New standards aim to reduce injuries at trampoline parks and drive tougher safety measures forward

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 last 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.

Peter Brown, MD of FREEDOME, has spent the last 20 years working within the adventure activity industry. He was a founding member of the UK subcommittee of the International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP), the first chair of the group and the technical author of the British Standard.

Peter comments: “Demand for trampoline parks has grown exponentially in a very short space of time, with trampoline park openings increasing by 3000% since 2014. However, the safety standards had not caught up with this demand. I am very pleased that we have managed to get the BSI PAS 5000 out so quickly, creating something that will form the backbone of standards across the UK.

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 6ft high into foam pits or Air Bags?

For further information about the IATP visit their website here.

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For further information or to arrange an interview with Peter Brown, 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 the trampoline industry.
• IAPT Mission: To serve our membership by promoting optimally safe operations, facilitating commercial success and stimulating growth of the trampoline park industry.