SP17 - Interactive Water Play Equipment

Purpose

To establish guidelines for the design of interactive water play equipment.

Definition

Interactive water play equipment is a water orientated playground with equipment releasing water under automatic control or by patron operation of levers, wheels and ropes. The equipment is usually installed in water of between 0.0m and 0.4m depth.

Description

Surfaces on which pedestrian traffic is expected should be of a high standard slip resistance and non-abrasive.

Integrated slides should have water flow to aid movement.

Water slides may require a soft padding overlayed on the pool floor ensuring a soft landing for riders.

It is recommended that slides be capable of being sealed off for crowd control and maintenance activities.

Pool

The pool in which the equipment is installed should:

• Have high standard slip resistive floor
• Should be large enough to house the equipment leaving adequate space between the pool edge and the equipment

Allowance should be made for swinging items, water slide outlets and other equipment which may propel patrons near to the pool edge.

Depth signage must be clearly visible from all areas within the pool and the surrounding concourse.

It is recommended that additional signage be displayed at intervals around the pool stating the conditions of use and such hazard warnings as;

1. CAUTION - Shallow Water
2. CAUTION - No Running

The pool should only have round edges and gentle curves. Abrupt changes in pool concourse levels or edges should be avoided.

Zero Depth Splash/Spray Grounds

Zero depth, spray and/ or splash grounds collectively have mechanically controlled water outlets (below and/or above ground), with a structural concrete base and no standing water.

Due to there being no standing water in Zero Depth Splash Grounds, it is not necessary to display Depth markers, Shallow Water or No Diving Signage.

Although standing water is absent, disinfection control of water should comply with the relevant State Health Regulations.

“Soft fall” surfacing is to be installed. The surfacing is to be finished with an AS/NZ compliant “Solid Surfacing” compound rather than a “Loose Fill” or shifting material – refer to AS/NZS 4486.1:1997.

Solid surface compounds should be chemical and slip resistive and allow adequate drainage to avoid water pooling. Surface should finish flush with the adjacent concourse, and all drainage grates and below ground water feature outlets (e.g. sprays from surface level).

Solid surfacing compounds are to be a contrasting colour to the adjacent concourse surrounds. Concourse widths should comply with Guideline FD1 Design of Pool Concourse. The splash/ spray ground surface is not considered part of the facility concourse.

All below ground outlets should be enclosed and not allow entrapment of body parts. Fittings should be anchored to the physical concrete structure limiting potential shifting or protruding above the soft fall. These fittings should be non-corrosive as to avoid rusting and deterioration.

Periodic maintenance should be undertaken to ensure that the Solid Surfacing has not detached away from the underlying concrete base and does not shift underfoot and/or leave water feature fittings exposed or raised.

Consideration should be given to not installing trigger activated water features (e.g. water cannons) due to the potential of deliberately or inadvertently spraying other unknowing parties. Play structures and platforms that are designed to be climbed and/or elevate from should not be installed.

Equipment

The equipment should be designed to carry a predetermined load.

The maximum number of people on the structure at any one time should be marked on the equipment and visible from at least one point on the pool deck.

The equipment should be constructed from non-corrosive materials.

Where wheel and lever valve controls are used they should not protrude into traffic flow areas.

Water pressure controls should restrict the water from reaching onto or splashing the pool concourse.

Water should not be at a pressure which may result in personal injury.

Stairs providing access to the equipment should:

1. have rise and tread appropriate to the size of the proposed users
2. have handrails at heights commensurate with the proposed users
3. be of a high standard slip resistance.

The equipment should have barriers preventing falls into shallow water.

References

• AS/NZS 4486.1 - 1997; Playgrounds and playground equipment Part 1: Development, installation, inspection, maintenance and operation.
• AS/NZS 4422 - 1996; Playground surfacing - Specifications, requirements and test methods.