EN 15649-6:2009/FprA1

Overview

EN 15649-6:2009/FprA1 is a European Standard developed by the Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN) that specifies additional specific safety requirements and test methods for Class D floating leisure articles used on and in water. Class D devices include large inflatable and non-inflatable floating structures designed for recreational use such as climbing structures, bouncing platforms, slides, trampolines, teeter totters, and obstacle courses. These devices are commonly used in environments like swimming pools, lakes, ponds, and sheltered sea shore areas without offshore winds or currents.

This standard complements the general requirements found in EN 15649-1 and EN 15649-2 by addressing unique safety concerns specific to Class D devices to ensure consumer safety during water activities.

Key Topics

• Class D Device Scope
  Applies to floating leisure articles where buoyancy is achieved by inflation or inherent buoyant materials, typically large-scale floating recreational structures.

• Safety Requirements for In-Water Performance
  New sub-clauses focus on safe swimming practices near extra-large floating devices (≥ 6 meters), including prohibiting swimming underneath such structures due to risks related to entrapment or entanglement.

• Entrapment and Entanglement Prevention

  • Underwater areas adjacent to large devices must be smooth and free of openings or flexible slits where a body or limbs could become trapped.
  • Connections to the ground fixation point, such as ropes or harnesses, must allow safe passage of specified test probes to prevent finger, hand, or torso entrapment.

• Testing Methods
  Devices undergo thorough visual and tactile inspections in their ready-to-use configuration, alongside standardized test probes per EN 15649-1 mandates.
  Human-based in-water testing may substitute torso probe tests to verify safety against body entrapment where necessary.

• Pressure Gauge Requirements
  Devices designed for inflation via electrical air pumps must be supplied with a pressure gauge to monitor inflation levels. For installations combining multiple devices, only one pressure gauge is required for the entire setup.

Applications

EN 15649-6 applies primarily to the design, manufacture, and quality control of large floating leisure structures deployed in various water-based recreational settings, including:

• Swimming Pools – Safe use in controlled aquatic environments, ensuring no hazards from underwater entrapment.
• Lakes and Ponds – Ensures floating devices meet safety standards even in natural freshwater bodies.
• Coastal and Sea Shore Areas – Applicable in calm sea zones, where environmental factors like wind and currents are minimal.

Manufacturers, safety inspectors, aquatic facility managers, and recreational equipment providers rely on EN 15649-6 to ensure compliance with European safety regulations related to water leisure products. By following these standards, companies minimize risk of accidents such as entrapment, drowning, or injuries related to floating devices.

Related Standards

• EN 15649-1 – General safety requirements and test methods for floating leisure articles.
• EN 15649-2 – Specific safety information, symbols, and additional test methods applicable to floating leisure devices.
• EN 15649-6:2009 – Part 6 amendment under FprA1 for additional safety modifications on Class D devices, updating clauses on in-water performance and exclusions.

Together, these standards form a comprehensive framework governing the design, testing, and safe usage of floating leisure articles used across Europe, aligning with EU directives for consumer protection in aquatic recreational activities.

Keywords: EN 15649-6, Class D floating leisure articles, water safety standards, inflatable water structures, aquatic recreation equipment, safety testing, entrapment prevention, European water leisure standards, floating playground safety, water trampolines safety requirements.