Mobile Equipment - Kidsafe NSW

1900mm
Mobile Equipment
Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia
March 2013
The Australian Standard AS 4685 that applies to
fixed playground equipment also applies to
non-fixed and mobile equipment.
Mobile equipment includes trestles and
attachments, portable forts, climbing apparatus
and many more play accessories.
Mobile equipment must be set up on a level
surface for stability.
An unencumbered fall zone as determined by the
various fall heights in accordance with
AS 4685 is required around the perimeter of
equipment with fall heights of more than 500mm
above ground level. The height of mobile
equipment is measured from ground level to the
highest point of the item e.g top of trestle/fort.
Photos above: The height of mobile equipment is measured from
ground level to the highest point of the item.
Kidsafe NSW recommends that a fall zone of
1900mm is applied around and between each
piece of equipment that is not linked
(AS/NZS 4422). See Figure 1 below.
A tape measure or length of dowel (pre cut to
1900mm as pictured bottom right) can be used to
check fall zones.
1900mm
1900mm
1900mm
1900mm
Trestle Jouncing Board Trestle
1900mm
1900mm
Between items
of mobile
equipment not
linked
Plastic
Style Fort
and slide
Figure 1 - Minimum dimensions of fall zones for mobile equipment items as recommended by Kidsafe NSW.
This figure is not to scale.

For any equipment with a climbing height greater
than 500mm above ground level the equipment
must be set up on certified surfacing (impact
absorbing material). Refer to Kidsafe NSW
information sheet titled Playground Surfacing for
further information.
It is required that certified surfacing fills the fall
zone under and surrounding the equipment. On
areas of solid surfacing, it is recommended to
mark out the fall zone area on the playground
surface by painting a line or at the time of
installation, laying a different colour to highlight the
fall zone area as pictured below.
ground level are not present to avoid the possibility
of strangulation by head and neck entrapment.
A ruler or tape measure could be used to check for
bound head and neck entrapment hazards in the
set up of the mobile equipment (example pictured
above).
Kidsafe NSW recommends that equipment be
limited to a maximum climbing height of 1000mm
for children under 3 years of age and 1500mm for
children aged 3-5 years.
Mini trampolines that measure less than 500mm
above surface level may be placed on any soft
surface with a recommended 1000mm circulation
zone surrounding the trampoline. Refer to the
Kidsafe NSW information sheet titled Trampolines.
Circulation Zone for equipment less than
500mm above ground level—Kidsafe NSW
recommends a circulation zone of 1000mm is
provided surrounding low equipment items less
than 500mm above playing surface that are
designed for climbing, rocking or jumping.
When setting up mobile equipment, ensure that
enclosed openings within the range of 89mm –
230 mm at heights of 600 mm or more above
Refer to the Kidsafe NSW Mobile
Equipment Safety Checklist
designed to assist educators and
playspace providers with the
setting up of equipment.
KIDSAFE NEW SOUTH WALES Inc.
Kidsafe NSW Playground Advisory Unit
P: 02 9845 0893 F: 02 9845 0895
E: kidsafe@chw.edu.au
kidsafensw.org
Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia