La. Admin. Code tit. 51 § XXI-501

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 12, December 20, 2024

Section XXI-501 - General Standards [formerly paragraph 21:020]

A. The outdoor play area shall be enclosed with a fence or natural barriers. The barrier shall be at least 4 feet in height and the bottom edge shall be no more than 3 1/2 inches off the ground. There shall be at least two exits from such areas with at least one remote from buildings. Gates shall be equipped with self-closing and positive self-latching closure mechanisms. The latch or securing device shall be high enough or of a type that cannot be opened by small children.

1. The openings in the fence shall be no greater than 3 1/2 inches to prevent entrapment. The fence shall be constructed to discourage climbing, at least equivalent to a chain link fence.

B. [Formerly paragraph 21:020-1] Outdoor areas shall be kept free of excessive dust, weeds, brush, high grass, debris, and standing water.

C. [Formerly paragraph 21:020-2] Outside play areas shall be free from unprotected swimming and wading pools (both in-ground and above-ground), ditches, quarries, canals, excavations, fish ponds or other bodies of water. All water hazards shall be enclosed with a fence which is at least 5 feet high and comes within 3 1/2 inches of the ground with no openings of greater than 3 1/2 inches.

D. [Formerly paragraph 21:020-3] All pieces of playground equipment with play surfaces 4 feet or higher from the ground shall have an appropriate energy absorptive surface such as wood chips at a depth of 8-10 inches or rubber mats manufactured for such use meeting A.S.T.M. Standard F-355, under the fall zone of the equipment.

E. [Formerly paragraph 21:020-4] Sandboxes shall be constructed to permit drainage, and shall be covered when not in use and be kept free from cat or other animal excrement.

La. Admin. Code tit. 51, § XXI-501

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, LR 28:1403 (June 2002).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 40:4(A)(10) and R.S. 40:5.