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Public playgrounds

Public outdoor playgrounds and amusement parks fall under the definition of buildings in the Building Code.

Public outdoor playgrounds and amusement parks fall under the definition of buildings in the Building Code.

Consequently:

  • Construction and reconstruction are subject to building permits;
  • The demolition or replacement by an equivalent construction requires a building permit from the local authority.
  • The owner is responsible for the technical condition and safety.

When designing playground and adventure park facilities and play equipment, you must take the following into account:

  • follow good construction practices;
  • ensure that the installed play equipment is safe for its intended use;
  • secure the conservation and protection of natural and cultural assets.

Playground and amusement park equipment is not subject to mandatory certification. Compliance and safety must be guaranteed by a declaration of safety and conformity from the respective playground equipment manufacturer.

Playground equipment and surface

  • Playground and amusement park equipment is not a construction product.
  • The basis for proving the conformity of playground and adventure park equipment according to the PCA Product Conformity Act is the following.
  • The conformity of all playground and adventure park equipment components must be certified in accordance with the applicable product regulation.

It is recommended that the EN 1176 and EN 1177 series of standards for playground equipment and surfaces be used as a guideline for the design and manufacture of safe and user-friendly playground equipment.

The EVS-EN 1176 standard consists of the following parts:

  • EVS-EN 1176-1 Playground equipment. 1111.Playground equipment for children - Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods.
  • EVS-EN 1176-2 Playground equipment. 1.11.11.11 Equipment for playground equipment - Part 2: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for swings.
  • EVS-EN 1176-3 Playground equipment. Playground equipment for children - Part 3: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for slides.
  • EVS-EN 1176-4 Playground equipment. Playground equipment for children - Part 4: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for speed rinks.
  • EVS-EN 1176-5 Playground equipment. Playground equipment for children - Part 5: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for carousels.
  • EVS-EN 1176-6 Playground equipment. Playground equipment for children - Part 6: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for swing equipment.
  • EVS-EN 1176-7 Playground equipment. Playground equipment for children - Part 7: Guidelines for installation, inspection, maintenance, and use.
  • EVS-EN 1176-10 Equipment and surfacing for playgrounds. Equipment for playground equipment and covers - Part 10: Additional safety requirements and test methods for totally enclosed playground equipment.
  • EVS-EN 1176-11 Playground equipment and surfacing. Playground equipment for playground equipment - Part 11: Additional safety requirements and test methods for spatial netting.

The standard for surface cover is:

  • EVS-EN 1177 Impact absorbing playground surfacing. (e.g., playground surfacing for playground equipment). Safety requirements and test methods.

What to watch out for before using an outdoor playground:

  • The equipment must be intact, complete and properly fastened to the ground. Parents should try the equipment by touching and moving it. Equipment with loose fasteners, broken or rusty rides should not be used.
  • The surface beneath the equipment must be suitable and sufficient to absorb the impact of a fall. Asphalt and concrete are only permitted outside the fall zone. There must be sufficient distance around each equipment so that nothing stands in the way of the fall, which could aggravate possible injuries.
  • Not all rides are suitable for children of all ages. High slides, obstacle courses, etc., which require agility and balance, are not suitable for everyone. It is up to parents to assess and decide what is suitable and age-appropriate for their child. Infants should not under any circumstances be left unattended in the playground, and children playing alone in the playground should be fully informed of the possible dangers and how to avoid them.
  • The playground must be well maintained and rubbish, broken glass, etc. must be collected and stored in a designated area.

You are not allowed to repair broken playground equipment yourself, but must inform the owner of the defect. If the playground does not have an information board with the owner's details, the municipality can help. If the necessary measures are not taken within a reasonable period of time, inform the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority or the municipality. Anyone who discovers the dangerous attraction could warn other users, for example by placing a warning sign on the fence of the dangerous equipment or place.

Adventure park planning

Standards can help you plan your adventure park safely:

  • EVS-EN 15567-1:2015 "Sports and leisure facilities.
  • EVS-EN 15567-2:2015 "Sport and recreation facilities. Fitness and recreation facilities. Sporadic sports facilities and tracks - Part 2: Operational requirements."

Last updated: 10.04.2021