PIPA AWARENESS CAMPAIGN CONTINUES

PIPA, the testing scheme for bouncy castles and inflatable slides, is continuing its public awareness campaign by sending information to Council event teams and environmental health departments to make them aware of BS EN 14960:2006 and the PIPA testing scheme.

The move has been approved by the National Outdoor Events Associations Local Authority Event Organisers Group and the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management. Read the full story in the September issue of INPA or go here

Andy Grove, Chair of the National Outdoor Events Associations Local Authority Event Organisers Group, would like to see PIPA target and encourage inflatable hire companies to become PIPA accredited as "many organisers find it difficult to find one that is and therefore having an inflatable at their event becomes difficult and sometimes impossible."

There is little doubt that public awareness about the requirement of annual testing on bouncy castles and the like is on the increase and that those who use the PIPA have an easier method of achieving their legal obligation. The recognition of PIPA by the Health & Safety Executive also gives Local Authorities, Event Organisers and all those who use or operate bouncy castles and the like a direct route to achieving 'best practice'.

Those bouncy castle hire companies that have chosen not to use the PIPA scheme are already finding that they are not able to fulfil all enquiries they receive as awareness increases. At the very least bouncy castle hire operators should only purchase new units that fully comply with BS EN 14960:2006 whether or not they choose to follow the PIPA scheme. In addition they would be advised to have their annual test on bouncy castles, slides and assault courses tested to BS EN 14960:2006 by a registered RPII inspector.

Those bouncy castle hire companies that have PIPA registered units are finding they are being increasingly asked for PIPA tested units and therefore picking up additional work from their competitors.

It should be noted that PIPA is a testing scheme that uses RPII registered testers to test to the requirements as stated in BS EN 14960:2006.