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Calcimator

ADA Accessible Playground Calculator

Calculate ADA-compliant accessible play component counts, ramp requirements, transfer platforms, and accessible surfacing for playground design.

Inputs

Results

Accessible ground-level components

3

Accessible elevated components

3

Transfer platforms needed1
Ramp run needed (ft)24
Ramp landings required2
Accessible surfacing area (sq ft)420
Est. accessible surfacing cost ($)$5,880.00
Ground accessibility (%)60%
Elevated accessibility (%)30%
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Total ground-level components, Total elevated components, and Distinct ground-level types.
  2. Set Accessible route length (ft) and Elevation change (ft).
  3. Review Accessible ground-level components and Accessible elevated components.
  4. Use Transfer platforms needed and Ramp run needed (ft) to inform your decision.

What each input means

Total ground-level components
Total number of ground-level play components (spring riders, sandboxes, etc.).
Total elevated components
Total number of elevated play components (platforms, climbers, slides, etc.).
Distinct ground-level types
Number of distinct types of ground-level play experiences (e.g., rocking, sand, spinning).
Accessible route length (ft)
Length of the accessible path from parking/entry to the playground.
Elevation change (ft)
Total rise along the accessible route requiring ramps.

What each result means

Accessible ground-level components
Minimum ground-level components on accessible route (one per type).
Accessible elevated components
Minimum elevated components connected by accessible route or transfer platform.
Transfer platforms needed
Transfer platforms required for elevated access (11-14 in height, 24×14 in min).
Ramp run needed (ft)
Horizontal ramp length at 1:12 max slope.
Ramp landings required
Level landings needed (one every 30 ft of run, plus top and bottom).
Accessible surfacing area (sq ft)
Total area requiring firm, stable, slip-resistant surfacing (routes + ramps + landings).
Est. accessible surfacing cost ($)
Estimated PIP rubber surfacing cost at ~$14/sq ft.
Ground accessibility (%)
Percentage of ground-level components that must be accessible.
Elevated accessibility (%)
Percentage of elevated components that must be accessible.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Total ground-level components = 5, Total elevated components = 10, Distinct ground-level types = 3, Accessible route length (ft) = 50 = 5 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Accessible ground-level components
    Accessible ground-level components
    3 = 3
  3. Calculate Accessible elevated components
    3 = 3
  4. Calculate Transfer platforms needed
    Transfer platforms needed
    1 = 1
  5. Calculate Ramp run needed
    Ramp run needed
    24 = 24

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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