PIPA Expansion of Scope for Inspections of Inflatable Play Parks

On October 16th, 2024, a significant development was announced for the leisure industry, particularly for the inflatable play park sector. Following PIPA’s Annual General Meeting, and with input from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), PIPA revealed plans to expand its testing scheme to include a new framework specifically for inspecting inflatable play park structures. This move aims to enhance safety standards within the industry, addressing products that fall outside the scope of the current EN14960 standard, which covers inflatables like bouncy castles.

This new framework marks an important step in ensuring that inflatable play parks, which have grown in popularity in recent years, meet the highest safety standards. Here’s what this expansion means for the leisure industry and why it’s a game changer.

The introduction of a new inspection framework under PIPA will significantly raise safety standards for inflatable play parks across the UK. Currently, inflatables are inspected based on the EN14960 standard, which focuses mainly on bouncy castles and similar structures. However, as inflatable play parks have evolved into complex installations featuring interconnected structures, slides, climbing walls, and obstacle courses, a need for a more comprehensive inspection process has emerged.

The new framework will utilise Pre-Use Inspection (PUI) principles to ensure that inflatable play parks adhere to rigorous safety protocols before being put into operation. This development will give operators, parents, and leisure centre managers greater confidence in the safety and quality of the play environments provided to the public.

The inflatable play park market is growing rapidly, with more facilities integrating large-scale inflatable attractions, like our modular parks, to cater to families and thrill-seekers in unused spaces. This growth has driven innovation but also introduced new challenges, as some of these more complex structures from other manufacturers often fall outside the remit of existing standards. By expanding the scope of inspections, PIPA is taking proactive steps to address these challenges, ensuring that safety regulations keep pace with the industry’s evolution.

The new framework will bridge the gap in current standards, providing a pathway for manufacturers and operators to meet safety requirements for products that have traditionally lacked clear inspection protocols. This not only enhances safety but also ensures the continued growth and development of the industry by setting transparent guidelines.

Leisure operators, especially those managing council-operated leisure centres and family entertainment centres, will benefit greatly from this initiative. The introduction of a dedicated inspection framework for inflatable play parks provides clearer guidance on how to maintain and operate these structures safely.

Operators will have access to a standardised process for inspections, which will help them identify and address any potential safety issues before they arise. This proactive approach to safety reduces liability and helps operators ensure that they are meeting all relevant regulatory requirements.

PIPA’s approach to implementing this new framework involves collaboration with a pilot group of industry stakeholders. By working closely with manufacturers, like us at Airquee, operators, and other inspection schemes, PIPA aims to develop a robust and practical set of inspection protocols that reflect the needs and realities of the industry.

This collaborative effort will help fine-tune the framework to ensure that it is both effective and manageable, taking into account the feedback and experiences of those who operate these structures daily. For the industry, this means a more transparent implementation process and a framework that is well-informed by those who will be most affected.

One of the key benefits of expanding PIPA’s inspection scope is the potential to boost public confidence in inflatable attractions. When families visit inflatable play parks, they expect a fun and safe experience. Knowing that these parks have undergone rigorous inspections according to a recognised standard will reassure visitors that their safety is a top priority.

This increased confidence can translate into higher attendance and customer satisfaction, as guests will be more likely to return to a venue that they perceive as committed to providing a safe environment. For operators, this means more opportunities to enhance the guest experience and drive revenue growth.

With the development of the framework already underway and inspections expected to commence in early November 2024, PIPA is moving quickly to bring these changes to the industry. As part of the pilot group, a select number of operators and manufacturers like Airquee, will play a critical role in shaping the final inspection protocols, ensuring that they meet the practical needs of the market.

Manufacturers, operators, and controllers of inflatable play parks are encouraged to engage with PIPA to stay informed on the progress of the new framework and to be part of the initial implementation phase. This involvement will be crucial in ensuring a smooth rollout and effective adoption across the industry.

The expansion of PIPA’s inspection framework is a timely and necessary development that will strengthen safety standards and support the sustainable growth of the inflatable play park industry. By addressing the unique safety challenges posed by large-scale inflatable attractions, this initiative will provide operators with the guidance they need to offer safe and enjoyable experiences for all visitors.

For operators, this development represents an opportunity to showcase their commitment to safety, enhance their reputation, and gain a competitive edge in the market. For the public, it means increased confidence in the safety of inflatable attractions, enabling families to enjoy these fun-filled activities with peace of mind.

The leisure industry is on the cusp of a new era in inflatable play safety, and this initiative is setting the standard for the future.

Full Press Release by Managing Director of PIPA, Craig Whitelock-Wainwright: 16th October 2024

“We are pleased to announce that, following PIPA’s Annual General Meeting held on 16th

October 2024, and with the input of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), PIPA will

begin developing a framework specifically for the inspection of inflatable play park

structures under the PIPA testing scheme. This framework will employ the principles of

Pre-Use Inspection (PUI) to expand the scope of PIPA’s work and to ensure enhanced

safety standards within the inflatable industry where products fall outside the scope of

EN14960.

As of 16th October 2024, PIPA is initiating this framework’s development, with work

commencing immediately in collaboration with a pilot group. This pilot group will play

an integral role in refining inspection protocols and establishing the framework for

inflatable park inspections across the UK.

We are welcoming the manufacturers, operators and controllers of inflatable play parks

to contact PIPA to enable this work to commence. If you require an inspection of an

inflatable play park, please email info@pipa.org.uk to receive further updates in due course.

As part of the pilot group, we will be in conversation with other industry schemes and

manufacturers to enable a clear and transparent implementation. We look forward to

the positive impact this will bring to safety and operational standards within the industry

and appreciate the continued support of our members and partners.

We expect to be able to commence inspections from the beginning of November 2024.”

Ben Peach – Business Development Manager – Airquee/Airparx

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