Legal basis
Playground inspection in Denmark is regulated by the Building Regulations (BR18) Chapter 16, Sections 358-367, and the harmonised standards DS/EN 1176 (playground equipment) and DS/EN 1177 (impact-absorbing surfaces).
- BR18 Chapter 16, Sections 358-367 — requirements for playground equipment and safety
- The building owner (landowner/property owner) has primary, non-delegable responsibility for playground safety
- Any playground outside a private garden is classified as publicly accessible
The rules apply to housing associations, schools, municipalities, hotels, and campgrounds, among others.
Consequences of missing inspections
warning Important consequences
- Minimum fine: DKK 50,000 from the Danish Safety Technology Authority
- Up to 2 years imprisonment in aggravated circumstances
- Liability for personal injury
- Insurance may deny coverage if documentation is missing
- "Use at own risk" signs do NOT exempt the owner from liability
The three inspection types
DS/EN 1176-7 defines three types of inspection that together ensure the playground meets requirements throughout the year.
| Type | Frequency | Performed by | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine visual inspection | Daily to weekly | Maintenance staff | No |
| Operational inspection | Every 1-3 months | Competent personnel | Recommended |
| Annual main inspection | At least annually | Certified inspector | Yes (independent) |
Impact-absorbing surfaces (DS/EN 1177)
Impact-absorbing surfaces must meet the HIC < 1000 requirement (Head Injury Criterion). The surface must be tested in accordance with DS/EN 1177 to ensure sufficient shock absorption at the critical fall height.
| Material | Min. depth | Max. fall height |
|---|---|---|
| Bark mulch | 200/300 mm | 2.000/3.000 mm |
| Wood chips | 200/300 mm | 2.000/3.000 mm |
| Fall sand | 200/300 mm | 2.000/3.000 mm |
| Rubber tiles | Per test | Per test |
info Note
Impact-absorbing surfaces are always required under swings, slides, carousels, and seesaws — regardless of fall height.
Example checklist — Routine visual inspection
Below is an excerpt of the routine visual inspection that should be performed daily to weekly.
| Kontrolpunkt (DK) | Checkpoint (EN) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ingen knust glas eller farlige genstande | No broken glass or dangerous objects | Fixed |
| Ingen dyreekskrementer i sandkasse | No animal droppings in sandbox | Fixed |
| Ingen synligt ødelagte dele | No visibly damaged parts | Fixed |
| Falddæmpende underlag til stede | Impact-absorbing surface present | Fixed |
| Gynger: kæder og sæder intakte | Swings: chains and seats intact | Fixed |
| Rutsjebaner: glidebane hel, ingen skarpe kanter | Slides: surface intact, no sharp edges | Fixed |
| Hegn og låger intakte | Fences and gates intact | Adapt |
| Oplysningstavle synlig og læselig | Information board visible and readable | Fixed |
Download complete guide (PDF)
8 parts covering legislation, standards, and complete checklists for all 3 inspection types.
download Download PDFUse the checklists digitally in Normo
Stop printing checklists. With Normo, playground inspections go digital.
- check Automatic scheduling of all three inspection types
- check Photo documentation directly in the app
- check PDF reports ready for authorities and insurance