Services: AUDIT and INSPECTIONS

Our audit and inspection services are designed to safeguard the safety, compliance, and longevity of your playground, ensuring it remains a secure and enjoyable environment for all users. With over 30 years of expertise in the playground industry, we conduct meticulous, standards-based assessments to identify hazards, verify regulatory compliance, and provide actionable recommendations for maintenance and improvements. Our services cater to playground owners, including municipalities, school districts, parks, and private facilities, helping you mitigate risks, avoid liability, and maintain safe play spaces. Our audit and inspection services include:

• Comprehensive Safety Inspections: We perform thorough on-site inspections to evaluate every aspect of your playground, including play equipment, safety surfacing, and surrounding areas. Our inspections follow guidelines from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ASTM International (e.g., F1487, F1292), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We assess critical elements such as structural integrity, fall zones, surfacing depth, and equipment spacing to ensure compliance and safety.

• Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: Our team identifies potential hazards, including entrapment risks, sharp edges, protrusions, pinch points, and worn or damaged components. We also evaluate environmental risks, such as poor drainage, tree root intrusion, or inadequate shading, that could affect user safety. Each hazard is prioritized based on severity, with clear recommendations for mitigation to prevent accidents and injuries.

• Safety Surfacing Evaluation: Proper surfacing is critical to playground safety. We measure surfacing depth and test impact attenuation to ensure compliance with ASTM F1292 standards for critical fall heights. We assess materials like poured-in-place rubber, engineered wood fiber, or tiles for wear, compaction, or displacement, providing guidance on resurfacing or repairs to maintain protective performance.

• Accessibility Compliance Audits: We verify that your playground meets ADA requirements for accessibility, ensuring inclusive play opportunities for all users. This includes checking for wheelchair-accessible routes, transfer platforms, ramps, and adaptive equipment. We also evaluate sensory and cognitive accessibility features to confirm the playground accommodates diverse needs, aligning with universal design principles.

• Maintenance History Review: We analyze your playground’s maintenance records to assess whether regular inspections, repairs, and upkeep have been performed in accordance with industry best practices. This includes verifying whether inspections were conducted by Certified Playground Safety Inspectors (CPSI) and whether issues were addressed promptly. We provide recommendations to strengthen maintenance protocols if gaps are identified.

• Equipment Condition and Durability Assessment: We inspect all play structures, including slides, climbers, swings, and interactive panels, for signs of wear, corrosion, or structural failure. Our team checks bolts, welds, and anchoring systems to ensure stability and evaluates materials for weather resistance and longevity. We also verify that equipment meets current International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) certifications and manufacturer specifications.

• Age-Appropriate Design Verification: We confirm that the playground’s design and equipment are suitable for the intended age groups (e.g., 2-5 years, 5-12 years), as specified by CPSC and ASTM guidelines. This includes assessing whether play components provide appropriate challenges without posing undue risks, ensuring safe and engaging experiences for all users.

• Detailed Reporting and Recommendations: After each inspection, we provide a comprehensive report that includes findings, photographs, and a prioritized list of recommendations. The report outlines immediate safety concerns, long-term maintenance needs, and compliance issues, with clear action steps for remediation. We also include cost estimates for repairs or upgrades to support budgeting and planning.

• Customized Maintenance Plans: To extend your playground’s lifespan, we develop tailored maintenance schedules that outline routine tasks, such as cleaning, tightening hardware, and replenishing surfacing materials. Our plans specify inspection frequencies (e.g., daily, monthly, annual) and include checklists aligned with National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) guidelines to ensure consistent upkeep.

• Post-Inspection Support and Follow-Up: We offer ongoing support to help you implement our recommendations, including coordinating with contractors for repairs or sourcing compliant replacement parts. If requested, we conduct follow-up inspections to verify that corrective actions have been completed and that the playground meets all safety and compliance standards.

• Training for Staff and Operators: We provide training sessions for your maintenance staff or playground operators, covering topics such as hazard recognition, proper inspection techniques, and basic repair procedures. Our training is aligned with CPSI standards and equips your team to maintain a safe play environment between professional inspections.

• Compliance Documentation for Liability Protection: Our inspections include documentation to demonstrate due diligence in maintaining a safe playground, which can be critical in legal or insurance matters. We provide compliance certificates, inspection logs, and records of corrective actions to support your liability management and regulatory obligations.

Our inspection process begins with a pre-visit consultation to understand your playground’s history, usage, and specific concerns. On-site assessments are conducted by experienced professionals, often CPSI-certified, using industry-standard tools and methodologies. We prioritize minimally invasive inspections to avoid disrupting playground access while ensuring thoroughness. Our services are scalable, accommodating single-site playgrounds or multi-site portfolios, and can be scheduled as one-time audits or recurring inspections (e.g., annual or semi-annual). By partnering with us, you ensure your playground remains a safe, compliant, and welcoming space for all users, protecting both your community and your organization.