Article by Steelway Fensecure Ltd on Multi-use games areas (MUGA)

1. There are many issues surrounding the successful installation of a
Multi-use games area. It is understanding these issues that have put
Steelway at the forefront of Multi-use games area design. One key
area is budgetary constraints. Often customers are led into specifying
and buying equipment which is not fit for purpose but is sold as a
cheap solution to customers who need to provide a Multi-use games
area. These cheap solutions end up costing customers more in the
long run when higher maintenance costs and potential insurance
claims for injury are taken into consideration. Where budgetary
constraints allow, heavy duty Rebound fencing which holds a BSI
Kite Mark License to BS EN 15312 – Free Access Multi sports
equipment, should be specified. As part of the rigorous test
procedure for BS EN 15312, the BSI carries out a repeated impact
resistance to footballs and kicks test to ensure that the Multi-use
games area fencing is able to withstand regular unsupervised access
and use without the panels bending, breaking or sharp edges
appearing. The cost of replacing damaged panels can be expensive
in terms of purchasing new parts which in addition could take up to
several weeks for delivery depending on where the goods are
manufactured and frustrating for the local community with the lost
hours of play while the court is closed due to Health & Safety
considerations . The big risk however that remains when buying non-
compliant Multi-Use Sport Rebound fencing is the high risk of injury
which can result in public liability insurance claims and the legal
issues that arise from providing un-safe equipment.