British Standard for Trampoline Parks

06/03/17 Nick Booth

Today the International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP) has announced the launch of a British Standards Institution Publically Available Standard (PAS), published for the first time this week here. The standards specification offers guidance for the construction of a fixed indoor trampoline park, as well ascovering day-to-day park operating and maintenance requirements. 

Standards published today aim to reduce injuries at trampoline parks and drive tougher safety standards forward

Today the International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP) has announced the launch of a British Standards Institution Publically Available Standard (PAS), published for the first time this week here. The standards specification offers guidance for the construction of a fixed indoor trampoline park, as well as covering day-to-day park operating and maintenance requirements.

The currently, unregulated industry has seen a great deal of press recently, and in particular a specific focus has been placed on foam pits, where a number of accidents have taken place in the last few weeks. This is one of the areas specifically addressed in the new PAS with detailed guidance as to recommended heights of jump towers and how to construct a pit to avoid contact with the floor.

IATP members have been working with the BSI steering group involving the Royal Society of Protection of Accidents, British Gymnastics, Environmental Health Officers and Health and Safety Executive, Constructers and Operators. The result is a set of standards by and for the trampoline park industry to help minimise the risks to park users and ensure they have a safe and enjoyable experience.

The Voluntary standards have been created to support trampoline park operators, designers, manufacturers and installers, as well as inspection and enforcement bodies such as the Health & Safety Executive and Environmental Health Officers.

Nick Booth, Managing Director of Continental Sports comments: “We are delighted that the fast-growing trampoline park industry in the UK has worked collaboratively to develop this new standard and Continental has been delighted to have been part of the standard-setting process. Our number one focus in all the products we manufacture is safety and we want to ensure that bouncers at trampoline parks have fun, keep fit but also stay safe. This standard allows the development of novel activities within parks and ensures manufacturers are able to continue adding exciting new features, but it restricts some of the more dangerous elements being installed by some operators."

As of August, a park will need to comply to the BSI standards to join the IATP. Therefore, they are advising people to look for the IATP sticker on the door of any trampoline park that they are considering entering. The IATP is asking customers to be vigilant at Trampoline Parks, highlighting the following things that people should look out for when choosing a trampoline park to visit:

• A risk acknowledgement and disclaimer.
• Safety briefings from staff.
• 1:20 jumpers per court monitor.
• All activities must be staffed.
• Is the area where you get on and off the trampolines soft under foot?
• Are the staff engaged in the activity of looking out for safety concerns?
• Is the park clean and well maintained?
• Is the park well lit?
• Are there any jumps over 2m high into foam pits or Air Bags?

For further information about the IATP visit their website here.

Ends

For further information or to arrange an interview with Peter Brown of IATP please contact Sara Perrett at The Source Partnership on: 01829 720 789 or email: sara@thesourcepartnership.com

Notes to Editor:

• The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has reported a rapid growth in trampoline parks over the last two years, with around 100 operating in major towns and cities.
• There were just a handful of trampoline parks in the UK launched in 2014 and now there are projected to be around 150 in 2017.
• The purpose of the IATP is To be regarded as an essential resource and an international authority for our industry.
• IAPT Mission: To serve our membership by promoting optimally safe operations, facilitating commercial success and stimulating growth of the trampoline park industry.