ISO 20187:2016

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 20187
First edition
2016-02-15
Inflatable play equipment — Safety
requirements and test methods
Équipements de jeux gonflables — Exigences de sécurité et
méthodes d’essai
Reference number
ISO 20187:2016(E)
©
ISO 2016

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ISO 20187:2016(E)

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© ISO 2016, Published in Switzerland
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ISO 20187:2016(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope .1
2 Normative references .1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Safety requirements .4
4.1 Materials . 4
4.1.1 Fabrics . 4
4.1.2 Thread . 4
4.1.3 Netting . 4
4.1.4 Ropes . 5
4.1.5 Zips . 5
4.1.6 Dangerous substances and decorative finishes . 5
4.2 Design . 5
4.2.1 Anchorage . 5
4.2.2 Structural Integrity . 6
4.2.3 Access/Egress. 7
4.2.4 Blowers .10
4.2.5 Entrapment .10
4.2.6 Hard objects, sharp angles, and edges .14
4.2.7 Electrical installations .14
4.2.8 Siting .14
4.2.9 Containment .16
4.2.10 Wall heights on slopes .17
4.2.11 Run-out.18
4.2.12 Ventilation .18
4.3 Number of users .18
4.4 Supervision .19
5 Test methods and reports .19
6 Information to be provided by the supplier/manufacturer .19
6.1 General product information .19
6.2 Pre-information .19
6.3 Installation information .20
6.4 Operating information .20
6.5 Inspection and maintenance information .21
7 Inspection, maintenance, and alteration .21
7.1 Inspection .21
7.1.1 Routine Inspection .21
7.1.2 Annual inspection .21
7.2 Maintenance .22
7.2.1 General.22
7.2.2 Routine maintenance .22
7.2.3 Corrective maintenance .22
7.3 Alteration .22
8 Marking .22
9 Documentation .23
Annex A (normative) Calculation of number of anchor-points .24
Annex B (informative) Beaufort Scale of wind force .25
Annex C (normative) Test method for grounding .26
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ISO 20187:2016(E)

Annex D (normative) Test methods for entrapment .27
Annex E (normative) Test method for tear strength .37
Bibliography .42
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ISO 20187:2016(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 83, Sports and other recreational facilities
and equipment.
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ISO 20187:2016(E)

Introduction
Play is the means by which children discover and understand the world in which they live and is an
essential element in a child’s physical and mental growth.
It is important for children’s rounded development that, through play, they arrive at an understanding
of danger which provides a basis for assessing safety in a variety of situations. The balance between
challenge and safety is an important consideration.
The inflatable play equipment referred to in this International Standard can provide different levels of
challenge and recreation. This International Standard aims to minimize the level of risk and the possibility
of serious injury while allowing children to enjoy themselves when playing in or on inflatable equipment.
This International Standard acknowledges the difficulties of addressing safety issues by age criteria
alone because the ability to handle risk is based on the individual user’s level of skill and not age.
Moreover, users other than the intended age range will make use of the inflatable equipment, in which
case, the provisions of this International Standard still apply.
It is not the purpose of the requirements of this International Standard to affect a child’s need to play,
nor to lessen the contribution that inflatable play equipment makes either to the child’s development or
meaningful play from an educational point of view.
Where inflatable play equipment is combined with other items of children’s playground equipment, the
relevant standards applying to the other items of equipment is to also be consulted.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 20187:2016(E)
Inflatable play equipment — Safety requirements and test
methods
1 Scope
This International Standard is applicable to inflatable play equipment intended for use by children up
to 14 years of age individually and as a group activity.
This International Standard specifies safety requirements for inflatable play equipment for which the
primary activities are bouncing and sliding. It sets measures to address risks and also to minimize
accidents to users for those involved in the design, manufacture, and supply of inflatable play
equipment. It specifies information to be supplied with the equipment. The requirements have been
laid down bearing in mind the risk factor based on available data.
This International Standard specifies the requirements that will protect a child from hazards that he
or she may be unable to foresee when using the equipment as intended or in a manner that can be
reasonably anticipated.
This International Standard is not applicable to inflatable water-borne play and leisure equipment,
domestic inflatable toys, air-supported buildings, inflatables used solely for protection, inflatables used
for rescue, or other types of inflatable toys where the primary activity is not bouncing or sliding.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 2307, Fibre ropes — Determination of certain physical and mechanical properties
ISO 8124-3, Safety of toys — Part 3: Migration of certain elements
ISO 9554, Fibre ropes — General specifications
ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code)
EN 1177, Impact attenuating playground surfacing — Determination of critical fall height
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
NOTE In order not to confine the application of this International Standard to those items of equipment
currently in use, and hence, allow freedom of design for the manufacture of new equipment, only the fundamental
forms of equipment and motion are listed.
3.1
inflatable play equipment
structure relying on a continuous supply of air to maintain its shape on or in which users may play,
bounce, and/or slide
Note 1 to entry: Also referred to as an/the inflatable.
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ISO 20187:2016(E)

