Maintaining high quality, trouble-free equipment is a critical aspect to your inflatable business. Inspection regulations for inflatable equipment vary from state to state. It is important for you to keep up to date on new regulations affecting the inspection requirements for inflatable equipment, as this type of legislature can be subject to change at any time.
Many states require large inflatable equipment be inspected and certified on a yearly, or more frequent, basis. A certified inspector of the state will generally perform these inspections. If the state inspector identifies any problem areas or concerns regarding your equipment you will be notified of this and be made aware of the necessary steps to ensure your inflatable equipment is well within operating compliance.
Necessary forms and paperwork, including proof of insurance, will also need to be filed within your state on a yearly basis. An operating permit for your inflatable equipment, which generally includes a $200 fee, is also required in most states.
For specific regulations affecting inflatables from state to state visit
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/amuse.pdf
While abiding the law pertaining to your state’s operation of inflatable equipment is critical, it is also important to take your own initiative in maintaining and regularly inspecting your inflatables. Most states require inspection once per year. However, it is advisable that an inspection of your inflatable equipment is conducted by you or your staff every time the equipment is inflated, prior to use.
The following are key areas of your equipment to inspect, which will ensure that the inflatable is functioning properly, reducing risk of injury or damage to the equipment.
- Check each anchor point to ensure that it is snug. Look for worn or cut straps and missing D rings.
- Inspect the blower tubes and retaining strap and buckle to ensure they are in good condition and the blower tube connection is tight.
- Make sure the blower flaps fall freely. The blower should have no exposed wire or loose bolts or screws. Also make sure the mesh guards over the air inlet and outlet are secure and intact.
- When inflated, the walls should be firm and upright. The bed pressure should provide firm footing.
- Check all surfaces of the inflatable for debris, tears, holes and stressed seams. Be sure to inspect the Velcro flaps and deflation zippers.
- Make sure there are no tears in the netting.
- If you do detect a problem or malfunction with the equipment at any time take action immediately. Equipment that is not functioning properly should never be used. The risk of an accident is too great. The best solution for this is to provide comparable equipment from your inventory prior to the event. Regular inspections, before and after events, will keep most problems from arising.
Remember, if you do detect a malfunction in the equipment during your inspection address the problem and provide the necessary maintenance as soon as possible.