​What Is a PI Audit?

A Post-Installation Audit is a systematic, standards-based assessment of a newly installed or refurbished play area. Conducted by a certified Level 3 Play Inspector, it verifies that equipment, surfacing, structures, and integrated features comply with the technical requirements of NZS 5828 before the play area is used.

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It goes beyond basic visual checks — examining design dimensions, safety surfacing performance, entrapment hazards, fall zones, workmanship and materials, and more to confirm that every element is compliant.

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Why a PI Audit Matters

1. Compliance Before Use

Before a playground is opened to children, NZS 5828 requires a Post-Installation inspection to confirm compliance with the Standard’s safety criteria. This protects users and provides documented evidence of conformance to a recognised standard prior to public use.

2. Independent Assurance

The audit should be independent — the inspector cannot be connected to the manufacturer, installer, operator, or manager. This independence ensures integrity in reporting, strengthens governance, and ensures the findings are defensible if regulatory, insurance, or legal scrutiny arises.

3. Duty of Care & Risk Management

Owners and operators have a legal and ethical duty of care to manage lifelong safety risks. A PI Audit helps demonstrate that reasonable steps were taken to identify, assess, and resolve hazards before children ever step onto the play area.

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4. Evidence for Licensing & Stakeholders

Many authorities — councils, ECE licensing assessors, boards, Principals, Councils, insurers, and facilities managers — require documented evidence of compliance. A PI Audit provides structured, professional documentation that meets these governance requirements.

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What We Assess

A comprehensive PI Audit verifies your play area against the full suite of NZS 5828 requirements, including:

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• Structural Stability & Construction Workmanship
  Ensuring all elements are secure, soundly constructed and properly installed.

• Entrapment Hazard Assessment
  Checks for head, neck, torso, or limb entrapments based on dimensional gauge criteria.

• Fall Spaces & Clearances

Verification of falling spaces, free heights of fall and required clearances in accordance with the Standard.

• Materials & Finishes
  Review of surface finishes, sharp edges, protrusions and overall material safety.

• Workmanship Quality
  Evaluating the quality and durability of installation and assembly.

• Play Equipment & Landscaping Features
  Ensuring integrated play features, landscape structures, fences, and fixed elements comply with safety criteria.

• Surface Impact Testing (Synthetic Surfaces)
  Where synthetic surfacing is installed, HIC impact attenuation testing is performed or verified to demonstrate compliance with impact performance criteria. This provides objective data on surfacing performance for critical fall heights.

• Full Safety Surfacing Assessment
  Whether loose-fill or synthetic, surfacing is examined for containment, depth, condition, and performance relative to installed equipment.

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What You Receive

Every project certified through our PI Audit process includes:

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Professional Deliverables

✔ On-site inspection by a certified Level 3 playground safety inspector
✔ Surface Impact Test Report (where synthetic surfacing is present)
✔ Comprehensive digital compliance report with photos, risk ratings, clarifications of non-compliance, and remedial actions listed
✔ Audit-compliant label affixed to the play area identifying certified status
✔ Desktop review and acceptance of remedial action evidence (via photos) without requiring a full re-site visit where applicable

✔ NZS 5828:2015 Certificate of Compliance issued upon project satisfaction

Each deliverable aligns with the requirements of regulators, licensors, and internal governance frameworks, giving you clarity and conformance from day one.

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Our Process — Clear, Structured, Effective​​

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1. On-Site Independent Audit -A certified inspector conducts a detailed inspection and testing, including impact tests for synthetic surfacing where applicable.​

2. Detailed Reporting -Findings are compiled into a digital report, showing compliance evidence, risk ratings, and remedial requirements where relevant.

3. Remediation & Evidence Submission -A window of 30 days following the PI audit is given to address any non-compliant items and receipt of photographic evidence is expected back to us within this timeframe for remedial review.

4. Certificate Issued - Once compliance is confirmed, the NZS 5828 Certificate of Compliance is issued — confirming your play area is safe, compliant, and ready to open.

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Why Choose Playsafe as your Independent Inspector?

• Unbiased Certification: We ensure audit integrity and governance defensibility with independence.

• Compliance Confidence: Our reporting provides documented evidence of adherence to NZS 5828 ahead of public use.

• Surface Performance Assurance: Impact testing delivers objective data on synthetic surfacing performance.

• Regulatory Acceptance: Playsafe reports are trusted by councils, ECE licensing assessors, and risk managers internationally.