IATP Assists in Development of New ASTM Standard for Trampoline Courts

HERSHEY, Pa. - Aug. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- The rapid growth of indoor trampoline parks across the world has allowed the International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP) to help lead the development of a new ASTM safety standard that will significantly enhance consumer experience in both existing and new facilities, while promoting consistency and industry-wide practices. The standard provides owners of trampoline parks guidance for planning, operation, signage, and patron education, while establishing clear, responsible-conduct guidelines for the public.
 
The industry has grown tremendously over the last nine years. The latter half of 2011 saw about 35-45 trampoline parks in operation. Today, there are over 160 trampoline parks in existence around the world, with an estimated 50 parks opening over the next twelve months.
 
ASTM F2970-13, Practice for the Design, Manufacture, Installation, Operation, Maintenance, Inspection and Major Modification of Trampoline Courts, was developed by subcommittee F24.60 on Special Rides/Attractions. Founding members of the IATP Board of Directors are part of the task group made up of operators, manufacturers, loss control experts, consumer advocates, trampoline experts, insurance professionals and legal professionals who contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours into developing this standard.  It is expected to take up to a year for the industry to upgrade existing facilities.
 
“Our mission is to help our industry raise the bar relative to risk management and look for ways to improve park operations and design,” said Jeff Platt, Chairman of IATP and a member of the F24.60 Trampoline Court Task Group. “We are very proud of the progress we have made over the past eighteen months. This standard is a major step forward to make our industry safer.”
 
Virtual meetings were held weekly over an eighteen-month period and anyone with an interest was invited to participate. The Trampoline Courts Task Group will continue to meet and is now working on revisions, updates and clarifications to F2970-13. 
 

“Industry experts from a wide range of specialties worked diligently to develop the new trampoline courts standard,” said Jerry Raymond, Vice Chairman of IATP and member of the F24.60 Trampoline Court Task Group. “It is the IATP’s intention to continue to develop educational programs, research opportunities and identify best practices for the betterment of our growing industry."

 
IATP will hold its board meeting and first annual meeting at the Doubletree Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 23-24, 2013.  The annual business meeting will be held on October 23^rd while October 24th will be devoted to committee meetings and educational breakout sessions. More information can be found at www.indoortrampolineparks.org.  
 
For additional information, contact: Jeff Platt, President/CEO Sky Zone Franchise Group, LLC and Chairman of the International Association of Trampoline Parks, 310.734.0302 or email jplatt@skyzone.com.
 

The International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP) is a 501(c)(6) industry trade association whose purpose is to promote reasonably safe operations, facilitate commercial success and stimulate growth of the trampoline park industry. For more information about the association, visit www.indoortrampolineparks.org. Membership inquiries should be directed to Tracy Sarris, Executive VP, at 717-533-1945 or email tracysarris@indoortrampolineparks.org

 

ASTM is a standard setting body and globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards. To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org or contact Customer Relations at 877-909-ASTM. ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming a member of ASTM, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

 

The new standard for trampoline courts; ASTM F2970 - 13 Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture, Installation, Operation, Maintenance, Inspection and Major Modification of Trampoline Courts is available at: www.astm.org/Standards/F2970.htm.