INFLATABLE AMUSEMENT RIDES, MOBILE ROCK WALLS & CLIMBING WALLS

PARKS &RECREATION

PARKS &RECREATION

Playing It SafeRISK

Inflatable Amusement Rides, Mobile Rock Walls & Climbing Walls

Michigan Municipal RiskManagement AuthorityParks & Recreation Advisory Committee

PARKS &RECREATION

PARKS &RECREATION

Spring/Summer

2005

INFLATABLE AMUSEMENT RIDES, MOBILE ROCK WALLS & CLIMBING WALLS

PARKS &RECREATION

PARKS &RECREATION

INTRODUCTION

Mobile inflatable rides and mobile climbingwalls are customarily used at fairs, carnivalsand festivals, but are also operated at privatefairs and parties through rental agencies.Those who use mobile inflation rides andclimbing walls vary in age from children toadults.

MOBILE INFLATABLE RIDES

The Consumer Products Safety Commission,investigating incidents over a three yearperiod, was aware of 9 incidents whichresulted in 21 injuries on large slide-typeinflatable devices and 33 incidents whichresulted in 33 injuries, with bounce–typeinflatable devices.

A member of the MMRMA recently experi-enced an unfortunate incident with a Titanicship-type slide inflatable ride where somechildren were injured. After investigating this

incident it was discovered that there havebeen several similar occurrences around theU.S. as well as other countries with thisparticular type of inflatable slide. This particu-lar piece of inflatable slide ride does not comeunder any state of Michigan rules or regula-tions regarding rides.

The MMRMA Parks and Recreation Advisory

PLAYING IT SAFEINFLATABLE AMUSEMENT RIDES, MOBILE ROCK WALLS & CLIMBING WALLS

If you own,operate, or rentinflatables toprivate parties,closely follow themanufacturers’instructions andguidelines foroperation and setup.

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Committee and The Risk Control Departmentrecommend that if you own, operate, or rentinflatables to private parties to closely followthe manufacturers’ instructions and guidelinesfor operation and set up. Inspection proce-dures and guidelines for safe set up andoperation of inflatable rides may vary frommanufacturer to manufacturer.

In addition, the Consumer Products SafetyCommission has developed some recommenda-tions for inflatable rides:

• Minimum number of operators is TWO (2)on a large slide over 15 feet tall.

• Minimum number on an inflatable bounceor small slide, under 15 feet, is ONE (1).

• Maximum recommended weight perpassenger is 200 lbs., or per manufacturer’srecommendation.

• Do not exceed manufacturer’s requirementsfor maximum loads for individual rides.

• Follow the owner/operators manual for sitelayout, inflation procedures, ropes, tethers,tie downs, anchors, use temperature range,maximum number of riders, size of riders,electrical codes, daily operation, dailyinspection, washing, repair, deflation,drying, storage, and transportation.

INFLATABLE AMUSEMENT RIDES, MOBILE ROCK WALLS & CLIMBING WALLS

PARKS &RECREATION

PARKS &RECREATION

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MOBILE CLIMBING WALLS

According to industry estimates, there arethousands of varied sizes of mobile rock wallsand climbing walls being used in the U.S. Atragic incident occurred in Columbia, MO onJuly 14, 2003. A 22-year old female died whileclimbing a mobile rock wall when the auto-belay cable attached to her harness broke. Thevictim fell to the concrete below. The cablehad a rubber sheath over the cable butunderneath the sheath the cable was frayed.

The Consumer Products Safety Commissionrecommends closely inspecting the climbingwalls and all equipment in accordance withmanufacturers’ instructions and guidelines foroperation, repair, maintenance, and set-up.

In addition:

• Examine auto-belay cables, especially nearpulleys, for wear, broken wires, “fishhooks” (burrs or broken strands of wirecable), and deformation.

• Lift or slide the plastic or rubber sheathover the auto-belay cable on the harnessend and examine for wear, corrosion, orbroken wires, and replace cables if any areworn, or have broken wires or “fishhooks.”

Closely inspectthe climbingwalls and allequipment inaccordance withmanufacturers’instructions andguidelines foroperation, repair,maintenance,and set-up.

• Follow the owner/operator’s manual onrepair, maintenance and parts replacement.

• Inspect daily the auto-belay cables for “fishhooks,” wear, or corrosion, and replaceannually or after 10,000 documentedcycles, or earlier if necessary.

• Examine carabiners, swivels and rings forproper functioning and locking, andreplace those not functioning properly.

• Examine harness for wear and tearing andreplace if necessary.

• The maximum weight per passenger is 250lbs., or per manufacturer’s recommenda-tions.

• Make sure the required number of opera-tors is present on climbingwalls.

• Do not exceedmanufacturer’s require-ments for maximum loadsfor individual walls.

CONCLUSION

This safety brochure is in-tended to inform MMRMAMEMBERS of the hazardsinvolved with mobile inflatablerides and climbing walls andthe potential for an incident tooccur resulting in a claim fordamages. Following the basicguidelines in this safetybrochure will help to ensure success in yourendeavors.

It is recognized that these guidelines cannotbe, nor are they meant to be, all encompass-ing. Each community will have its own uniquecharacteristics. Issues of personal safety,property protection, and liability risk avoid-ance may require additional consideration.

Questions relating to inflatable amusementrides and mobile rock walls and climbing wallscan be directed to Consumer Products SafetyCommission, Washington, DC.

For further assistance, contact the RISKCONTROL DEPARTMENT of MMRMA.

INFLATABLE AMUSEMENT RIDES, MOBILE ROCK WALLS & CLIMBING WALLS

PARKS &RECREATION

PARKS &RECREATION

RISK

Michigan MunicipalRisk Management Authority

14001 Merriman RoadLivonia, MI 48154(734) 513-0300

www.mmrma.org

A publication for members of

PARKS &RECREATION

PARKS &RECREATION

Jeff GehlIngham County Parks & Recreation

David BaschMecosta County Park Commission

Robert KosowskiWestland Parks & Recreation

Ron ReinkeCity of Livonia Parks & Recreation

Rebecca RynbrandtCity of Wyoming

Alan BuckenmeyerCity of Rochester Hills

Sue Ann CopmeyerIsabella County Parks & Recreation

Richard ParkerCity of Wayne Parks & Recreation

Bill McSweenRedford Twp. Parks & Recreation

Brian BaileyBerrien Co. Parks & Rec. Commission

Jerry JaloszynskiClinton County Community Development

MMRMA Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee

MMRMA Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee Liaison:Terry VanDoren

Risk Consultant, MMRMA

Ann ConklinCanton Twp. Parks & Recreation

Pat O’KeefeCity of Grand Ledge

Dan PattonEaton County Parks

Ron MarshSt. Claire Co. Parks & Recreation

AlternatesTim BrownMecosta County Park Commission

Karen KapchonickCity of Livonia Parks & Recreation

Mike MarshIsabella County Parks & Recreation

Mike CurleRedford Twp. Parks & Recreation

GuestsJack Lewis, CPRPCity of Novi Parks, Recreation & Forestry

Michael RhynerExecutive Director, MMRMA