Does anyone kow where I could get guidlines for building a kids playhouse?
Things like railing height, spindle spacing, ceiling height, things like
that. I'm building a 2 story structure with a bridge to a "look-out post"
with ladders, a rock wall, a slide and a pole to slide down (not sure about
the pole yet). Any info will be helpful.
Thanks
Nick
Most of these things are (unfortunately) regulated by various building
codes. Go to yoru municipal/town office or City Hall and talk to the
building permit people.
"Nick" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Does anyone kow where I could get guidlines for building a kids playhouse?
> Things like railing height, spindle spacing, ceiling height, things like
> that. I'm building a 2 story structure with a bridge to a "look-out post"
> with ladders, a rock wall, a slide and a pole to slide down (not sure
about
> the pole yet). Any info will be helpful.
>
> Thanks
>
> Nick
>
>
>
Nick,
I served as a "team captain" when we built our local public playground.
Here's what I learned:
1. By far the most injuries occur from falls to the ground. Therefore
the surface under the climbing equipment is one of the most important
considerations. Designers get technical about ratios of voids to
solids, but basically, you want something that will cushion their fall.
Sand is bad because it packs down like concrete. Wood chips are good.
Grass is bad because it wears away and leaves packed earth.
2. Head Entrapment is a big concern. Remember that very often, a
child's body will pass through a slot that their head won't pass
through. When they go through feet first, then their head won't make
it through, and their feet won't touch the ground, the results are
often very sad. Any opening needs to be less than 3.5 inches or more
than 8 inches at its smaller dimension.
3. Avoid situations that create a "V" with narrow part at the bottom,
especially if it's off the ground.
As others have said, there may be local regulations. If you don't get
any help there, the Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes
guidelines (not regulations) in their Handbook of Public Playground
Safety. Get it here: www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/325.pdf
DonkeyHody
"Every man is my superior in that I can learn from him." - Thomas
Carlyle
Nick wrote:
> Does anyone kow where I could get guidlines for building a kids
playhouse?
> Things like railing height, spindle spacing, ceiling height, things
like
> that. I'm building a 2 story structure with a bridge to a "look-out
post"
> with ladders, a rock wall, a slide and a pole to slide down (not sure
about
> the pole yet). Any info will be helpful.
>
> Thanks
>
> Nick
Nick,
I served as a "team captain" when we built our local public playground.
Here's what I learned:
1. By far the most injuries occur from falls to the ground. Therefore
the surface under the climbing equipment is one of the most important
considerations. Designers get technical about ratios of voids to
solids, but basically, you want something that will cushion their fall.
Sand is bad because it packs down like concrete. Wood chips are good.
Grass is bad because it wears away and leaves packed earth.
2. Head Entrapment is a big concern. Remember that very often, a
child's body will pass through a slot that their head won't pass
through. When they go through feet first, then their head won't make
it through, and their feet won't touch the ground, the results are
often very sad. Any opening needs to be less than 3.5 inches or more
than 8 inches at its smaller dimension.
3. Avoid situations that create a "V" with narrow part at the bottom,
especially if it's off the ground.
As others have said, there may be local regulations. If you don't get
any help there, the Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes
guidelines (not regulations) in their Handbook of Public Playground
Safety. Get it here: www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/325.pdf
DonkeyHody
"Every man is my superior in that I can learn from him." - Thomas
Carlyle
Nick wrote:
> Does anyone kow where I could get guidlines for building a kids
playhouse?
> Things like railing height, spindle spacing, ceiling height, things
like
> that. I'm building a 2 story structure with a bridge to a "look-out
post"
> with ladders, a rock wall, a slide and a pole to slide down (not sure
about
> the pole yet). Any info will be helpful.
>
> Thanks
>
> Nick
Sun, Jan 9, 2005, 8:43pm (EST-1) [email protected] (Nick) asks:
Does anyone kow where I could get guidlines for building a kids
playhouse? <snip>
Never heard of such an animal as guidelines for a playhouse. I'd
say lots of common sense. You get politicians giving guidelines, and
they'll suck all the fun out, for everyone but them.
Railings, I'd think at least waist high on an adult - don't want
the little buggers trtipping and falling over accidently, let 'm climb
on it and fall off like they're suppsed to do..
Spindle spacing, I'd make them too close for even a little kid to
stick their head thru, because, sooner or later one probably will.
Ceiling height? I'd make it high enough you could walk in standing
straight, unless you want to walk thru bent over.
Bridge, I'd want either a solid floor, or very closely spaced
planks. A kd in one of the Raleigh parks was screwing around on a
bridge, with I think railroad ties linked with chain. You'd have
thought no prob, but somehow this kid got his foot between them. I'd
have been willing to bet no one could have, but... Took seeral adults
seveal minutes to get him out.
Ladders, I think I'd make hand rails, and fasten them in place
probably. Or, have them so they can't tip backwards anyway. I would
think pull up would be OK too, as long as you figured out some way they
wouldn't tip backwards.
Rock wall I wouldn't, but it's your call.
Pole? Why not, as long as you make sure it's smooth, so no one
gets cut hands, or metal splinters.
In other words, anything you want to play with, as long as it's
reasonably safe for kids too. If you make it totally safe, not too many
kids are gonna want to play in it. I mean, kids are gonna trip on level
ground and themselves at times.
JOAT
Success is getting what you want.
Happiness is wanting what you get.
- =A0Dale Carnegie
JOAT pretty well summed it up. Also, Google for a little inspiration
and if you look close at many of the pics you can estimate distances for
certain objects. I'd suggest you build it to adult height so when the
kids outgrow it, you can use it for storage or as a shop. Take a trip
by several of the larger stores like HD & Lowes etc and see what they
put together for these in the spring, then build yours stronger<G>.
John
Nick wrote:
>Does anyone kow where I could get guidlines for building a kids playhouse?
>Things like railing height, spindle spacing, ceiling height, things like
>that. I'm building a 2 story structure with a bridge to a "look-out post"
>with ladders, a rock wall, a slide and a pole to slide down (not sure about
>the pole yet). Any info will be helpful.
>
>Thanks
>
>Nick
>
>
>
>
>