Windspeeds and safe setups
Ensuring the safe operation of bouncy castles is of utmost importance, and we are here to offer the procedures we operated during our 20 years hiring inflatables to the public. Hopefully this guide will show you what we did to ensure compliance with HSE regulations. Our goal was to prioritize the safety of both users and operators, and we have developed a comprehensive procedure to assist you in this regard.
Please remember that bouncy castles cannot be operated safely in windspeeds over 24mph. The technical reason is that this is the speed in which inflatables have been designed by the manufacturers. Exceeding this windspeed can cause stress that exceeds the required 165kN anchor calculations, leading to potential tearing of the PVC or bending of the D rings, resulting in severe safety issues.
There have been incidents where inflatables have come under so much stress that they have broken free, leading to tragedies and hirers being imprisoned for unsafe practices. So let's get this right.
Just because windspeeds are predicted to be higher than 23mph, it doesn't mean they will be. They can be higher or lower, and the HSE suggests that an app is not wholly reliable. The correct procedure is to use this data as a guide and attend the site for a formal reading. Only use an app for guidance and I always use the Met office as this is the app the HSE will use a s a reference: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
A back garden with 10ft fences, surrounded by a ring of 20 houses, will not have the same specific reading as a weather station located 5 miles away on the top of a valley, for example. So Met Office readings must be taken with a pinch of salt. In some areas, the weather station can be 20 miles away.
The correct procedure is as follows:
1 - Inform the clients in advance that there is a likelihood of high winds. Draft a lovely email to educate them and inform them that the windspeeds may be high, which can lead to cancellations or downtime throughout the day. Provide an explanation of how and why they must monitor and record the windspeeds.
2 - On the day, if hurricane-style weather with winds 20-50% above the safe 23mph limit is predicted, it's probably a good idea to cancel and not proceed on a blanket ban basis. However, I wouldn't take the same approach on an intermediate day as I really think you are letting your clients down.
Also, remember that wind gusts are what cause the vast majority of incidents. If windspeeds are predicted to be 12mph all day with gusts of 35mph, it's the 35mph gusts that count!
3 - If on the day, the weather speed is okay for most of the day but has a high spot, we would suggest delivering the inflatable as planned but subject to the following criteria:
- Visit the site and assess the topography from a wind point of view and carry out a suitable risk assessment.
- Record the windspeed at the venue using an anemometer, which can be purchased here: https://www.better-bounce.co.uk/category/accessories/1902/bb-1001-1x-anemometer-wind-speed-reader#BodyContent
- Record this windspeed on your hire agreement, along with the inflatable pressure reading required by the HSE. You can purchase one of these meters while you're shopping here: https://www.better-bounce.co.uk/category/accessories/4191/bb-1118-1x-digital-manometer-bouncy-castle-pressure-meter-with-calibration-certificate#BodyContent
- Please ensure that any device used is calibrated in line with HSE requirements.
- Leave a copy of the wind-safety-guide.pdf and the anemometer with the client and record the windspeed at regular intervals. Inform the client that if the windspeed climbs, the inflatable should be switched off for safety. Make sure they sigh this copy at the start of the hire.
- If there is a predicted high windspeed time on the Met Office app, for example, from 2pm to 3pm, it's a good idea to auto-schedule a text/email to the client at 1:30pm, reminding them that the windspeed is predicted to be high between 2pm and 3pm and advising that the inflatable should be switched off. Remember, in enclosed gardens, the actual speeds are likely to never hit this reading, but better safe than sorry.
- At the start of the hire when your ready to leave, the client is well informed with anemometer and windsheet in hand and happy. Always switch the inflatable off and leave it switched off as you leave. This switches the decision to operate in wind to the client and doesnt leave you open to litigation.
- At the end of the hire, please remember to collect a signed copy of the windspeed sheet as you may need to rely on this at a later date.
4 - If on the day, the site is not suitable, then it's really important to walk away.
Safety is paramount and must not be compromised at all. This system is not here to be abused. Its not mortally correct to leave an inflatable at 9am with 5mph wind speeds, knowing full well speeds will be at 40mph at 3pm for example. Thats clearly flouting the system.
In terms of financial remuneration, I always insist on a 50% deposit at the time of booking. This includes my site assessment. If I decide a site is unsuitable or windspeeds are too high, I rarely refund the deposit. The client must be reminded that we have attended the site, completed an investigation, and sadly, they are the ones choosing an outdoor venue in Britain, which has quite poor weather most of the time.
You will find that most clients are understanding, but you can't please everyone. Business is business. It would be lovely if we could not pay our storage rent, website costs, staff wages, overheads, phone bills, fuel bills, van payments, etc., because the weather is bad.
Summary
By following this procedure, you demonstrate your commitment to safety and create a secure environment for your clients. The combination of wind speed monitoring, proactive text reminders, and diligent recording of actions will help maintain a high standard of safety during bouncy castle operations and above anything else, if it doesnt feel right WALK AWAY!
Thank you for your dedication to safety and your commitment to providing exceptional service.
wind-safety-guide.pdf
*Disclaimer: As with all guides on our website, This guide is put together from our own experiences and does not constitute technical advice.
<< Return to news