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Welcome to our latest newsletter. In this issue we discuss how to ensure that your outdoor play system stays a safe for as long as possible and we share our insights into our latest major installtion ay the Ebngen 1Stop at Tugela on the N3. Happy reading!

How to ensure the longevity of your Outdoor Play System

All playground equipment is naturally subject to deterioration through ordinary use, sun, rain, wind, and temperature changes but there are ways to optimse the length of the life of your play system. We have listed a few of them below to help you get the maximum value out of your outdoor equipment.

 

In our experience, the number one rule is to ensure that children are supervised while they play. A Rustics jungle gym is designed to inspire children to use their imagination, but this must be managed to not only keep danger levels within acceptable levels but also to ensure that equipment, accessories and components are only used for their designed purpose. Each swing is designed to accommodate one child in the sitting position. This is how it should be used. Supervision will reduce unnecessary damage to the equipment from overzealous play.

A fence around the equipment will prevent unauthorized, larger children from playing on any equipment not specifically designed to carry their weight (or enthusiasm). We have been called to repair jungle gyms that have had the slide broken off from the mounting. This is only possible if the slide is physically lifted from the ground while bolted to the fixed frame. This would not happen if the equipment was being used by the correct people in the appropriate manner.

 

Random checks should be done on all playground equipment to ensure it is in proper working order before allowing children to play on it. For example, any ground that gets kicked out from the bottom of the slide needs to be replaced to prevent a hole forming which will undermine the support of the slide.

 

Carry out routine maintenance as prescribed by the manufacturer. See this link to the October newsletter which discusses the regular maintenance checks which need to be carried out at different intervals to ensure not only the safety of the equipment but also its longevity.

 

If you would like further advice on how to maintain your outdoor play system, Give us a call on 043 748 5880 or drop us an email

Meeting all the Challenges to Install Playsystems

at Engen Tugela 1Stop, North and South

In February, the Rustics Jungle Gyms team installed custom designed metal play systems at the newly renovated Engen Tugela 1-Stops, North and South bound. The Engen Tugela 1Stop operates 24/7 and is centrally located on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban, 2km from the Tugela Toll Plaza towards Durban.

 

Working with Rene Brett, Director of Viridian Consulting Landscape Architects, Andre Hayward of Rustics Jungle Gyms, designed and installed a state-of-the-art play system at both service stations. The design was based on the Tarantula play system but with a few modifications to optimise the use of the space provided. According to Andre, “The design was the easy part! Installing within very tight timescales on opposite sides of a highway during the storm ravaged month of February was something else.”

 

“The distance between sites meant that we had to very organized at the beginning of each day. If even a bolt was left behind, it meant a round trip of 32kms to deliver it to the other site on the opposite side of the highway. Popping to town to buy another one was also not an option with Ladysmitrh being the closest at 30kms away. Luckily, this level of organisation is run of the mill for our installation teams who often work in extremely remote rural areas.

 

“The weather also played a major part in this installation. Torrential rain fell every afternoon at about 13:30 and flooded the whole site. The area is also prone to lightning strikes, so any sign of a storm meant the teams were pulled off site until it passed.

 

“Despite the challenges, we managed to complete our installation within time and budget constraints with our sense of humour intact.”

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For all your Timber and Steel Jungle Gym requirements
+27 43 748 5880

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