Our testing service.
When a company, organisation or individual rents any equipment, they become subject to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This act places a duty of care on everyone involved in the transaction. It means that the operator, their employees, and the owner or manager of the premises where the equipment will be used should take all necessary steps to ensure safe use at all times.
In addition, the Provision and Use of Play Equipment Regulations (PUWER) stipulate that all work equipment, including inflatable play equipment, must be tested by a competent person regularly (usually once per year). Inspection by a competent person before the first use and annually thereafter satisfies the provision that the equipment is suitable and safe for its intended use.
All inflatables produced by Betterbounce Direct have been tested before sale, and as such, you are covered for the first 12 months under our own brand of testing. After 12 months, you should have your equipment tested by a competent person. We recommend either bringing your inflatables back to Betterbounce Direct or contacting your local manufacturer or repairer to ensure that you comply with the regulations above.
Betterbounce Direct has been manufacturing, repairing, and selling inflatables for over 25 years and offers a comprehensive testing and repair service. If you require it, you can take advantage of our testing service or search for a competent manufacturer or repairs near you online.
In addition to the above, all electrical items that are hired out must be PAT tested every six months. Trust Betterbounce Direct for your inflatable testing and repair needs. Contact us today to schedule your testing appointment.
Standard Structural Tests.
- Trough depths measured for visual supervision
- Seam strength security test ensures the inflatable can carry a minimum load of 165kn
- Stitching measured and tested to ensure safety between 3mm and 8mm
- Anchor point vs. wind loading calculations test to ensure a sufficient number of anchors
- Secondary anchor strength test to ensure it can exceed a Newton load of 160kn or more
- Anchor accessories tested for peg specification, safety, and conformity
- Wall and tower height measured to ensure maximum user height calculations are correct
- Blower tube marking and length tested for maximum safety
- Zip installation and functionality safety test to prevent accidental inflation
- Fabric flame retardancy test and/or certificate compliance check to ensure FR status
- Fabric strength test and/or certificate compliance check to ensure it meets EU standards
- Step and ramp size and maximum fall height compliance check to ensure it meets EU standards
- Weight-based grounding test to ensure satisfactory pressure in vulnerable chambers
- Visual and touch inspection for sharp corners and instruments for general user safety
- General stability test (height vs. width and depth ratio) to ensure safety and stability
- Rope test (if ropes are incorporated in the inflatable) to ensure they are not worn or dangerous
- Artwork compliance test to prevent choking hazards from fragments
- Air loss points tested to ensure no defects and that they can maintain pressure
- Water gauge pressure check to ensure correct inflation and safe pressure
- Maximum fall height measurement test to ensure safety
- Thread/cotton inspection test to check for rotting or wear and tear
- Netting measurement test to ensure the hole size is not a danger to small children's fingers
- Entrapment test to ensure there are no areas or toys where a child may become trapped
- Evacuation/deflation test to ensure the unit can maintain good pressure without a fan running
- Window test to ensure materials conform to EN14960 and that no cracks/breaks are present
- Visible markings test to ensure all height/user information and other key areas are identified
- Manufacturer's identification tag and serial number check
- We use the Betterbounce brand of test and do not use the Rpii or Pipa brand.
Additional Tests For Totally Enclosed Structure tests.
- Exit location and proximity test to ensure adequate evacuation is possible
- Exit marking and evacuation check
- Lighting support test to ensure that the structure is free standing and not air supported
- Emergency lighting test if applicable
- Deflation & evacuation test to ensure the unit can maintain good pressure without a fan running
- User area pressure test to ensure it can hold the weight of users it is designed for adequately
Additional Tests For Inflatable Slides.
- Wall height measurement and containment of user compliance check
- Run out measurement and compliance check
- Clamber net measurement and compliance check
- slide sheet measurement and security method check
Additional Tests For Blowers.
