BS 8409:2009 Fully enclosed play facilities. Code of practice
BS 8409 is an important standard to improve safety records and reduce risks in indoor play areas for children.
It is important for the development of children that, through play, they arrive at an understanding of risk and can assess potential danger. This helps children to develop the basis for assessing risk in various situations.
The balance between challenge and safety is an important consideration for all play environments. The best facilities and environments are those that, through careful design, management and maintenance, offer children good play experiences without compromising safety. Precautions need to be taken by play providers to reduce the risk of injuries, although the possibility of harm cannot be completely removed.
BS 8409 will help play providers develop facilities that children find enjoyable and reduce the risk of serious or disabling injury.
BS 8409 gives recommendations for and guidance on supplier selection, safe operation and management of fully enclosed play facilities and associated buildings.
The principles of safety management in this standard apply to both workplaces in general as well as to play provision. The balance however between safety and benefits is likely to be different in the two environments.
In play provision, exposure to some degree of risk may be of benefit because it satisfies a basic human need and gives children the chance to learn about risk and consequences in a controlled environment.
This standard should be used in conjunction with the BS EN 1176 series of standards on playground equipment and surfacing.
Who should use BS 8409?
- Local government and councils
- Sports clubs and leisure centres
- Entertainment and leisure organizations
- Retailers
- Site inspectors
- Risk assessors and inspectors
- Health and safety managers
- Regional play associations.
BS 8409 has been updated to take into account the publication of BS EN 1176-10. BS 8409:2009, together with BS EN 1176-10, replaces BS 8409:2002, which is now withdrawn.
Contents of BS 8409:
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Scope
- Normative references
- Terms and definitions
- Planning and development
- Design and layout
- Managing the fully enclosed play facility
- Inspection and maintenance procedures
- Cleaning procedures
- First aid, reporting injury and emergency procedures
- Annexes
- Annex A (informative) Useful organizations
- Annex B (informative) Cleaning guide
- Bibliography
- List of tables
- Table B.1 – Cleaning guide
You will also find the following standards useful for the design and manufacture of equipment for play facilities:
- BS EN 1176-1:2008 Playground equipment and surfacing. General safety requirements and test methods
- BS EN 1176-2:2008 Playground equipment and surfacing. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for swings
- BS EN 1176-3:2008 Playground equipment and surfacing. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for slides
- BS EN 1176-4:2008 Playground equipment and surfacing. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for cableways
- BS EN 1176-5:2008 Playground equipment and surfacing. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for carousels
- BS EN 1176-6:2008 Playground equipment and surfacing. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for rocking equipment
- BS EN 1176-7:2008 Playground equipment and surfacing. Guidance on installation, inspection, maintenance and operation
- BS EN 1176-10:2008 Playground equipment and surfacing. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for fully enclosed play equipment
- BS EN 1176-11:2008 Playground equipment and surfacing. Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for spatial network
- BS EN 1177:2008 Impact attenuating playground surfacing. Determination of critical fall height