EN1176 Playground equipment standard

playground equipment knot

Introduction

The British and European Standard for playground equipment and surfacing is BS EN 1176.

The Standard

The Standard (EN 1176) is published in seven parts:
Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods
Part 2: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for swings
Part 3: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for slides
Part 4: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for runways
Part 5: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for carousels
Part 6: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for rocking equipment
Part 7: Guidance for installation, inspection, maintenance and operation
Part 10: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for fully enclosed play equipment
Part 11: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for spatial networks.

The latest changes were made in 2017, with some more due later in 2019 or early 2020.

In the event of legal claims or disputes, reference should be made to the full Standards, copies of which are available from BSI Publications, 389 Chiswick Road, London, W4 4AL

Background

Playground standards are not retrospective or, currently, a legal requirement but represent good practice in the event of an accident claim. Their limitations should be recognised: mere compliance will not automatically create a safe playground. Like previous playground standards they are intended to be used intelligently.

Equipment installed before the current standards were published is likely to have met the previous standards, dating back through the years to the first applicable British Standard in 1959.

Assessing to the new standard

Old equipment may not meet the changing standards. This does not necessarily mean it is unsafe and our advice is to not panic, and ensure that it is inspected by an expert who understands the standards (such as RoSPA). We will be able to give an indication of what, if any, remedial work is needed to adjust items.