Operational playground inspections

What an operational inspection covers

The operational inspection sits between your weekly visual checks and the independent annual inspection. It's the tier that catches problems while they're still cheap: worn shackles before they fail, loosening foundations before a unit moves, surfacing degradation before it stops absorbing impact.

• Every item of equipment checked for wear, corrosion, stability and structural integrity
• Moving parts, bearings, shackles and chains checked against service limits
• Impact-absorbing surfacing assessed to BS EN 1177 — wear, displacement, contamination
• Foundations, anchor points and sealed-for-life components examined
• Entrapment, protrusion and finger-trap checks to BS EN 1176-1
• Ancillary items — gates, fencing, bins, seating, signage

The report you receive

Within 48 hours you get a written report: each item listed, each defect photographed, risk-rated low / medium / high with the relevant BS EN 1176 clause, and a recommended action written plainly enough that your contractor can quote against it without a site visit. Findings are tracked visit to visit, so deterioration shows as a trend, not a surprise.

Standing rounds keep it simple

Most clients put their sites on a standing quarterly round: we turn up on schedule, you receive the report, and your inspection regime stays continuously evidenced without anyone having to remember to book. Multi-site councils and parks are grouped into a single visit day to keep the cost per site down.

Frequently asked questions

How often should an operational inspection be done?

BS EN 1176-7 recommends every 1 to 3 months depending on usage, vandalism levels and manufacturer guidance. Quarterly is the most common cycle for parish sites; busy or coastal sites often justify more frequent visits.

What is the difference between an operational and an annual inspection?

The operational inspection is a detailed check of wear, stability and structural condition carried out through the year by an RPII Operational-grade inspector. The annual main inspection is a once-yearly, fully independent assessment by an RPII Annual-grade inspector, covering overall safety levels, foundations and long-term degradation. You need both — they answer different questions.

Can our groundsman do the operational inspection instead?

Only if they hold the RPII Operational qualification. Many councils train a member of staff for routine visual checks but use an independent inspector for the operational tier — it costs little and gives you an arm's-length record if anything is ever challenged.

Do you check surfacing as well as equipment?

Yes. Impact-absorbing surfacing is checked for wear, displacement, contamination and edge condition against BS EN 1177, alongside every item of equipment and the ancillary items — gates, fencing, seating and signage.