Commercial Playground Equipment for Schools & Public Playgrounds

Commercial Playground Equipment for Public Play Areas

Commercial playground equipment is designed for shared and public play environments where equipment may be used frequently by many children. Typical locations include public playgrounds, school playgrounds, nurseries, campsites, holiday parks, leisure facilities and hospitality venues with children's play areas.

These applications require different considerations from wooden playground equipment intended primarily for other applications. In addition to play value and materials, factors such as structural safety, free fall height, safety areas, surfacing, foundations, installation, inspection and maintenance need to be considered.

Playground Equipment and EN 1176

EN 1176 is the European standards series covering playground equipment and playground surfacing. It includes general safety requirements as well as requirements relating to specific types of playground equipment.

Within our commercial playground equipment range, relevant EN 1176 information and any applicable TÜV certification are stated with the individual products. Always check the specifications and documentation of the particular item before ordering.

Compliance or certification of an individual item does not automatically mean that the completed playground as a whole meets all applicable requirements. Correct installation, foundations, safety areas and appropriate surfacing must also be taken into account.

Where Is Commercial Playground Equipment Used?

Professional playground equipment can be used in a wide variety of shared and public play environments. The suitability of each item should always be assessed for the intended location and users.

Typical applications include:

• public playgrounds;
• school playgrounds;
• nurseries and childcare settings;
• campsites;
• holiday parks;
• leisure and recreation areas;
• hospitality venues with children's play areas;
• municipal playgrounds;
• other publicly accessible play spaces.

Which Playground Equipment Should You Choose?

The right playground equipment depends on the intended age group, available space, required play activities and overall design of the play area. A varied playground can combine opportunities for climbing, balancing, swinging, sliding and imaginative play.

Intergard supplies different types of professional playground equipment, including play towers, rope pyramids, slides, swings, nest swings and suspension bridges. Always compare the dimensions, intended application, free fall height, safety area and installation requirements before selecting a product.

Play Towers for Schools and Public Playgrounds

A play tower can combine several play activities within one structure, depending on the model. It can therefore form a central feature within a school playground, public playground or other play area.

When selecting a play tower, consider its dimensions, intended users, free fall height, required safety area, foundation requirements and other technical specifications.

View our commercial play towers for the available models and specifications.

Rope Climbing Pyramids for Playgrounds

A rope pyramid allows children to climb through a three-dimensional network of ropes. Depending on the model, reinforced ropes and steel structural components may be used to create the climbing structure.

For this type of climbing equipment, the overall dimensions, free fall height, safety area, anchoring and required surfacing are important considerations.

Browse our rope climbing pyramids for professional playground applications.

Playground Slides for Public Play Areas

Commercial playground slides need to be matched to the intended structure, platform height and installation. Intergard supplies slides intended for professional playground applications, including models manufactured from stainless steel and other materials depending on the product.

Stainless steel provides good corrosion resistance, although it is not completely immune to corrosion in every environment. Exposure, contamination and maintenance can affect the material over time.

View our playground slides for the professional range. You can also compare our wider range of slides, including playground slides and polyester slides.

Commercial Swings for Playgrounds

A commercial swing requires the seat, suspension components, supporting structure and safety area to be correctly matched. The required space around moving playground equipment is an important consideration when planning the layout.

Browse our commercial playground swings. Always check that the selected swing seat and suspension components are suitable for the intended supporting structure and application.

Nest Swings for Public Playgrounds

A nest swing provides a larger sitting or lying surface than a conventional individual swing seat. Depending on its design and intended use, a nest swing may accommodate more than one child.

The supporting structure, suspension system, safety area and surfacing must all be appropriate for the particular product.

View our nest swings for professional playground applications.

Swing Chains for Commercial Playground Swings

Swing chains are safety-relevant components within a swing suspension system. They must be suitable for the seat, suspension points, supporting structure and intended use.

Intergard supplies professional swing chains. Check the dimensions, length, attachment method, material and application information of the individual product.

Suspension Bridges for Playground Equipment

A suspension bridge can create a balancing or connecting element between suitable parts of a playground structure. Correct attachment points and installation are essential for its intended use.

View our playground suspension bridges and check the dimensions and installation requirements of the individual product.

Post Supports for Playground Equipment

Foundations and anchoring form an important part of the structural installation of playground equipment. The required supports and anchoring system depend on the equipment, construction, ground conditions and installation instructions.

A general-purpose post support should not automatically be assumed to be suitable for professional playground equipment. Always use components that are appropriate for the specific structure and installation.

See our post supports for playground equipment for the available products.

Free Fall Height and Playground Safety Surfacing

Free fall height is an important factor when determining the surfacing requirements beneath and around playground equipment. Different items of equipment can require different levels of impact attenuation.

Check the specified free fall height of the equipment before choosing the surfacing. Material, construction, installation, thickness and maintenance can all influence impact-attenuating performance.

Intergard also supplies rubber tiles. Whether a particular tile or surfacing system is suitable must be determined from its product specifications and the requirements of the playground installation.

Safety Areas Around Playground Equipment

Commercial playground equipment requires an appropriate safety area around the structure. The dimensions and requirements of this area vary according to the type and design of the equipment.

Moving equipment such as swings has different spatial requirements from static climbing structures. Always use the technical documentation for the individual product when planning the playground layout.

Foundations and Anchoring for Playground Equipment

Commercial playground equipment must be installed and anchored according to the instructions for the particular model. Foundation requirements depend on factors including the construction, loads, anchoring method and ground conditions.

There is no single foundation method that is suitable for every playground product. Check the technical documentation before preparing the site or pouring foundations.

How to Plan a Public or School Playground

Start by assessing the available space, intended age groups and the types of play the playground should provide. Equipment can then be selected while allowing for safety areas, free fall heights, surfacing, foundations and access.

