PBS 140 Child Care Center Design Guide - The Whole Building ...

� School-age children require ample table space for games and projects.
� Storage is required for games and supplies.
� School-age children in summer programs often go on excursions and
use the classroom mostly for a staging area.
� A listing of furniture and equipment for this area is found in Chapter 8.
7.6 Lofts/Platforms
Lofts and platform areas are optional constructed or purchased elements
within the classroom. These areas can offer many activity opportunities
and advantages. Lofts must always be designed or positioned with the
safety of the children in mind. As of this writing, ASTM requirements for
multi-purpose rooms and other areas designated for lofts or other raised
play equipment are under discussion. Under these requirements, if adopted,
these areas must have impact-attenuation surfacing rated for the height of
the equipment to be placed thereon. This impact absorbing surfacing is
usually in the range of 38 mm thick but varies with maunfacturer. If the
requirements are adopted by ASTM in new buildings, the floor construction
should be recessed to accept the material so that it is flush with surrounding
floor finishes. Surfacing must extend beyond raised equipment if required
by CPSC and ASTM. In existing construction, transition pieces are needed
to accomodate existing surrounding floor elevations. Typically, apart from
built-in riser “stages,” lofts will be purchased pieces of equipment that the
A/E will accommodate in the design. It is the A/E responsibilty to ascertain
the status of these ASTM proposals and comply, if required. Lofts with
slides and steps offer variety of experience; however, it is best for circulation
and program if they are sized to accept the play of two children at once on
the slide and are arranged so that steps and slides are located descending
in the same direction. Consult with GSA RCCC on selection of the
purchased lofts. See Chapter 10 for technical requirements for automatic
sprinkler systems where lofts cover a space occupied by children.
7.6.1 Infant Lofts and Platforms:
Infant classrooms require soft, colorful crawling areas with low level changes
such as low, carpeted, constructed platforms; movable foam shapes; or
forms that provide level changes. Ramps, or small 76 mm to 102 mm
steps, should be used between level changes. All corners should be
rounded and all surfaces should be soft and forgiving of falls. The maximum
total height of platforms for infants is 455 mm.
PBS-140 - July 2003
CHAPTER 7: INTERIOR SPACE DESIGN
Recessed constructed areas provide infants with large, contained spaces
in which to move about and explore. The low retaining sides allow infants
to pull up and move. Similar portable low boundaries might work as well.
Caution must be used in permanently constructing such an area so that it
will reduce classroom flexibility.
7.6.2 Toddler and Pre-School Lofts and Platforms:
Lofts enhance toddler and pre-school classrooms by offering:
� Challenging, large motor activities
� Small intimate spaces
� Additional spaces for exploration
� Opportunities for a child to view the environment from another level
� A classroom with more character
The following design requirements must be considered in the design of a
loft for toddler and pre-school age groups.
� Lofts must be no higher than 915 mm above the finished floor for toddlers
and 1370 mm above the finished floor for pre-school children.
Lofts should be designed to minimize conflict; allowing more than one
child to use equipment at any one time. For instance, offering stairs
going up and a slide coming down will minimize congestion and the
resulting possibility of conflict.
� Loft features meeting the definition for fall zones must be provided with
resilient surfaces as prescribed by the Consumer Product Safety
Commission’s Handbook for Public Playground Safety. Please refer to
Chapter 6, Play Yard Surfaces.
� Lofts must meet the construction requirements of the latest edition of
GSA’s Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings Service and other
Federal standards that may apply.
� Guardrails must be provided to protect children from falling from raised
areas. Toddlers must have guardrails on any constructed surface greater
than 250 mm above adjacent surfaces. Pre-school children must have
guardrails on any raised surface greater than 505 mm above floor level. 1
The top of the guardrail must be at least 760 mm above the platform.
Openings between 88 mm and 229 mm must be avoided to prevent
head entrapment. There can be no openings between 9 mm and
25 mm to prevent finger/hand entrapment. Guardrails must also meet
the requirements of the latest edition of the National Fire Protection Association,
Life Safety Code.
� Protective barriers must be provided on all raised surfaces 610 mm
above floor level or higher for pre-school and younger children. 2 Pro-
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