With summer around the corner and pupils choosing to spend break times in the sunshine, Gary Bridge, installations manager at Sovereign, gives his expert advice on maintenance for a safe play environment.
“From ropes and wooden frames to nuts and bolts, there are a number of components that require routine checks and inspection on play equipment. If maintained correctly, any potential risks, including debris, loose nuts, bolts or fixings, and corrosion, can be spotted at an early stage and addressed immediately.
“A survey by RPII found that the majority of respondents were aware that play equipment should have a detailed and documented inspection by a suitably competent person. However less than a quarter said a qualified RPII inspector delivered the inspection. More than a third indicated the only inspection or maintenance carried out was by their school caretaker or site manager.
“Maintaining equipment differs from company to company, always ask for the play provider’s after-care manual and read it thoroughly. On a recent visit to a school playground, I saw that its three-year-old equipment was taped up and out of use. The structure had not been maintained according to the company’s small print, which stated it had to be painted on a regular basis. As a result, the warranty had been made null and void, much to the disappointment of the school.”
If you have tired, worn or broken equipment in your play space, Sovereign are able to repair or refurbish it and also offer professional operational inspections on equipment by any manufacturer.
- For more information, visit www.sovereignplayequipment.co.uk