Health & Safety: Essential Information for Hiring Inflatable Party Items with The Party Doctors in Bedford & St Neots.

The Party Doctors has been proudly serving Bedford and surrounding areas with top-quality inflatables, bouncy castles, rodeo bulls, and other fun party equipment for over 20 years. We are committed to providing not just exciting and enjoyable inflatables, but also ensuring that safety is always a top priority.

In addition to working with private clients who hire items like combi-castles, inflatable slides, and garden games, we frequently collaborate with local authorities, schools, and corporate clients. They often hire larger items such as our assault courses, unclimbable ladder, and bungee runs. Safety is always at the forefront of our service, no matter the client or event.

For schools, businesses, local authorities, and councils, we provide easy access to important documents such as insurance certificates and risk assessments, which are available for download.

The Party Doctors adheres closely to the safety practices and guidelines set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who provide specific instructions for the safe installation and use of inflatable play equipment.

While bouncy castles and other inflatables can offer hours of fun, it's crucial that they are set up and operated correctly to avoid potential hazards. That's why we ensure all our equipment is installed according to BS EN 14960, the standard that outlines how inflatables should be manufactured, tested annually, and properly set up. We only source our inflatables from manufacturers who comply with these strict regulations.

Inflatable Testing

To comply with both HSE requirements and our insurance obligations, all of our inflatables are rigorously tested to meet current legislation. This testing process is similar to a vehicle’s MOT, providing assurance that the equipment is structurally sound and meets the latest safety standards.

Occasionally, updates in legislation mean that some inflatables may no longer meet the required safety standards. When this happens, we promptly remove the equipment from our hire inventory.

There are two recognised testing bodies for inflatables: PIPA and ADIPS. At The Party Doctors, we use the PIPA scheme, which allows us to offer complete transparency by linking to the PIPA database on our website. This way, customers can easily view and download all relevant testing information.

It’s important to note that new inflatables come with an initial 12-month test from the manufacturer. As a result, some new items might not yet display a test on our website, though many manufacturers include an initial PIPA test from the start.

Risk Assessments

According to the HSE, businesses are required to:

Identify potential hazards that could cause injury or illness
Assess the likelihood and severity of these risks
Take steps to eliminate or control the hazards

In line with these requirements, we conduct risk assessments for all of our inflatables and bouncy castles. These assessments are frequently requested by local councils and schools, so we’ve made them readily available for download on our website: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD RISK ASSESSMENTS

For private hires, we perform a visual risk assessment upon arrival. This assessment includes evaluating factors such as:

Safe access for our staff to the setup area
Suitability of the location for the inflatable
Safe power source placement without creating trip hazards
Weather conditions
Any other factors that could affect safe operation after setup

Public Liability Insurance

Although public liability insurance is not legally required, The Party Doctors carries full coverage to protect both our clients and our business. Our policy includes a £5 million indemnity, meeting the expectations of local authorities and schools we work with. Our insurance is provided by a leading industry broker, and documentation is available for download: CLICK HERE FOR OUR INSURANCE DOCUMENTS

Electrical Testing (P.A.T)

The HSE’s Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 mandate that any electrical equipment with the potential to cause injury must be maintained in a safe condition. Although annual inspection or testing of electrical appliances isn’t a legal requirement, all of our electrical equipment undergoes annual Portable Appliance Testing (P.A.T).

In addition, we visually inspect all electrical equipment during setup at events to ensure there are no exposed wires or other issues that could lead to injury. Many venues require copies of our P.A.T testing certificates, which are available for download: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD P.A.T CERTIFICATION

Additional Safety Measures - Including Wind Speed Limitations

Bouncy castles have come a long way since their invention in the late 1950s. Early versions were simple air-filled structures, but today’s inflatables are designed with user safety as the top priority, incorporating the latest technology, materials, and safety features.

When we deliver a bouncy castle or inflatable, we conduct a thorough visual risk assessment to ensure it’s set up in the safest possible location. Please note that this may differ from your preferred setup spot, but the decision of our delivery team is final.

During setup, our team will:

Ensure the setup area is free from debris and sharp objects
Verify the inflatable is stable and on level ground
Securely anchor the inflatable
Check blowers are properly attached and placed at a safe distance
Inspect electrical cords for any damage
Ensure the inflatable is free of tears, rips, or compromised seams
Leave the equipment fully inflated and operational

After setup, we’ll provide a safety briefing to a responsible adult, typically the lead name on the booking. We’ll explain how to safely inflate, deflate, and use the inflatable.

Wind Speeds & Weather

Sometimes, even on bright, sunny days, it may not be safe to set up a bouncy castle due to wind conditions. The maximum wind speed for safe outdoor operation of an inflatable is 24 mph, including gusts, which corresponds to Force 5 on the Beaufort Scale.

We rely on the Met Office for wind speed forecasts. If predicted speeds exceed 24 mph, we may have to cancel your booking for safety reasons. If winds are close to the limit, we’ll discuss options with you, which might include a site visit to assess conditions.

During your hire, we’ll provide you with an anemometer to measure wind speeds and a recording sheet to monitor wind trends. If wind speeds exceed the safe limit, we advise you to deflate the inflatable until conditions improve.

Wet weather can also pose risks, making inflatables slippery and hazardous. If rain is forecast, we may need to postpone or cancel the booking. In such cases, we’ll provide a full refund of your booking fee.

We’ll keep you informed in the days leading up to your event if weather conditions might impact your booking.