Flexible Bridges within ECE

Issues and Potential Solutions: Enhancing Safety for Supervised Early

Introduction: Play structures play a crucial role in the physical and cognitive development of young children. For Early Childhood Education (ECE) settings, the design and safety considerations of dynamic play equipment, such as Clatter Bridges, are of paramount importance. This document outlines the typical issues associated with Flexible type Bridges and proposes potential solutions to ensure a safe and enriching play environment for young children.

Definition: Flexible Bridge – can be various versions of Clatter Bridges, swing bridges, wobbly bridges, suspended logs etc

Typical Considerations and Issues: Flexible Bridges with ECE play areas present specific safety concerns due to the vulnerability of children in the target age group (usually under 36 months) and subsequently common issues when assessed to NZS5828:2015 and Appendix A Supervised Early Childhood Services. The following issues should be addressed:

1) Flexible Bridges Ground Clearance: If a Flexible Bridge is installed close to the ground, the intention within the NZS5828 standard is that a min >400mm ground clearance should be provided, however this can sometimes be difficult given the typical height of the bridge for the age group intended. Instead as an acceptable mitigation, Playsafe recommends ensuring a min of >230mm head ground clearance under all bridges (measured in the extreme positions), this method is favoured should a a >400mm ground clearance not be achieved. The rationalization is that it should protect against crushing of the head/skull.

2) Protection Against Falling: ECE play equipment should prioritize fall protection for young children (under <36mths). Guardrails are often insufficient for this purpose, requiring fully enclosed barriers to prevent access by children of all ages. If a full barrier is utilised then the top of the barrier must be a min of >700mm from the standing surface.

3) Accessibility: When platforms are positioned more than >600 mm above the ground, barriers are essential to prevent falls from height and ensure accessibility for all children.

4) Handrails: Handrails are vital safety components. They must be positioned between 600 mm and 850 mm above the surface and meet grasp requirements to aid children's stability and safe movement.

5) Width: Exit openings in barriers, including those for stairs, ramps, and bridges, should not exceed the width of the respective elements, to maintain consistency and prevent potential hazards.

6) Rail Climbability: To discourage children from attempting to climb, any horizontal or near-horizontal rails or bars should not be present, preventing these elements from being used as climbing aids. Any near horizontal support elements should be positioned at least >400mm above standing surfaces to not be considered climbable.

7) Top of Barrier/balustrade: Barrier design should discourage children from sitting or standing on top. Infilling materials should not encourage climbing while ensuring child safety. The width of handrail elements should not exceed 70mm which could encourage sitting, standing body support etc.

8) Entrapment Hazards: Openings between flexible and rigid parts, such as the gap between suspended bridges to rigid rails, should be carefully designed to avoid head and neck entrapment hazards. NZS5828 recommends a minimum gap diameter of >230mm to prevent pinch/crush hazards.

Potential Solutions: To address these issues and create a safe play environment for ECE Clatter Bridges specifically, the following solutions are recommended:

Modify Clatter Bridge Design: Transforming the Flexible bridge into a static fixed bridge design and enclosing the sides with full barriers (barriers at least 700mm high) eliminates potential pinch hazards of fingers and head related to motion. The absence of horizontal elements further enhances safety by removing the requirements between flexible and rigid parts.

Flexible Mesh Netting Enclosure: Enclosing the sides of the Flexible Bridge with flexible mesh netting can provide a safe solution by providing a full barrier (barriers at least 700mm high). The netting design should discourage climbing and prevent finger/head entrapment or pinch points. This approach maintains visibility while ensuring child safety.

Conclusion: Creating a stimulating and safe play environment is paramount in Early Childhood Education settings. Addressing issues related to Flexible Bridges requires careful consideration of fall protection, accessibility, handrails, climbability, and entrapment hazards. Solutions such as modifying swing bridge designs and utilizing flexible mesh netting enclosures can significantly enhance safety without compromising the educational and playful experience of young children. By prioritizing these safety measures, ECE professionals and designers can provide a positive and enriching play environment for children under their care.