05-24-84 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS WOOD POST PRINCIPAL FASTENING MANUFACTURER/PRODUCT POSTS DECKS PANELS METAL FINISH PRESERVATIVE METHOD GameTime Durascapes Aluminum Douglas Fir None Powder Coated None Hex Titnb"R"scapes *Pine Pine Pine Galvanized "Osmose" Hex Mod"U"Logs Pine Pine Pine Galvanized "Osmose" Hex Landscape Structures Playstructures Redwood Douglas Fir Douglas Fir Galvanize • ' Redwood Alien & Plastic &Anodize ID AlumaCore Douglas Fir Douglas Fir Douglas Fir Galvanize Redwood Allen Over Aluminum &Plastic &Anodize Mexico Forge Playboosters Steel Redwood Plastic Powder Coated None Torx with "Lock-Tight" Miracle Mark IV Steel Steel Steel Enamel None Allen& Hex Natureville Redwood Steel Redwood Galvanized Redwood Allen& Hex Steelvillc Steel Steel Steel Powder Coated None Allen& Hex Northwest Design Products BigToys Pine Pine Plastic&Pine Galvanize CCA Allen Tlmberform Play Areas Douglas Fir Douglas Fir Douglas Fir . Galvanize NIEDOX-10 ilex &Plywood *Optional Redwood ers. Natureville is notable because it uses CONCLUSION - wood posts and steel decks,the exact op- While traditional playgrounds will con- aspect of such modularity is that several posite of the preferred combination. tinue to serve the children of America for manufacturers will be able to match their Durascapes offer a wood deck but it is many years, they are being replaced by equipment to your particular configura- edged with steel channel. a new concept in playground equipment, tion requirements. There is, however, a Galvanizing has been the favorite finish the Creative Playground.These environ- potential problem with this substitution for steel where long term durability was ments offer all of the traditional play ac- of one system for another. Some products desired. In the last few years a new tech- tivities, but also provide greater challenge use a 12"increment between decks,others nology has emerged called "Powder and improve interaction between chit- use 16".Thus a four-deck structure from Coating."This is a polyester resin which dren. one company would have a top deck of is applied dry and baked onto the metal. While there are several manufacturers only 48"while another would rise to 64". This allows the introduction of color and of such equipment who provide high The photo below shows equipment from has durability at least as good as galvaniz- quality products,there are significant dif- a low bidder which has been substituted ing.There is also some evidence that this ferences in the number of features of- for the originally specified apparatus. plastic coating is less conductive, making fered, in safety detailing,and in durabili- While the equipment follows the general it cooler in summer and less "sticky" in ty. Using the information in this article configuration of the plan,it is a total f ' winter. will help the buyer or specifier select those ure on the detail level. The most dang structures vandal resistant is products which will provide the most ous failure is that there are many lac another step toward improving durability. benefits and will form the basis of com- tions where safety rails do not appear. In the last few years there has been a dis- parison with other products. Such in- Many of those which have been installed turbing tendency to use common hex-type formed purchases will in turn influence are at an incredible 12"above the decks! bolts for the construction of these sys- manufacturers to standardize the more Much of the hardware was loose or miss- tems. This means that such units can be successful components. We should expect ing. While the buyer may have saved a • disassembled with tools readily available. to be able to choose among several truly few dollars initially the final costs will be A good deterrent to such vandalism is the excellent systems in the coming years. much greater than if the original product use of "Allen"-style fasteners. specified had been purchased. Incidental- Timberform solves the hardware prob- A WORD OF CAUTION ly,the substituted equipment was not one lem by covering each bolt head with a Most modern creative playground sys- of the mainstream products cited in this wooden cap. This is only a partial solu- tems arc modular in design. The positive article. tion,however,because it prevents the per- iodic tightening that all wooden structures require. Wood naturally swells and !loc > shrinks as it changes in moisture content I with different weather conditions. This OLT: • dimensional instability causes the attach- I . j+--i ment hardware to loosen. BigToys has \I ' done an excellent job designing fittings % I which accommodate such expansion and contraction of wood. Most other systems I require frequent retightening, especially during the first year after installation. f �•., . The use of plastic has become popular h recently.These are"space age polymers" `"� �^ with incredible strength. Unlike brittle I ., and combustible fibreglass these plastics f� ��;� are very tough and durable. While theyi . _' , \ 1• ; cannot match steel components,they are I 11 mar more durable than wood and offer a 0 pleasant softness and smoothness which makes the playspace more "kid-friend- R , », ly."Their relative low cost means that re- . ,' e placement,if necessary,would be a trivial expense. low rails as well as loose and missing hardware may save dollars but can be very dangerous at a playground.