Singapore Polytechnic

Industrial Engineering

Designing a Playground with consideration to Ergonomics Principles

Prepared forLecturer Yap Chin Hooi

Prepared by

Group 1

Mohammad Hafiz Bin AriffMohamed Fahmi Bin Tahar

Rashidah Bte RasidiLoh Jia Ming

Content

Page

1 Introduction 2

1.1 Purpose 21.2 Background 21.3 Methodology 21.4 Scope 2

2 The objective of designing the playground 3

2.1.1 Selection of equipment 32.1.2 Layout of the playground 3

3 The Playground parts 4

3.1 Surface at the playground 43.2 Sharp edges of equipment 43.3 Platforms 43.4 Step Platforms 43.5 Guardrails and protective barriers 43.6 Handrails 4

4 Playground equipments 5-8

4.1 Slides 54.2 Seesaw 64.3 Swings 74.4 Merry go round 8

5 Conclusion 9

6 Reference 9

1

1 Introduction

1.1 Purpose

The report aims to design a playground with consideration to ergonomics principles and anthropometric data.

1.2 Background

According to the internet, in recent years, it is estimated that there were more than 156,000 injuries annually on public playgrounds across the country that required emergency room treatment.

1.3 Methodology

This report is obtained through internet and research on ergonomics principles and playground safety.

1.4 Scope

The report shows the objective of designing the playground, the playground parts, and the basic sketch of the playground and anthropometric data.

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2 The objective of designing the playground.

Most of the time, playgrounds are use by kids or children. Therefore, the objective of the design with consideration to ergonomics principles and anthropometric data is divided to two parts,

2.1.1 Selection of equipment

It is important to know the age range of the children who will be using the playground. Playgrounds should be designed in scale with their sizes.

2.1.2 Layout of the playground

Layout of equipment on the playground is important, to fully utilizes the space given. The playground layout have some factors, they are:

1. Accessibility

2. Age separation

Playground to serve children of all ages, the layout should or the landscaping of the playground should show the difference areas for different age groups.

3. Conflicting activities

Organize the layout into different section to prevent accidents or injuries caused by conflicting activity or children running.

a) Physical activities should be separated from passive activitiesb) Heavy use of equipment need to be dispersed to avoid crowding in

one areac) Moving equipment such as swings or merry go round should be

located at the side or the corner of the playgroundd) Slide exits should be away from crowded area

4. Signage

Guidance to supervisors for the appropriate age of equipment

5. Supervision

They should be aware that not all of the equipments are appropriate for all children ages.

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3 The Playground parts

3.1 Surface at the playground

Rubber mats is used for the surface at the playground because it is able to absorb a shock to prevent a life-threatening injuries from falling

3.2 Sharp edges of equipment

Cover it by plugs that cannot be removed or all corners should be rounded because it may cut children skin.

3.3 Platforms

Platforms designs are totally or almost flat, small opening platforms for drainage, and able to minimize collection of debris

3.4 Step Platforms

According to the internet, the difference in height between stepped platforms,

Toddlers – 7 inches Preschool age – 12 inches School age – 18 inches

Since the maximum height for toddlers is 7 inches compare to the others, therefore the selected height for the design is 7 inches (178 mm) 1 inches = 25.4mm

3.5 Guardrails and protective barriers

It is used to protect falls from higher platforms. It will be provided on elevated platforms, walkways, landings and transitional surfaces.

3.6 Handrails

It is used to provide hand support and to steady the user. It has on both sides of the stairways, step ladders, regardless of height access. According to the internet, the space between handrails and the pathways:

Toddlers – 15 to 20 inches Preschool and school age – 22 to 26 inches School age – 22 to 38 inches

Since the maximum for toddlers is 20 and the minimum for preschool and school age is 22, the selected space between handrails and pathways for design is 20 to 22 inches (508mm-965mm) 1 inches = 25.4mm

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4 Playground equipments (anthropometric data)

There are many types of equipments in the playground.

4.1 Slides Figure 1, straight slide

Figure 1, straight slide.

Slide platform

Toddlers - at least 19 inches deep

Preschool age and school age – at least 14 inches

Slide chutes

Toddler – average incline of a slide chute should not be more than 24 deg.

Preschool and school age – average incline of a slide should not b more than 30 deg

The end of the slide should have a maximum height of 12 inches (305mm) above the surface.1 inches = 25.4mm

Design selection

Slide platform

Selection depth for the slide platform is 19 inches (483mm). It is because; it must be at least 19 inches for toddlers. 1 inches = 25.4mm

Horizontal At least as wide as slide chute Surrounded by guardrails or barriers Handholds to facilitate the transition from standing to sitting to prevent

falls

Slide chutes

Selected incline of a slide chute is 24 deg since maximum inline for toddler is 24 deg while 30 deg for preschool age and school age

End of slide is 10 inches (254mm) 1 inches = 25.4mm Wide 12 inches (305mm)

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4.2 Seesaw

Figure 3, typical seesaw

Designing seesaw

Shock absorbing material (tire) in the ground underneath the seats, or secured on the underside of the seats.

Maximum incline angle is 25 deg. No footrest. The use zone is 6 feet from each of the outside edge of the seesaw. Handholds at each seating position for gripping won’t turn when

grasped. Handholds should not protrude beyond the sides of the seat Seat is 200 mm wide

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4.3 Swings

Figure 4, swings.

Figure 4.1, designing swings.

Figure 4.2, designing swings.

Designing swings

Zone is away from other equipment to prevent children running into the path of moving swings

Hardware is used to secure suspending elements to the swing seat and to the supporting structure, eliminate of removing materials without the use of tools.

Not to be attach to composite structure Seats design is only one user at any time Seats are made of lightweight rubber No sharp edges on the seats and around it Wide 12 inches (305mm) 12 inches high (305mm) from surface

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4.5 Merry go round

Figure 5, merry go round

Designing merry go round

Not used for toddlers Platform height 14 inches (356mm) from the protective surface No openings on the platform Handgrips should not extend beyond the perimeter of the platform No sharp edges and on the rotating platform and around it Eliminate up and down motion.

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5 Conclusions

From this report we conclude that the importance of designing a playground with consideration of ergonomics with anthropometric data, the importance of designing a playground priority with safety, the importance of selecting the correct equipments and parts of the playground for the age range of the children who will be using the playground, and playgrounds should be designed in scale with their sizes.

6 References

Information search on designing playground with consideration with ergonomics

Type of information sourceInternet

Detail of sourcehttp://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/325.pdf

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Playground Sketches

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