1. A. Each owner shall obtain the manufacturer’s operations manual and shall:

   1. (1) Read and become familiar with the contents of the manufacturer’s recommended operating instructions and specifications;
   2. (2) Keep the manufacturer’s operations manual on location with the inflatable amusement attraction; and
   3. (3) Provide a copy of the manufacturer’s operations manual, in English, to the Commissioner on request.

2. B. The owner shall set up and operate an inflatable amusement attraction in accordance with the following:

   1. (1) Owner requirements for setting up inflatables amusement attractions.

      1. (a) An inflatable amusement attraction shall not be operated when the maximum sustained wind speed is 15 mph or greater; or
      2. (b) When there are wind gusts lasting 3 seconds or longer with wind speed of 25 mph or greater in the immediate area where the inflatable attraction is being operated.
   2. (2) Anchorage points installed near an entrance or exit of an inflatable amusement attraction shall be connected in such a manner as to minimize the potential for tripping, abrasions, or other injuries;
   3. (3) Blowers and inflation tubes shall be positioned to prevent kinks or bends in the inflation tube; and

   4. (4) Inflatable amusement attractions shall be anchored or secured in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications or the following requirements:

      1. (a) The on-ground anchor weight used for inflatable amusement attractions shall be at least 75 pounds for bounce-type rides;
      2. (b) The on-ground anchor weight for slide-type rides over 15 feet tall shall be at least 500 pounds for each installed anchor position;
      3. (c) Anchors shall be used at all of the manufacturer’s required positions at all times for both indoor and outdoor use;

      4. (d) Each anchor must be:

         1. (i) At least 1 inch in diameter; and
         2. (ii) Solid in composition;

      5. (e) Anchors can be straight stakes, screw stakes, ground weights, or sandbag ground anchors, and must comply with the following:

         1. (i) If straight stakes are used, they must be at least 36 inches in length with at least 75 percent or more of the length in the ground; and
         2. (ii) The ends of the stakes should be covered to prevent a tripping hazard;
      6. (f) Tie-downs should be attached to a secure device or permanent structure and attached so that they cannot slip off the anchor during use;
      7. (g) Tie-downs should not be attached to motor vehicles;
      8. (h) Tie-downs should comply with manufacturer’s specifications or have a minimum tensile strength of 3,700 pounds or 370 pounds safe working load; and

   5. (5) Permanently erected inflatable amusement attractions shall comply with the following:

      1. (a) The manufacturer’s specifications;
      2. (b) The requirements of ASTM F2374-22.5.6.9.1;
      3. (c) The requirements in §B(1)—(4) of this regulation; and

      4. (d) If erected with stakes or bolts, the stakes or bolts shall be inspected prior to each operation to ensure:

         1. (i) Secure anchorage;
         2. (ii) No corrosion of anchorage; and
         3. (iii) No debris near anchorage.

3. C. Weather conditions and forecast for the zip code area where the inflatable amusement attraction is operated shall be:

   1. (1) Set-up monitoring.

      1. (a) Monitored prior to set up of the inflatable amusement attraction; and
      2. (b) Recorded in a written log as provided for in Regulation .12(D)(1)(b) of this regulation;
   2. (2) Monitored periodically during operations using a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio application or source similar in reliability.
4. D. Wind speeds shall be monitored prior to the set up of an inflatable amusement attraction and periodically during operation using an anemometer or other reliable method.

5. E. Operator, Attendant, and User Operating Requirements.

   1. (1) For an inflatable amusement attraction less than 15 feet in height, the owner shall provide the appropriate number of operators and attendants as specified by the manufacturer.
   2. (2) For an inflatable amusement attraction over 15 feet in height, the owner shall follow the manufacturer’s specifications as to the appropriate number of operators and attendants, but a minimum of one operator and one attendant shall be provided.
   3. (3) For an inflatable amusement attraction over 15 feet in height, the owner shall follow the manufacturer’s specifications as to maximum number of users.
   4. (4) If the manufacturer’s specifications do not provide the number of users, there shall be no more than two users on the attraction and two users in a queue at any one time.

6. F. General Owner Obligations.

   1. (1) An owner shall comply with ASTM F2374-22.7.4.
   2. (2) The owner shall ensure that the amusement attraction is positioned at a location so that the operator has a clear view of the user loading and unloading areas.
   3. (3) The owner shall ensure that a designated operator shall operate only one inflatable amusement attraction at a time.

7. G. Operators.

   1. (1) The owner shall ensure each inflatable amusement attraction:

      1. (a) Is under the direct control of an operator who has been trained in the operation of the assigned inflatable amusement attraction; and
      2. (b) Has the appropriate number of operators in the appropriate locations as provided for by the manufacturer’s specifications.

   2. (2) The owner shall ensure that a designated operator:

      1. (a) Does not operate any inflatable amusement attraction while under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
      2. (b) Knows the use and function of all operating controls, signal systems, and safety devices applicable to the inflatable amusement attraction;
      3. (c) Knows the proper user loading sequence and capacity of the particular inflatable amusement attraction being operated;
      4. (d) Remains stationed at the inflatable amusement attraction during operation;
      5. (e) Has control of the inflatable amusement attraction at all times;
      6. (f) Enforces applicable restrictions; and
      7. (g) Has no other distractions from the operator’s responsibilities.

8. H. Operator and Attendant Identification.

   1. (1) An owner shall issue to each operator and attendant identification that is highly visible.

   2. (2) The identification shall clearly indicate the following:

      1. (a) The title, that is, operator or attendant;
      2. (b) Either the name of the operator or attendant or an identification number; and
      3. (c) The name of the inflatable amusement attraction company.
   3. (3) Before issuing any identification, the owner shall train the operator and the attendant in accordance with §I of this regulation.

9. I. Operator and Attendant Training.

   1. (1) An owner shall comply with the requirements of ASTM F2374-22.7.8 regarding operator and attendant training;
   2. (2) An operator or attendant shall be trained on how to monitor the local weather including assessing the wind speeds using an anemometer or other reliable method; and
   3. (3) The owner of an inflatable amusement attraction shall ensure that the Inflatable Amusement Attraction Daily Inspection and Daily Pre-Opening Checklist is properly filled out and signed at the completion of the daily pre-opening program.

10. J. Daily Inspection Program.

    1. (1) An owner shall comply with the requirements of ASTM F2374-22.7.7, except §7.7.4.
    2. (2) Worn and damaged components shall be repaired or replaced immediately and before operation.
    3. (3) The owner of an inflatable amusement attraction shall ensure that the Inflatable Amusement Attraction Daily Inspection and Daily Pre-Opening Checklist is properly filled out and signed at the completion of the daily pre-opening program.
    4. (4) A copy of the Inflatable Amusement Attraction Daily Inspection and Daily Pre-Opening Checklist shall be provided to the Commissioner on request.

Authority: Business Regulation Article, §§3-204(c), 3-307—3-313 and 3-402, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: January 21, 2013 (40:1 Md. R. 20)

Regulation .01B amended effective November 1, 2022 (49:21 Md. R. 951)

Regulation .03B amended effective November 1, 2022 (49:21 Md. R. 951)

Regulation .10 amended effective November 1, 2022 (49:21 Md. R. 951)

Chapter revised as an emergency provision effective March 4, 2026 (53:6 Md. R. 285); emergency provision adopted effective May 11, 2026 (53:9 Md. R. 412)