- Type & size of blower check again inflatable manufactures specification sheet or tag
- Inlet and outlet mesh check with a probe to ensure finger length distance is safe
- Cable & plug visual inspection and power test to ensure maximum safety
- Pat test document inspection
- Anti, air return flap securely in place and operation test
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Price list for testing service.
Our comprehensive testing service starts from just £65 for smaller inflatables, such as 12x12's and small up-and-over slides. Prices go up to £150 for large showman's slides. Our hourly rate is £65, with an additional charge of £35 per hour thereafter. However, we can provide you with an exact quote based on photographs of your inflatable, free of charge. For a quotation, please contact us using the details listed below
Please note; Email estimates with photographs are free of charge.
Our Promise to you.
To comply with the PUWER regulations outlined by the HSE, it is mandatory to have your inflatables tested at suitable intervals by a competent person. The only available test for compliance is the British/European standard EN14960. Although there are many misconceptions about what a competent person is and what test to use, the HSE will not provide any definition. However, the defined test is compliance with EN14960.
Several private companies, such as RPII, ADIPS, TUV NAFLIC, SIS & PIPA offer testing schemes, but it should be pointed out that these are not government-run, and the certificates issued are an alternative brand.
At Betterbounce, we have extensive knowledge in designing and manufacturing bouncy castles and inflatables. We promise to offer a full 12-month safety test and compliance certification to EN14960 with our own brand of certificate. If our competency or certificate is disputed, we will handle any correspondence on your behalf. Additionally, our director sits on the current PIPA board. All inspections will come complete with a BetterBounce Inspection and Safety Assessment Scheme (BISA) certificate.
If required, we can request an ADIPS, SIS, RPII, or PIPA report. However, PIPA and RPII are only qualified to test inflatables specifically designed for bouncing and sliding, such as bouncy castles, slides, and some basic obstacle courses. Therefore, Betterbounce is the ideal choice for consistency as we can test all other inflatables.
When choosing an external body, you are paying for a professional opinion that may differ from our views. We would always favor our own scheme in the absence of information. By choosing the Betterbounce test regime over any other scheme, you agree to indemnify us from any loss of business, revenue, profits, goodwill, opportunity, or any indirect, special, exemplary, consequential, incidental, or punitive loss or damage whatsoever, even if advised of the possibility of such damages in advance
Please click here to learn more about the Health & safety elements of what can and cannot be tested
Please Note: As of 01.04.2013, All inflatables presented for repair or testing will be retrofitted with a Betterbounce tag as pictured below, regardless of who the original manufacturer was. The tag will allow both ourselves and other organisations track the status of the inflatable and its compliance with en14960. These tags will also be retrofitted to inflatable games falling outside of the scope of en14960 for ease of transition, as and when they are included in the standard.
Please note; Email estimates with photographs are free of charge, However we also charge anything from £40 per inflatable for on site inspections and repair estimates.
Please Click here to see our full terms and conditions
PIPA Testing now available at Betterbounce
At BetterBounce, we are always striving to enhance the safety measures associated with our inflatables. We are delighted to announce a significant leap forward in this regard – the introduction of our in-house PIPA testing services! This exciting development reinforces our commitment to providing you with not only top-quality inflatables but also ensuring their compliance with the highest safety standards.
To streamline the testing process and offer you a more comprehensive service, we now have our very own in-house PIPA inspector. This dedicated professional will be available every Friday to conduct thorough inspections of your inflatables. Our Inspector is Samantha smith who is available for testing offsite nationwide.
Safety is paramount when it comes to inflatable play equipment. The PIPA inspection scheme was established to guarantee that inflatables adhere to recognized safety standards. At BetterBounce, we recognize the critical role PIPA testing plays in ensuring the safety of both operators and participants.
To book your latest PIPA inspection,Please feel free t contact us directly using the details below.
Contact Us
Should you have any queries regarding bouncy castle testing, Please feel free to contact us direct via the details mentioned below.
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