Look out for the RPII Annual Members Seal of Authenticity
What do they mean?
These seals, which are issued annually, detail the inspector’s name, registration number and type of qualification (Indoor, Outdoor or Inflatable) and are more than just additions to the cover of a report.
They provide proof that the person inspecting the facility is qualified to do so. These seals are only issued to RPII Annual Inspectors to help distinguish between the different levels of qualification that the RPII offer.
It is vitally important to ensure the person inspecting your facility has the correct qualification and to the correct level – for your benefit and the children playing on the facility.
Why is the seal so important?
Areas in which children play need to be safe to ensure peace of mind for users, supervisors and operators. This means regular inspections in order to ensure the facility is safe and adheres to the relevant British and European standards.
The standard a facility needs to adhere to will differ based on the type of facility it is. Annual Inspections are by far the most in depth and therefore before you undertake an Annual Inspection, you need to ensure the person you’ve chosen is qualified. Annual Inspections require a lot of knowledge and experience.
Outdoor and Indoor Annual Inspectors are also qualified to do Post-Installation Inspections, which help to ensure a newly built facility is safe to use.
Routine and Operational Inspectors of outdoor equipment are not registered as competent to carry out Annual Inspections.
As each inspector is qualified to do a specific inspection, it is important to find the right one with the correct knowledge for your inspection.
If you have any concerns, remember….
To ensure you’ve got the right person for the job, ask to see their seal and check that it is valid for the current year. It should be attached to the front of an inspection report, and the inspector’s details may be checked online here where full contact details of all Annual qualified inspectors can be found.
Safety and your peace of mind
To ensure your facility is safe make sure you use an inspector with the necessary qualification. If you built it to the safety standards required, the best way to ensure it maintains those standards & remains fit for use is to have it regularly inspected by someone who can see those faults that may not be visible to the untrained eye.
