The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) sets clear expectations for operators of inflatable play equipment. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAWA) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), operators must ensure their equipment is safe for public use.
Regular inspection and maintenance are not just best practice but legal requirements that protect both operators and users.
PIPA (Performance Inflatable Play Accreditation) is the HSE-endorsed inspection scheme for inflatable play equipment. The scheme follows BS EN 14960, the European standard that governs safety requirements and test methods for inflatable play equipment.
Our PIPA inspections examine:
Regular inspections identify developing issues before they become safety hazards.
Using certified PIPA testing provides documented compliance with HSE best practices.
Many insurance policies require annual testing by accredited schemes as a condition of coverage.
Current PIPA certification provides crucial evidence of proper equipment care in the event of an incident.
All our testers are certified under the PIPA scheme and maintain current training on safety standards and regulations. We have the necessary equipment to conduct thorough inspections according to BS EN 14960 requirements.
Our team follows strict safety protocols during all inspections and maintains comprehensive insurance coverage. We also hold PAT test certification, allowing us to test electrical equipment such as blowers during inspections.
Essex Inflatables has been conducting safety inspections since 1997 and became a certified PIPA Inspection Body in 2004.
Annual testing forms the foundation of safety compliance, but operators must maintain equipment between inspections:
Our repair facility provides professional maintenance services to keep equipment in optimal condition between annual inspections.
Schedule your annual PIPA inspection well before certificate expiry to ensure continuous compliance.
Contact us with details of your equipment, location, and preferred inspection dates. We provide written quotes for all inspection services and work around your operational schedule.