Registration Eligibility
This course is open to anyone interested in understanding the requirements set by law and by standard for the GLAR in Playgrounds.
Start Date
08/04/2020
End Date
07/31/2021
Description
Removing architectural barriers is not only a public good, in many jurisdictions it is the law as with the ADA, or Building Codes in places like California and then generally stipulated by many public agencies. The regulations and standards provide for minimum requirements, which are mandatory where they apply and then there are best practices and options that provide life-style benefits to children and caregivers with different abilities.
In the playground there is a balance that the professional designer and owner/operator must consider, the performance of surfacing materials for access to the play components and the prevention of injury. The selection of surfacing materials will affect the performance and need for maintenance. Certain performance requirements will involve material testing in the laboratory, while others need sophisticated instrumentation and still others can be measured with readily available tools and devices. The level of training field staff has affects the choices and these can be costly and limiting.
Depending upon materials selected and the frequency of maintenance that an owner/operator is prepared to perform, they may have to consider surfacing options for the accessible route. These options are either poured-in-place or rubber play mats that can provide both firm and stable surfaces as well as meet impact attenuation concerns, provided a testing system is in place. Generally, budgets do not allow for a total synthetic surfacing approach, making the combination of loose-fill playground with synthetic surfacing on the accessible route the reality. There are solutions that can be applied to meet these needs.
Distance Learning
Yes
Course Equivalency
No
Subjects
Accessibility / ADA
Health, Safety and Welfare
Yes
Hours
1.0
Learning Outcomes
Understand the basic elements of the DOJ 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design for playgrounds and Annex H of the CSA Z614 Standard.
Understand how to determine the number of elevated components that must be on accessible route and that any elevated component that returns to the ground will require transfer to a ground level accessible route connected to beginning of and perimeter of the playground.
Understand how to calculate the minimum number of ground level accessible components are required once the minimum number of elevated accessible components are determined.
Understand the performance and physical definitions for various barrier free design requirements including; clear width of the route, allowable changes in surface grade, (maximum allowable running slope, cross slope, vertical rise in any surface or transition, max. opening or gap within the accessible route, minimum overhead clearance over width of the route and how much and where clear space and parking space is required adjacent to equipment for wheelchair access.
Understand the requirements to meet ASTM F1292, field test procedures and the content for reporting compliance.
Understand the minimum requirements to comply with ASTM F1951 for the determination of firmness and stability and the option of determining firmness and stability in the field using the Instrumented Surface Indenter.
Instructors
Rolf Huber
Course Codes
Provider
Canadian Playground Advisory Inc.