Accessibility and your EWF surface

Accessibility

• In September of 2010 the D.O.J adopted ADA standards for accessible

design which include recreation

environments.

• These guidelines will be enforced starting

• March 2012.

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Accessibility

• How will this affect engineered wood fiber for my

playground?

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Accessibility-testing

Accessible ground surfaces must comply with ASTM F1951: Standard Specification for

Determination of Accessibility of Surface Systems Under and

Around Playground Equipment.

Currently this is the only approved test method to

measure firmness & stability. This is performed in a lab setting

inside a minimum 4’x10’ box, or it can be performed in-the-field

but can be expensive.

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Above picture from a lab showing the test box and wheel chair device that measures the users force to propel over

the tested surface.

Accessibility- testing

There is an instrument called a Rotational Penetometer that

can be used in the field to test for firmness and stability, but

there is no approved ASTM test method. It is used by the US

Access Board when accessing surfaces. Zeager owns one of these to test their surface’s

performance out in the field.

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Accessibility- testing

Firm and stable is just one characteristic to an accessible surface. Let look at the other

requirements that an accessible surface must meet..

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Accessibility - routes

An accessible route going from the entrance to the play area –

60” wide is necessary and should be maintained.

This could be level, compacted wood fiber (A) or a unitary

pathway such as bonded wood fiber(B), poured in place

rubber(C), rubber tiles, etc..

Note: Be sure to maintain an even transition at the entrance/exit between hard surface and EWF

A B

C

Accessibility - slope

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Maxium 1:20 (5%) running slope on ground-level accessible routes.

1:20

20’

Accessibility - slope

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2%

Accessibility-routes

All accessible routes must connect all entry and exit points of the accessible play unit. If

using a loose fill surface, maintenance

will be required (raking level & compacting).

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Accessibility – routes / exceptions

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Accessibility – routes / exceptions

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Accessibility - openings

No gaps bigger than ½” in diameter. (this would

come into play when using unitary surfaces like rubber tiles or PIP.

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Accessibility- changes in level

Abrupt changes in level must be ¼” max, changes

in level larger then ½” must be ramped.

Manufactured ramps or natural ramps are a good remedy to this guideline, or keep it maintained with loose fill wood fiber.

Accessibility ground space

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Clear Floor or Ground Space

30” x 48 in. min. Within 2% level Discretionary placement Applies to ground-level

& elevated components accessed by ramp.

30”x60” Zeager Wear mat installed to maintain clear ground space for example.

Maintain the transition from the surface to the

mat. Nothing over a ½” !

Minimal accessible equipment requirements

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Ground level components are items approached and exited at ground level. At least one of each type that is already present in the play area must be on an accessible route. Examples

can be play panels, spring rockers, swings, sand pit toys, etc.

Accessibility-routes

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The above chart is available on the US Access board website to help determine ground level

component requirements. More info next page.

Accessibility-routes

There is a chart and worksheet available from the U.S. Access Board’s website to help assist you in reviewing your playground.

It is located in a document called: “Accessible Play Areas – A summary of accessibility guidelines for play areas”

http://www.access-board.gov/play/guide/guide.pdf

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Ways to install Woodcarpet so it is firm & stable from day one.

The surfacing should be installed in such a way that it is level &

compacted so it is firm & stable.

Zeager’s installation instructions will include a manual compaction

method using a plate tamper, roller or track loader to wet &

compact the EWF in 6” layers so it is immediately accessible.

Note: This takes approximately 15% more than natural

compaction. 19

If you have playgrounds with EWF and did not compact it when you

initially installed it, you will notice that it will compact

and become firm and stable naturally through use and

rainfall. This normally takes 2 to 6 weeks.

(Zeager does not recommend waiting if access is needed immediately)

Accessibility-installation

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The picture on the right shows a measurement taken at an elementary school that installed a drain system &

compacted and wetted the Woodcarpet in layers as we recommend.

9 months later, there was no drop in level from the asphalt to the Woodcarpet EWF.

It really does pay to do it right!

Accessibility-installation

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Maintaining Accessibility

Clear floor space areas required around high use

areas like transfer platforms, slide exits and swing areas need to be maintained as

often as needed.

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A crew raking & leveling a high use area

Mats used under swing bays

A custom mat under some overhead rings helps maintenance workers in between raking.

Product to help maintain accessible routes

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Zeager has a surface system that binds the Woodcarpet

to make accessible pathways to help maintain routes going from entrances to

designated play equipment for those with disabilities.

Ask your Zeager rep for more details….

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FREE not to worry