Reasons to Obtain a Water Slide Structural Evaluation

Water slides can be a thrilling experience for people of all ages, but it’s important to ensure their safety before anyone takes the plunge. Structural evaluations can be beneficial to help identify any potential hazards or concerns that could compromise the integrity of the slide, slide supports, and/or start tower. Here are some reasons to reach out to Ramaker for a water slide structural evaluation:

Splash Indoor Waterpark — Oswego, NY

Water Slides Degrade with Age

Whether an indoor water slide or an outdoor water slide, the structural integrity of the slide will degrade over time. Daily inspections and maintenance are requirements for all waterslides. Still, corrosive conditions exist, and degradation occurs due to outdoor elements including the sun’s UV light along freeze/thaw cycles (depending on the region of the country where the slide is located), as well as the chlorinated water flowing down the flume.  With indoor waterslide installations, the degradation is often worse due to poor air quality (chloramines) and high humidity in the space. Over time these factors will compromise the structural integrity of slide elements – whether constructed of steel, wood, concrete, or fiberglass.

Jay Peak Resort — Jay, VT

Local Regulatory Review Agencies Require Inspections

Some regulatory codes require that water slides be evaluated by a Professional Engineer regularly, the frequency of which varies based on local codes.  For example, the State of Wisconsin requires water slides be evaluated every 5 years with a copy of the report signed by the evaluating engineer kept on site for review upon request by an inspector.  Reach out to our team for guidance if you’re unsure whether your local regulatory review agency requires periodic water slide structural evaluations.

Jellystone Park Pine Lakes — Pittsfield, IL

The Waterslide Supplier Recommends Inspections

Depending on the manufacturer of your water slides, the O&M (Operation and Maintenance) manual will define specific requirements to ensure the safety of riders and operators.  Daily inspections by trained staff are critical and some manufacturers will recommend an occasional evaluation by a licensed professional depending on the ride type, material of construction, location, and age.  Many water slides have been in operation for 20+ years and the original construction material may be degraded beyond repair.  Consult your O&M manual for information or reach out to our team for a collaborative review to determine if a structural evaluation of your water slide should be scheduled soon.

Concerns will eventually evolve with the water slide columns and tower (including the foundations), flume support arms, tower stairs/handrails, and the water slide flume. Evaluation of the structural integrity of the entire system is essential to ensure the safety of visitors. By assessing a slide’s stability and structural integrity, potential hazards and weaknesses can be identified so appropriate measures can be taken to address concerns. Ramaker’s Aquatic and Structural Engineers have extensive water slide experience including the design of new, evaluation of existing, or engineering of repairs.

Ramaker partners with leading water parks and feature suppliers to deliver exceptional experiences that inspire guests to come back throughout the swim season and year after year. The firm’s continued involvement with record-breaking and cutting-edge water park attractions has positioned Ramaker as a trusted aquatics consultant for water park operators nationwide.

Planning for your water park’s future? Start a conversation with our aquatic design team.