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Handbook for Playground Safety <br />;WWWWWm„�III <br />�u��uuV� <br />Figure 13. Entrapment hazards in flexible climbers <br />Entrapment hazard: <br />when the perimeter <br />of the net openings <br />is between 17 inches <br />and 28 inches <br />17 — 28 inches <br />5.3.2.4 Horizontal (overhead) ladders <br />Horizontal (overhead) ladders are a type of climber designed <br />to build upper body strength. They are designed to allow <br />children to move across the ladder from end to end using <br />only their hands. <br />Four -year -olds are generally the youngest children able to <br />use upper body devices like these; therefore, horizontal lad- <br />ders should not be used on playgrounds intended for toddlers <br />and 3-year-olds. The recommendations below are designed <br />to accommodate children ages 4 through 12 years. <br />• The first handhold on either end of upper body equip- <br />ment should not be placed directly above the platform <br />or climbing rung used for mount or dismount. This <br />minimizes the risk of children impacting rigid access <br />structures if they fall from the first handhold during <br />mount or dismount. <br />• The horizontal distance from the platform out to the first <br />handhold should be at least 8 inches but no greater than <br />10 inches. <br />• The space between adjacent rungs of overhead ladders <br />should be greater than 9 inches to prevent entrapment. <br />• Horizontal ladders intended for preschool -age children <br />should have rungs that are parallel to one another and <br />evenly spaced. <br />• The maximum height of a horizontal ladder (i.e., mea- <br />sured from the center of the grasping device to the top of <br />the protective surfacing below) should be: <br />— Preschool -age (4 and 5 years): no more than 60 inches. <br />— School -age: no more than 84 inches. <br />• The center -to -center spacing of horizontal ladder rungs <br />should be as follows: <br />— Preschool -age (4 and 5 years): no more than 12 inches. <br />— School -age: no more than 15 inches. <br />• The maximum height of the take-off/landing platform <br />above the protective surfacing should be: <br />— Preschool -age (4 and 5 years): no more than 18 inches. <br />— School -age: no more than 36 inches. <br />27 <br />