CERTIFIED PLAYGROUND SAFETY INSPECTOR
6 CORE PLAYGROUND DESIGN, HAZARD
IDENTIFICATION, AND SAFETY STANDARDS
REVIEW 2026
◉ torso probe - minimum insertion depth.
Answer: 4
◉ partially bounded opening probe (A) - width.
Answer: 6.1
◉ torso probe - width.
Answer: 6.2
◉ partially-bounded opening probe (B) - shoulder width.
Answer: 8.5
◉ head probe - diameter.
Answer: 9
,◉ stepping forms for children 2-5 - maximum distance between
forms.
Answer: 12
◉ maximum clear opening without a top horizontal guardrail.
Answer: 15
◉ stepping forms for children 5-12 - maximum distance between
forms.
Answer: 18
◉ elevated structures for children 2-5 maximum height without
guardrails.
Answer: 20
◉ guardrails on upper platform of adjacent platforms - maximum
height difference for children 2-5.
Answer: 20
◉ slide non-entanglement / clearance zone - minimum side
clearance.
Answer: 21
, ◉ guardrails for children 2-5 maximum height of lower rail.
Answer: 23
◉ guardrails for children 5-12 - maximum height of lower rail.
Answer: 28
◉ guardrails for children 2-5 - minimum height of upper rail.
Answer: 29
◉ barriers for children 2-5 - minimum height of upper rail.
Answer: 29
◉ elevated structures for children 2-5 - maximum height without
barriers.
Answer: 30
◉ elevated structures for children 5-12 - maximum height without
guardrails.
Answer: 30
◉ barriers on upper platform of adjacent platforms - maximum
height difference for children 2-5.
6 CORE PLAYGROUND DESIGN, HAZARD
IDENTIFICATION, AND SAFETY STANDARDS
REVIEW 2026
◉ torso probe - minimum insertion depth.
Answer: 4
◉ partially bounded opening probe (A) - width.
Answer: 6.1
◉ torso probe - width.
Answer: 6.2
◉ partially-bounded opening probe (B) - shoulder width.
Answer: 8.5
◉ head probe - diameter.
Answer: 9
,◉ stepping forms for children 2-5 - maximum distance between
forms.
Answer: 12
◉ maximum clear opening without a top horizontal guardrail.
Answer: 15
◉ stepping forms for children 5-12 - maximum distance between
forms.
Answer: 18
◉ elevated structures for children 2-5 maximum height without
guardrails.
Answer: 20
◉ guardrails on upper platform of adjacent platforms - maximum
height difference for children 2-5.
Answer: 20
◉ slide non-entanglement / clearance zone - minimum side
clearance.
Answer: 21
, ◉ guardrails for children 2-5 maximum height of lower rail.
Answer: 23
◉ guardrails for children 5-12 - maximum height of lower rail.
Answer: 28
◉ guardrails for children 2-5 - minimum height of upper rail.
Answer: 29
◉ barriers for children 2-5 - minimum height of upper rail.
Answer: 29
◉ elevated structures for children 2-5 - maximum height without
barriers.
Answer: 30
◉ elevated structures for children 5-12 - maximum height without
guardrails.
Answer: 30
◉ barriers on upper platform of adjacent platforms - maximum
height difference for children 2-5.