Playground inspections are a legal and insurance requirement for schools, local authorities, nurseries, holiday parks, and commercial operators. A missed inspection that precedes an injury isn't just a welfare failure — it's a liability and safeguarding issue. This guide explains the three inspection levels, what to check on rubber tile surfaces specifically, and how to document your findings correctly.
Before carrying out inspections, ensure your surface is correctly specified for the equipment — see our EN1177 safety standard to confirm your tile's Critical Fall Height rating is appropriate.
The Three Levels of Playground Inspection
1. Routine Visual Inspection (Daily to Weekly)
A visual check for obvious hazards — broken equipment, vandalism, contamination, and displaced or damaged surfacing tiles. Can be carried out by any designated member of staff. Must be logged with date, inspector name, and any findings.
2. Operational Inspection (Monthly)
A more detailed check of equipment function and surface condition. Checks for wear, movement, structural issues, and surface defects. Requires some knowledge of EN1176/EN1177. Must be documented with written records and sign-off.
3. Annual (Main) Inspection
A comprehensive technical inspection by a qualified RPII (Registered Playground Inspector). Covers all equipment, fixings, anchoring, and surfacing in full technical detail. Must produce a formal written report. This is the inspection most relevant to insurance, Ofsted, and local authority oversight.
Surface Checks: Rubber Tiles
Structural Integrity
- Cracked or split tiles — replace immediately (cracked rubber edges are sharp)
- Lifted or debonded tiles — trip hazard; re-bond or replace
- Gaps between tiles greater than 10mm — children's feet can catch
- Loose or proud edging strips — immediate trip hazard
Surface Performance
- Significant compaction or deformation in high-use areas (under swing seats, at slide foot)
- Contamination — glass, needles, animal faeces — remove immediately and document
- Standing water after rain — indicates drainage problem; can affect performance over time
Coverage and Fall Zone
- Confirm surfaced area still covers the full fall zone around all equipment
- Check no new equipment has been added with a fall height exceeding the surface's CFH rating
Documentation Requirements
Every inspection record must include:
- Date and time
- Inspector name and qualification level
- Description of any defect found
- Risk rating (low / medium / high)
- Action taken or planned, with target completion date
- Sign-off when defect is resolved
Keep inspection records for a minimum of 3 years. Your inspection log is your primary evidence of due diligence if an incident occurs.
How often should a playground be inspected?
ROSPA recommends: daily to weekly routine visual checks; monthly operational inspections; one formal annual technical inspection by an RPII-qualified inspector. High-footfall public playgrounds may warrant more frequent formal checks.
When should a playground be closed?
Close immediately (with barriers and signage) if: a tile has cracked with sharp edges exposed; multiple tiles have lifted creating significant trip hazards; the surface is contaminated with hazardous material; or equipment has failed where a child could fall without safe surfacing below. Document the closure date, reason, and expected reopening date after repair.
Can I repair rubber playground tiles myself?
Yes — replacing individual damaged tiles is straightforward. Remove the damaged tile (use a floor scraper if bonded), clean the sub-base, apply fresh adhesive, lay the replacement tile, and allow to cure overnight before reopening. See our full installation guide for detailed process.
Finding an RPII Inspector
For your annual technical inspection, use a Registered Playground Inspector (RPII). Find inspectors through:
- ROSPA — rospa.com/play-safety
- Fields in Trust (NPFA) — fieldsintrust.org
- Many local authorities offer RPII inspection as a traded service to schools and parish councils
Replacement Tiles
We hold stock of standard tiles for rapid dispatch. If you identify tiles needing replacement following an inspection, contact us with your tile specification (thickness, colour) and we'll get replacements to you quickly to minimise playground closure time. For schools managing multiple playgrounds, see our playground tiles for schools for bulk supply options.