Playground Safety & Standards: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about playground safety standards — CAN/CSA-Z614, ASTM F1487, age ranges, inspections, and accessible play — answered by BDI Play Designs.
Safety is the first question most communities ask before choosing playground equipment — and it should be. Here are the questions we hear most about playground safety and the standards our equipment is built to.
Are BDI playgrounds CSA certified?
Yes. Our equipment is designed to meet or exceed CAN/CSA-Z614 — the Canadian standard for children's play spaces and equipment — as well as ASTM F1487 and U.S. CPSC guidelines. Our primary manufacturing partner, Blue Imp, is ISO 9001:2015 certified and an IPEMA member, with IPEMA-certified products independently tested for conformance to ASTM and/or CSA standards.
What is CAN/CSA-Z614?
CAN/CSA-Z614 is Canada's national safety standard for public playground equipment and surfacing. It governs structural integrity, fall heights, protective surfacing, entrapment and entanglement hazards, and accessibility (Annex H). Designing to this standard helps protect children and reduces a community's liability.
What age groups do you design equipment for?
Most commercial equipment is designed for two core age groups — 18 months to 5 years and 5 to 12 years — and many products are labelled for the ages they suit. Matching equipment to the right age group is a key part of CSA-Z614 compliance.
How often should a playground be inspected?
Best practice is routine visual checks plus periodic detailed inspections by a Certified Playground Inspector, with frequency based on how heavily the playground is used and its exposure to weather. We can advise on an inspection schedule and offer inspection services within our regional service area.
Do you offer accessible or inclusive play equipment?
Yes. We design inclusive, sensory-rich, and ground-level components engineered to CAN/CSA-Z614 Annex H, which goes beyond basic mobility access to support a wider range of abilities.
Have a question we didn't cover? Get in touch and we'll help you plan a safe, compliant playground.