Safety of playground equipment and surface

KOMAG Laboratory of Material Engineering and Environment offers accredited tests of playground equipment and surface, according to the requirements of the following standards:

PN-EN 1176-1 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 1. General safety requirements and test methods,

PN-EN 1176-2 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 2. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for swings,

PN-EN 1176-3 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 3. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for slides,

PN-EN 1176-5 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 5. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for merry-go-rounds,

PN-EN 1176-6 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 6. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for rocking equipment,

PN-EN 1176-10 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 10. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for fully enclosed play equipment ,

PN-EN 1176-11 Playground equipment and surfacing. Part 11 Additional requirements and test methods for spatial network,

PN-EN 1177 Impact attenuating playground surfacing. Determination of critical fall height.

The range of tests includes components of playground equipment, e.g.:

swings in the scope of:

- vertical clearance of seats,
- the smallest distance between seats as well as stability of swing seats, which have more than one point of suspension,
- way and condition of seats' suspensions ,
- design and division of swings into sections,
- dimension of falling area,
- type and condition of protections against jumping,
slides in the scope of:
- access to the slide,
- condition and dimensions of starting section, sliding section, exit section, protecting barriers and profile,
- falling area,
merry-go rounds in the scope of:
- rotational speed,
- condition and dimensions,
- minimal required space and height of free fall,
rocking equipment in the scope of:
- braking method,
- dimensions of components,
- size of falling area,
fully enclosed equipment in the scope of:
- emergency exits and visibility,
- protection against fall,
- size of fall zone and free zone as well as collision area,
- condition of joints and ropes,
spatial network in the scope of:
- protection against falling and injuries,
- dimension of load bearing components.

The scope of tests includes assessment of general safety conditions of playground equipment, including among others:

condition of metal components and of equipment finish,
accessibility for adults who assist while playing,
protection against fall and body trapping,
sizes of safety zones,
condition and dimensions of access equipment, including: ladders, stairs and ramps,
condition of joints, wearable components and movable components,
condition and dimensions of ropes and chains,
completeness of marking.

The offer of accredited tests also includes a determination of critical fall height (head injury criteria – HIC) for playground surfacing absorbing impacts.

Moreover the Laboratory offers: periodical inspections of playground technical condition and trainings, for their supervisors.