Outdoor Inflatable Safety
Wind Safety Guidance for Bouncy Castle & Inflatable Hire
Wind is one of the most important safety considerations for any outdoor inflatable hire.
Rugby Inflatables follows recognised inflatable-safety guidance and uses local wind-speed monitoring to help ensure our outdoor equipment is operated within its permitted limits.
Every standard outdoor inflatable hire includes a suitable anemometer, wind safety and recording information, and guidance during handover.
Absolute General Maximum
24 mph
38 km/h
An outdoor inflatable must not be operated where wind or gust speeds reach the applicable maximum operating limit.
24 mph is a maximum, not a target. Some inflatables may have a lower manufacturer-specified limit, and use must stop earlier whenever conditions become unsafe.
The Most Important Rule
Never continue operating an inflatable simply because the measured wind speed remains below 24 mph.
Use must stop sooner if gusts, weather, movement of the equipment, deteriorating ground conditions or any other circumstance makes continued operation unsafe.
Why Wind Must Be Measured at the Inflatable
Weather forecasts and mobile applications are useful for planning, but they do not replace a live wind-speed reading taken at the actual hire location.
Buildings, trees, fences, walls and other structures can change local wind patterns and create sudden gusts.
✓ Measure Locally
Take readings close to the inflatable and installation area.
✓ Consider Gusts
Safety decisions must consider gust speeds, not only average wind.
✓ Keep Monitoring
Conditions can change throughout the hire and require repeated checks.
Wind Monitoring Included with Outdoor Hires
For standard unattended outdoor hires, we provide the equipment and information needed to help the responsible adult monitor wind conditions during the event.
🌬️ Anemometer
A handheld wind-speed measuring device is supplied with the hire.
📋 Wind Recording Sheet
A printed sheet is supplied for recording readings during the event.
👤 Handover Guidance
We explain how monitoring should be carried out before leaving the equipment.
✓ Initial Reading
An initial reading is completed as part of the setup and handover process.
Your Wind Safety & Recording Sheet
The wind sheet supplied with the inflatable provides a simple record of the conditions during your hire.
✓ Space for the initial setup reading
✓ A table for recording readings throughout the hire
✓ Guidance on normal monitoring intervals
✓ Guidance for increased monitoring as conditions change
✓ Instructions explaining when use must stop
✓ Hirer and Rugby Inflatables handover information
Your Responsibilities During an Outdoor Hire
After handover, a responsible adult aged 18 or over must actively supervise the inflatable and monitor weather conditions throughout use.
✓ Take and record regular wind readings
✓ Take additional readings when conditions change
✓ Keep the anemometer available throughout the hire
✓ Keep the wind record available
✓ Continue actively supervising the inflatable
✓ Stop use whenever conditions become unsafe
How Often Should Wind Speed Be Checked?
Under the monitoring process supplied with our hires, wind speed should normally be checked and recorded at least every 30 minutes. Monitoring must become more frequent if conditions begin to change.
Below 26 km/h
Continue normal 30-minute monitoring where conditions remain stable.
Changing or Gusty Conditions
Take an immediate additional reading and monitor more frequently.
Above 30 km/h
Increase monitoring to approximately every five minutes for at least 30 minutes.
38 km/h / 24 mph
The inflatable must not continue to be used.
Normal 30-minute monitoring should only resume once the increased-monitoring period has shown that conditions have reduced and remained stable.
Some Inflatables May Have a Lower Limit
The 24 mph / 38 km/h figure is the general maximum used for inflatable operation.
Where the manufacturer specifies a lower maximum operating wind speed, the lower limit applies.
Signs That Conditions May Be Changing
Visual signs can alert you to changing conditions, but they must never replace an actual anemometer reading.
✓ Dust or loose material being lifted
✓ Small branches moving more noticeably
✓ Trees in leaf beginning to sway
✓ Flags moving more forcefully
✓ Sudden gusts around nearby buildings
✓ Unexpected inflatable movement
Do not wait for obvious visual signs.
Use the supplied anemometer to measure the actual wind speed.
When Must Inflatable Use Stop?
Stop use immediately and remove all users if:
⚠ Wind or gust speed reaches the applicable maximum operating limit
⚠ A lower manufacturer-specified limit is reached
⚠ Conditions become gusty, unpredictable or noticeably stronger
⚠ The inflatable moves unexpectedly or appears unstable
⚠ Ground or anchoring conditions deteriorate
⚠ You can no longer obtain reliable wind-speed measurements
⚠ The anemometer is lost, damaged or stops working
⚠ Rugby Inflatables instructs you to stop use
Do not delay stopping use to finish a game, photograph, party activity or event programme.
Unable to Measure the Wind?
If a reliable wind-speed reading cannot be taken, outdoor inflatable use must stop.
Remove users from the equipment and contact Rugby Inflatables for advice. Do not resume use until safe monitoring can be restored and conditions are suitable.
Wind Isn't the Only Weather Consideration
Outdoor inflatable operation may also need to stop because of other weather or site conditions.
🌧️ Heavy rain
⛈️ Thunderstorms or severe weather
💧 Standing water or flooding
🌱 Deteriorating ground conditions
☀️ Excessive heat or hot surfaces
⚠️ Any other unsafe condition
Wind Monitoring Is Only Part of Outdoor Safety
Safe wind monitoring works alongside correct installation, suitable ground conditions, anchoring, supervision and ongoing equipment checks.
Secure Anchoring
Outdoor inflatables are secured into suitable natural grass or soil.
Setup Inspection
Equipment is checked before being handed over.
Operating Space
Suitable clearance is maintained around the inflatable and associated equipment.
Customer Handover
Important operating and supervision information is explained before use.
Quick Wind-Safety Guide
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Normal monitoring
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At least every 30 minutes where conditions remain stable
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Changing or gusty conditions
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Take additional readings and increase monitoring frequency
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Above 30 km/h
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Increase monitoring to approximately every five minutes
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Absolute general maximum
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38 km/h / 24 mph, or lower where specified by the manufacturer
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Unable to measure
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Stop use until reliable monitoring can be restored
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Responsible person
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Responsible adult aged 18 or over
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Our Approach to Outdoor Inflatable Safety
✓ Professional inflatable installation
✓ Secure outdoor anchoring
✓ Wind-monitoring equipment supplied
✓ Clear customer guidance
✓ £5 million Public Liability Insurance
✓ PIPA tested where applicable
Safety doesn't finish when we leave.
The information and monitoring equipment supplied with an outdoor hire help the responsible adult continue managing changing conditions throughout the event.