a) Flat-bed b) Castle (3 walled sides, c) A-frame inflatable
(4 open sides) 1 open side) (3 walled sides, 1 open side)
d) Bounce/Slide combination e) Multi-play centre f) Obstacle course
g) Inflatable slide h) Enclosed inflatable i) Soft mountain
Figure 1 — Examples of inflatable play equipment
3.2
blower
powered machine used to continuously inflate the structure
3.3
connection tube
part of the inflatable structure to which the blower (3.2) is connected
3.4
controller
person, company, or hirer (those who hire to others) having responsibility for the overall control,
inspection, and maintenance of the equipment
3.5
operator
person appointed by a controller (3.4) to be in charge of the operation of the equipment at any time
when it is available for use by the public
3.6
attendant
person working under the control and direction of an operator (3.5) to assist in the operation of the
equipment
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3.7
inspection body
organization, part of an organization or individual with the appropriate competence to carry out one or
more of the following inspections:
— design review;
— assessment of conformity to design;
— initial testing;
— annual main inspection
3.8
free height of fall
greatest vertical distance from the clearly intended body support to the impact area (3.16) below
[SOURCE: ISO 8124-4:2014, 3.8, modified]
3.9
critical fall height
maximum free heights of fall for which a surface will provide an acceptable level of impact attenuation
3.10
open side
any external side of an inflatable with no containing wall
3.11
step
step to aid the access/egress of users into and out of the playing area (3.22) of the inflatable making the
transition between the height of the playing area and the ground
3.12
ramp
ramp to aid the access/egress of users into and out of the playing area (3.22) of the inflatable making
the transition between the height of the playing area and the ground
3.13
platform
surface on which a user may stand
3.14
squeeze
play item which is often attached to and forms part of inflatable play equipment (3.1), the purpose of
which is to squeeze the user whilst not entrapping them while allowing the user to pass through a gap
with a degree of difficulty
3.15
entrapment
hazard in which a body, or part of a body, or clothing, can become trapped
3.16
impact area
area surrounding the open side(s) (3.10) of an inflatable
3.17
run-out
intended deceleration zone at the bottom of a slide
3.18
anchorage system
method of fixing an inflatable to the ground using stakes
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ISO 20187:2016(E)

