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Handbook for Playground Safety <br />5.2.1 Ramps, stairways, rung ladders, and step <br />ladders <br />Ramps, stairways, rung ladders, and step ladders each have <br />different recommendations for slope and tread dimension, <br />but the steps or rungs always should be evenly spaced - even <br />the spacing between the top step or rung and the surface of <br />the platform. Table 6 contains recommended dimensions for: <br />access slope; tread or rung width; tread depth; rung diame- <br />ter; and vertical rise for rung ladders, step ladders, and stair- <br />ways. Table 6 also contains slope and width recommenda- <br />tions for ramps. However, these recommendations are not <br />intended to address ramps designed for access by wheel- <br />chairs. <br />• Openings between steps or rungs and between the top <br />step or rung and underside of a platform should prevent <br />entrapment. <br />• When risers are closed, treads on stairways and ladders <br />should prevent the accumulation of sand, water, or other <br />materials on or between steps. <br />• Climbing equipment should allow children to descend as <br />easily as they ascend. One way of implementing this rec- <br />ommendation is to provide an easier, alternate means of <br />descent, such as another mode of egress, a platform, or <br />another piece of equipment. For example, a stairway can <br />be added to provide a less challenging mode of descent <br />than a vertical rung ladder or flexible climbing device (see <br />Table 5). <br />• For toddlers and preschool -age children, offering an easy <br />way out is particularly important since their ability to <br />descend climbing components develops later than their <br />ability to climb up the same components. <br />Table 6. Recommended dimensions for access ladders, stairs, and ramps* <br />AGE OF INTENDED USER <br />Type of Access <br />Toddler Preschool -age <br />School -age <br />Ramps (not intended to meet ADA/ABA specifications) <br />Slope (vertical:horizontal) <br />< 1:8 <br /><_ 1:8 <br /><_ 1:8 <br />Width (single) <br />>_ 19" <br />>_ 12" <br />>_ 16" <br />Width (double) <br />>_ 30" <br />>_ 30" <br />_> 36" <br />Stairways <br />Slope <br />_< 35° <br />< 50° <br />< 50° <br />Tread width (single) <br />12-21" <br />>_ 12" <br />>_ 16" <br />Tread width (double) <br />>_ 30" <br />>_ 30" <br />_> 36" <br />Tread depth (open riser <br />Not appropriate <br />>_ 7" <br />_> 8" <br />Tread depth (closed riser) <br />>_ 8" <br />>_ 7" <br />>_ 8" <br />Vertical rise <br />>_ 7" <br />>_ 9" <br /><_ 12" <br />Step ladders <br />Slope <br />35<_65° 50-75° <br />50-75° <br />Tread width (single) <br />12-21" 12-21" <br />>_ 16" <br />Tread width (double) <br />Not appropriate Not appropriate <br />_> 36" <br />Tread depth (open riser <br />Not appropriate <br />? 7" <br />>_ 3" <br />Tread depth (closed riser) <br />8" <br />? 7" <br />>_ 6" <br />Vertical rise <br />> 5 <_ 7" <br /><_ 9" <br /><_ 12" <br />Rung ladders <br />Slope <br />Not appropriate <br />75-90° <br />75-90° <br />Rung width <br />Not appropriate <br />>_ 12" <br />>_ 16" <br />Vertical rise <br />Not appropriate <br /><_ 12" <br />< 12" <br />Rung diameter <br />Not appropriate 0.95-1.55" <br />0.95-1.55" <br />* entrapment recommendations apply to all openings in access components <br />22 <br />