Could your playground pass a surprise inspection?
There’s no such thing as a true “surprise” inspection for playgrounds in the UK — most are booked in advance, and you’ll usually know when they’re coming.
But that doesn’t mean you’re always ready.
Whether you manage a school site, council play area or public park, the real risk isn’t the visit itself — it’s being caught off guard by issues you didn’t know were there. And when the time comes for your scheduled inspection, a backlog of small problems can turn into a big one.
So the question still stands: Would your playground pass an inspection tomorrow? And more importantly — could you say yes without double-checking?
1. Know What Inspectors Actually Look For
A professional inspection typically checks that your playground:
Meets BS EN 1176 and 1177 standards
Is structurally safe and free from foreseeable hazards
Has compliant surfacing and correct fall heights
Has a documented inspection and maintenance history
While some issues — like missing parts or vandalism — are obvious, many aren’t. Think compacted surfacing, hidden rot, or non-compliant spacing between features.
2. The Most Common Reasons Sites Fall Short
We’ve worked on hundreds of playgrounds and see the same problems again and again:
Loose or worn fixings
Surface wear that affects safety performance
Timber rot or rusted metal fittings
Cluttered layouts or maintenance oversights
No up-to-date maintenance logs or checklists
Often, these issues build up over time — and are easy to miss if no one is looking regularly.
3. What a “Ready Anytime” Site Looks Like
Inspection-ready sites usually:
Follow a consistent internal inspection schedule
Log and act on minor repairs quickly
Keep visual records of repairs and routine checks
Have a reliable, responsive maintenance partner
Even if your annual inspection is months away, ask yourself: could I hand over this space to a visiting inspector tomorrow without scrambling?
If not, it’s time to tighten up.
4. The Role of Surfacing in Compliance
Surface issues are often underestimated. A surface might look OK but fail critical fall height tests, especially after heavy use, drainage issues, or seasonal wear.
Top reasons surfacing fails compliance checks:
Loss of depth in loose fill surfacing
Poor drainage or puddling
Shrinking or cracking wet pour
Trip hazards at edge joins
Regular checks — and prompt resurfacing or repair — are key to staying compliant and protecting users.
5. Build Maintenance into Your Culture
Inspection readiness isn’t about last-minute fixes. It’s about routine care, clear records, and proactive planning. That might mean:
Weekly walkarounds by site staff
Monthly checks documented with photos
Annual inspections by an RPII-registered body
A trusted installer or maintenance team on hand for repairs (check out our services)
If maintenance is everyone’s job — not just something handed to the caretaker before an audit — you’ll avoid big issues before they arise.
Final Thought
Inspections may be scheduled, but safe playgrounds are built on everyday habits, not annual panic.
The question isn’t whether your site could pass an inspection tomorrow — it’s whether you’re confident it would, without having to check first.
If you’d like help building better inspection readiness into your routine — or tackling known problem areas — we’re here to help.