Explore Freely,
Play Safely.
Swing Seat Impact Certification
Certified Impact Edges for Swings, Spinners & Carousels
Swings and spinners bring excitement and challenge to any playground—but they also come with increased risk of head, facial, and dental injuries if not properly designed and tested.
At Playsafe, we help reduce those risks through specialist testing and certification of swing seats, carousels, and spinners, ensuring they meet NZS 5828 and EN 1176-2:2008 impact safety standards.
Why Swing Seat Certification Matters
High-speed, dynamic play equipment like swings and rotating elements can pose serious hazards if impact areas are too hard or poorly designed.
Our testing process focuses on impact attenuation—the ability of surfaces or seats to absorb shock and reduce the risk of:
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Concussions and head injuries
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Broken teeth and facial trauma
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Internal organ bruising
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Eye injuries and lacerations
With Playsafe certification, you’ll have confidence that your products are safe for use and meet the latest compliance standards.
What We Test
We offer both laboratory-based and on-site in-situ testing for a wide variety of swing and spinner types, including:
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Traditional swing seats (flat and cradle)
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Flying fox and cableway seats
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Vertical tire swings
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Group swing platforms (nest/basket swings)
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Type C carousels with suspended grips
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Carousel edges and spinner surfaces
Our Testing Process
Using industry-recognised equipment and methods, we test for impact acceleration and energy absorption, ensuring each product meets HIC (Head Injury Criterion) requirements.
Our process includes:
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Impact attenuation testing in accordance with NZS 5828:2015 and EN 1176-2:2008
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Evaluation of swing seat surfaces, spinner rims, and impact zones
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Detailed electronic test reports
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Issuance of a Swing Impact Compliance Certificate
Trusted by Industry Leaders
Playsafe's certifications are respected by playground designers, manufacturers, and local authorities across New Zealand. Our independent testing helps reduce liability, build trust with clients, and ensures safe, regulation-compliant play environments.
Book Your Certification Today
Don’t leave swing safety to chance.
Contact Playsafe for expert swing and carousel testing services, and ensure your playground equipment is certified for safety and performance.
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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.