ADA and MAAB requirements for Play Areas.  

​References:

     US Access Board - Guidelines and Standards
     US Access Board - A Summary of Guidelines for Accessible Play Areas
     CMR 521 - Code of Massachusetts Regulation: Architectural Access Board
     ASTM F 1487-01 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use
     ASTM F 1292-04 Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment


Accessible Routes

• An accessible route must be provided to each piece of play equipment and around the perimeter of the playground.
• The surface of the accessible route must meet the "firm, stable, and slip resistant" criteria as defined by the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB).
  • Engineered wood fiber, though advertised as meeting the requirements of the ADA, is not permitted for use on accessible routes required by the MAAB.  
    • The Board has found that this material, while potentially compliant at the moment of installation, does not remain firm, stable, and slip resistant for any period of time after it begins to be used.
  • Poured-in-Place surfacing meets both MAAB accessible route requirements and the fall safety requirements imposed by other regulations (ASTM).

Elevated Play

• Elevated play components are part of a composite playstructure where the entrance and/or exit of the activity is above ground level.
• Access to at least 50 percent of the elevated play components is required if there are less than 20 elevated components. 
• Access by way of a transfer system is acceptable when less than 20 elevated play components are provided. If 20 or more are provided, then a ramp is required to at least 25 percent.
• Elevated accessible routes must connect the entry and exit points of 50% of the elevated play components.

Ground Level Play

• Ground level play components are those that are approached and exited at the ground level. 
• Access to ground level components is required to:
  • at least one of each type provided 
  • and in a number proportionate to the number of elevated play components provided. An accessible surface to each accessible component is required.

Clear Floor and Ground Space

• A clear ground space of 30 inches by 48 inches is required to approach a play event at ground level.
  

Maneuvering Space

• A 60 inch circle or 60 inch T-Shaped turn is required to facilitate turning with a wheelchair or mobility device.
  

Entry Points and Seats

• Entry levels for swings, tunnels, and similar play events should range between 11 inches to 24 inches.
  

Use Zones 

• There is a minimum use zone of 6' in all directions for all equipment. 
• Rocking/springing equipment intended for users to stand upon is no less than 7'. 
• Overlapping
  • Use zones for adjacent pieces of play equipment may overlap if the adjacent designated play surfaces are less than 30" above the protective surface.
  • If either adjacent structure exceeds 30", the minimum distance between the structures should be 9'. 
  • Swings, slide exits, and moving equipment other than less than 30" high rocking equipment shall not overlap use zones. (CPSC 5.1.1, ASTM 9.2.1, 9.5.2.1). 
• Swings
  • Swings with enclosed swing seat or bucket, use zone to the front and to the rear shall be a minimum distance of 2W, where W equals the distance from the top of the occupant's sitting surface to the pivot-point on the swing (CPSC 5.1.3, ASTM 9.4.1.2). 
  • Belt swing's use zone to the front and to the rear shall be a minimum distance of 2X, where X equals the distance from the top of the protective surface to the pivot point on the swing (CPSC 5.1.3, ASTM 9.4.1.1).
  • The use zone for a rotating swing (tire swing) shall be a minimum of 6' in all directions of the support structure plus a minimum horizontal distance in all directions equal to the distance between the pivot point to the top of seat plus 6'. (CPSC 5.1.3, 5.1.4, ASTM 9.4.2). 

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