KOMPAN


European Standard EN1176

All KOMPAN playground equipment complies with EN 1176 which is the European standard for playground safety, adapted by the folowing  member countries: Austria, Belguim, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom. 

This standard specifies general safety requirements for playgrounds and playground equipment and is reinforced by established test and approval procedures based on many years of experience.

EN 1176 in specific
The safety zone is the minimum space, consisting of the space occupied by the equipment and the falling space which includes the free space occupied by a user undergoing a movement forced by the equipment.

Calculation of the falling space is in accordance with EN 1176. As a general rule, the falling space is a minimum of 150 cm from the perimeter of the raised surface, i.e. at the level of the free height of fall, and becomes greater when the free height of fall exceeds 150 cm.

The minimum space around the equipment, which includes the falling space, is indicated for each product by means of a grey colour in the catalogue. The protective surfacing material should cover this area completely and should be of a nature coresponding to the actual height of fall.

Overlapping of minimum spaces is in general permitted. However, it is not permitted to overlap an area which is, at the same time, free space occupied by a user undergoing a movement forced by the equipment. The free space is a three dimensional space which continue up and around the equipment. No object can intrude into this space. Examples of free spaces are around slides, fireman's poles, swings, seesaws and spring rides.

Where the free height of fall is 60 cm or less, the protective surfacing material should have certain impact attenuating qualities, however, test of the critical fall height is not required. Use of asphalt, concrete etc. is not recommended unless specifically required by the type of play, such as ball games and roller-skating.

It is KOMPAN's understanding that play equipment at ground level such as tables, benches, manipulative devices and playhouses do not require a minimum space according to the standard. For these products we recommend a circulation area, which will be indicated by means of a dotted line in our catalogues.