Playground Safety Audit Information

The Initial Playground Safety Audit must be performed by a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI).  Periodic Playground Safety Inspections performed after the Initial Audit can be performed by a person who is qualified; someone who has had training and experience with playground safety, maintenance and repair, but not necessarily a CPSI.

The Initial Audit identifies the equipment that is in the playground, their current condition, and how they measure up to the current ASTM and CPSC specifications. In addition, the surfacing and design of the play area are evaluated. California law on playgrounds (Health and Safety Code section 115725-115735) begins:

(a) All new playgrounds open to the public built by a public agency or any other entity shall conform to the playground-related standards set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials and the playground-related guidelines set forth by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

(b) Replacement of equipment or modification of components inside existing playgrounds shall conform to the playground-related standards set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials and the playground-related guidelines set forth by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Playground owners/operators shall have an initial inspection of their playgrounds by a Certified Playground Safety Inspector by October 1, 2000. Playgrounds installed between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1999, shall conform to the playground-related standards set forth no later than 15 years after the date those playgrounds were installed. (As of December 31, 2014 all playgrounds must be compliant with current safety standards).

Authority cited: Sections 100275 and 115725, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 115725, 115730 and 115735, Health and Safety Code.