Explore Freely,
Play Safely.
Desktop Design Review
Independent Safety Review for Play Area and Product Designs
Before you build, make sure your playground design is safe, compliant, and ready to go.
At Playsafe, we offer a cost-effective, independent desktop design review service to help schools, councils, early childhood education (ECE) providers, and commercial play project teams ensure their proposed designs align with NZS5828:2015 and related international standards.
Our review can cover entire play spaces or individual play elements, helping you avoid costly mistakes and compliance issues down the track.
Why Get a Design Review?
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Prevent issues before construction begins
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Identify design risks early and get practical solutions
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Ensure alignment with NZS5828:2015 and other applicable safety standards
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Receive discounted rates on post-installation inspections when bundled
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Support licensing and compliance for ECE centres
A thorough review now can save time, money, and stress later.
What’s Included in the Design Review:
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Full evaluation of play space layout and equipment positioning
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Assessment against NZS5828:2015 and relevant EN, AS/NZS, and SANS standards
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Identification of potential hazards and design risks
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Review of landscaping features and surfacing plans
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Design Risk Assessment and considerations report
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For ECE projects: additional review for compliance with Appendix A (Supervised ECE) and MoE Criterion PF5 for safe furniture and equipment
Who It's For:
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Landscape architects and playground designers
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Schools and Boards of Trustees
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Councils and park planners
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ECE services and MoE projects
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Manufacturers and play equipment suppliers
Ensure your design is built on solid, safe foundations.
Contact us today to book your Playsafe Design Review.
Important Disclaimer:
Playsafe’s design review is a desktop-only assessment, based solely on the information you provide. We do not verify site details or perform physical inspections at this stage. The review is advisory in nature, and while we take care to provide expert guidance, we do not assume liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or outcomes arising from its use.
Final compliance is determined through a post-installation inspection, which takes precedence over any prior design review.
The desktop review is a valuable first step — but it’s not a substitute for on-site verification.
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What is a Certified Level 3 Playground Inspection?A Level 3 inspection is the most comprehensive audit available, conducted by an RPII-certified inspector. It assesses compliance with NZS5828:2015/EN1176, identifies safety risks, and provides actionable recommendations.
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Who needs a Level 3 inspection?Schools, early childhood centres, councils, and anyone responsible for playground safety should schedule regular Level 3 audits to ensure legal and ethical responsibilities are met.
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How often should I get a Level 3 inspection?The NZS5828 standard recommends an annual Level 3 inspection to maintain compliance and identify issues such as wear and tear, environmental changes, or structural concerns. In practice, we advise Schools and Councils to schedule comprehensive inspections annually, while Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres may consider a 2-yearly inspection cycle.
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What does the inspection cover?Our 10-point audit includes structural integrity, entrapment risks, fall zones, surfacing, maintenance issues, material condition, and full compliance with NZS5828:2015.
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What qualifications do your inspectors have?All inspections are carried out by RPII Level 3 Certified Playground Inspectors — the highest internationally recognised certification for play safety auditing.
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What do I receive after the inspection?You’ll get a digital report with risk ratings, recommendations, compliance details, photos, a Certificate of Inspection, and an audit label for your site.
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Is this service recognised by the Ministry of Education or ERO?Yes. Our inspection service is recommended by both the Ministry of Education and the Education Review Office (ERO), and is widely used across New Zealand by Local Govt, Early Childhood and Indoor Commercial entities.
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Is the inspection impartial?Absolutely. Playsafe provides unbiased, third-party evaluations. We are independent of all suppliers and manufacturers and do not sell equipment, so our advice is always in your best interest.
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How long does an inspection take?Most inspections take 1–2 hours on site, depending on the size and complexity of the playground. The final report is typically delivered within 5 working days.
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What if my playground doesn’t pass the inspection?Don’t worry — our reports include practical guidance to bring your playground up to standard, whether that’s through repairs, replacements, or surface improvements.
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Are your inspectors vetted and insured?Yes. All Playsafe inspectors are police-vetted, professionally trained, and covered by public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
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Can you inspect multiple sites or centres?Yes, we offer inspections for multi-site providers, trusts, and councils. Group discounts and consolidated reporting are available.