Check Wooden Playground
Equipment Quickly & Reliably
With The Resi-PD Microdrill.
Phil Wade – Sorbus International Limited
Sorbus International Ltd supply a comprehensive range of
specialist working equipment, PPE, Clothing & Hi-tech devices
for Landscaping, Arboriculture, Forestry, Utilities, Grounds
Maintenance and Environmental Care in the UK & worldwide. We
are also the exclusive UK distributors of the impressive Resi-PD
micro drill which is extensively used in Germany & elsewhere to
test wooden play equipment for decay/defects.
In the example below, the wood structure was tested by drilling a
pole horizontally just above ground level. The result (top) shows
good penetration & FEED resistance confirming that the wood is
in good condition at this point. The peaks & troughs on the curves
indicate the annual growth rings. However,when the same pole
was drilled at 30° below ground level, the result (lower) shows
that the penetration & FEED resistance curves are significantly
reduced. The wood is therefore extensively decayed below ground
level and this pole needs to be replaced immediately.
In the UK there is no current legislation requiring that outdoor
play equipment be assessed & managed via playground
inspections. However, a number of organisations recommend
regular inspection as best practice and as a duty of care. These
include the BSI, HSE & Insurance companies.
Wooden playground/adventure equipment should be regularly
checked for decay/defects to avoid possible accidents. Inspection
should also include trees that form part of the structure. Very
often the extent of deterioration cannot be detected by visual
inspection alone or using traditional methods such as sounding
the wood with a hammer. Such techniques rely on subjective
assessments that can lead to erroneous conclusions.
A fast, reliable & accurate method for detection of early wood
defects is required that does not rely on subjective assessment.
The Resi-PD microdrill is ideal for this purpose being suitable for
timber inspection above and below ground. Although rot can
occur anywhere on the play structure, the area immediately above
and below ground level is ideal for decay fungi to proliferate due
to favourable moisture, oxygen and temperature conditions.
The Resi-PD is suitable for testing all types of timber used in the
construction of play equipment - including Robinia.
The Resi-PD drives a rotating 1mm steel needle with a chisel
cutting tip into the wood at constant speed. The energy required
to do this is monitored & recorded by the instrument. Apart from
measuring the penetration resistance the Resi-PD also has the
unique needle FEED rate recording facility which is very sensitive
to early timber deterioration. Consequently the device is not
only capable of detecting advanced decay, cavities & cracks but
also early incipient decay; giving clear, unambiguous & objective
information regarding wood condition in minutes.
78 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 15
The Resi-PD microdrill electronically records all the drilling
data including location, time, date etc. Test results can be easily
downloaded via Bluetooth or USB link to a PC for inclusion in
historical data & test reports.
Apart from being ideal to assess the structural integrity of wooden
play equipment, this device is also used for testing all types of
wooden structures including trees, utility poles, bridges, jetties,
boats and beams in historic buildings.
For further information on the Resi-PD microdrill,
please contact:
Sorbus International Limited,
Units L1-L3, Commerce Park,
Frome BA11 2FB
Tel: 01373 475540
email:[email protected]
Web: www.sorbus-intl.co.uk