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Hiring a bouncy castle for a school event: safety checks and questions to ask

What to check before you book an inflatable for a school fair or fun day, based on HSE guidance, plus the questions to ask every supplier.

Why the checks matter

Bouncy castles and other inflatables are a fixture of school fairs, and most events go without a hitch. When things do go wrong, the causes are usually predictable: poor anchoring, high winds, too many children, or no one watching. HSE has published clear guidance for anyone hiring or operating play inflatables, and it applies to commercial hire, including for school and PTA events.

The good news is that a reputable hirer will expect your questions and be able to answer all of them.

Check the paperwork before you book

HSE says play inflatables should comply with BS EN 14960, the British Standard for inflatable play equipment. To show this, look for a numbered PIPA tag or an ADIPS Declaration of Compliance (DoC). Both can be checked on the PIPA and ADIPS websites. HSE warns that if an inflatable has neither, people's safety may be at risk.

HSE also says inflatables should be inspected each year by a competent person, and that any inflatable you hire should come with operating instructions.

  • A PIPA tag number or ADIPS DoC for each inflatable you are hiring, checked online.
  • Evidence that the annual inspection is in date.
  • A copy of the supplier's public liability insurance, checked to cover your date and type of event.
  • The supplier's risk assessment and the operating instructions, including user limits and the manufacturer's maximum wind speed.

Anchoring

Inflatables can be lifted by the wind, so anchoring is critical. HSE guidance says all inflatables must have at least six anchor points and all of them should be used. Outdoors, use metal ground stakes at least 380 mm long and 16 mm wide with a rounded top. Where stakes cannot be used, such as on a playground, use ballast of at least 163 kg per anchor point with suitable fixings. Improvised tying to fences or trees is not a substitute.

Tell the supplier what surface the inflatable will go on before the day. Grass, tarmac and indoor halls need different set-ups, and some schools do not allow stakes near buried services.

Wind and weather

HSE says no inflatable should be used in winds above 24 mph (38 km/h), and some have a lower limit set by the manufacturer. Wind should be measured on site with an anemometer, and readings recorded. HSE notes that smartphone weather apps are not reliable for this, and that if an anemometer is not available, the inflatable should not be used.

Agree in advance who makes the call to stop, and make sure that person has the authority to do so even when queues are long. If the weather turns, children should be cleared off and the inflatable safely deflated.

Supervision on the day

HSE says at least one suitably trained person should supervise each inflatable constantly. Ask whether the hirer provides an attendant or expects you to supply one. If PTA volunteers are supervising, the hirer should brief them on that unit's rules.

  • Keep to the user limit in the instructions.
  • Separate larger and smaller children, for example with set times for different ages.
  • No shoes, glasses or sharp objects on the inflatable, and no food or drink.
  • Make sure there are safety mats at the entrance and children can get on and off safely.
  • Keep the blower and its cable fenced off or out of reach.
  • Check the inflatable throughout the day for holes, sagging or anchors working loose.

Questions to ask every supplier

  • Can you send the PIPA tag numbers or ADIPS DoCs for the units we are booking?
  • Can you send your public liability insurance certificate and risk assessment?
  • Will you set up, check and take down the inflatable, and will you stay on site?
  • Will you provide a trained attendant, or brief our volunteers?
  • How will you anchor it on our surface?
  • Do you carry an anemometer, and what is the maximum wind speed for this unit?
  • What is the user limit and age or height range?
  • What happens if we have to stop or cancel because of the weather?
  • What power supply do you need, and how far from the socket can the blower be?

Finding a supplier

Our directory lists inflatable hire companies under fun days. Whoever you book, the checks above are the same, so apply them to every supplier.

Questions

What is a PIPA tag?

A numbered tag on an inflatable showing it is part of the PIPA inspection scheme. HSE advises looking for a PIPA tag or an ADIPS Declaration of Compliance, and checking it on the relevant website.

What wind speed is too high for a bouncy castle?

HSE says no inflatable should be used in winds above 24 mph (38 km/h), or lower if the manufacturer says so. Wind should be measured on site with an anemometer, not a phone app.

Can PTA volunteers supervise a bouncy castle?

They can if they have been properly briefed by the hirer on that unit's rules. HSE says at least one suitably trained person should supervise constantly.

Suppliers you might look at

Browse more in Fun Days & Fairs.

Sources and further reading

This guide is general information for UK schools, not legal advice. Always follow your employer's and local authority's policies. Last reviewed October 2026.