Commercial playgrounds need inspections a few times a year to make sure the equipment is in good shape and safe for children to enjoy. As a property owner, you are liable if someone gets hurt, so it’s very important to take maintenance seriously. Read on to learn how often you should inspect your playground equipment.
How To Inspect the Equipment
You should perform two types of playground inspections: high-frequency and low-frequency. High-frequency is often considered routine, and you might do low-frequency inspections a few times a year. Low-frequency or periodic inspections cover wear and tear and mechanical issues. You might consider hiring a professional to do them. High-frequency or routine inspections might cover these issues:
- Vandalism
- Litter
- Surface upkeep
- Sanitation
- Paint touch-ups
- Signage
A common inspection schedule is weekly, monthly, quarterly, and bi-annually.
Weekly Inspections
Weekly inspections occur once a week or more if necessary. As the property owner, you can perform these checkups on your own. Here’s what to do during a weekly inspection:
- Empty trash cans and pick up litter.
- Pick up fallen branches and twigs.
- Rake surfacing material.
- Pick up any objects that can cause users to trip or fall.
- Blow away leaves or shovel snow from pathways that lead to the play area.
- If there are lights in the area, make sure they are functional.
Monthly Inspections
Monthly inspections involve more care since they dig a little deeper. You, as the owner, can also perform monthly maintenance of playgrounds. Let’s look at what a monthly inspection covers:
- Filling in surface materials (mulch, rubber, wood chips, etc.).
- Check for fading of important signage.
- Ensure all connections are secure, such as nuts and bolts.
- See if nearby tree branches need trimming.
Bi-Annual Inspections
Bi-annual inspections should occur twice a year, or every six months. These inspections should bring issues or necessary repairs to light and are critical in keeping a playground safe. You can hire a play equipment inspector to take care of this task. The list for the bi-annual inspection is longer than others since it is more thorough. Here are some things the inspector might look for:
- Wood surfaces for smoothness
- Cracks in play equipment
- Tightness of bolts
- A rust and corrosion-free environment
- The surface material is deep enough
- The barrier is secure
- Gaps in concrete areas
- Signs state hours and are easy to read
- Trash receptacles are nearby
- Parking is available and clearly marked
Understanding how often to inspect playground equipment is one of the most important steps in play center safety. You can also use these guidelines for residential and commercial play areas!
At Discount Playground Supply, we carry commercial play equipment that meets the highest standards, helping your inspections to go smoothly. We’ll help you choose the best equipment for your commercial playground!