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Handbook for Playground Safety <br />Chain Net Climber <br />Arch Climber <br />IUVI., titlli�ti�pt <br />Tire Climber <br />Figure 6. Examples of More Challenging Modes of Access <br />5.2 Access Methods to Play Equipment <br />Access to playground equipment can take many forms, such <br />as conventional ramps, stairways with steps, and ladders with <br />steps or rungs. Access may also be by means of climbing <br />components, such as arch climbers, climbing nets, and tire <br />climbers (see Figure 6). <br />As children develop, they gain better balance and coordina- <br />tion, so it is important to pick appropriate access methods <br />based on the age group. Table 5 shows the most common <br />methods of access and the youngest appropriate age group. <br />Access to platforms over 6 feet high (except for free-stand- <br />ing slides) should provide an intermediate standing surface <br />so that the child can pause and make a decision to keep <br />going up or find another way down. Children generally mas- <br />ter access before egress, that is, they can go up before they <br />can get back down a difficult component. Therefore, if there <br />are more difficult access methods, it is important to have <br />easier components for egress. <br />Table 5. Methods of access <br />and egress <br />Method of Challenge Appropriate <br />Access Level for <br />Ramps Easiest Toddlers + <br />Straight stairways Easy Toddlers + <br />Spiral stairways Moderate Toddlers* + <br />Step ladders Moderate 15 months* + <br />Rung ladders Moderate Preschool* + <br />Arch climbers Difficult Preschool* + <br />Flexible climbers Difficult Preschool* + <br />(nets, tires) <br />* only if an easy egress method is also provided <br />21 <br />