3.19
ballast system
method of fixing an inflatable to the ground using weights
3.20
user height
maximum height of persons allowed to use the inflatable
3.21
free space
space in, on, or around the inflatable that can be occupied by a user undergoing a movement forced by
the equipment (for example, sliding, bouncing)
3.22
playing area
space in or on the inflatable intended for play
3.23
falling space
space in or around the inflatable that can be passed through by a user falling from an elevated part of
the equipment
Note 1 to entry: The falling space commences at the free height of fall (3.8).
4 Safety requirements
4.1 Materials
4.1.1 Fabrics
Fabrics shall be flame retardant.
Fabrics and joints in fabrics shall be of adequate tear and tensile strength for the weight of the intended
user and have sufficient air retention to enable the inflatable, when pressurized to the level specified in
the operations manual, to resume its shape after distortion under load.
The following fabrics shall be used in those structural parts of the inflatable where force or stress is
applied by the user:
a) minimum tear strength 350 N (see test method Annex E);
b) minimum tensile strength 1 850 N (see ISO 1421);
c) minimum coating adhesion 100 N (see ISO 2411).
4.1.2 Thread
Threads shall be non-rotting yarn and at least 88 N tensile strength. Stitching shall be lock-stitch. The
length of individual stitches shall be a minimum of 3 mm and a maximum of 8 mm.
4.1.3 Netting
Retention netting is commonly used to define the playing area to contain the users and to retain items of
mobile play equipment, such as balls. Retention netting shall not significantly impair visibility. Retention
netting shall be strong enough to contain the largest/heaviest user for whom the inflatable is designed.
In order to prevent users from climbing retention netting the mesh size, where the netting is more than
1 m vertical height and accessible to the user, shall be 30 mm or less to exclude users’ feet.
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Where netting is used for roofs and is accessible to the user, the mesh size shall be small enough to
prevent the 8 mm finger rod from passing through (see Figure 2).
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 2 — 8 mm finger rod
Clamber netting (commonly laid on slopes to form foot and hand holds) shall be securely fixed to
prevent lifting by the user. The rope from which it is made shall be at least 12 mm in diameter and shall
be securely knotted. Strand ends shall be treated to prevent fraying. Care shall be taken when heat
sealing so as not to form hard or sharp edges.
4.1.4 Ropes
Ropes shall be fixed at both ends and the total amplitude of swing shall not exceed 20 % of the distance
between the fixing points, such that it shall not be possible to make a loop in the rope of large enough
diameter to allow probe E to pass through (see Figure D.1).
NOTE This requirement is intended to remove the risk of strangulation.
The rope diameter shall be between 18 mm and 45 mm.
Fibre ropes (textile type) shall conform to ISO 9554 or ISO 2307. Alternatively, a works certificate
shall be supplied stating the material used and the safe working load. Monofilament plastics ropes
shall not be used.
4.1.5 Zips
Zips shall withstand air pressures and tension generated within the structure. Zips used for entrances
and exits shall be reliable, easy to use, able to open from both sides, and shall allow access and egress by
adults. Zips used for deflation purposes shall have the puller hidden from view (e.g. by a flap or pocket).
4.1.6 Dangerous substances and decorative finishes
Dangerous substances shall not be used for inflatable play equipment in such a way that they can cause
adverse health effects to the user. Paints and other decorative finishes shall conform to ISO 8124-3.
[4]
NOTE Attention is drawn to the provisions of European Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006. Such
materials include, for example, asbestos, lead, formaldehyde, coal tar oils, carbolineums, and polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs).
4.2 Design
4.2.1 Anchorage
The inflatable shall be provided with an anchorage and/or ballast system and any necessary
accessories enabling the inflatable to be securely fixed to the ground. Each inflatable shall have at least
six anchorage points.
The number of anchorage points shall be calculated in accordance with Annex A. They shall be
distributed around the perimeter of the inflatable (see also 4.2.3) and shall be fitted with metal ends.
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The maximum wind-speed in which inflatables shall be used outdoors is 38 km/h (Force 5 on the
Beaufort Scale; see Annex B).
When used outdoors, the inflatable shall be secured to the ground, preferably with ground stakes
where the ground is suitable. Each anchorage point on the inflatable and all of the components of the
anchorage and/or ballast system, e.g. ropes, webbings, metal attachments, stakes, and weights shall
withstand a force of 1 600 N. The direction of the exerted force shall be at an angle to the ground of 30°
to 45°. Ground stakes shall incline away from the direction of the exerted force. Ground stakes shall be
a minimum of 380 mm in length and a minimum of 16 mm in diameter and their tops shall be rounded.
The system shall expose no more than 25 mm of the stake above ground level (see Figure 3).
When the inflatable is used indoors, the anchorage and/or ballast system should be used, when
necessary, to maintain stability.
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 direction of force
2 rounded tops
3 ground level
Figure 3 — Examples of ground stakes
On hard standing where ground stakes cannot be used, the inflatable shall be secured to the ground by
equally effective method, e.g. attaching each of the anchorage points to fittings already in the ground,
or to sandbags or other weights, if these are capable of supporting the 1 600 N load. If the inflatable is
secured to a vehicle or other movable machinery, such vehicles or machinery shall be immobilized and
be under the control of an operator.
4.2.2 Structural Integrity
The minimum air pressure inside the structural parts of the inflatable shall be 1 kPa (100 mm water
gauge). Inflated chambers that are entered by the user are not considered to be structural parts of
the inflatable, e.g. enclosed dome type inflatables. Pressure in the playing area of soft mountains shall
be no greater than 0,25 kPa (25 mm water gauge), but shall maintain a pressure sufficient to prevent
grounding. Pressure in the surrounding safety apron of soft mountains shall be at least 1 kPa (100 mm
water gauge; see Figure 4).
The depth of the trough on the surface of any platform shall be a maximum of 33 % of the width of the
adjacent panel measured when inflated (see Figure 5).
Containing walls shall be vertical (90 ± 5)°. Towers that support containing walls shall be in the same
plane. Containing walls and towers shall be strong enough to contain the largest and/or heaviest user
for whom the inflatable is designed.
Playing areas, surrounding safety aprons, steps, and/or ramps shall support the weight of the largest
and/or heaviest user for whom the inflatable is designed without grounding (see Annex C for the
test method).
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Key
1 surrounding safety apron
2 tread depth
3 playing area
Figure 4 — Section through a soft mountain
Key
a depth of trough — measured when inflated
b width of adjacent panel
Figure 5 — Trough depth
4.2.3 Access/Egress
A step or ramp shall be wide enough to cover the entire access/egress aperture with overlap
according to Figure 6.
A step or ramp shall have a tread depth of a minimum of 1,5 times the height of the adjacent playing
area platform to which it is attached (see Figure 6).
The playing area of soft mountains shall be completely surrounded by an inflated safety apron. This
safety apron shall have a minimum tread depth of 1,6 m times or 0,5 times the height of the playing area
measured from the ground when inflated and in the unloaded condition, whichever is greater.
In the event of air supply failure, the deflation time shall be sufficient to allow users of the inflatable to
be evacuated safely.
NOTE Deflation time can be considerably lengthened by inserting a non-return flap in the outlet nozzle of
the blower or at the joint of the connection tube and structure.
Inflatables shall be designed to ensure that adults are able to gain access in order to assist users.
On any open side, the free height of fall shall be no greater than 630 mm from the ground in the unloaded
condition (600 mm in the loaded condition).
On any open side, the extent of the impact area shall be at least 1,2 m. The surface in the impact area shall
meet the requirements for impact attenuation so that the critical fall height of the surfacing, according
to EN 1177 or National equivalent impact attenuation test method, is at least 630 mm. The impact areas
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of adjacent inflatables and/or other play equipment shall not overlap. Materials such as soil, turf, and
sand have some impact-attenuating
...