AusLeisure

As of 5th July 2012, Standards Australia is inviting public comment on its new draft standard for indoor/contained play.

Introducing the Standard in a feature in the May/June 2012 issue of Australasian Leisure Management, Dr David Eager, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney, wrote "until now safety in contained play facilities was a matter of good management rather than as a result of national guidelines a situation that is about to change with the upcoming publication of Australian Standard AS 3533. 4. 2 Contained play facilities.

"Recently finalised by the Australian Standards Subcommittee ME-051-03, when published this Standard will provide guidance on the design, development, installation, operation, inspection, maintenance, cleaning and testing of contained play facilities.

"The draft Standard is the culmination of 17 sub-committee meetings extending over of period of more than five years by a small group of dedicated industry experts including representatives of all major industry stakeholders, including Engineers Australia; the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA); the Australian Amusement Association and Kidsafe.

"The draft Standard makes provisions for those involved in the contained play facility industry to provide safe, yet challenging, contained play facilities. It covers the facility as a whole, because it was considered that it is the combination of good design, materials and management that creates a safe facility. The draft Standard specifies requirements that will protect a child from hazards he or she may be unable to foresee when using equipment in contained play facilities as intended."

Dr Eager is the Engineers Australia representative on the Australian Standards Committees for Contained Play Facilities ME 051-03 (as Chair), Children's Playgrounds CS 005 (as Chair), Trampolines CS 100 (as Chair), Artificial Climbing Structures and Challenges Courses SF 047 (as Chair), and Sports and Recreation Equipment CS 101.

The draft Standard sets out the minimum safety requirements for the design, development, installation, operation, inspection, maintenance, cleaning and testing of contained play facilities. It also specifies the safety requirements of specific items of play equipment that may be installed within a contained play facility such as inflatable devices, ball pools, contained play structure, forced movement devices, mechanical rides, water play devices, patron propelled vehicles, and climbing structures.

Those wanting to make comment on DR AS3533.4.2 Amusement rides and devices - Part 4.2: Specific requirements - Contained play facilities will need to register to read the draft Standard.

For details click on the shortened link http://bit.ly/LYUKop

Image: Kidz Paradise, Gold Coast

20th January 2012 - AUSTRALIAN INDOOR PLAY STANDARD SET FOR AUTUMN RELEASE

10th November 2010 - COUNCILS AND CLUBS NEED TO BE READY FOR NEW MANDATORY MOVEABLE OUTDOOR FOOTBALL GOAL POST STANDARD

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