Playground Equipment and Structures

[classicT]

As per IBC Section 105.2, "Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings." are exempt from permit.

As per IRC Section 105.2, "Swings and other playground equipment." are exempt from permit.

 

[steveray]

They are exempt here CT amendment to the IBC:

11. Swings and other playground equipment.

 

[RLGA]

As per IBC Section 105.2, "Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings." are exempt from permit.

As per IRC Section 105.2, "Swings and other playground equipment." are exempt from permit.

Is there a question somewhere in there?

 

[classicT]

Is there a question somewhere in there?

Sorry Ron, see the poll at the very top. Question is if your AHJ requires permits for play structures.

 

[RLGA]

Sorry Ron, see the poll at the very top. Question is if your AHJ requires permits for play structures.

I see, the poll question gets kind of lost up at the top.

For the most part, the major jurisdictions within the Phoenix metropolitan area require permits for such equipment when they are not part of a 1- or 2-family dwelling unit. The Town of Gilbert requires permits only if they are inside a building (exterior installations are exempt). Tempe does not require permits for any such equipment--commercial or residential, interior or exterior.

 

[JCraver]

We permit the fence that their insurance company invariably requires, and that's it. I don't have any codes that have anything to do with swingsets and teeter-totters, and don't want any.

Our zoning specifically permits "playground equipment" in any zone, also, if that helps your research.

 

[cda]

Indoor or outdoor?

 

[mtlogcabin]

2018 IBC
SECTION 424
CHILDREN’S PLAY STRUCTURES

424.1 General.
Children’s play structures installed inside all occupancies covered by this code that exceed 10 feet (3048 mm) in height or 150 square feet (14 m2) in area shall comply with Sections 424.2 through 424.5.

 

[mtlogcabin]

2018 IBC
1110.4.13 Play areas.
Play areas containing play components designed and constructed for children shall be located on an accessible route.

2012 ANSI
play area: A portion of a site containing play components designed and constructed for children.

1108 Play Areas

1108.1 Scope.
Play areas shall comply with 1108.

 

[ADAguy]

Maybe not code but must comply with ADA if publicly accessible.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Wee require architect or engineer stamped plans. They never get the accessibility right the first time if at all.

 

[Yikes]

Maybe not code but must comply with ADA if publicly accessible.

In California, CBC 11B-240 adopts the same language as ADA (including its exceptions) into the building code, so yes it does get plan checked for ADA compliance. Ad we have the same CBC 424 requirements as listed by mtlogcabin.

A far as a "structural" plan check, our structural engineers do NOT design custom play structures - - too much liability! Instead, the equipment manufacturers design all the equipment, and provide all the structural reaction forces for our engineers to design the footings. The equipment manufacturers also specify the fall zone perimeter and height of fall, so that the landscape architect and/or civil engineer can design a suitable ground surface. The manufacturers are responsible to design to the standards of both industry trade organizations and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

As an aside, read the articles when you Google "atlantic magazine children's play structures". The short version is that all the liability and risk management has drained the life out of American playgrounds, made kids more bored, and actually also less safe by increasing the number and severity of childhood injuries overall. How? Because modern playground features don't teach kids how to navigate in a real world of hard, abrasive surfaces, sharp corners, and hot objects.

 

[tmurray]

We expressly exempt children's play structures in our municipal building by-law.

I've never seen one that actually complies with the code (apart from those located in public parks) and despite this do not believe them to be inherently unsafe.

 

[tmurray]

As an aside, read the articles when you Google "atlantic magazine children's play structures". The short version is that all the liability and risk management has drained the life out of American playgrounds, made kids more bored, and actually also less safe by increasing the number and severity of childhood injuries overall. How? Because modern playground features don't teach kids how to navigate in a real world of hard, abrasive surfaces, sharp corners, and hot objects.

We recently created a playground out of natural features. It's just a bunch of big boulders, logs, etc. Our parks manager found it kind of funny that he has been removing these things from playgrounds for years and now he is making a playground out of them.

 

[jay_proff2]

The main problem with not having a proper building permit is that you run the risk of hiring a poor-quality installer. Your facility may be located in an area that is unwittingly hazardous to children or others (ease of use, high voltage lines, etc.). Equipment may not be IPEMA certified and surfaces may not meet playground requirements. This poses a risk to children, with the added risk of filing a lawsuit against the property owner.

When a building permit is filed and approved by the building department, that permit is maintained on record for the designated property. By looking back on previous projects, you can review what your projects were like in the past and help you upgrade your playground or commercial space. This could be anything from adding shade, replacing a loose cover with a one-piece cover, to upgrading to wheelchair-accessible components.
Your Regard
Jay Proff
Owner of The Backyard Play Store

 

[Mark K]

Anybody who requires an engineer to design the footings of playground structures has too much time on their hand,

If you are concerned about the structural integrity of the playground-structure I suggest sending your heaviest inspector to climb on the structure.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Our main concern in PA is accessibility. Just inspected an existing playground at a school where they expanded it a little for a swing set. It was up on a little hill with a steep dirt path from the school and I failed it for a lack of an accessible route from the accessible parking space and the school.
The school will be appealing it.