Consumer Product Safety Commission Safety Bulletin

On May 23, 2001 the US Consumer Product Safety Commission released its safety bulletin regarding inflatable amusement rides. The report was a reaction to the CPSC investigation of injuries and deaths on inflatable rides between March 1999 and Feb 2001. The investigation was undertaken in cooperation with the states of Florida, Wisconsin, California, and Kentucky.

View the full Safety Bulletin in pdf format Here.

The Safety Bulletin instructs all state and local amusement ride safety inspectors, insurance inspectors, private contract inspectors, as well as owners and operators of Inflatable Amusement Rides to follow and adhere to the following "critical steps of inspection:"

• Minimum number of operators on an inflatable slide is two (2)
• Minimum number of operators on an inflatable bounce is one (1)
• Maximum recommended weight per passenger is 250 lbs
• DO NOT exceed manufacturer's requirements for maximum loads for individual rides
• ALWAYS anchor rides per manufacturer's requirements
• Follow the owner/operator's manual for site layout, inflation procedures, ropes, tethers, tie-downs, anchors, use temperature range, maximum number of riders, size of riders, electrical codes, daily operation, daily inspection, washing, repair, deflation, drying, storage, and transportation.
• The on-ground anchor weight used for various inflatable rides range from 75-pounds (for bounce-type Page 2 rides) to 500-pounds (for slide-type rides) for each recommended anchor position. This weight range strongly indicates that an inflatable ride's operator should follow the ride manufacturer's recommendations for proper anchoring.
• Place and use anchors at all of the manufacturer's required positions. These anchors can be straight stakes, screw stakes, ground weights or sandbag ground anchors.
• Ground stakes should be a minimum of 40" with 10" exposed above ground (Depending on surface where set up)
• Anchor ropes, tethers, or tie-downs should be attached to a secure device or permanent structure and attached so that they cannot slip off the top of their stake during use. DO NOT attach anchors to motor vehicles.
• Ropes, tethers, and tie-downs should be sufficiently strong to resist breakage during use. Recommend 1/2" solid-braided Polypropylene rope with a tensile strength of 3700 or 370 lb test rated
• Do not use the inflatable ride above windspeeds that exceed the manufacturer’s recommendation. Various manufacturers recommend maximum windspeeds from 15 to 25 mph depending on the ride. However, unload & deflate any inflatable ride if the windspeed exceeds 25 mph.
• Identify, specify and use the number and locations of tie-downs needed for each particular inflatable ride. DO NOT use non-load bearing positioning loops as tie-downs or anchor points.
• The inflatable ride should not collapse onto the riders if the power to the blower(s) inflating the ride should unexpectedly fail. Inflatable rides need a sealed chamber to prevent the rapid collapse of ceilings and walls onto the riders if the electric power to the blower(s) fails.

In addition, the Safety Bulletin instructs rental companies to provide renters with the following materials:

1. 1. A training program for the renter for the proper operation of the inflatable ride
2. A copy of the operation manual (and/or videos, training manuals) for each rental period
3. A copy of this Safety Bulletin
4. A signed release statement by the renter that he has received and understands the ride operating procedures