1. Measure the available play area.
2. Determine the intended age groups.
3. Select appropriate types of play and equipment.
4. Check the dimensions and safety area for each item.
5. Check the free fall height.
6. Determine the required playground surfacing.
7. Plan foundations and anchoring according to the installation instructions.
8. Install the equipment correctly.
9. Arrange any inspection required for the completed installation.
10. Establish an inspection and maintenance programme.

Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial Playground Equipment

Commercial playground equipment requires regular inspection and maintenance throughout its service life. Intensive use, wear, weather exposure, vandalism and changes to the surrounding surface can all affect the condition of a playground installation.

Inspections may include structural components, connections, moving parts, chains, ropes, fixings, foundations and surfacing. Follow the inspection and maintenance instructions supplied for the individual equipment and the requirements applicable to the playground.

Can You Install Commercial Playground Equipment Yourself?

Self-installation is appropriate only where the complete installation can be carried out in accordance with the technical, installation and safety requirements. For a public playground, correct installation involves more than simply assembling the equipment.

Foundations, anchoring, safety areas and surfacing must also be correctly provided. Where specialist knowledge or independent inspection is required, suitably competent professionals should be used.

Made-to-Order Commercial Playground Equipment

Some professional playground equipment and associated products are manufactured to order. Specific delivery and return conditions therefore apply to these products.

Made-to-order public playground equipment is supplied by transport and cannot be collected from Intergard in Wierden. Products manufactured to order cannot be returned. Check all dimensions, specifications and configurations carefully before ordering.

Commercial and Domestic Playground Equipment

Equipment intended for a public playground should not be selected solely because a similar product is suitable for a private garden. The intended application and technical specifications of the individual product are important.

For the wider Intergard range, visit playsets and outdoor play equipment. For timber play structures, see our wooden playground equipment.

Buy Commercial Playground Equipment from Intergard

Intergard supplies professional playground equipment and components for schools, public playgrounds, campsites, holiday parks and other shared play environments. The range includes play towers, rope climbing pyramids, playground slides, swings, nest swings, swing chains, suspension bridges and associated installation products.

Browse our commercial playground equipment and compare the technical specifications, intended application, free fall height, installation requirements and the stated information relating to EN 1176 and any applicable TÜV certification.

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Playground Equipment

What is commercial playground equipment?

Commercial playground equipment is equipment intended for shared or public play environments rather than solely for private domestic gardens. Browse Intergard's commercial playground equipment for schools, public playgrounds and other shared play environments.

What is EN 1176?

EN 1176 is the European standards series covering playground equipment and playground surfacing. It includes general safety requirements and requirements relating to particular types of playground equipment.

Is all Intergard playground equipment EN 1176 compliant?

Check this for each individual product. Relevant EN 1176 information and any applicable TÜV certification should be taken from the specifications and documentation of the particular professional playground product.

What does TÜV certification mean for playground equipment?

TÜV certification indicates that the specified product has been assessed against the criteria stated in its certification documentation. Always check exactly which product, configuration and standard the certification covers.

Does EN 1176 compliance mean the entire playground is automatically compliant?

No. Correct installation, foundations, safety areas, appropriate surfacing, inspection and maintenance also need to be considered for the completed playground.

What is free fall height?

Free fall height is an important technical characteristic used when assessing the required impact attenuation beneath playground equipment. The exact value should be taken from the specifications of the individual product.

What surface should be used under playground equipment?

The required surface depends on the equipment, its free fall height and the applicable requirements. Intergard supplies rubber tiles, but suitability must always be checked for the specific playground installation.

How much space is required around playground equipment?

The required safety area varies by product. Use the dimensions and safety-zone information in the technical documentation rather than applying one general distance to every piece of equipment.

Is commercial playground equipment suitable for schools?

Professional equipment specified for this application can be suitable for school playgrounds. Check the intended users, technical specifications, safety information and installation requirements of each product.

Can this equipment be used at campsites and holiday parks?

Professional playground equipment specified for these applications can be used at campsites and holiday parks. The complete play area must also be planned, installed and maintained appropriately.

What commercial playground equipment does Intergard supply?

The range includes play towers, rope pyramids, playground slides, swings, nest swings, swing chains and suspension bridges. See the complete professional playground range.

Does Intergard supply play towers for public playgrounds?

Yes, commercial play towers are available within the professional range. View our play towers and check the specifications of the individual model.

Does Intergard supply climbing equipment?

Yes, the professional range includes rope climbing pyramids. See our rope pyramids for available models.

Does Intergard supply playground slides?

Yes, Intergard supplies slides for professional playground applications. Browse our commercial playground slides and check the required platform height and installation specifications.

Does Intergard supply nest swings?

Yes, nest swings are available within the professional playground range. View our nest swings for the available products.

Can I buy replacement swing chains?

Intergard supplies swing chains for professional playground applications. See our swing chains and check their compatibility with the intended swing.

How is commercial playground equipment anchored?

The anchoring method depends on the equipment, supporting structure and ground conditions. Follow the installation documentation and see the available playground post supports where appropriate.

Does playground equipment need regular inspection?

Yes, inspection and maintenance are important parts of managing commercial and public playground equipment. Follow the inspection and maintenance requirements applicable to the individual equipment and installation.

Can I install commercial playground equipment myself?

That depends on the equipment and whether the installation can be completed correctly in accordance with all applicable requirements. Foundations, anchoring, safety areas and surfacing must also be correctly provided.

Can commercial playground equipment be collected from Wierden?

No, collection from Wierden is not available for these made-to-order professional playground products. They are supplied by transport.

Can made-to-order playground equipment be returned?

Made-to-order products cannot be returned. Check the dimensions, configuration and technical specifications carefully before placing your order.