There is no height to fall from.

The ground follows the bed the whole way down.

Surfacing requirements drop sharply.

There is no tower structure to maintain.

A sloping site suits them naturally.

They also resist vandalism better than freestanding runs.

Exit height and run-out length.

A short run-out delivers a child still moving.

A high exit delivers them falling.

Clear space beyond the end is required too.

Both appear as injuries before they appear as complaints.

Check them against the standard in force locally.

In direct sun they reach burning temperatures.

The metal is otherwise excellent and very long-lived.

Orientation is the practical control.

Facing the bed away from the strongest sun works.

Shade structures achieve the same result.

Decide it at layout stage, not afterwards.

It runs far cooler in sun.

Colour is moulded through rather than applied.

It scratches and scuffs more readily.

Heavy use dulls the sliding surface over time.

It absorbs impact better than steel.

Many sites mix the two by orientation.

Width and enclosure follow the age band.

Wide shallow beds let an adult accompany a toddler.

Straight open runs suit early independent use.

Tube and spiral slides suit older children.

Enclosure removes the supervisor's sightline.

Check that against how the site is supervised.

That depends on the market.

Different regions publish different playground standards.

They set exit height, run-out and clearances.

Certification should name the standard, not only a body.

Insurers and authorities often require the evidence.

Ask for the test report rather than a claim.

Fixings, bed surface and the landing area.

Loosened fixings are the most common finding.

Cracks and sharp edges have to be caught early.

Surfacing at the exit compacts and displaces.

Stainless beds need little beyond cleaning.

Inspection frequency follows usage, not the calendar.