Utah Administrative Code
Topic - Health
Title R381 - Child Care Center Licensing Committee
Rule R381-70 - Out of School Time Child Care Programs
Section R381-70-19 - Play Equipment

Universal Citation: UT Admin Code R 381-70-19

Current through Bulletin 2023-24, December 15, 2023

(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 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 has at least a six-foot use zone if any designated play surface is higher than 30 inches.

(3) 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.

(4) The provider shall ensure that the use zone for a multi-axis swing, including a tire swing, extends at least the measurement of the suspending rope or chain plus six feet.

(5) 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.

(6) 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.

(7) 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.

(8) Unless prohibited in Subsection R381-70-19(7), the provider shall ensure that the use zones of play equipment only overlap when 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.

(9) 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.

(10) 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.

(11) 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 1 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 1.

TABLE 1

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"

(12) 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 2.

TABLE 2

Depths of Protective Cushioning Required for Shredded Wood Products

Highest Designated Play Surface, Climbing 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

(13) 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.

(14) 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.

(15) The provider shall ensure that a play equipment platform that is more than 48 inches above the floor or ground has a protective barrier that is at least 38 inches high.

(16) The provider shall ensure that there is no gap greater than 3-1/2 inches in or under a required protective barrier on a play equipment platform.

(17) The provider shall ensure that stationary play equipment is stable or securely anchored.

(18) The provider shall ensure that there are no trampolines on the premises that are accessible to any child in care.

(19) The provider shall ensure that there are no entrapment hazards on or within the use zone of any piece of stationary play equipment.

(20) The provider shall ensure that there are no strangulation hazards on or within the use zone of any piece of stationary play equipment.

(21) 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.

(22) 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.

Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2015-10, effective 5/1/2015

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2018-1, effective 12/28/2017

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2018-16, effective 8/10/2018

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-05, effective 2/25/2020

Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-17, effective 9/1/2020

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2022-12, effective 6/1/2022

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2023-22, effective 11/9/2023

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Utah may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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