Overview
Regular safety inspections ensure play areas remain safe and meet the required standards. We offer post installation inspections, annual inspections, operational inspections and design risk assessments
Annual Inspections
Annual Safety Inspections should be undertaken to ensure that the play area remains as safe as it can be. These inspections include a review of your current systems & procedures to help ensure maximum protection for your business in the unfortunate event of a claim being made against you.
In our experience, successful defence against claims can often come down to being able to supply adequate records of systems and inspections taking place.
We also include Risk Assessments as part of our inspection service free of charge. Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, it is a legal requirement to undertake a Risk Assessment on an Annual basis to ensure the continuing safety of your facility.
Operational Inspections
More regular inspections makes it easier to identify wear and tear on the equipment. These inspections should be carried out by an appropriately trained member of staff or alternatively by a suitably qualified specialist and should be recorded. Such inspections should be carried out on a quarterly basis as a minimum. Our services including carrying out Operational Inspections on your behalf or alternatively we can offer an in-house Training Course for your staff.
Using technology such as our mobile APP means local authorities can inspect playgrounds with ease and without the need for paperwork. It is easy to use, is very reliable and will help with all your inspection tasks.
Available on Android and iOS, our play inspection app offers a wide range of useful features and benefits including:
- Full range of Reporting
- Paperless audit trails
- All data stored securely, and in one place
Brochure
Download our latest brochure to find out more about our company and the services we provide.
Post Installation Inspection
The European standard EN1176 suggests that all newly constructed or refurbished playgrounds are inspected by an independent, competent person prior to use by the public. Play Services Ireland work with the industry to provide a highly flexible and responsive service throughout Ireland.
If you are purchasing a playground it is recommended that you include a post- installation inspection in your tender specification. Installers should include an independent post-installation inspection in their programme of work.
If you are an installer, contact Play Services Ireland today to check our pricing for post- installation inspections. You will find that we are very competitive and highly responsive – we understand that works do not always finish to schedule so we offer great flexibility and are often required to undertake post-installation inspections at very short notice!
A post-installation inspection is your Certificate of Compliance and Risk Assessment and gives you peace of mind that your new facility has been installed correctly, as per manufacturers instructions and is safe for use. If there are concerns highlighted in this report then you can ask the contractor to rectify them before you accept the facility as being complete.
Contact us today to discuss in more detail how we can minimise your risks and ensure that you are operating to industry best-practice.
Outdoor Inspections
Encouraging people to be active is high on the agenda. Outdoor play areas can take many forms - skate parks, multi-use games areas, playgrounds, natural play and outdoor gyms. We help ensure these are maintained to the right standards.
The British and European Standard for playground equipment and surfacing is BS EN 1176.
Outdoor Play Areas
All outdoor playgrounds are exposed to a mix of weathering, often heavy usage and, unfortunately, vandalism. It is best practice, as recommended in EN1176, to inspect outdoor playgrounds via an organised schedule of daily/weekly (routine), monthly/quarterly (operational) and annual independent inspections. Routine and operational inspections can be completed by suitably qualified ‘competent persons’ within your organisation and Play Services Ireland can provide the correct accredited RPII training for these individuals
Those successfully completing this training are also registered with the RPII. The European standard EN1176 specifically recommends that an annual inspection is carried out by an independent inspector – this is where Play Services Ireland provide specialist skills. The standard also provides the benchmark against which our annual inspections are carried out. Our annual outdoor inspections service includes:
Our reports are acclaimed by clients as providing an extra level of detail. We work closely with our clients and can tailor reports to suit your needs.
Outdoor Gyms
Outdoor Gyms are now supplied by the majority of Playground suppliers in the UK and Ireland as yet there is no recognised standard to which outdoor gym equipment is built (one is imminent) however it is prudent to have a post installation risk assessment conducted in order to give you peace of mind that your investment has been installed correctly and is safe for use. For further information please click on this link.
Skate Parks
Skate Parks are becoming an increasingly popular facility throughout the UK and Ireland.As with fixed equipment in playgrounds, it is recommended that a post-installation inspection is carried out to ensure that the Skate-park conforms to all the latest standards and guidelines in EN14974 and that the Skate-park user can enjoy it safely.
Multi-Use Games Area
MUGAs are a fun environment and an ideal recreational facility for older children.They are often located adjacent to children’s play areas, therefore complimenting the overall experience for children of all ages.
In order for your MUGA to remain safe it will need to be inspected regularly and maintained to ensure the European standard EN15312 is met. All post installation and annual inspections can be carried out by a Play Services Ireland Inspector in order to protect your investment.
