What does it take to build a playground? In this article, we'll walk you through the construction of the War Memorial Outdoor Playground, from site preparation to final installation inspection.
This site was not a new build on a vacant lot. The existing play and recreation facilities were demolished, and the nearby dead space was connected to the playground.
The site had a distinct upper-lower gradient: the lower space was a largely unutilized dead space, while the upper space was a landscaped, vegetated area. Creating a safe connection between the two spaces while organizing children's movement in a natural way was a key challenge for this site.
Once the site conditions and material plans were organized, the first step was to demolish the existing facilities. The old play and recreational facilities were dismantled and transported, and the floor and surrounding environment were prepared before the new structure was installed. Safety guardrails were also installed on the steep sections.
The site had to meet the safety standards for children's products based on the 12m+ standard, so we prefabricated the steel at the factory and assembled it on site.
After bringing the steel from the factory to the site, we began full-scale assembly. First, we erected the steel structure, and then attached the exterior materials that children come into direct contact with in order. Along with the installation of the structure, we also installed rubber chips on the floor.
Once the installation of the facility was completed, the safety certification process began. Since the wood species and content inspection (STEP 1) has already been completed at the material stage, we proceed with STEP 2, the product certification inspection.
The inspection is based on Annex 2 of the Common Safety Standards and Safety Certification Standards for Children's Products. It involves analyzing the ingredients of the parts that children actually touch (sample inspection) and checking handrail gaps, heights, and collision hazards (on-site inspection).
If deficiencies are identified, they are immediately corrected and re-inspected. If all items are passed, a product certificateis issued.
Next is a sample inspection of the floor pavers. Rubber chips are classified as separate samples by color, so the scope of the inspection is wide. This inspection is conducted by the professional company in charge of the elastic pavement construction. If you pass the inspection, you will be issued an activity inspection pass certificate.
The final step is to report the installation to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and receive a facility code. After the code is granted, apply for an installation inspection by attaching the product certificate and activity inspection pass certificate that you obtained earlier. The installation inspection was passed without much difficulty, as the previous steps were sufficiently supplemented. Construction is completed with the issuance of the final installation inspection pass certificate.
Note that the initial notification is made by the installer (Cheongwoofun Station), but the management entity of the facility is responsible for the regular inspections that are conducted every two years.
An unused dead space has been transformed into a children's playground through a systematic construction and certification process. Behind the completion of a single playground, there are many stages of safety verification.
Cheongwoo Fun Station fulfills this process with the same standards at every site.