News
26th January 2026
2026 is going to see several changes within the industry
- All PIPA registered inspectors will be required to undertake re-examination as part of PIPA's application to become UKAS accredited in line with HSE requirements
- It is anticipated that the revised version of HSG 175 will be released. This document will be used alongside EN 14960 and likely to be the first document that HSE will use in event of prosecution. When available it will be available to download for free from the HSE website. ITATS strongly recommends Operators obtain a copy.
- Greater emphasis is going to be on Operators having the correct paperwork/documentation. You should have a copy of the Manufacturers 'Operators Manual' and annual safety inspection report as a must. Documentation can be stored as a hard copy, on a computer or any other suitable method but, you must be able to provide them if asked by any agency.
- For those operating in southern Ireland. On the 2nd October 2025 the Irish Government issued SI 457 (copy available here) which states that inspection reports must be issues by a registered Suitably Qualified Individual (SQI). It also states that inflatables are included as Fairground Equipment. Operators should take time to read this legislation.
- PIPA intends to extend the scope of the PIPA Scheme to include more inflatables. At this time there are no indications as to which items and release dates. As soon as we are aware we will share here and on our Facebook page.
3rd January 2025
Changes in PIPA
2025 is going to see major changes in the way that PIPA will be operated. A number of these changes are being implemented following requests from HSE and other industry stakeholders.
PIPA is currently working towards UKAS accreditation and whilst this will no affect operators directly it is a further tool to ensure that your inspections are of the highest quality. You can read PIPA's plan for 2025 here.
All ITATS inspectors will be undergoing any required additional training both within PIPA or any other organisation that will enable us to provide the best available procedures for our customers.
All customers will be provided with the latest information available through our TIPE service, which is offered FREE to our customers.
In addition PIPA has launched a new company 'PCERT' and you can get all the details here
7th October 2024
ITATS receives response from PIPA on TB08
PIPA released a document in September, TB08 (see here www.pipa.org.uk/media/ox5esmmb/tb08-anchorage-calculations-interim-v10.pdf ) which incorporates the the HSE requirements on anchorage.
Through our ITATS division we raised the following questions with PIPA relating to TB08 and the answers are shown in red.
- Is this to be implemented immediately? Yes, HSE do not want any grace period as they have identified this as an immediate action to be taken forward from their research. It is likely to be stated in the ETIS07 document (the last version I've seen did and there was no talk of removing it, more so emphasising it).
- Is it to be applied retrospectively in its entirety? Yes - to fit in with ETIS07 and to meet the research HSE conducted.
- There are a number of diagrams featuring corner anchor points - EN14960, whist stating that corner anchor points count as 50% , nowhere does it state what constitutes a corner anchor point. Whilst I have agreed with the principle shown in the diagram, when this was raised we were told that any anchor point within 12 inches/30cm of a corner constituted a corner anchor point. I couldn't clarify on how many units will be affected by this change but there are certainly a few. We highlighted this to HSE, however they looked at this within their research and this was the definitive answer given and superseding all others. It has to be absolutely on the corner. Anything away from the corner, is counted as part of the calculation on the applicable side.
- TB08 states there is a more comprehensive TB on anchorage in the pipeline so do we have a release date and will it supersede TB08? This is a much bigger project and there is no timeline on this. We don't want to rush this one. But it wont replace the information, it will just make it a bigger technical bulletin covering more things related to anchorage.
So what does this mean for you?
In essence, anchorage on all units will need to be recalculated to meet with this new HSE directive. It is possible that some of your units may require further anchor points added if they do not meet these new requirements. These calculations will be carried out during the next inspection cycle. If you have already had your inspections completed for 2024 then you need to do nothing until 2025.
How is the calculation carried out?
There is a formula in EN14960 that shows how to calculate the required number on each side and this equates to -
surface area x 114 x 1.5
1600
This gives the required number of anchor points. All results are rounded up to the nearest whole.
The easiest way to calculate the surface area is to multiply length x height. This will build in an additional safety factor. This is known as the 'box' method. If you look at TB08 you will see a diagram of a slide which explains the difference between the 'box' method and 'actual' calculation of the surface area.
Remember that high anchor points are no longer part of the total. However, if high anchor points are fitted to any unit they must be used during operation as the aid stability.
15th September 2024
New HSE directive on 'High' anchor points
Yesterday PIPA released Technical Bulletin TB08 to all inspectors regarding 'High' anchor points on inflatables. You can vie a copy of the document here. In essence, as a result of HSE investigation into inflatable play equipment, their research has shown that 'High' anchor points are for 'stability' rather than 'anchorage'.
The result could mean that units that have previously 'PASSED' an inspection may 'FAIL' at its next inspection.
ITATS has written to PIPA seeking clarification as to whether or not this is to be applied retrospectively or from a date going forward.
21st February 2024
VERIFY AN ITATS INSPECTION
ITATS is pleased to announce that anyone can verify our own inhouse inspection reports via our website.
On the left hand side of the home page you will see a new box headed 'VIEW INSPECTION REPORT'. Enter the inspection report number you wish to verify and click the 'GO Check!' box.
To try it out type in 'ITATS001'.
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