PIPA - About Us
Find out more about how the scheme came about and what we do
Find out more about how the scheme came about and what we do
The PIPA scheme was originally set up to be an online database to record inflatable safety inspections against PIPA tags on inflatable devices. After a request to improve the industry, PIPA drafted a 5-year plan alongside HSE to take PIPA inspector training and examination in-house. PIPA is now responsible for the competency, professionalism, and skill of PIPA inspectors when the carry out a PIPA inspection.
Our new PIPA website and inspection portal provides our stakeholders with further assurance in the work we do. This is down to:
The scheme continues to expand in all directions. From not only increasing the scope of what can be inspected under the scheme rules, but also capturing more parts of the inflatable industry.
PIPA's mission involves the ongoing enhancement, upkeep, and extension of management systems and responsibilities. By doing so, the scheme aims to elevate manufacturing and operational safety within the leisure industry, striving for the highest standards that ensure the well-being of all individuals involved. Through consultation and continuous development, PIPA is dedicated to fostering safer environments and practices across the sector. Since 2019, PIPA has been a company limited by guarantee which means reserves must be reinvested into the development of the scheme and other sectors of the inflatable play industry. There are no shareholders, no paid directors and that’s exactly how it should be.
PIPA’s inspection scheme provides a framework to certify inflatable play inspectors as competent to undertake inspections of inflatable play devices. It provides an online inspection portal to record and publish inspection reports, providing assurance about how inspections are conducted. PIPA verifies that its inspectors remain competent
and up to date as it continues to expand on the current safety standards to bring more inflatable play devices under the scope of the scheme. PIPA provides training and guidance to members of the industry to promote confidence to members of the public when they use inflatable play devices.
Our work is primarily focused in the UK. As a trusted organisation, we have provided assistance to EU member-state countries in providing guidance and clarification on inflatable play safety. PIPA inspectors can be based in any location in the world.
PIPA seeks to work with all members of the industry to improve standards in inflatable play. We have a strong relationship with the Health & Safety Executive in the UK, who were consulted at every stage of PIPA’s inception, and who we continue to work with today. As we continue to grow the scope of the scheme, PIPA is here to work with manufacturers, controllers, operators, local authorities and the public to ensure its work meets the demands of all its stakeholders.
The day-to-day activity of PIPA is conducted through the PIPA office. The executive board of PIPA is the PIPA
Leadership Group (PLG) who are an elected group of members, and co opted non-members, who are there to
hold the PIPA office to account, and ensure the scheme is delivering its objectives.
PIPA is funded through fees levied within PIPA inspections generated through its inspection portal. It also generates funds from training programmes and membership. It is accountable for how these funds are used in order to improve the industry. Part of the accountability is by the PLG not being a paid function for the work they do as the governing body. As we are entrusted to ensure funds are used appropriately, our members are provided with details of account information during the annual general meeting.
Understand our Tags
PIPA Tags are the registration plate of inflatables which fall under the PIPA inspection scheme.
Understand our Reports
Inspection reports are issued by PIPA inspectors against tagged devices