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Frequently asked questions

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions concerning the safety of playgrounds and recreational sports areas, liabilities, certification, and more. The answers provided are typical of what you can expect from Safe to Play training seminars, as well as the contents of our book – Safe to Play.

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Impact area – what is it?

Impact area is the ground under and around equipment requiring impact attenuation such as timber, grass, sand, gravel or

Read more Impact area – what is it?

Falling height – what is it?

Falling height is a technical value used to determined the proper impact attenuation for the impact area. Basic rules for determining

Read more Falling height – what is it?

Impact attenuation – is it always needed?

No. When there’s no forced movement and the falling height is less than 60 cm, an impact area may be hard, such as paving (note:

Read more Impact attenuation – is it always needed?

Accidents – will they occur?

Yes, they do occur. This might feel bad, but it’s a reality. Considering that children are in the process of developing their motor skills and

Read more Accidents – will they occur?

Liability for safety – who bears it?

Overall responsibility lies upon the service provider, be it the municipality, housing company, or privately owned company. There must be

Read more Liability for safety – who bears it?

Shelters – must they fulfill safety requirements?

No, but they must not be dangerous either. A shelter could be considered  to be a public service, but their safety isn’t assessed using

Read more Shelters – must they fulfill safety requirements?

Small play areas – must they be inspected annually?

Of course! Another question is what’s inspected and by whom. If there’s only a sand box and a swing, it’s relatively simple task to 

Read more Small play areas – must they be inspected annually?

Private trampoline in a public space – can someone donate?

No. Trampolines, in general, are not meant for public spaces, which includes a housing company’s yard. Private-use trampolines usually have

Read more Private trampoline in a public space – can someone donate?

Making own equipment – is it allowed?

Yes, but then the maker assumes responsibility for the safety of the equipment for its entire lifespan. The proper construction of equipment 

Read more Making own equipment – is it allowed?

A tongue frozen to metal – who is liable?

Nobody. It seems that everyone has done this once. Some do it twice. This problem seems to occur most commonly at daycare centers in Northern

Read more A tongue frozen to metal – who is liable?

Installing of play equipment – can I do it on my own?

Yes, however, some aspects should be taken into consideration. Proper installation is more challenging than it may first seem. Warranties usually

Read more Installing of play equipment – can I do it on my own?

Swings on grass – can it be installed there?

Yes and no… No: the impact attenuation of grass is normally considered to be 100 cm. Swings typically have falling height of

Read more Swings on grass – can it be installed there?

Accidents in daycare centers – is the manufacturer liable?

There are many more children in a daycare center’s yard than in a normal, public park. Children there are well acquainted with

Read more Accidents in daycare centers – is the manufacturer liable?

Frozen impact area – does it matter?

Not really. When winter comes, surfaces everywhere tend to harden and become slippery, requiring more for careful movement. Impact on frozen surfaces

Read more Frozen impact area – does it matter?

Safety sand has completely hardened – what to do?

Hard surfaces tend to begin at a depth of 20 cm. As time progresses, looser layers become thinner and thinner. Before sand’s ability to

Read more Safety sand has completely hardened – what to do?

Non-complying exercise equipment – what to do with?

The current situation with pre-2015 installed exercise equipment is similar to what occurred in 1999 with playground equipment, when

Read more Non-complying exercise equipment – what to do with?

Spare-parts – should only original ones be used?

No, but for parts that are self-made, the repairer bears the manufacturer’s responsibility. Hence, the repairer must know the safety

Read more Spare-parts – should only original ones be used?

Impregnated timber – can play equipment be manufactured from it?

Of course. The impregnation process must not contain chromium or arsenic, but copper that is a common reagent in green colored impregnation, is

Read more Impregnated timber – can play equipment be manufactured from it?

Different surfacings – What is the best?

Different materials have different properties. None of them is the best in all aspects. When considering impact attenuation, the best are

Read more Different surfacings – What is the best?

Certification – is it mandatory?

Most often it is not, unless required by the order. However, it has irrefutable benefit in proving and keeping up with your own

Read more Certification – is it mandatory?

Certification – What’s the benefit from it?

Certification is an impartial and trustworthy process of ensuring the competence of the person. This can help new professionals to enter the

Read more Certification – What’s the benefit from it?

Safety inspections – who is allowed to conduct them?

Every person must be competent in what he or she does and different levels of inspections demand very different levels of competence.

Read more Safety inspections – who is allowed to conduct them?

Inspection of playgrounds – how to conduct them?

Visual and operational inspections are carried out according to a checklist that has been prepared by a competent person according to

Read more Inspection of playgrounds – how to conduct them?

Post-installation inspection – who is allowed to carry it out?

In general, everyone must be competent when completing their tasks – no matter what they are. In this case, it means knowing standards

Read more Post-installation inspection – who is allowed to carry it out?

If an accident occurs – what is the inspector’s liability?

It’s very likely that accidents will occur on the equipment which may have been inspected shortly before. Accidents aren’t necessarily anyone’s

Read more If an accident occurs – what is the inspector’s liability?

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