Schools
Play Services Ireland offer a comprehensive inspection service for schools
Using only CRB (Criminal Record Bureau) and RPII (Register of Play Inspectors) accredited inspectors, we provide a thorough and robust inspection of all school play facilities. These inspections include a risk assessment score rating and details of all maintenance work required. Inspections include fixed play equipment, natural play facilities and ancillary items such as bins, seats, fencing, gates and picnic tables.
It is your legal responsibility to have your play facilities Risk Assessed and compliant to EN1176. We presently conduct Annual Playground Inspections for a number of satisfied customers in all education board areas and in schools in both the the UK of Ireland. For school references, prices and details of our report format and content please contact our head office and our staff will be glad to assist.
Natural Play
Natural play features are becoming an increasingly common sight in our playgrounds. Features such as boulders, sand play areas, logs, stepping stones and tree trunks are often preferred to (and less expensive than) manufactured playground equipment. With careful design, natural play areas can provide a unique experience for children that combines play, learning and challenge with acceptable risk.
Natural play areas should be considered as playgrounds and should be risk assessed in line with EN1176 (Part 1). It is recommended that they are inspected and risk-assessed at least annually by an independent specialist. Play Services Ireland can provide a unique service that combines our knowledge of playground inspections with our wider experience in risk assessment.
- Detailed inspection of all relevant equipment and other associated risks such as surfacing, boundaries and fencing and ancillary items
- Detailed photography, particularly where non-compliance is identified
- A comprehensive report, detailing all aspects of compliance or failure for each item of equipment – the report also includes a schedule of required maintenance work
We can also provide consultancy services at the design stage of natural play schemes and have experience of working alongside landscape architects to create amazing natural play areas.
Other Outdoor Play Areas
Play Services Ireland can also offer inspections services for playground areas in Caravan Parks, Stately Homes & Heritage sites, Fun Farms and Hotels.
Indoor Inspections
In recent times indoor soft play centres have become big business and Play Services Ireland are here to help you make sure that your facilities are maintained to the right standards.
The standards for indoor soft play areas are covered by EN1176 (Parts 1 and 10) and BS8409 and an annual inspection is recommended. Some insurers make it a requirement and signpost playground operators to Play Services Ireland to complete a report and minimise the risk of a successful claim.
What does an indoor RPII inspection service include?
Our annual indoor inspections service includes:
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Detailed inspection of all relevant equipment and other associated issues such as social areas, child protection, fire safety, security and numerous other policies that venues should have in place.
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Detailed photographic evidence, particularly where non-compliance is identified.
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A comprehensive report, detailing all aspects of compliance or failure for each item of equipment – the report also includes a schedule of required maintenance work.
A sample report can be found in our Resources section at the top of this page. Contact us today to discuss in more detail how we can minimise your risks and ensure that you are operating to industry best-practice.
Qualifications
As well as having an Honours Degree in Sports and Recreation and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Management Development, our Lead Inspector Mel Campbell has an NVQ Level 4 in Occupational Health and Safety Practice as wel as a Professional Trainers Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
RPII Registered
Play Services Ireland are registered by the RPII for Indoor Play area Inspections. Our Lead Inspector, Mel Campbell, is one of only two people in Ireland registered by the RPII to provide indoor annual inspections. We provide this service throughout Ireland and are surprised to learn that, on occasions, operators are paying for inspectors to travel across the Irish Sea when the service is available locally!
Other Indoor Play Areas
Play Services Ireland can also offer inspections services for playground areas in Caravan Parks, Stately Homes, Private Sector Sites, Fun Farms and Hotels.
New Play Area Projects
Our founder, Mel Campbell, has worked both in playground project management and playground installation and has over ten years experience to bring to bear on new projects. Our project-based services include:
- Community Consultations and playground needs analysis
- Design risk assessments and equipment advice
- Liaison with equipment suppliers and installers
- Ongoing site inspections during construction and installation
- Post-installation inspection
We have managed end-to-end playground installation projects for individual clients and have worked closely with architects, project managers, equipment suppliers and playground contractors, providing advice at different stages of the project.
We offer fixed cost pricing for the checking of design drawings and plans and for post- installation inspections. Please contact us directly to discuss how we can help you.
Consultations & Audits
We are highly qualified and experienced at managing end to end playground installations for clients.Dealing directly with architects, project managers, suppliers and contractors. We are fully qualified in occupational health and safety practice, carrying out audits and risk assessments for clients.
Our founder, Mel Campbell, is qualified to NVQ level 4 in Occupational Health and Safety Practice and is a competent person to carry out a range of audits and risk assessments, including:
- Play area risk assessments – these are recommended alongside annual inspections and should be carried out on new projects or when significant changes occur
- Disability access audits – DDAs look in detail at the accessibility of not only the play equipment but also accessibility between equipment, accessibility to the play area, including paths, parking, gates, etc.
