AusLeisure

New Zealand based waterborne inflatables specialists Aflex Technology have released a new specially designed 'low profile' aquatic inflatable.

Manufactured for Western Australian industry body LIWA Aquatics, the inflatable takes account of the new interim Australian Standard for constant airflow aquatic/waterborne inflatables: Australian Standard AS 3533.4.5 (Int)-2012 Amusement rides and devices Specific requirements Waterborne inflatables.

Designed for use in shallow swimming pools, the new inflatable has a lower pad height, 400 mm; a lower slide height; steps to access the slide along with extended entry pad length, conforming to the interim Standard's 1.5 metre minimum requirement; and no webbing straps.

Aflex believe the slide is fully compliant with the new interim Standard but are finding that the interim Standard is causing confusion among pool managers.

Aflex Operations manager Ian Radcliffe explains that the period since the introduction of the interim Standard in August "has been an exceptionally interesting time for us as a manufacturer of these products.

"We have had feedback on three counts, firstly from those facilities who think it too complex and are not bothering to use them anymore for fear of non compliance.

"Secondly, those who are using the products regardless as the inflatables are such a great source of fun in their facilities with some believing that the interim Standards are not a response to an industry problem.

"And thirdly, and by far the largest proportion, confusion!"

With swimming pools' peak season arriving, aquatic/waterborne inflatables are set to be a popular attraction over the coming months.

However, compliance issues are a concern for those involved in aquatic industry safety.

In conducting safety inspections required by the standard, one industry inspector told Australasian Leisure Management that, since August, he "has not conducted a single inspection that has found an aquatic centre's waterborne inflatable to be entirely compliant with the interim Standard."

Mindful of the confusion and the requirements of the interim Standard, Aflex has introduced a new process when designing and selling new inflatables to clients.

All customers now provide a 'pool depth profile' answering detailed questions including depths of the pool, where the product will be located within their pool (whether running from shallow to deep or vice versa), what anchoring systems will be used and what age groups will be using the product.

With this information, each Aflex inflatable is now individually made for each client.

Sales Manager Karen Stratford explains that "almost every product we have manufactured for Australia in the last six months has been customised in some way."

Aflex's 'low profile' aquatic inflatable manufactured for LIWA Aquatics is expected to be used in a series of information events.

Confusion surrounding the adoption of the new interim Australian Standard for constant airflow aquatic/waterborne inflatables and the upcoming Safe Work Australia code of practice for managing risks associated with amusement devices is the subject of a feature in the November/December 2012 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

To find out more contact Aflex Technology on 0508 423 539 (New Zealand Freephone) or 1800 147 017 (Australian Freephone), E: admin@aflextechnology.com, www.aflextechnology.com

12th September 2011 - AFLEX TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES UNIFORM GUIDANCE FOR OPERATING SWIMMING POOL INFLATABLES

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