8 Colo. Code Regs. § 1402-1-2.230
Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, June 10, 2024
Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.230 - INDOOR/OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, AND SURFACESA. A variety of play equipment and materials appropriate for children's age, size, developmental needs, and activities must be provided for both indoor and outdoor structured and free play. 1. Programs who qualify for an outdoor space hardship per rule section 2.232(B)(1) are not required to provide equipment and materials for outdoor play.B. Indoor and outdoor equipment, materials, and furnishings must be sturdy, safe, and free of hazards.C. All other indoor or outdoor playground facilities, with permanently installed or portable climbing equipment, without an annually certified playground inspection must meet the following requirements: 1. Resilient Surfacing a. All climbing equipment eighteen (18) inches or higher must have resilient surfacing of at least six (6) inches in the use zone surrounding the equipment.b. Department-approved resilient surfacing includes loose fill materials such as wood chips, wood mulch, engineered wood fiber, pea gravel, synthetic pea gravel, shredded rubber tires, and sand. Solid unitary materials include poured in place surfacing, approved rubber mats, playground tiles, and Astroturf with built in resilient pad.c. Loose fill resilient surface must be raked regularly to retain its resiliency and to retain a depth of at least six (6) inches.d. Any newly installed solid unitary materials used for resilient materials must have written documentation from manufacturer stating the material meet current federal safety standards. The documentation must be available for review at all times.2. Maximum Height of Equipment a. The maximum height for toddler climbing equipment cannot exceed thirty-two (32) inches.b. The maximum height for preschool and school-age climbing equipment must not exceed six (6) feet in height with six (6) inches of Department-approved resilient surfacing.3. Use Zone a. Toddler climbing equipment must have a three (3) foot use zone surrounding the equipment. Toddler slides require a six (6) foot use zone extending out from the base of the slide.b. The use zone for swings used by toddlers is determined by measuring the distance from the top of the swing to the bottom of the bucket seat. This measured distance must extend from both the front and the back of the swing.c. Preschool and school-age climbing equipment must have a six (6) foot use zone surrounding the equipment. For slides exceeding six (6) feet in height, the use zone from the base of the slide must be as long as the slide height.d. The use zone for swings used by children preschool age and older is determined by measuring the distance from the top of the swing to the ground. This measured distance must extend from both the front and the back of the swing.4. Moving equipment must be located toward the edge or corner of a play area or be designed in such a way as to discourage children from running into the path of the moving equipment.5. Metal equipment must be placed in the shade.6. All pieces of playground equipment must be designed to guard against entrapment and strangulation. Any openings in gross motor equipment above ground must be smaller than three and one half (3 ½) inches or greater than nine (9) inches to prevent entrapment.7. Swings must have seats made of a flexible material and all "S" hooks must be secured.8. All outdoor play areas used for children's activities must be checked daily and kept safe and free from hazardous materials or debris by removal of debris, dilapidated structures, and broken or worn play equipment. The staff must identify hazardous, high-risk areas; those areas must be made inaccessible to children to reduce the possibility of injuries and accidents.D. For purposes of a playground facility inspection, the Department shall accept as satisfactory proof of valid certification of the playground facility, certification, or a copy of certification, from an individual who is licensed or certified to perform playground safety inspections through the National Recreation and Park Association, or other nationally recognized playground facility safety organization. The Department shall not require a duplicate inspection if there is a satisfactory inspection report. 1. All playground facilities who hold a certified playground safety inspection must maintain resilient surfacing in compliance with the certification.E. Children must wear helmets when riding scooters, bicycling, skateboarding, or rollerblading. The helmet must be removed after the activity. Motorized riding toys are not permitted.F. Trampolines and inflatable bouncers are prohibited.46 CR 22, November 25, 2023, effective 12/15/2023