AusLeisure

Interested parties are being invited to comment on a proposal to develop an Australian Standard for outdoor fitness equipment.

Richard Ellis, Lead Structural Engineer at equipment manufacturer Kompan Playscape Pty Ltd has initiated a proposal to adopt the European Standard EN16630 Permanently Installed Fitness Equipment to an Australian Standard.

He is working closely with Professor David Eager from the University of Technology Sydney, who currently serves on several Australian Standard committees.

Currently, there are no Australian guidelines setting out minimum construction, safety or ergonomic requirements for specific outdoor fitness equipment. Suppliers typically state compliance to AS4685 Playground Equipment and Surfacing that is almost identical to the European standard EN1176.

This standard is used because outdoor fitness equipment is often placed near playgrounds and children often play on it.

The proposal suggests that EN16630 is more relevant and sets out better minimum specifications and requirements for this type of equipment. It has all of the same safety features of AS4685. However, it includes some important differences, such as a higher loading requirement for average adult weight and more specifications for moving parts, braking and dampening.

It also contains information on the type of exercises that can and cannot be designed for, in a free-access general public environment.

Fitness Australia and Kidsafe reportedly support the proposal and feedback is now sought from councils and other interested parties across Australia.

For more information contact Richard Ellis on 0429 508 491, E: ricell@kompan.com

Sourced from Fiona MacColl, Landscape Infrastructure Planner via LinkedIn

Image used for illustrative purposes.

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