Are there safety standards for outdoor play areas?

Yes there are standards, and most of them are contained in the British Standards publication BS EN 1176-1:2017. There is also BS EN 1177 which concerns impact-attenuating playground surfacing and fall heights. These standards apply to playgrounds in institutions or that are accessible to the public, but it is clearly advantageous to keep risk to a minimum by following these guidelines if you are constructing any play area for children.

It is also helpful to bear in mind the following extract from the Introduction of the BSI Standard publication:

“Playground equipment not complying with EN 1176-1:2017 should not automatically be considered as being unsafe or to require replacement. A risk assessment by competent persons should be used to determine what action, if any, is necessary.” (© The British Standards Institution 2023)

Where can I get BS EN 1176?

The  Standard published by BSI is entitled “Playground equipment and surfacing – General safety requirements and test methods.” It is available to purchase on the BSI website, either as a downloadable pdf or as a hard copy book. It is currently priced at £348.00, or £174.00 if you are a member of BSI. Find out more.

If this price causes you to question how much you really need the actual publication(!), The Play Inspection Company has a useful booklet entitled ‘An Essential Guide to BS EN 1176 and BS EN 1177.’ This reviews the standards in rather simpler language, with recommendations, and can be purchase for around £10.00. It is a hard copy printed booklet, and the current version is not available as a download. Find out more.

The company also offers training and a range of inspection kits.