Scope of Scheme | PIPA

Scope of the PIPA Inspection Scheme

There is only one standard for play inflatables, which is BS EN 14960. The standard only covers specific inflatables.

PIPA has been creating trusted guidance using technical input and industry feedback for many years. We continue to build and expand on our inspection guidance enabling more devices to be safely inspected under the PIPA inspection scheme.

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Current items in Scope of Scheme

Specific types of commercial inflatable play equipment used for hire or reward, fall within scope to be inspected by competent PIPA inspectors.

What to expect — A concise, regularly updated list of device types; guidance follows the relevant standard and published guidance, and expands over time.

If an item is out of scope — Controllers and owners of equipment remain responsible for inspection under health & safety law; some inspectors offer in‑house checks for items outside PIPA.

Scope of the Scheme

What do I do if my inflatable does not fall under the scope of PIPA?

Some inflatables are not covered by the PIPA inspection scheme.

Speak to your PIPA inspector to confirm whether they can inspect your equipment as a competent person; if so, they will issue an in‑house inspection report.

All equipment offered commercially for hire or reward must be inspected by a competent person to meet health & safety law. PIPA is gradually expanding the scheme to include more inflatable types

Devices Under the Scheme

A bouncing bed surrounded by containing walls, with an 'A-shaped' roof structure.

A PVC sheet anchored into the ground, and surrounded by impact absorbing material, used for bouncing. Note: This can only be inspected by competent inspectors who have completed training in BS EN 14960 - Part 2.

Bungee runs which meet all parts of the PIPA inspection framework are included in the scope of the scheme. Where these devices do not meet the requirements of the PIPA inspection framework, they are considered out of the scope of the PIPA Inspection Scheme.

A bouncing bed surrounded by containing walls.

Any inflatable which falls under the PIPA inspection scheme, but part of the pillars of the structure comprises of clear PVC or TPU.

A bouncing bed surrounded by containing walls, which also features a slide either into the bouncing bed or outside of the structure.

Typically a bouncing bed with a fully enclosed interior.

A bouncing bed, without containing walls.

An inflatable structure, which enables a user to climb to a platform and slide back down.

PIPA Scope of the Scheme

An inflatable structure, containing a series of obstacles or challenges. Users typically transverse in in single direction, and would normally encounter a slide.

An inflatable bed which is enclosed by a clear PVC or TPU dome

A toddler playzone is a play device that is inflated with a constant supply of air. It comprises a playing area surrounded by an inflatable perimeter.
It is intended to be used by toddlers, who are aged 12-36 months, and as such, are still developing cognitive and physical abilities.

Note: This can only be inspected by competent inspectors who have completed the additional PIPA module on toddler playzones.

Devices which users slide from a raised platform.

There may or may not be a water pump. There may or may not be a splash down pool. Devices may be able to be used without water.

Non Ride-On Games

Non Ride-On games are defined as inflatable games which a person does not have to get onto, inside, or into the inflatable to participate. Games covered are of ‘constant air’ design and NOT ‘solid air’ or ‘sealed air’ games which are excluded. The user is however able to come in contact and interact with the games briefly.

Where to Next?

Check a Tag

Understand our Tags

PIPA Tags are the registration plate of inflatables which fall under the PIPA inspection scheme.

Enter the tag number to view the current inspection reports for your device

Check a Report

Understand our Reports

Inspection reports are issued by PIPA inspectors against tagged devices

Enter the inspection report number to view the inspection report in full

PIPA Operator Training

Find out more about PIPA's Operator Training Course provided by PIPA inspectors who are approved accredited trainers.

Learn More