Safety is crucial with your commercial inflatable. It’s always a good idea to check your pressure. Follow these easy steps on how you can measure air pressure of an inflatable using a manometer or Magnehelic pressure.
1) You will need the following tools: a manometer or a Differential Pressure Gauge such as a Magnehelic pressure gauge. These devices will measure the static pressure in water gauge (wg). The static pressure reading for each inflatable will vary depending on several factors such as the size of the inflatable, the age of the inflatable, blowers, power source, and if you are using extension cords.
2) Inflate your inflatable completely, and check that all zippers and drain vents underneath are tightly closed. Ensure you are using the correct size blower for the inflatable and your power source is sufficient for the blowers.
3) Unzip one of the deflation zippers just enough to insert the tube inside of the inflatable. Ensure the zipper and vinyl flap are as tightly closed as possible. You may use a manometer or a Magnehelic pressure gauge.
5) Document the reading in your maintenance log and compare it with the manufacturer’s recommendations for minimum static pressure.
6) You will also want to verify the CFM (cubic feet per minute) of the blower being used to ensure you are getting sufficient output. If the blowers CFM is correct but the static pressure reading is low there may be a problem with the stitching. Air is escaping from a flap or zipper, tear, hole, or stitching stretching over time and allowing more air to escape. Be sure to resolve the issue before operating the inflatable.
Don’t forget to check out our other How-To posts and check out our amazing commercial grade inflatables.