Low Maintenance School Playground Equipment
The Problem Facing Schools Regarding The On-going Maintenance of School Play Equipment
Like anything that is used constantly, is outside the whole time and is subject to all weathers and all seasons, school playground equipment needs regularly maintaining with thorough inspection checks undertaken every month or so. Children’s safety is paramount of course but maintenance checks conducted on a regular basis also extends the life of the play equipment – think car servicing!
These checks are usually done by a site manager with a more detailed and thorough inspection by registered playground inspectors every year or so.
A lot of playground equipment in schools is manufactured out of timber and in the case of adventure trim trails, the default material section used is rounded timber posts which are dug into the ground. Rounded timber posts react naturally to different temperatures (like all timbers) but ever more so with this particular section as the timber dries out from the pith (centre) of the post causing what is known as radial cracking – which manifests itself in large cracks running down the timber. And if they become too big, the cracks will open up wide enough for the children, who are naturally inquisitive, to start sticking their fingers into the gaps.
The posts will have been dug into the ground as well and the ground made good or covered in safety surfacing so post-installation, it is very difficult to see what effect damp ground conditions will be having on the timber. Unless the post is hermetically sealed with a post saver bag or has been treated with a special paint or rubber, it is very likely that it will be absorbing a lot of ground moisture which will eventually turn rotten. Many a time have we dug out old trim trail play equipment only to find that it is rotten to the core making it very unsafe. And any playground inspector will not pass this as being safe for further use and in all likelihood, it will be condemned. And the school will then either have to pay a lot of money to have it fixed or replaced altogether (which is usually the case).
The Solution
Quite simply, you need to buy school playground equipment from us which is manufactured entirely out of recycled plastic as it has so many advantages over traditional timber. Firstly, it will never rot when placed in the ground and does not need any further protection such as the afore mentioned post saver bags – this is the reason why recycled plastic is the default material used for dipping pond platforms where the bottom section of the posts are actually submerged in the water.
Secondly, it will not splinter or crack – ever. Thirdly, it is very eco friendly as it entirely manufactured out of recycled plastic milk bottles and as we are all trying to teach and engage children about the harmful effects of plastic on the planet, this is as good a place to start as any in demonstrating good environmental practice.
Fourthly, it will last five times longer than timber and last but not least, it is very low maintenance.
Recycled plastic play equipment is certainly the new generation of play equipment for schools.
For further information, please contact the Hideout House Company on 01832 275902, email info@hideouthouse or visit www.hideouthouse.com