Our core service
Operational inspections
The detailed 1–3 monthly inspection BS EN 1176 expects between annual checks — where problems get caught while they are still cheap to fix.
The operational inspection sits between your weekly visual checks and the independent annual inspection. It is the tier that catches worn shackles before they fail, loosening foundations before a unit moves, and surfacing degradation before it stops absorbing impact.
What we check
- Every item of equipment for wear, corrosion, stability and structural integrity
- Moving parts, bearings, shackles and chains against service limits
- Impact-absorbing surfacing to BS EN 1177 — wear, shrinkage, displacement, contamination
- Foundations, anchor points and sealed-for-life components
- Entrapment, protrusion and finger-trap checks to BS EN 1176-1
- Ancillary items — gates, self-closers, fencing, bins, seating, signage
The report you receive
Within 48 hours you receive a full-colour digital report: each item listed, each defect photographed, risk-rated low, medium or high against the relevant BS EN 1176 clause, with a recommended action written plainly enough that a contractor can quote against it without a site visit.
Findings are tracked from visit to visit, so deterioration shows up as a trend rather than a surprise — and if we find anything high-risk, you get a phone call the same day, not a document three days later.
Where the report identifies work, we will quote for it separately and with no obligation. You are free to use any contractor you choose — see our repair service if you would rather keep it under one roof.
Standing rounds keep it simple
Most clients put their sites on a standing quarterly round: we turn up on schedule, the report lands, and your inspection regime stays continuously evidenced without anyone having to remember to book. Multi-site councils and parks are grouped into a single visit day, which keeps the cost per site down and travel off your invoice.
Questions
Frequently asked
How often should an operational inspection be done?
BS EN 1176-7 recommends every 1 to 3 months depending on usage, vandalism levels and manufacturer guidance. Quarterly suits most parish sites; busy or coastal sites often justify more frequent visits.
What is the difference between operational and annual?
The operational inspection is the detailed check of wear, stability and structural condition carried out through the year. The annual main inspection is a once-yearly, fully independent assessment covering overall safety levels, foundations and long-term degradation. You need both — they answer different questions.
Can our groundsman do it instead?
Only if they hold the RPII Operational qualification. Many councils train staff for the routine visual tier but use an independent inspector for the operational tier — it costs little and gives you an arm’s-length record if a finding is ever challenged.
Do you check surfacing as well as equipment?
Yes. Impact-absorbing surfacing is checked against BS EN 1177 for wear, displacement, contamination, shrinkage and edge condition, alongside every item of equipment and the ancillary items.