Priority should be given to flat, hard ground free of sharp debris, such as concrete, asphalt pavement, and compacted plastic surfaces. Soft muddy or sandy ground should be avoided (as it is prone to collapse or cause wear to the bottom of the equipment).
The ground slope must be controlled within 3°. If a slope exists, anti-slip fixation measures must be taken in advance to prevent the equipment from tilting. Meanwhile, sharp objects such as gravel, glass, and metal parts on the ground must be removed to avoid puncturing the PVC or Oxford cloth material of the inflatable equipment.
Ground Bearing Capacity
The ground must support the sum of the equipment’s own weight (including the weight of the airbag after inflation) and the maximum weight of the tourists it can carry. For conventional large inflatable slides (over 10 meters in length), the ground bearing capacity should be no less than 200kg/㎡ to prevent equipment deformation caused by ground settlement.
Fixation Compatibility
For hard ground, anchor holes or installation conditions suitable for expansion screws must be reserved. For muddy ground, ground piles can be directly driven, with a depth of no less than 60cm, to ensure that the tension points of the equipment can be firmly fixed to withstand strong winds.
II. Space Scope Requirements
Equipment Body Space
The site area must have a safety margin of at least 1.5-2 meters on each side beyond the unfolded dimensions of the equipment. For example, an inflatable slide with a length of 15 meters and a width of 8 meters requires a site with actual length and width of no less than 18 meters × 11 meters, to prevent the edges of the equipment from coming into contact with obstacles.
The vertical height of the equipment must match the clear height of the site. For large inflatable castles (with high platforms), the clear height of the site should be more than 1 meter higher than the highest point of the equipment. At the same time, obstacles such as overhead wires, tree branches, and billboards must be avoided.
Visitor Flow Line Space
Separate queuing and evacuation areas of at least 2㎡ must be reserved at the equipment’s entrance and exit respectively, and the entrance and exit should be away from main pedestrian thoroughfares. A 1-1.5 meter safety channel must be left around the equipment to facilitate staff patrols and emergency evacuation.
III. Surrounding Environment Conditions
Meteorological and Terrain Compatibility
The site should avoid low-lying areas (to prevent equipment from being submerged by rainwater) and wind tunnels (such as narrow areas between high-rise buildings, where the equipment is prone to being overturned by strong winds). Outdoor sites must have basic drainage capacity.
Installation in open areas without lightning protection facilities is prohibited during thunderstorms. It is preferable to have lightning protection devices within 50 meters of the site. When wind force exceeds level 5, the equipment must be stopped from use, and reinforced or put away.
Surrounding Facilities and Crowds
The site must be far away from dangerous areas such as motor vehicle lanes, construction zones, and high-voltage electric boxes, with a safe distance of no less than 10 meters from motor vehicle lanes.
If installed in public areas, peak pedestrian flow periods at the entrances of kindergartens and schools should be avoided, and the placement positions of surrounding warning signs should be planned in advance.
IV. Safety Supporting Conditions
Power Supply and Fire Protection
A stable power supply must be provided near the site. The power supply lines for the inflator pump and backup power supply must be insulated and protected, and the power interface should be no more than 10 meters away from the equipment (to avoid tripping hazards caused by long wire dragging).
Dry powder fire extinguishers (suitable for PVC material fires) and emergency water sources must be equipped nearby. Obvious fire channel signs should be set up in the site, and the fire channels must remain unobstructed.
Emergency Response and Management
The site must reserve operating space for emergency rescue to facilitate the entry of rescue equipment in case of emergencies. Meanwhile, temporary rain/sun shelter facilities should be available for tourists waiting and staff resting.
For commercial operation sites, they must comply with the site filing requirements of local cultural and tourism, and safety supervision departments, and have corresponding safety management systems and emergency plans.
