How safe is safe? Do you test your Gorilla Climbing Frames?
Choosing a wooden climbing frame for your family is exciting! Slides, swings, climbing walls – they are all there for you to consider. But what about safety? Is this something you had considered? At Gorilla Climbing Frames UK, safety is paramount. Our frames and package sets are all thoroughly tested to ensure years of safe fun play are guaranteed. Gorilla has been in the play business since 1993, and our design engineers have many years of combined experience in designing safe, innovative, and sturdy climbing frames.
So how safe is safe?
Gorilla are renowned for quality play systems and outdoor toys. With everything designed and tested to EN-71 Safety Testing Standards. We also certify with CPSIA and CPSC. Manufactured to high standards, we can guarantee you are getting superb products at fantastic prices.
Every activity on our sets is thoroughly tested to ensure there are no conflicting play zones—because no one has time for bumps and bruises. Swing chains are coated with a soft plastic coating to prevent pinches and protect little fingers from getting caught. The coating also keeps the chains cool and safe during play. For added security, all panel slats are mounted on the inside of the climbing frame, preventing them from being pushed out during active play. Ensuring stability whilst keeping users safe.
We use huge 4×6 swing beams as standard on our climbing frame sets. Our products are rigorously tested by a team of experienced product integrity staff at an independent QA lab. Constant product evaluation and testing ensure product quality. And we support and comply with the government compliance regulations.
Parts from Asia are inspected by full-time mill quality inspectors or Bureau Veritas before shipping. Many batches then undergo a second inspection in North-America. Parts are subject to numerous tests by the quality control department in Canada before they are released.
Our Lumber
Gorilla climbing frames are built from sustainably sourced cedar wood, using smaller trees from second growth forests, which are more eco friendly and grow back quickly. Gorilla use larger, hand-selected Cedar lumber that’s naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects. With laminated timber swing beams and extra-thick deck boards, Gorilla Climbing Frames are built for maximum strength and long-lasting durability.
What tests do you apply?
Wood tolerance testing ensures that all of the components for our climbing frames are strong enough to withstand multiple children playing at once. And durable enough to last for the entire warranty period and beyond. Torsion testing enables us to ensure the bolts and screws are strong enough to withstand the forces exerted on them as they are screwed into the wood. We only use the highest quality pre drilled and hand selected lumber, designed to withstand the elements and last for years. Our laminated timbers are less prone to checking, warping or twisting. The lamination process reduces imperfections, making each board work together to create a more stable reliable climbing frame. Pound for pound, laminated timbers are stronger than steel.
Pressure testing ensures metal and wood components can withstand the pressure of multiple children playing over many years. After testing at the Forest Products Laboratory, our 6000lb beams withstood an incredible 95,800lbs of weight. Wow!
Our industrial grade hardware is deigned withstand years of outdoor play and our electro galvanised hardware ensures maximum strength. Did you know….our chains are tested to support up to 800lbs! Our swings all come with chains, so this strength testing ensures our chains are strong enough to hold children whilst they swing.
Slides
We also make almost all our slides in the US with 100% recyclable plastic. We gather all the plastic scraps and any defects from the slide formation process, and they are melted back into plastic sheets to be reused. Our slides are built tough, with UV protection to keep them cool and fade free, no matter how much the sun beats down. Extra wide landing beds and high sides means a safe ride for children.
Maybe not something you initially considered when shopping online for a new frame for your family. But safety is certainly something you need to consider!
