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Play Safety : Information Sheets : No.10EN1176 Playground Equipment Standard ( Introduction The Standard Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods A further four parts are scheduled to be introduced over the next few years. EN 1177 Impact absorbing playground surfacing: Safety requirements and test methods. EN 1176 Part 7 and EN 1177 were published in 1997. A booklet is available from RoSPA, (£12.00 plus £3.50 post and packing), which attempts to explain in everyday terms for the interested lay person the main new requirements and to identify changes from the old British (BS 5696) and German (DIN 7926) standards where these may be assessed on site. In the event of legal claims or disputes, reference should be made to the full Standards, copies of which are available from BSI Publications, 389 Chiswick Road, London, W4 4AL The main changes are in the areas of the overall height of equipment, equipment separation (Minimum Space, formally referred to as MUZ), and surfacing areas. There are some dimensional changes in other areas, for example, roundabout clearances, swing seat clearances, step accesses. Background They are not retrospective or, currently, a legal requirement but represent good practice in the event of an accident claim. Their limitations should be recognised: mere compliance will not automatically create a safe playground. Like previous playground standards they are intended to be used intelligently. BS 5696 and part of BS 7188 were withdrawn on 1 January 1999. Equipment produced before this date should meet BS 5696 or DIN 7926 or have undergone third party testing or risk assessment. The HSE have a guidance leaflet. Assessing to the new standard New equipment In future products can carry a BSI Kitemark or a TüV mark and will normally be identical. The same applies to the provision of impact absorbing surfaces. Having a TüV mark does not guarantee compliance with EN1176. As will become apparent, some elements of EN 1176 are open to interpretation. In the event of a dispute, a decision on interpretation may be sought from BSI or, if necessary, from the European Standards Committee. This may take some time. It is likely there will be many changes to the Standard in the early years as experience is gained from practical implementation on site. The Standard is currently undergoing its first major five year review and this will inevitably involve some changes. Common sense will remain a good guide.
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