Timber in playground equipment
Timber and wood products are widely used in children's outdoor play equipment. This is mainly because timber is a versatile, warm, robust material, which fits well into this environment. It is more ‘friendly’ in the playground context than many alternative materials and has been shown to be preferred by users as well as specifiers.
This Wood Information Sheet (WIS) discusses some of the more important factors to consider when purchasing or designing playground equipment components of timber or composite construction and wood-based sheet materials. The variety of equipment is such that a complete guide to specification of timber for components is unrealistic and anyway would inhibit innovation. Maintenance, both routine and remedial, is important with hard-used equipment exposed to the weather. Guidance specific to the timber and associated components of playground equipment is included.
Contents:
- Details and specification
- Materials
- Inspection and maintenance
Suggested Reading
Maintenance treatments for external timber
The maintenance of external timber commonly serves two purposes: the continuation of certain performance requirements and/or the continuation of a desired visual appearance.
This sheet provides guidance on the use and maintenance of timber finishes in external environments. It offers a number of best practice suggestions on the available...
01/01/2012 | Choose and Use
Surveys of timber frame houses
Professionals undertaking surveys of timber frame buildings should have an understanding of the overall design and typical detailing employed in this form of construction.
The approach to surveying a timber framed house is no different from that used for other methods of construction. There are many similarities with brick...
04/05/2015 | Wood Information Sheet
Assessing structural timber elements
In this extract from BM TRADA's Best practice guide to Timber in high-specification buildings, Dr John Williams discusses what to consider when assessing the condition of existing structural timber elements in refurbishment or conversion works.
Article from TRADA Timber Industry Yearbook 2015
01/01/2015 | Magazine Article
