FAQ's

What is considered a public playground?

A public playground is one that is accessable by the public such as city parks, county parks, municipality parks, homeowners associations, daycare centers, recreation centers, public and private schools, churches, resturants and apartment/condo/multi-family setting with playgrounds.

Why should I have my playground inspected?

The purpose of an inspection is to protect the children that use your plaground as well a to provide protection for yourself legally. Safety inspections can identify small problems that can mean the difference between a safe play environment and a harmful play environment. Even in the safest play environment, accidents are likely to occur. However, in the event of an accident dilligent playground owners/operators understand the value of documentation that shows regular and consistent inspections and timely maintenance.

Do I have to have my playground insepcted?

In most states the answer is no. Some states inspection regulations are manditory and in other's it is voluntary. Although introduced this year, Florida currently does not have manditory legislation on the books. As a playground owner you are responsible to provide a safe play environment. Regular inspections and proper maintenance are key factors in providing a safe play environment and providing protection agains litigation in the event a child gets injured.

What regulations do playground inspections follow?

Playround inspections are based on the U.S. consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) public playground safety guidlines as well as following ASTM International Standards. The primary guidelines followed are but not limited to F1487 (Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use), F1292 (Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment), F2049 (Standard Guide for Fences/Barriers for Public, Commercial, and Multi-Family Residential Use Outdoor Play Areas), and F1918 (Standard Safety Performance Specification for Soft Contained Play Equipment).

What qualifies someone to be a playground inspector?

A Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) is trained by the National Recreation and Parks Association's National Playground Safety Institute. They attend training courses and must pass an examination administered by the NRPA.

What is inspected?

Our Certified Playground Safety Inspectors examine every piece of equipment, the playground surfacing, the playground borders/fences, signs, and any other item located within the play area. Equipment is identified and noted, photographs are taken and measurements are taken. Our inspectors will climb on and under the play equipment, tug and pull looking for wear, hazards and generally giving the equipment the same physical pressures that it receives daily from children to ensure it's safety.

There are three types of reports/services; Audits, Insepctions, and Surveys.

AUDITS:

Recommended for clients that have never had a playground inspection beofre

Have recently completed major renovations or opened a new facility

Have just installed a new playground

Are facing litigation or legal issues

Complete examination of the playground, surfacing and borders

Compare to prevailing CPSC and ASTM Safety Standards

Comprehensive written report with inventory list, pictures, and recommendations

INSPECTIONS:

Comprehensive but shorter in length than an Audit

Generally performed annually as a measure of record keeping, safety policy, and comparison.

Identifies standards with which the playground does not comply

Compare to prevailing CPSC and ASTM Safety Standards

SURVEYS:

Generally for government, municipality, recreation centers, etc. where there is very high traffic volumn

Less indepth than an audit or inspection

More frequent in nature (monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly)

Identifies standards with which the playground does not comply

Compare to prevailing CPSC and ASTM Safety Standards

All Audits, Insections, and Surveys are confidential. In keeping with the Certified Playground Safety Inspector Code of Conduct, inspectors shall "sustan and advance the integrity, honor and veracity of their certification by... never providing findings... to anyone other than the playground owner unless authorized by the owner to do so."