What is the ADIPS scheme?
The ADIPS scheme is a Health and Safety Executive (HSE)-approved way to ensure the safety of funfair and fairground rides. It is organised by the The Amusement Devices Safety Council (ADSC) and administered by ADIPS Ltd - a non-profit company that reinvests all excess income into amusement ride safety protocols.
ADIPS stands for the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme, and is the regulatory body for ensuring the safety of all 'amusement devices'. This includes funfair rides, coin-operated machines such as some arcade machines, and many other mechanical entertainment options.
It also runs a registration service that assesses and administers the inspectors for our fairground and funfair rides.
ADIPS was established in 2002 following the Roberts Review into Fairground Safety. This review took place after a number of incidents occurred in 2000 which suggested the need for clarity on funfair ride regulations and requirements.
Through ADIPS, you know that our funfair rides have been inspected before use, and rides, games and amusement attractions are thoroughly tested and certified annually. We also have mechanics on-hand that check over and maintain our products to ensure they fly through the ADIPS scheme!
Funfair Health and Safety Legislation
The ADIPS scheme forms the backbone of funfair health and safety legislation in the UK, and while there is more legislation, regulations and certifications that affect funfair and fairground operators, such as PIPA, PAT testing or the HSAW act, ADIPS specifically relates to this specific sector.
All amusement devices registered under the ADIPS scheme will have a Declaration of Operational Compliance, also called a DOC. This confirms that the ride has been inspected and certified as safe to use, up to the expiration date of the DOC. Members of the public can check the DOC using the ADIPS online DOC check database.
ADIPS is a nationwide standard and supplants a number of varying standards that were used by different organisations or in different locations; ADIPS covers the whole of the UK, providing clarity to the public and to event organisers.
Where ADIPS Fits Into Fairground Ride Safety
If you have been researching fairground safety in the UK, you are likely to have encountered the term ADIPS. It is an important subject for anyone who wants to understand how amusement devices are inspected, but it is best viewed as one part of a much broader safety system rather than as the only consideration.
Our guide to UK fairground safety standards provides useful background on the wider framework, while How Funfair Rides are Tested for Safety looks more closely at testing and inspection. These are particularly useful companion pages if you are researching the technical requirements surrounding fairground rides.
ADIPS, Inspection and the Condition of an Amusement Device
ADIPS is closely associated with the inspection of amusement devices. That makes it relevant to everything from large travelling attractions to many of the familiar rides seen at fairs, festivals and private events. However, different amusement devices have different designs, components and inspection requirements.
For example, the engineering considerations surrounding Giant Ferris Wheel hire are not identical to those associated with a Traditional Dodgems installation or a Traditional Victorian Carousel. Inspection therefore needs to reflect the particular amusement device rather than treating every attraction as mechanically interchangeable.
What Happens Between Formal Inspections?
One of the most important distinctions for event organisers to understand is the difference between formal inspection and the routine work involved in keeping a ride in suitable operating condition. An inspection at one point in time does not remove the need for maintenance, appropriate setup or checks during the working life of the equipment.
You can read more about this distinction in Funfair Ride Periodic Maintenance and Daily Safety Checks for Funfair Rides. For readers interested in the more specialised examination of components, Non-destructive Testing of Funfair Rides covers another important area of amusement-device inspection.
Why Ride Setup Still Matters After Inspection
Many fairground attractions are mobile by design. They may travel from one event site to another and be assembled again at each location. Consequently, the condition of the attraction is only part of the picture. Correct installation and appropriate site preparation also matter.
Our How to Assemble and Dismantle Funfair Rides guide looks at this process in more detail. Event organisers may also find How Are Funfair Rides Transported? useful when considering access routes, arrival arrangements and the practical requirements involved in bringing amusement equipment onto a venue.
From ADIPS Documentation to Event Risk Management
Event safety also extends beyond the ride itself. The attraction has to operate within a real venue containing guests, queues, other equipment, vehicles, staff and potentially thousands of people. Appropriate documentation therefore forms part of a much larger event-planning exercise.
For the site-management side, see How to Perform a Funfair Ride Risk Assessment. Our guides to How to Place Funfair Rides Around the Site and How to Use Crowd Barrier Fencing at Events provide further information for organisers thinking about the relationship between attractions and the surrounding event space.
Weather Can Change the Safety Decisions Made on the Day
Outdoor events also introduce conditions that cannot be represented by an inspection certificate alone. Wind, rain and changing ground conditions can affect the way an event is managed and, where necessary, whether particular attractions continue operating.
The Funfair Rides in Windy Conditions guide explains more about wind considerations, while Preparing Funfairs for Adverse Weather looks at the broader planning process. This can be particularly relevant when arranging festival hire or other large outdoor events.
Understanding ADIPS Without Becoming a Ride Engineer
A client booking attractions does not need to understand every engineering calculation or inspection technique used within the amusement industry. It is still useful, however, to understand the terminology and know what sensible questions to ask a supplier.
Our Funfair Testing FAQs provide straightforward answers to common questions about inspection and testing. You can also read Health and Safety FAQs for a broader selection of safety-related questions that may arise when organising a funfair.
Safety Information for Councils, Schools and Event Organisers
Documentation and safety planning can be particularly important when several organisations are involved in the same event. Councils, schools, universities, festival organisers and corporate clients may all have their own event-management procedures and information requirements.
We provide attractions for council and local authority events, school events, university and Freshers' Week events and company fun days and corporate events. Our safety resources are intended to help clients understand some of the terminology and processes they may encounter while arranging this type of entertainment.
More Technical Guides About Funfair Ride Safety
ADIPS is a useful starting point, but there is considerably more to learn about amusement-device safety. If you want to continue reading, Fairground Electrical Safety Regulations looks at electrical considerations, while How to Safely Load Funfair Rides examines another specific stage in the operation of mobile amusement equipment.
For a more general overview, How We Are Tricycle Protects Your Health And Safety explains our approach to safety, and Are Funfair Rides Safe? addresses one of the most common questions asked by clients and members of the public.
You can find further technical information, event-planning advice and answers to common questions in our funfair guides. If you are planning an event and need information relating to the rides or attractions you are considering, please contact us.