FAQ from ADIPS

Q - Is ADIPS a legal requirement? Must I comply?

A - No, it is not a legal requirement. However, if you are a member of any of the Industry Associations you will be expected to comply with ADIPS as a condition of membership. HSE regard ADIPS as a practical way of complying with Health & Safety Law.

Q - Do the Industry Associations support ADIPS?

A - Yes. All U.K. associations support ADIPS. It is a condition of membership that you comply with the Scheme.

Q- What is the position of HSE with regard to ADIPS?

A - HSG 175 states that if you follow the Guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the Law. HSE do not support any other scheme.

Q - What information is there about ADIPS?

A See HSE Entertainment Information Sheets No. 5 & No. 8, HSG 175 “Fairgrounds & Amusement Parks – Guidance on Safe Practice” and the “About ADIPS” page on this website.

Q - How can I find someone to carry out inspections?

A - Look in the register of Inspection Bodies on this site.

Q - Which Inspection Bodies can I use?

A - Any one that is currently registered for the work that you require.

Q - How can I confirm that the inspector is registered with ADIPS?

A - Check the Register on this site. Contact the ADIPS Office. Ask to see his ID Badge and check that it is for the current year and they are registered for the disciplines required. These are on the reverse of the badge.

Q - What documents should the inspector provide?

A - Following the examination, you should receive from the Appointed Inspection Body (AIB) report(s) of In-Service Annual Inspection for the disciplines covered. If the device is satisfactory you will receive a Declaration of Operational Compliance (DOC) and a provisional plate to display on the device.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ELECTRICAL REPORTS MUST CONTAIN AT LEAST 4 PAGES TO BE CONSIDERED VALID.

Q - What should I do if the Inspector does not give me a “Sticker”?

A - Ask the inspector for the reason that the Provisional Plate has not been supplied. If the answer is not satisfactory contact the ADIPS office.

Q - What should I do if I do not receive my certificate in the post?

A - Initially, contact the ADIPS Office. It may be that you will need to contact the Inspection Body if the DOC has not been received at the Office.

Q - I want to buy a new ride. What paperwork do I need?

A - See HSE Entertainment Information Sheet No. 8. You will require Pre Use Inspections that comprise reports of Design Review, Assessment of Conformity to Design and Initial Test. After twelve months an annual inspection is required

Q - I want to buy a second hand device. What paperwork do I need?

A - If the ride is imported it will need the Pre Use Inspections as above.
If purchased in mainland UK, it should have a complete Operations Manual as defined in HSG 175. If it was manufactured before October 1997 it might not need Design Review, but would have a Design Maturity Risk Assessment instead. Further information is available in NAFLIC Technical Bulletin No. 195.

Q - What should be in my operations manual?

A - See Appendix 3 of HSG 175.

Q - What is the ADIPS Identification number and where can I find it?

A - This number is on the “Sticker” and Certificate of Registration sent to you by ADIPS. It is there as an aid to administartion and to identify a device regardless of changes of ownership.

Q - How can I apply for registration as an Inspection Body for Amusement Devices?

A - Contact ADIPS for the appropriate "Rules for Registration" and the application forms.

Q - How can I apply for registration as an Inspection Body for coin-operated devices?

A - Obtain the application forms from BACTA.

Q - What evidence of inspection should a controller/operator have?

A - The reports of In-Service Annual Inspection and DOC should be in the Operations Manual. An ADIPS “Sticker” should be displayed on the device. The Certificate supplied from the ADIPS office may be used to provide evidence of current registration and inspection to Local Authorities and other interested parties.

Q - How much does an inspection cost?

A - This varies depending on the Inspection Body and travelling. Try contacting different ones. The contact details for all registered inspection bodies are on the register on this web site.

Q -I do not think that an inspector has given me good service. What should I do?

A - Firstly, discuss this with your AIB. If you are still not satisfied, send your complaint in writing to ADIPS at the address on this web site under “contact”.

Q - The Inspector will not give me a DOC, but I am sure that my device is safe, what should I do?

A - Discuss with the IB. If still not satisfied seek opinion from another IB. You may contact ADIPS, but all complaints must be in writing.

Q - Why are some inspectors removed from the Register?

A - This is often because of failure to comply with the scheme or following investigation of written complaints. The complaints procedure gives the inspector the opportunity to attend hearings to give explanations and agree to improve their compliance with the scheme. In the event that an inspector is suspended, he has the right to appeal against the decision.

Q - What is the HSE position on alternatives to ADIPS?

See below and the link from the HSE Information Page on this web site.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) believes that at this time ADIPS is the best way for the fairground industry trade associations to demonstrate a desire to maintain and improve standards relating to fairground ride inspection and testing. The only nationally agreed scheme for fairground ride inspection and testing is ADIPS (we acknowledge and support both the PIPA scheme which sits outside the main fairground industry, and the BACTA scheme for Coin Operated kiddie rides which is also a subset of ADIPS). We believe that it is important that the industry works collaboratively and nationally to improve standards.
HSE will continue to support and work with the fairground industry trade associations through the Amusement Device Safety Council (ADSC) as they seek to maintain and improve ADIPS. HSE would not wish to be involved in working with any other scheme until such time as it had the support of all the ride controller associations.
This was the same advice that was given when we were asked to comment on an alternative scheme that was proposed in 2003.
I hope that this clarifies the position.
Barry Baker
HM Principal Inspector of Health & Safety