Inflatable Safety
Inflatable Play Structure Safety Campaign by Happy Jump, Inc.
For more than 25yrs, Happy Jump, Inc. has been a leader in manufacturing inflatable play and advertising structures with a commitment to safety and durability. In 2001, Happy Jump collaborated with engineers from the state of New Jersey and Pennsylvania to enhance the safety of inflatable games during emergency evacuations. This effort led to the creation of the “Deflation Flap,” a feature suggested by Happy Jump and later adopted across the industry. Additionally, we recommended blower manufacturers incorporate flaps into their designs, which has since become a standard feature.
Advancing Safety Features in the Industry
Happy Jump continued to innovate by introducing safety netting atop all slides, ensuring riders slide down in a seated position and preventing falls. While earlier netting designs primarily provided shade, this enhancement marked a pivotal shift toward accident prevention. Another critical advancement was the integration of emergency exits in all enclosed inflatables—a practice now widely adopted across the industry.
Despite these strides, the market has seen an influx of inflatable rides that fail to adhere to ASTM International guidelines. Issues such as inadequate sidewall heights, improper slide slopes, insufficient landing areas, missing anchoring points, and a lack of warning signs or operational guidelines have led to numerous accidents. These incidents harm the industry's reputation and safety standards.
Taking Action for Safety
As the President of Happy Jump, Inc., I, Roubik Amirian, recognized the urgent need for change. I reached out to my longtime friend, Michael Viechweg, Chairman of ASTM International’s F24 Standard F2374, which governs the design, manufacture, operation, and maintenance of inflatable rides. Together, we initiated a campaign to educate operators on purchasing safer inflatables and adopting better operational practices.
Michael welcomed this collaboration, emphasizing the importance of sharing existing and future safety guidelines with the broader community. This campaign aims to create a safer environment for all stakeholders in the inflatable industry.
The Importance of Standards
The updated ASTM standards are a testament to collaborative efforts among manufacturers, engineers, authorities, insurance representatives, and operators. These standards, which have expanded from four pages to 39, offer comprehensive guidelines for all parties involved:
- Manufacturers can now determine the appropriate number of participants for inflatables.
- Operators have clear expectations regarding documentation when purchasing new equipment.
- Engineers gain precise anchoring requirements.
- Authorities benefit from detailed, enforceable standards.
By adopting and enforcing these standards, we can reduce accidents caused by poorly trained operators or unsafe equipment. The SIOTO (Safe Inflatable Operators Training Organization) website is an excellent resource for learning about safety training and guidelines. Visit sioto.com to access valuable tools and information to improve operational safety.
Anchoring Inflatable Games and Wind Safety
Tragic incidents, such as the recent accident in South Carolina that injured five children, highlight the importance of proper anchoring. While the inflatables were anchored, the anchors used were likely inadequate for the conditions, such as high winds or soft ground.
To understand the effect of wind:
The pressure it exerts is proportional to the square of its speed.
