Dragon Smoke playground structure in galvanised steel and rope

Dragon Smoke is a large themed play structure built on a hot dip galvanised steel spine of 219 mm diameter, with 168.3 mm branches carrying braided polyamide rope nets and HPL decorative panels. The dragon silhouette gives a municipal play area a single recognisable landmark, while the climbing content sits in the rope work stretched between the spine and the branches.

The load bearing tubes are hot dip galvanised, which is the corrosion protection normally specified for permanently installed outdoor play equipment in public spaces. The ropes are braided polyamide of 18 mm diameter with galvanised steel strands inside the braid, so a cut or a burn on the outer sheath does not release the whole rope. Connectors between rope lines are moulded plastic, stainless steel and aluminium. The decorative elements are 10 mm HPL panels of an outdoor grade, a material chosen because it keeps its colour under ultraviolet exposure and can be cleaned of graffiti without losing its surface.

Technical specification

Planning the play area around the structure

Permanently installed playground equipment in Europe is designed, installed and inspected under EN 1176, and the impact attenuating surfacing under EN 1177. The free height of fall measured on the finished structure determines the critical fall height the surfacing has to meet, so the surfacing decision follows the equipment decision rather than preceding it. Rubber safety tiles, wet pour or loose fill wood chips are all admissible provided the tested critical fall height covers the structure.

Footprint and safety area are confirmed in the layout study rather than quoted from a catalogue, because the 0.8 m deep concrete footings have to be positioned clear of drainage, buried services and tree root protection zones. Send a site plan with the quotation request and our design office returns a dimensioned implantation drawing with the foundation setting out.

Frequently asked questions

What surface area does Dragon Smoke require?

The overall footprint and the impact area are issued with the implantation study for your site, since they depend on the final orientation of the spine and the branches. We do not publish a single figure that would not match your plan.

How is the equipment protected against corrosion?

The structural tubes are hot dip galvanised. The ropes carry galvanised steel strands inside a polyamide braid, and the fittings are plastic, stainless steel and aluminium, so no untreated carbon steel is exposed at the connections.

Can the HPL decoration be replaced later?

Yes. The 10 mm HPL panels are bolted components and are replaced individually after vandalism or wear, without touching the steel structure or the rope work.