Playgrounds

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE OPERATING LICENSE FOR PLAYGROUNDS

A playground is defined as a designated non-public space provided exclusively for the entertainment of infants and children up to ten years of age, in the presence of accompanying adults and under the supervision of staff. The playground consists of play structures and toys that must fall within the scope of ELOT 1176-1, such as inflatables, soft play toys, household activity toys (e.g., small slides, playhouses, tables, chairs, etc.) and others. A playground, as a space with controlled access, may be located: Inside a building (enclosed) Fenced off, outside a building (outdoors) A playground is also defined as any demarcated non-public space in which appropriate entertainment is provided for children of this age, located in areas where different activities take place, such as health-related establishments, hotels, ships, beauty salons, gyms, etc. The playground shall ensure the hygiene of the area and the safety of the children, in accordance with the technical specifications set out in this decision. In the playground area, it is permitted to sell refreshments to accompanying adults and children, in accordance with the provisions of Aiv/8577/1983 (Government Gazette 526 B), without the need for a refreshment bar operating licence. Exceptions are areas where similar or related activities are carried out, which are governed by specific provisions, such as: Kindergartens and schools Festival venues and sports fields or halls or children’s camps Recreational facilities (such as amusement parks, circuses, water parks, etc.) Creative activity venues, etc. Design and Organization of the Space When creating playgrounds, special emphasis should be placed on the design of the space, according to its purpose and use. Indoor playgrounds must have a separate area with play structures and toys for children’s entertainment and a separate waiting area for accompanying adults. In particular, in indoor playgrounds, the entertainment area must not be located in a basement. The lighting in all areas of the indoor playground must be adequate and must come from the windows and glass doors of the space, the total area of which must not be less than 1/9 of the area of the corresponding floor. In the case of artificial lighting, the following must apply: The intensity of the lighting in the recreation area must be at least 250 lux (LUX). Lighting sources and power outlets must have covers, and An escape relay (relay) must be provided. The area should be proportional to the number of children (at least 2 m² per child) and the type of toys. Playgrounds must have the necessary areas clearly demarcated according to the specifications of the play structures and the age distribution of the children using them. Supervisors must ensure the proper distribution of children in the above areas. The following must be taken into account when designing the installation and use of the equipment: The area covered by the equipment and the required free fall surface. The required obstacle-free space to prevent children from colliding with the equipment. The required space between pieces of equipment. Each piece of equipment must be clearly marked. The playground must provide safe access and stay for children, with particular attention paid to the type and style of railings (where present), window openings, and glass panes in the recreation area (the glass should be safety glass or reinforced or coated with a special film), stairwells, and electrical installations (location and type of sockets and light fixtures, electrical safety panel, etc.). The area occupied by the playground and all equipment must be kept clean using appropriate cleaning materials and methods. Sanitary facilities must comply with the provisions of Article 25, paragraph 3 of Aiv 8577/1983 Health Regulation, as applicable at any given time. In addition, there must be one toilet and two washbasins for every twenty-five children, for their exclusive use. Smoking is prohibited in the indoor playground.