Playground Glossary

Robinia wood (also called black locust) is the hardest and most durable native wood in Europe. It is naturally resistant to rot, fungi and insects and requires no chemical treatment. Outdoor durability exceeds 25 years. Robinia wood is splinter-free, making it particularly safe for playgrounds. Naturholz Kästner exclusively uses PEFC-certified robinia wood from sustainable forestry.

DIN EN 1176 is the European safety standard for playground equipment and playground surfaces. It defines requirements for safety, construction, testing and maintenance of play equipment. The standard comprises several parts for different equipment types (swings, slides, climbing equipment, etc.). All play equipment from Naturholz Kästner is built according to DIN EN 1176 and is safety-tested by independent experts.

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is an international certification system for sustainable forest management. It guarantees that the wood comes from responsibly managed forests and the entire supply chain is documented. PEFC-certified wood contributes to climate protection and preserves biodiversity. Naturholz Kästner predominantly uses PEFC-certified robinia wood.

Fall protection refers to the impact-absorbing surface under and around play equipment. It is standardized according to DIN EN 1177 and must absorb impact energy in case of a fall. Typical materials include safety tiles, wood chips, sand or artificial turf. The required fall protection height depends on the free fall height of the play equipment. Naturholz Kästner advises you on choosing the right fall protection.

Play value describes the educational and developmental benefit of play equipment. High play value promotes motor skills, creativity, social interaction and cognitive development. Naturholz Kästner develops play equipment with high play value that appeals to children of different age groups and offers diverse play opportunities.

The U3 area refers to play areas for children under 3 years old. Play equipment for U3 children has special requirements: low fall heights (max. 60 cm), no entrapment points, rounded edges and age-appropriate challenges. Naturholz Kästner offers special U3 play equipment for nurseries and kindergartens.

The Ü3 area refers to play areas for children over 3 years old. Higher fall heights and more challenging play elements are permitted here. The play equipment promotes motor skills, balance and courage. Naturholz Kästner develops Ü3 play equipment that challenges children and promotes their development.

GaLaBau is the abbreviation for garden and landscape construction. GaLaBau companies plan and design outdoor facilities, parks and playgrounds. Naturholz Kästner works closely with GaLaBau companies and offers special B2B conditions, CAD data and tender texts for planners and landscape architects.

A play structure is a combined play equipment with multiple play elements such as climbing tower, slide, bridges and platforms. Play structures offer diverse play opportunities in a compact space and promote various motor skills. Naturholz Kästner manufactures custom play structures from robinia wood according to customer requirements.

A climbing frame is play equipment for climbing that promotes motor skills, strength and coordination. Climbing frames come in various difficulty levels for different age groups. Naturholz Kästner manufactures climbing frames from robinia wood with ropes, nets and climbing holds.

Regular playground maintenance is required according to DIN EN 1176-7 and includes visual routine inspections, operational inspections and annual main inspections. Naturholz Kästner offers comprehensive maintenance services for all playgrounds – including equipment from other manufacturers.

Wood durability is classified in resistance classes from 1 (very durable) to 5 (not durable). Robinia wood achieves class 1-2, making it the most durable native wood. It lasts over 25 years outdoors without treatment. For comparison: larch achieves class 3-4, pine class 4.

CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) refers to computer-controlled manufacturing processes for precise woodworking. Naturholz Kästner combines traditional craftsmanship with modern CNC technology for highest precision and consistent quality. Each piece of play equipment is then hand-sanded and finished.

Public tenders are procurement procedures for public sector contracts (municipalities, schools, etc.). Naturholz Kästner supports the preparation of tender documents, provides specifications and technical data sheets. We have experience with VOB-compliant tenders.

Made in Germany stands for quality, reliability and precision. All play equipment from Naturholz Kästner is 100% manufactured in Germany – in our own workshop in Colditz, Saxony. From planning to production to installation: everything from a single source, everything from Germany.