Temporary venue closures, seasonal shutdowns, or lease transitions often force indoor family entertainment centers (FECs) to leave their equipment idle for months. For park operators, an unmanaged, closed facility is a major financial risk.
This guide breaks down factory-standard practices for humidity management, anti-mold sanitization, and structural checks to keep your commercial soft play assets in peak operational condition until you welcome families back.
When indoor playground facilities are not used for a long time, it should be stored properly.
(1) Cut off the power supply. If the indoor playground facilities are not used for a long time, the power supply must be cut off to prevent accidents;
(2) When small amusement equipment is stored in the warehouse, it must be kept moisture-proof and anti-corrosion to avoid damage to the amusement equipment due to corrosion;
(3) The sanitation of the warehouse is very important. Good sanitation can protect the amusement equipment from corrosion by pollutants.
Therefore, when amusement equipment is not used for a long time, it must be treated as above to preserve the amusement equipment well and avoid damage.
Treatments for reusing indoor playground facilities
1) Cleaning equipment
Amusement equipment that has not been used for a long time may be covered with dust, oil, weeds, etc. Therefore, before reusing the equipment, first clean it thoroughly. Cleaning method: clean the oil and weeds on the surface of the equipment, use clean water and an appropriate amount of detergent, apply it evenly on the surface, clean the surface of the equipment with a brush, rinse it with water, and then let the equipment dry naturally. After it is thoroughly air-dried, lubrication and rust prevention operations can be performed.
2) Lubricating equipment
For amusement equipment that has not been used for a long time, the lubricating parts may age, corrode, and rust, and the lack of lubricant protection will affect the operation of the equipment. Therefore, before reusing the equipment, check the lubricating parts of the equipment to ensure that the lubricants they need have been applied and distributed in place. Use professional lubricants to apply, and for parts that are susceptible to contamination, it is best to cover and protect them so that they can remain lubricated even if they are not used for months.
3) Anti-rust treatment
Water vapor and organic pollutants in the air will cause oxidation and corrosion on the surface of the equipment. Equipment that has not been used for a long time is particularly prone to corrosion and rust. Therefore, before reusing the equipment, the outer surface and interior of the equipment should be treated with anti-rust. Using rust inhibitors to treat the equipment can effectively prevent the surface and structure of the equipment from rusting and corroding during storage and transportation. At the same time, the parts of the equipment should be kept well to avoid affecting the normal use of the equipment due to the loss of spare parts.
4) Equipment inspection
After the maintenance work on the indoor playground facilities after long-term non-use, it is also necessary to inspect them to ensure the safety and stability of the equipment. The inspection part includes: whether all parts of the equipment are complete, whether the equipment operates normally, whether the connectors are tight, etc. If not, they must be handled in time.
In summary, indoor playground facilities that have not been used for a long time require comprehensive cleaning, lubrication, rust prevention, and other maintenance measures. At the same time, before the equipment is reused, it needs to be inspected to ensure its safety and stability. In this way, the service life of the equipment can be continuously guaranteed, thereby providing users with a better play experience.
FAQ
Q: What is the biggest hidden risk to soft play equipment when an indoor park is closed for over a month?
A: The combination of trapped moisture and stagnant air is the primary threat to your assets. When the facility’s HVAC systems are turned off during a shutdown, humidity levels rise.
Standard foam cushioning and the undersides of multilayer plywood platforms will absorb this ambient moisture. If left untreated, mold colonies will form rapidly across the safety padding and underneath the PVC outer skins. This not only destroys the material integrity but creates severe hygiene compliance issues that can fail your local health department’s reopening inspection.
Q: Should we wrap the indoor playground structures in plastic sheeting during a long-term shutdown?
A: No, tightly wrapping soft play structures in non-breathable plastic sheeting is a common mistake that actually accelerates damage. Plastic wrap seals in existing moisture and creates a greenhouse effect inside the padding when ambient temperatures fluctuate.
Instead, leave the structures uncovered to allow maximal airflow, but ensure that all windows and external facility leaks are sealed. If dust is a primary concern, use breathable, lightweight canvas or cotton drop cloths over high-contact assets like ocean ball pits and slide exits.
Q: How should the main galvanized steel framework be managed during a prolonged facility closure?
A: While hot-dip galvanized steel pipes (such as the 3.0mm+ frames engineered by CJ Elite) possess high natural corrosion resistance, the mechanical connection points and fasteners require attention.
Before locking the doors, a maintenance technician should inspect all heavy-duty coupling joints, t-clamps, and baseplates. Wipe down any exposed, non-coated bolt threads and apply a thin layer of commercial anti-rust lubricant or marine-grade grease. This step stops localized oxidation caused by temperature drops and cold air pooling near the floor.
Q: What safety checklist should an operator follow on the week of reopening the playground?
A: Never open the gates immediately after a long closure. Your reopening checklist must include:
Structural Load Test: Manually check the tension of all structural vertical posts to ensure no shifting occurred.
Vinyl & Foam Audits: Inspect high-friction zones (slide entrances, climbing ramps) for any skin shrinkage or foam degradation.
Netting Integrity Check: Verify that no safety netting ties have dry-rotted or been damaged by pests.
Fastener Torque Check: Re-tighten all mechanical structural clamps. Running these checks guarantees your facility remains fully EN1176 and ASTM compliant from day one of operations.
