AISV - Compliance Framework, Playground Equipment

Issues such as buildings and grounds, and essential services maintenance.

Compliance Directory
Facilities
Playground equipment

AISV Compliance Framework

Playground equipment

Please scroll to the bottom of the page for contacts and links

Do you need to comply?

Yes - if your school has playground equipment

Conditions of compliance

All playground equipment design and installation should conform to the following standards:

AS/NZS 4486.1:1997
AS 4685:2004 (including Parts 1 - 6)
AS 2555:1982
AS 1428 parts 1 - 4:1992
AS/NZS 4422

If you have to comply, what do you have to do?

The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) provides the following advice to Government schools:

Only playground equipment items, which are in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards, may be erected in school grounds.

A full list of approved equipment items would be impractical, but for general guidance, the following have been approved:

sandpits
slides
horizontal and vertical ladders
horizontal bars
gymnastic combinations
jungle gymnasiums
climbing nets and frames
climbing ropes (fixed)
track glides

The following items of playground equipment are not approved for use in schools:

seesaws
swings (including log swings)
maypoles (including climbing poles)
merry-go-rounds
roundabouts
flying foxes

All apparatus must be fixed unless specifically designed to be portable (eg A frames).

DEECD also provides advice for Government schools regarding footings, heights and soft-fall conditions.

Suppliers should provide written confirmation that the playground equipment and its installation meet the requirements of the Australian Standards.

All playground equipment should be inspected weekly and repairs and maintenance acted upon in accordance with the school's maintenance provision. Particular attention needs to be given to the undersurfacing beneath and around the playground equipment.

What are the consequences if you don't comply?

There is the possibility of legal action against the school in the event of an injury.

Who will help you?

AISV contact:

Peter Roberts
Assistant Director, Management Services
Ph. 03 9825 7211
peter.roberts@ais.vic.edu.au

AISV documents:

Click here to download (pdf) the Playground Equipment "vital signs" checklist from Willis Risk Management