The Ministry of Education is trying to put order in the procedures for installing outdoor exercise equipment in schools, by sending a relevant "firman" to directorates and School Boards.
The fact that in recent years, either School Boards, or mainly Parents' Associations, buy and install such exercise equipment in schools, led the Ministry to send instructions to avoid accidents but also to comply with specific specifications.
As he sends a message to schools and Ephorates, from now on they should inform in advance and seek approval from the relevant Directorate of Education and should apply the instructions sent to them.
Specifically, they must:
– Instruments comply with the European certification standard EN 16630:2015, which refers to permanently installed instruments and sets out the general safety requirements for the manufacture, installation, inspection and maintenance of equipment.
– To be used only by students of the age group for which they are intended, based on the technical specifications of each instrument and the specified age group of use.
– To check that the installation has been done by a competent company based on the manufacturer's installation instructions and the EN 16630:2015 standard or other equivalent standard.
– The installation must be inspected by a competent body and a relevant certificate of conformity with the corresponding standard must be obtained.
– Ask the supplier company for a copy of the installation and operation manual of each instrument as well as a relevant certificate stating that it meets specific standards.
– Regular inspection and maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the instructions of the construction company, in cooperation with the relevant School Board.
– A sign with instructions/rules of use/training should be placed in the area where the exercise equipment is installed.
– The management of the school unit should give clear instructions to students based on the age group of use that is determined, on whether they can use the exercise equipment, at what time and whether the use will be done with or without supervision by a teacher, depending on the instructions of the manufacturing company.
In the choice of the place where the instruments are installed, the smooth and unhindered passage to assembly areas in case of an emergency should be taken into account.
The fact that in recent years, either School Boards, or mainly Parents' Associations, buy and install such exercise equipment in schools, led the Ministry to send instructions to avoid accidents but also to comply with specific specifications.
As he sends a message to schools and Ephorates, from now on they should inform in advance and seek approval from the relevant Directorate of Education and should apply the instructions sent to them.
Specifically, they must:
– Instruments comply with the European certification standard EN 16630:2015, which refers to permanently installed instruments and sets out the general safety requirements for the manufacture, installation, inspection and maintenance of equipment.
– To be used only by students of the age group for which they are intended, based on the technical specifications of each instrument and the specified age group of use.
– To check that the installation has been done by a competent company based on the manufacturer's installation instructions and the EN 16630:2015 standard or other equivalent standard.
– The installation must be inspected by a competent body and a relevant certificate of conformity with the corresponding standard must be obtained.
– Ask the supplier company for a copy of the installation and operation manual of each instrument as well as a relevant certificate stating that it meets specific standards.
– Regular inspection and maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the instructions of the construction company, in cooperation with the relevant School Board.
– A sign with instructions/rules of use/training should be placed in the area where the exercise equipment is installed.
– The management of the school unit should give clear instructions to students based on the age group of use that is determined, on whether they can use the exercise equipment, at what time and whether the use will be done with or without supervision by a teacher, depending on the instructions of the manufacturing company.
In the choice of the place where the instruments are installed, the smooth and unhindered passage to assembly areas in case of an emergency should be taken into account.
