(Effective September 1, 2025)
PDFWAC 246-366A-150
Playgrounds—Construction and installation requirements.
(1) School officials shall:
(a) Consult with the local health officer regarding playground review and approval requirements consistent with the scope of the project when proposing to:
(i) Install new playground equipment or fall protection surfaces;
(ii) Add new playground features or equipment to an existing playground; or
(iii) Modify, other than repair and maintain, existing playground equipment, features, or fall protection surfaces.
(b) If required by the local health officer after consultation:
(i) Provide playground plans and equipment specifications and any additional information the local health officer requests; and
(ii) Obtain plan review and written approval from the local health officer before installing, adding, or modifying playground equipment or fall protection surfaces.
(c) Install playground equipment, including used equipment, and fall protection surfaces:
(i) That meet the ASTM F 1487-01: Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use; and
(ii) In a manner that is consistent with the manufacturer's instructions and Consumer Product Safety Commission Handbook for Public Playground Safety, 2008.
(d) Prohibit the use of chromated copper arsenate or creosote treated wood to construct or install playground equipment, landscape structures, or other structures on which students may play.
(2) The local health officer shall:
(a) Consult with school officials to determine what is required for playground plan review and approval consistent with the scope of the project.
(b) If playground review and approval is required:
(i) Review playground plans and equipment specifications to confirm that the requirements of these rules are addressed;
(ii) Identify and request any additional documents required to complete the review;
(iii) Provide written approval or denial of the playground plans and equipment specifications within thirty days of receiving all documents needed to complete the review, unless the school officials and the local health officer agree to a different timeline; and
(iv) Verify that playground installation complies with requirements of this section.
(c) Coordinate all playground-related inspections with school officials.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. WSR 10-01-174, 10-12-018, 11-10-080, 13-09-040, 15-09-070, 17-14-055, 19-14-107, 21-14-056, 22-14-021, 23-16-005, and 24-14-089, § 246-366A-150, filed 12/22/09, 5/21/10, 5/3/11, 4/11/13, 4/15/15, 6/28/17, 7/2/19, 7/1/21, 6/24/22, 7/19/23, and 6/28/24, effective 9/1/25.]