Play Area Inspection & Maintenance: A Practical Guide for Town and Parish Councils

Common Inspection Issues and Practical Solutions

Surfacing Challenges

Loose-fill surfaces (bark, wood chips):

• Need frequent raking and replenishment
• Should maintain 250-300mm depth in impact areas
• May need replacement rather than topping up after 3-4 years Will need topping up dependent upon use every year or 2
• Consider that initial cost savings may be offset by ongoing maintenance

Wet-pour rubber surfaces:

• Watch for shrinkage and gaps between colours
• Be prepared for edge damage and trip hazards
• Budget for repairs or overlays

Safer mats/grass mats:

• Monitor for wear patterns in high-traffic areas
• Ensure grass grows through properly
• Relatively easy to replace damaged sections

Fibrefall

• No edges required, reduces trip hazards
• Can be laid onto settle sub-stucture, no baseworks
• Can overlay safamats/grassmats

Practical advice: Consider maintenance costs when selecting surfacing. The cheapest option initially may not be the most cost-effective long-term solution.

Equipment Considerations

Traditional vs. complex equipment:

• Simpler equipment (like traditional swings) is often easier and cheaper to maintain
• Compare the cost of replacement parts – traditional swing parts might cost £150 vs. £300 for complex designs

Timber equipment:

• Requires regular inspection for rot, especially at ground level
• Be prepared for regular maintenance and eventual replacement
• Consider steel and timber hybrids for longer lifespan

Landscape features:

• Natural elements like boulders and logs may fail inspections
• Inspectors often flag landscape features that aren't manufactured playground equipment
• Consider maintenance implications before adding these features

Practical advice: When purchasing equipment, ask: "Can we maintain this?" If your maintenance capacity is limited, simpler is often better.

Working with Standards Without Overreacting

The European standards (EN 1176 for equipment, EN 1177 for surfacing) provide important safety guidelines. However, they're not retrospective – equipment installed before current standards doesn't automatically need replacement.

A cautionary tale: One council in Durham removed their entire playground when an inspection highlighted non-conformity with current standards. In reality, retrospective modifications could have addressed many issues without complete removal.

When your inspector notes standards changes:

• Check if immediate action is required (high risk) or just advisory
• Look for reasonable modifications rather than wholesale replacement
• Remember that inspectors must reference standards, but not everything requires immediate action

Practical Tips for Parish Councils

1. Create a clear inspection regime:
   • Document who performs inspections and when
   • Use standardized checklists (ask your equipment supplier for templates)
   • Store records securely for at least 21 years
2. Ensure proper training:
   • For routine inspections, basic competence training is sufficient
   • For operational inspections, staff need formal certification through RPII-recognized organizations
   • Consider sharing resources with neighboring parishes for operational inspections
3. Budget realistically:
   • Include annual inspections (mandatory)
   • Plan for quarterly operational inspections
   • Reserve funds for repairs and replacement parts
   • Consider lifecycle costs, not just purchase price
4. Maintain proper signage:
   • Include owner/operator details
   • Provide contact information for reporting damage
   • Use clear pictograms for rules (no dogs, etc.)
   • Be careful with age-related wording
5. When selecting new equipment:
   • Consider maintenance requirements alongside play value
   • Ask suppliers for maintenance schedules and parts costs
   • Choose materials appropriate to your maintenance capacity
   • Balance exciting features with practical upkeep
   • Are parts readily available, where are they coming from

Conclusion

Playground inspection and maintenance doesn't need to be overwhelming. With a structured approach and clear documentation, you can manage your play areas effectively and safely.

Remember, the goal isn't just compliance – it's providing long-lasting, safe play spaces that deliver the best value for your community. After all, play equipment represents a significant investment for most parish councils, and proper maintenance ensures you get the most from that investment.

If you'd like more information or templates for inspection regimes, please feel free to contact me at doug@streetscape-products.co.uk or call 07714 170854.

Slides the Full Webinar

For a more in-depth discussion of these topics, including visual examples of common inspection issues and detailed explanations of maintenance techniques, I invite you to watch the complete webinar recording below, and you can download slides here.