CPSI Layout and Site Design Requirements (Use Zones) 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A spring rocker has a maximum displacement height of 18 inches. What minimum use zone is required around its perimeter?
- 3 feet
- 6 feet (Correct answer)
- 8 feet
- 10 feet
Correct answer: 6 feet
Spring rockers and rocking equipment require a minimum 6-foot use zone around the entire perimeter of the equipment.
Question 2: Which factor does NOT directly determine the minimum required size of a use zone for stationary climbers?
- Height of the highest designated play surface
- Equipment's horizontal footprint
- Number of children who can use the equipment simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Distance of 6 feet from all sides of the equipment perimeter
Correct answer: Number of children who can use the equipment simultaneously
The use zone is determined by equipment height and extending 6 feet from the perimeter — occupancy capacity does not factor into minimum use zone calculations.
Question 3: A playground renovation will place a climber 4 feet from a park pathway. The climber's designated play surface is 6 feet high. Is this placement compliant?
- Yes, because the 4-foot clearance meets the minimum for low-traffic areas
- No, because the minimum 6-foot use zone extends into the pathway (Correct answer)
- Yes, as long as resilient surfacing covers the pathway in that zone
- No, but only if the pathway serves as a bicycle route
Correct answer: No, because the minimum 6-foot use zone extends into the pathway
The climber requires a 6-foot use zone on all sides, but only 4 feet are available before the pathway, making the placement non-compliant.
Question 4: An inspector finds a slide whose chute exits toward a fence located 5 feet from the end of the chute. What is the issue?
- Fences are prohibited within 10 feet of any playground equipment
- The fence falls within the required 6-foot exit use zone of the slide (Correct answer)
- Fences require a 3-foot buffer but 5 feet is sufficient
- There is no issue; 5 feet exceeds the 4-foot minimum for slide exits
Correct answer: The fence falls within the required 6-foot exit use zone of the slide
The slide exit requires at least 6 feet of clear use zone beyond the chute, and a fence at 5 feet intrudes into that required space.
Question 5: How wide must the use zone be on the sides of a straight slide (not at the exit or entrance)?
- No use zone is required on the sides of a slide chute (Correct answer)
- 3 feet on each side of the slide chute
- 6 feet on each side of the slide chute
- Equal to the height of the slide platform
Correct answer: No use zone is required on the sides of a slide chute
Use zone requirements for slides apply at the entrance and exit areas; no specific lateral use zone is required along the sides of the chute itself.
Question 6: A tot-lot layout shows equipment for ages 2–5 placed 7 feet from equipment designed for ages 5–12. Both have 6-foot use zones. Is this layout compliant?
- Yes, 7 feet exceeds the 6-foot single use zone requirement for each piece
- No, the two use zones overlap, requiring at least 12 feet of separation (Correct answer)
- Yes, age-segregated equipment is exempt from use zone overlap rules
- No, tot-lot equipment always requires a 10-foot buffer from older-age equipment
Correct answer: No, the two use zones overlap, requiring at least 12 feet of separation
Each piece of equipment needs its own 6-foot use zone, so they must be at least 12 feet apart (6 ft + 6 ft) to avoid overlap — 7 feet is insufficient.
Question 7: What is the recommended minimum overhead clearance within a use zone to prevent entanglement with tree branches or other overhead obstacles?
- 7 feet
- 8 feet
- 9 feet (Correct answer)
- 12 feet
Correct answer: 9 feet
A minimum overhead clearance of 9 feet within the use zone is recommended to prevent entanglement hazards from tree branches or overhead structures.
CPSI Layout and Site Design Requirements (Use Zones) 3
A spring rocker has a maximum displacement height of 18 inches.
What minimum use zone is required around its perimeter?