Indoor Bounce House and Inflatable Attraction

Alternative means of compliance for inflatable attraction materials, size and separation

Challenge

Our Client’s business venture was in jeopardy due to the restrictiveness of the prescriptive code. 

Prescriptive code did not allow for the desired size, quantity or materials of inflatable attractions within the warehouse. This project presented the unique challenge of quantifying occupant behavior for a diverse range of individuals. Our analysis considers how children typically look for parents prior to evacuating and likewise how parents tend not evacuate until they are with their children. Our simulation considers emergency protocols, which require that staff members clear attractions prior to evacuating.

Solution

We performed fire and egress modeling as a basis to justify an alternative means of compliance to the prescriptive code limitations. Our holistic performance-based design analysis evaluated heat transfer and fire spread between play structures, occupants ability to evacuate each play structure and the building prior to conditions becoming untenable, structural integrity based on maximum ceiling temperatures, and the impact of fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems.

Bottom Line

AHJ approved play structure materials without further testing

50% decrease in required separation distance between play structures (20 ft to 10 ft)

2,000% increase in maximum allowable area of play structures (300 sqft to 7,400 sqft)

PBD analysis allowed the owners to proceed with the business plan