Standardization News

Making Playtime Safer

ASTM International Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices is revising an important standard on inflatable amusement rides. The responsible subcommittee, F24.61 on Adventure Attractions, invites all interested parties to contribute to the revision of standard F2374, Practice for Design, Manufacture, Operation and Maintenance of Inflatable Amusement Rides.

Three task groups have been formed to develop requirements and test methods for key areas: Bob Field, president of N-Flatables/Cutting Edge, leads the design and manufacturing group; Kevin Wieging of UltraSound Special Events and Kevin Baldree of Austin Moonwalks co-chair the group on operations and patron education; and Jake Vick of Zero Shock leads the group that is developing testing and inflatable impact requirements. The task groups hold a biweekly virtual meeting. For information on the next meeting, contact Katerina Koperna, F24's manager at ASTM.

Revisions include:

  • Drafting manufacturing requirements to mitigate fall hazards;
  • Adding a section on anchoring, including diagrams showing correct positioning and depth of anchor stakes;
  • Creating a provision for professional certification of wind load calculations; and
  • Expanding sections on procedures and rules for installation of air inflatables, supervision by trained attendants and safe use by patrons.

Businesses that manufacture and operate air inflatable amusement devices are the primary users of F2374. Inflatable amusement devices can be set up at public events, private parties and as attractions at carnivals, amusement parks and family entertainment centers.

According to ASTM member Kathy Fackler, president and founder of Saferparks, this sector has a unique business model within the amusement industry. For example, professionals do not always operate the rides themselves. Some rental operations allow customers to supervise patron use themselves, rather than hiring an attendant. Also, some companies allow customers to install the device themselves.

"This complicates the safety equation because the renter may be unfamiliar with the equipment and, in many cases, is not supervised by a knowledgeable professional while operating it," says Fackler. The proposed revisions to the standard will address this situation by clarifying different roles and requiring that owner-operators have written training procedures for installers and attendants.

To purchase standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation, or contact ASTM Sales (tel +1.877.909.ASTM; sales@astm.org).

CONTACT Technical Information: Kathy Fackler, Saferparks • La Jolla, Calif. • tel +1.619.316.2260 | ASTM Staff: Katerina Koperna • tel +1.610.832.9728

Industry Sectors
Consumer Products
Safety

Issue Month
May/June
Issue Year
2015