Compliance

Playgrounds and Play Areas

Playgrounds are an essential element of child development and education.  The State of California requires all public playgrounds meet the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines and the ASTM International standards.

The California Building Code Title 24 and federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) building standards also require all play areas meet accessibility requirements for students with disabilities. 

To assist our member districts in meeting these requirements and keeping playgrounds accessible and safe for our students, SIA offers the following:

• Inspection checklist template
• Playground Safety & Warning Labels
• Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Course. This course may be offered at the SIA office or SIA will reimburse our member districts the cost of the course and exam once the course is completed.  For additional information, please contact Prevention Services.
• Certified Playground Safety Inspectors to assist your staff with new playground audits and new playground plan reviews.
• Other resources: IPEMA Certified Products

• ADA Accessibility Guidance:
  • Access Board Guidelines to Play Areas
  • U.S. DOJ Settlement Agreement Defines Measurable Firmness and Stability for School Play Areas (Risk Review – Winter 2022)
  • U.S. DOJ Office of Public Affairs Press Release – June 2, 2020
  • U.S. DOJ v. Iowa City Community Schools Settlement Agreement