How Long Should Commercial Playground Equipment Last?

Your new school playground equipment has just been installed, but how long can you expect it to last? And how can you extend the length of its longevity? 

A standard commercial playground will typically last around 8-10 years. Our partner, Superior Recreational Products, has seen playgrounds last up to 20 years — without a single update!

 Let's look at some variables that affect the life of playground equipment and how you can take preventative measures to help your commercial playground last!

Factors that Affect the Life of a Commercial Playground

1. Equipment material

It is important to take note of what material your playground equipment is made out of because different materials will react differently to certain elements. For example, a steel playground may be susceptible to rust after rain and a wood playground could rot or splinter. 

2. Frequency of use

Kids can put a significant amount of wear and tear on a playground, even if it is made out of steel. If your playground is located at a popular park located next to a school, it may need more maintenance than a playground at a small apartment complex.

3. Local climate

Depending on the climate of your local city, your playground equipment may be more prone to damage — especially in places where it is more rainy or humid.

4. Local environment

Certain animals might cause damage to commercial playgrounds, such as rodents gnawing on wood or birds building nests in inappropriate places. It is important to have regular maintenance checks to prevent local animals from causing too much damage. In coastal California cities, such as San Diego, salt water can often cause corrosion affecting the longevity of playground equipment. In these locations, recycled playgrounds are a reliable option because they contain additional fiberglass elements that are resistant to termites, marine borers, salt spray, oil, and fungus.

Maintenance 

Playground maintenance is a crucial aspect of ensuring the safety, longevity, and usability of play areas for children. Regular and proper maintenance helps prevent accidents, reduces potential hazards, and extends the lifespan of playground equipment and structures.

Commercial playgrounds should be inspected by a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI). CPSIs are professionals who have completed specialized training and obtained certification to ensure that playgrounds are safe and meet established safety standards. These inspectors play a critical role in assessing and identifying potential hazards in playgrounds to prevent injuries and accidents among children who use these facilities.

It is also important to conduct some of your own safety inspections. You can do this by regularly checking for broken playground equipment, ensuring playground surfacing remains even, and cleaning up any hazardous materials (such as broken glass, trash, etc). 

Playground owners, operators, and communities should have a plan for ongoing maintenance, periodic inspections, and budgets for potential replacements or updates to ensure that the playground equipment remains safe and enjoyable for children throughout its lifespan. With the help of a CPSI and your own inspections, your commercial playground should last for years to come!  

Zoom Recreation Maintenance Plans

Here at Zoom Recreation, our service doesn’t stop at installation! We offer three maintenance packages that include different amounts of assistance from our CPSIs, to ensure your commercial playground equipment lives a long life and continues to adhere to regulated safety standards. 

Contact us today so we can learn more about your project, answer any possible inquiries about playground installation and maintenance, and get playing! 

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