At Niagara Inflatables and Games, safety is our first priority. In Ontario, did you know that inflatables are governed by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)? Any inflatable used at a public event must be TSSA licensed, set up by a TSSA trained mechanic employed by a TSSA certified company with TSSA mechanics on staff. Yes, it is quite a mouthful, but at Niagara Inflatables and Games, we take this very seriously. Public event is any event held by a municipality, festival, corporate, church, school or even a private party held at a public venue or having more than 100 guests.

 

All events requiring TSSA certification and licensing are subject to a 25% TSSA fee. This helps cover the annual membership, and annual inspection of each inflatable, as well as the training and certification of our employees.

 

It is easy to hire a company that does not know of TSSA rules, and that can put you at risk of liabilty in the case of an accident. Protect yourself as an event planner and protect your guests by taking the time to be sure a company is TSSA certified with TSSA licensed units. Ask to see their TSSA licence, be sure it is up to date, and most important, ask to see the TSSA certificate for each inflatable you wish to rent. They will look like our license and certificate below. If you have any questions on TSSA, you can TSSA toll free at 1-877-682-TSSA (8772), or give us a quick call and we would be happy to answer any questions.

 

We carry 5 million dollars in liability insurance for your protection.

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The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) plays a crucial role in ensuring safety within Ontario's inflatable amusement device industry. Here's a summary of their key functions:

• Developing and Enforcing Regulations: The TSSA creates and enforces safety regulations specifically for inflatable amusement devices, such as bouncy castles and inflatable slides. These regulations cover aspects like design, manufacturing, inspection, and operation.

• Inspections and Audits: TSSA inspectors conduct regular inspections of inflatable devices and the facilities that operate them. They check for compliance with safety standards and identify potential hazards. They also audit owners/operators to ensure proper maintenance and operational procedures are followed.

• Licensing and Registration: The TSSA is responsible for licensing operators and registering inflatable amusement devices. This ensures that only qualified individuals and safe equipment are operating in Ontario.

• Incident Investigation: In the event of an incident or accident involving an inflatable device, the TSSA investigates to determine the cause and recommend preventative measures to avoid future occurrences.

• Education and Outreach: The TSSA provides resources, guidelines, and educational materials to owners, operators, and the public to promote awareness of safe practices and regulatory requirements for inflatable amusement devices.

• Training and Certification: They may also be involved in establishing standards for the training and certification of individuals who inspect, maintain, or operate inflatable amusement devices.

Essentially, the TSSA acts as a safety watchdog for the inflatable amusement device industry in Ontario, aiming to prevent injuries and ensure that these devices are safe for public use.

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The safety benefits provided by the TSSA for inflatables in Ontario are comprehensive and directly contribute to protecting the public, especially children, from potential hazards. Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Reduced Risk of Structural Failure:

   • Design and Manufacturing Standards: TSSA mandates that inflatable amusement devices meet specific engineering and manufacturing standards. This includes requirements for material strength, stitching integrity, anchor points, and overall structural stability.

   • Benefit: This prevents catastrophic failures like seams ripping, rapid deflation, or structural collapse during use, which could lead to severe injuries from falls or entanglement.

2. Prevention of Overcrowding and Improper Use:

   • Operational Requirements: TSSA regulations often include guidelines for safe operation, such as maximum occupancy limits based on age and size, and requirements for adequate supervision by trained personnel.

   • Benefit: This reduces the risk of collisions, falls, and crushing injuries that can occur when too many people are on an inflatable at once, or when users engage in unsafe behaviors without supervision.

3. Protection Against Entrapment and Falls:

   • Design Specifications: Regulations address features like wall heights, netting, and entry/exit points to prevent users from falling off the device or becoming entrapped in its structure.

   • Benefit: Minimizes the risk of injuries from falls onto hard surfaces surrounding the inflatable, or from limbs getting caught in gaps or openings within the device.

4. Ensuring Proper Installation and Anchoring:

   • Installation Protocols: TSSA guidelines specify how inflatables must be set up, including requirements for secure anchoring systems (stakes, sandbags, etc.) appropriate for the device's size and expected wind conditions.

   • Benefit: Prevents inflatables from tipping over or being lifted by wind gusts, which can cause serious injuries to occupants and bystanders.

5. Minimizing Electrical Hazards:

   • Blower and Electrical System Standards: Regulations cover the electrical components, particularly the blowers used to inflate the devices, ensuring they are properly rated, maintained, and safely positioned to prevent electrical shocks or fires.

   • Benefit: Protects users and operators from electrical accidents.

6. Regular Maintenance and Inspection:

   • Mandatory Inspections: TSSA requires regular inspections by qualified individuals (sometimes TSSA inspectors themselves, or certified third parties) to check for wear and tear, damage, and compliance.

   • Benefit: Identifies and addresses potential issues like worn fabric, compromised seams, or malfunctioning blowers before they lead to an incident, ensuring the device remains in a safe operating condition.

7. Accountability and Public Confidence:

   • Licensing and Registration: By licensing operators and registering devices, the TSSA creates a system of accountability. Operators know they must meet standards to retain their license, and consumers can have greater confidence that registered devices have met safety requirements.

   • Benefit: Encourages operators to prioritize safety, knowing they are subject to oversight. It also gives the public peace of mind that the inflatables they use have been vetted for safety.

8. Rapid Response to Safety Concerns:

   • Incident Investigation: When incidents occur, TSSA investigations help identify root causes and lead to recommendations or changes in regulations to prevent similar future events.

   • Benefit: Ensures continuous improvement in safety standards, learning from past incidents to make the industry safer over time.

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