Overview
ISO 25649-6:2017 - part of the ISO 25649 series - specifies additional safety requirements and test methods for Class D floating leisure articles used on and in the water. It applies together with ISO 25649‑1 (classification, materials, general requirements and test methods) and ISO 25649‑2 (consumer information). Class D devices are large, collective-use inflatables or inherently buoyant products designed for active play (jumping, climbing, sliding) and include items such as water trampolines, inflatable slides, obstacle courses and bouncing platforms. Typical locations include pools, lakes, ponds, open sea and sheltered seashores.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope & classification: Applies to Class D floating leisure articles whether buoyancy is by inflation or inherent buoyant material.
- Design & construction: Devices must be dimensioned and constructed for intended use, strength and durability; requirements apply to all buoyant components.
- Residual buoyancy: Inflatables shall provide residual buoyancy if one air chamber fails to maintain safety.
- Stability & in‑water performance: Tests for floating stability under full and one‑sided loads; guidance for devices claiming floating stability when fully inflated.
- Fixings and buckles: Detachable fastenings must require at least two simultaneous actions to release; pressure‑based releases require a minimum 100 N force for one of the sequences.
- Sizing & load capacity: Requirements for admissible number of users, space per person (e.g., trampolines), marking of size/body‑weight ranges and maximum loads.
- Re‑embarkation & handles: Means to assist users to climb back onto the device from water; requirements for carrying handles and climbing facilities.
- Safety distances & water depth: Minimum horizontal safety distances, adequate water depth for jumping/falling heights, and anchorage recommendations.
- Component testing: Valves, stoppers, connections, corrosion protection, durability, safety pads (for trampolines) and repair kits are covered.
- Consumer information: Instruction manual and consumer warnings required; standard to be applied with ISO 25649‑2 for user information.
Practical applications and who uses this standard
- Manufacturers of floating leisure articles (water trampolines, inflatables, obstacle courses) use ISO 25649-6 to design and test products to recognized safety criteria.
- Test laboratories and conformity assessors use the standard’s test methods to verify compliance.
- Operators and facility managers (pools, water parks, rental businesses, event organizers) rely on the standard to inform safe installation, anchoring and user limits.
- Regulators and procurement teams reference the standard when specifying safety requirements for public or commercial water play equipment.
Related standards
- ISO 25649-1: Classification, materials, general requirements and test methods
- ISO 25649-2: Consumer information
- Other parts of ISO 25649 series (device classes A–C) for different product types
Keywords: ISO 25649-6, Class D devices, floating leisure articles, water trampolines, inflatable water park safety, test methods, residual buoyancy, anchorage, consumer information.