Taking care of our belongings ensures they last longer, a lesson we often try to teach our children as they drag their school bags across the playground or leave their bikes out in the rain. The same principle applies to outdoor play equipment—regular maintenance can keep it safe and in good condition for years.
EN1176 is the British Standard for playground equipment, and BS EN 1177 covers surfacing. These standards aren’t legally required, but represent best practices and help ensure playground safety. Our staff are trained and registered RPII Operational Inspectors, providing peace of mind for your installations and ongoing care.
Recently, we’ve noticed that preventative maintenance on play equipment is often neglected or done incorrectly. Regular inspections are essential to identify maintenance needs. A weekly visual check is recommended, especially in busy areas. Operational inspections should be conducted as an interim measure between the required Annual Inspections. These annual checks, ideally performed by an independent inspection company, help ensure safety and compliance.
After inspections, reports are generated that may sometimes contain unclear or confusing terminology. If you’re having trouble understanding your report, we suggest reaching out to the inspector for clarification.
Annual Inspection reports may include terms like “showing signs of wear,” “monitor use,” or “dismantle and inspect regularly.” This is especially important for items above head height, as inspections are typically done from the ground level without interference.
Bushes & Bearings
Worn bushes and bearings are among the most common problems which left over time can become dangerous or stop the equipment from working.
For example: Any movement over 0.5mm should be investigated and not just greased up –
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- Damaged caused by free movement of Steel fixings
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- New bush will still allow movement
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- How it should fit
Things to look out for:
- Kinked, twisted, worn or broken chains
- Broken or missing components
- Trip hazards and damaged surfacing
Once you have highlighted any issues you must decide which action to take. Are the issues urgent? Do we need to act now? If you are unsure, give us a call for some free advice.
