At FreeStyle Slides® we believe in safety first! As a result we have invested substantial resources into developing The Hippo’s® unique safety features, making it the safest giant inflatable slide in the world! The design of The Hippo® slide has been certified by Sawyer, Duncan & Associates (registered engineers) as a safe amusement ride. The Hippo® satisfies the general requirements of ASTM F-24 ‘Standards on Amusement Rides and Devices’, and the particular requirements of ASTM F-1159-03a, Section 7.6: ‘Air-Supported Structures’. Further National and State certifications include approval in the State of New Jersey (Type Certification Number: TC-00372-00) and approval in the State of Pennsylvania.
Safety tests concluded that in the case of complete power loss, the slide operating crew has about 2 minutes to safely evacuate all riders before the slide starts to deflate. This delayed deflation time is mainly a result of The Hippo’s® unique construction, as well as the reverse air-blocking louvres on the blowers. The Hippo® is always operated with two blowers as this ensures that the slide remains inflated should one blower fail. Ride inspection, deflation time, blower failure and emergency tests were conducted by registered engineers Sawyer, Duncan and Associates.
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With the use of AutoCad, stress relief areas have been specially engineered to dissipate impact points that all inflatables have. Doing this allows The Hippo® to endure an incredible amount of use consistent with FEC applications.
The Hippo® can withstand an incredible amount of stress. These photos show over 2000 lbs. (almost 1 metric Ton) of weight standing on the fully welded slide. Only two single horse power blowers were used during this demonstration.
It takes more than 80 people about 8 days to build The Hippo®. The Hippo® is built using a combination of welding, gluing and sewing and has over 1 mile of welded seams. Grommet holes are used to balance the pressure throughout.
The platform safety net has a two-fold purpose. Firstly, it secures the riders on the platform, preventing accidents on the staircase and secondly, it restricts riders from performing dangerous tricks such as flips and dives.
TripleTube™ leg structure:
Our solid TripleTube™ leg structure with an ultra strong lattice frame delivers incredible strength and support for the entire slide. The ground leg spacers ensure that the legs stand perfectly upright and square.
Our user-friendly EasyClimb™ stairs are manufactured from high density polyethylene with UV protection. Each stair has easy grip hand holders and non-slip grooves for a safe and easy climb for toddlers through to senior citizens.
The staircase is divided into two lanes which restricts riders to ascend in single file, preventing overloading. Each lane has handrails on either side and the gentle 40 degree pitch of the staircase allows for a safe climb.
The landing bed is specially designed to slow the rider down and to provide a safe, cushioned landing. The Hippo® landing bed meets ALL health department regulations as it does not contain or retain any standing water.
The Hippo’s® unique anchoring system provides safety, stability and rigidity in the most adverse of weather conditions. This system allows The Hippo® to withstand excessive wind loads without causing damage to the slide.
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Safety Tests and Inspections.
The blowers are an essential part of The Hippo®. Good quality blowers, that are safe and dependable, are necessary to complete the safe operation of the slide. B-Air is the official supplier of blowers for The Hippo®. Your slide purchase includes a pair of high output 2 HP Bear blowers. Each blower is constructed with state of the art safety screens and reverse air-blocking louvres which slow down the deflation process in the event of a power failure.
The Hippo’s® Construction
B-Air blowers power The Hippo®
The Hippo® has been designed and engineered with safety as the highest priority. It’s many safety features are leading edge in the inflatable industry, making it by far the safest giant inflatable slide on the market. Unlike many other slides which are more restrictive, The Hippo’s® unique design eliminates the need for individual weight limits and can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. The Hippo® is manufactured for FreeStyle Slides® under license by HEC Plastics Manufacturing. All the materials used in the manufacturing of The Hippo® are of the highest quality and are FR (flame retardant) rated to the highest standards required by law. The Hippo’s® design is regulated in the US and Canada and has passed all mandatory safety inspections and pressure testing. The Hippo® has been constructed to operate as a wet or dry slide offering the flexibility to run all year round, regardless of the season or location.
