Post Installation

When a new play area is installed, it is recommended in BS EN 1176:2008 to have an independent Post Installation Inspection by an RPII Accredited Annual Inspector, to ensure that the new play area meets with the safety guidelines currently in force.

The Play Inspection Company can provide a detailed report for each new play area, along with a Certifictate of Compliance where required.

We can also offer training for staff at the time of the inspection.

Our prices for these services, inclusive of all expenses are as follows:

Post Installation Inspection: £375.00 Excl. VAT
Post Installation Inspection and 1 Hour Staff Training: £465.00 Excl. VAT

Annual Safety Inspections

Annual Safety Inspections should be undertaken on a regular, yearly basis to ensure that the play area remains as safe as it can be. These inspections include a review of your current systems & procedures to help ensure maximum protection for your business in the unfortunate event of claim being made against you. In our experience, successful defence against claims can often come down to being able to supply adequate records of systems and inspections taking place. We also include Risk Assessments as part of our inspection service, free of charge. Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, it is a legal requirement to undertake a Risk Assessment on an Annual basis to ensure the continuing safety of the facility.

Staff Training is also available at the time of the inspection.

Our prices for these services, inclusive of all expenses are as follows:

Annual Safety Inspection: £365.00 Excl. VAT
Annual Safety Inspection and 1 Hour Staff Training: £455.00 Excl. VAT

Consultancy Work

For designers, manufacturers and playground operators, whether you need help concerning a particular problem, expert advice on design or any aspect of more detailed consultancy work, the Play Inspection Company can offer you the help of one of the leading experts on indoor play.

Nick Balmforth has been involved in indoor play for many years and has pioneered and led the introduction of independent National Safety Guidelines for the indoor play industry. With Nick and the Play Inspection Company, you really are in the safest possible hands.

Please post any enquiries via the Contact Us section on this website.

Expert Witness

Unfortunately, sometimes accidents do happen, and this may or may not be down to equipment defects, failure to inspect, or inadequate supervision.

Nick Balmforth will be able to help establish the cause of accidents in this area and has many years direct experience of acting as an expert witness. Nick is also available to assist with substantiating or defending against claims in this area.

Training Courses

Whether you are a playground manufacturer looking for training to help develop your staff, or a playground operator wanting to train staff to inspect and maintain your new facility, the Play Inspection Company can offer a tailored solution to fulfil your requirements.

All enquiries are welcomed, so please get in touch and let us know your requirements via the 'Contact Us' section of our website.

With one of the most recognised individuals in this field and years of experience at our disposal, you won't be left disappointed!

Safety

Safety Inspections for your equipment installation should be undertaken on an Annual basis to ensure that the area is as safe as it can be.

The Play Inspection Company Indoor PLay Inspection Team is led by Nick Balmforth, who has pioneered the introduction of Independent National Safety Guidelines for the Indoor Play Industry.

Design

Whether you need help concerning a particular problem, expert advice on design or more detailed consultancy work, the Play Inspection Company can offer you the help of one of the leading experts on Indoor Play.

Risk Assessment

Under The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, it is a legal requirement to undertake a Risk Assessment on an annual basis to ensure the continuing safety of the facilitiy.

The Play Inspection Company can provide detailed Risk Assessment for each Play Area currently in operation.

Indoor Inspectors

Nick Balmforth ACP FILAM RPII

This Division of the Company will provide Safety Inspections and Safety Audits to operators of Indoor Play Areas. The Safety Audit goes beyond the equipment provision and looks to the Management Systems and Procedures provided to ensure the safe operation of the play area.

Nick Balmforth, is a founder Director of The Play Inspection Company and heads up its Indoor Play Division. He has pioneered and led the introduction of independent national safety guidelines for the indoor play industry. His first publication, "Soft Play and Inflatables" was published by The Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management in 1992 and welcomed by the Health and Safety Executive as "a very protective and useful guide". His "Safety in Indoor Adventure Play Areas - A Code of Practice" followed in 1995. In 1999 he chaired an ILAM invited panel of experts to revise and publish this reference under the new title "Indoor Play Areas - Guidance on Safe Practice". He was the Chairman of BSI's Soft Indoor Play Panel that further developed and upgraded the publication to British Standard BS 8409:2002 "Soft Indoor Play Areas - A Code of Practice". He is the Convenor of the CEN Working Group charged with producing a European Standard for this product range and was a Project Advisory Group Member for Chiltern International Fire Ltd. in the 2003 production and publication of a "Quantified Fire Risk Assessment Method for Indoor Play Areas". He is a co-author of the 2005 publication "Managing Risk in Indoor Play Areas". In 2003 he was awarded a Fellowship of the Institute of Leisure & Amenity Management in recognition of his work and achievements in this sector of the leisure industry. In 2006-7 he helped draft the Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII) examination syllabus for Fully Enclosed (Indoor) Play Equipment and will serve as an RPII examiner in this specialism.

Jon Dalton

As our existing customers probably know, the success of The Play Inspection Company in recent years has mainly been due to our excellent service, professionalism and competitive pricing. As a result, word has spread and so has our client base. As our business has progressed we have expanded, and we now feel well positioned to acheive even further growth, whilst at the same time having the infrastructure behind us to be able to cope with demand whilst maintaining the level of service that we pride ourselves upon.

Further to a successful 4 years gaining experience in Sales and Key Account Management in the Playground Industry, Jon Dalton has now joined the company as our new Business Development Manager. Jon has spent the last 4 years at Playdale Playgrounds Ltd, one of the UK's leading play manufacturers, where he was awarded 'Salesman of the Year' in 2006. Prior to joining Playdale, Jon qualified as a Quantity Surveyor, working for one of the largest housebulders in the UK, McCarthy & Stone Ltd. These roles have enabled Jon to gain a great understanding of the various aspects of the construction and playground industries.

Jon brings with him a good knowledge of the industry along with a strong desire and energy to push the business to the next level. Jon will be covering England and Wales, developing new relationships as well as working with our existing clients. Jon's main task will be to ensure that all our clients are happy with the service that we are providing, as well as finding new ways that we may be able to improve our service to meet with our clients needs. Jon will also be dealing with all Sales and Marketing queries.

If you would like to speak or meet with Jon, then please call us on the Head Office telephone number shown on the Contacts page.

Keith Dalton

Keith has over 20 years experience in the playground industry. He was Managing Director of Hags Play Ltd for over 10 years, and was also responsible for the development of the BTEC Level 3 Advanced Award in Playground Inspection & Operation. He is one of the only 2 approved tutors for this course in the UK.

Safety Surfacing is an area of many myths, Keith is one of the most knowledgeable people around the industry with regard to the different types and properties of impact absorbing surfaces.

Keith was also responsible for the production of the DDA Assessment check-list that now forms the industry standard.

In May 2003 Keith enrolled with the Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII) and is one of a select group who are qualified to examine all levels of inspectors enrolling with the RPII.

In June 2003 he formed Pi2 Inspection & Training with the prime objective of providing an independent, professional service to the Industry in the area of playground inspection, training and related consultancy works. He was persuaded to get involved in the formation of The Play Inspection Company and Pi2 became an integral part of The Play Inspection Company in January 2004.