Hiring a bouncy castle or other inflatable can provide hours of entertainment, but safety, certification and insurance should always be considered before making a booking.
The following answers explain what parents, schools, community groups, businesses and event organisers should check when hiring inflatable play equipment in Ireland.
Use the IIHF online directory to find insured IIHF member operators throughout Ireland:
Find an insured IIHF bouncy castle hirer
Full IIHF members must maintain appropriate insurance and current safety certification for the inflatables they operate.
Before confirming a booking, check that the operator is properly insured for inflatable hire and that the particular inflatable being supplied has a current Certificate of Safety.
Ask the supplier to email you:
The Certificate of Safety should identify the actual inflatable being supplied. A general certificate or a certificate relating to another inflatable is not sufficient.
You should also tell the operator where the inflatable will be installed, whether the surface is grass or hard standing, the available space, access restrictions and the ages of the intended users.
Inflatable play equipment that falls within the relevant legal definition and is made available for use by the public must have a current Certificate of Safety.
This includes most commercially hired bouncy castles, inflatable slides, combination units and obstacle courses. Different designs, including some sealed or water-based inflatables, may fall under different safety standards and must be assessed according to their individual characteristics.
The certificate must be issued by a Suitably Qualified Individual (SQI).
Read about the legal requirement for inflatable safety certificates
The certificate should clearly identify the inflatable being hired. Check that it contains:
The details on the certificate should correspond with the inflatable delivered to you.
Using an inspector listed by the IIHF provides additional assurance that the person has presented the required qualifications and insurance to the IIHF. However, customers should still check that the certificate is current and relates to the correct inflatable.
Find an IIHF-listed inflatable inspector
If you are uncertain about a certificate, contact the IIHF at info@iihf.ie or telephone 086 686 7514.
An inflatable certified under the current Irish regulatory system should display the prescribed Certificate of Safety Disc in a clearly visible position.
The disc should correspond with the current Certificate of Safety and help customers and enforcement authorities identify the certified equipment.
Some certificates issued before the commencement of the current Regulations may remain valid until their expiry under the transitional arrangements. A new disc should then be issued as part of the next certification.
Ask the operator to email you a copy of their current insurance certificate.
Check:
If you remain uncertain, contact the insurance broker or insurer using independently verified contact details. You may also contact the IIHF for assistance in confirming the status of an IIHF member.
Do not assume that an operator is insured simply because their website or social-media page says so.
The inflatable must remain under the constant supervision of at least one suitably trained and competent person while it is in use.
For a domestic hire, the responsible adult named in the Hire Agreement will normally accept responsibility for supervising its use after the operator has safely installed the inflatable and provided the necessary operating and safety instructions.
For a school, community, corporate or public event, the organiser and inflatable supplier must agree in advance who will provide supervision. The organiser may provide suitably trained attendants, or the inflatable operator may supply trained attendants as part of the hire.
The Hire Agreement should clearly record who is responsible for supervision. The person supervising should understand:
Weather conditions must be monitored throughout the hire.
A shower cover may provide limited protection from a light shower, but it does not make an inflatable suitable for operation in persistent or heavy rain. Water can make the entrance, exit and play surfaces wet and slippery. Rain may also create additional electrical and operating risks.
If conditions become unsafe:
Always follow the operator’s instructions and the manufacturer’s operating manual.
The maximum outdoor operating wind speed for an inflatable must never exceed 38 km/h or 24 mph, equivalent to Force 5 on the Beaufort scale.
Some inflatables have a lower maximum operating wind speed. The lower limit specified by the manufacturer must always be followed.
When an inflatable is used outdoors, wind speed must be measured at the site at regular intervals using an anemometer. Readings should be recorded.
A weather application, general forecast or visual observation is not an adequate substitute for measuring the wind conditions at the actual location. Gusts and local conditions can be substantially different from a general forecast.
If the permitted limit is reached, or conditions are becoming unsafe:
Always err on the side of caution. Inflatables being lifted or blown away by wind have caused serious and fatal accidents.
Yes, but only when the inflatable can be properly secured using an anchoring system suitable for the surface.
Every required anchor point must be used. Where ground stakes cannot be used, the operator must use properly designed and rated ground anchors or sufficient ballast in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the applicable safety requirements.
As a general safety requirement, each anchor point must provide resistance equivalent to approximately 1,600 newtons. This is approximately 163 kilograms of ballast at each required anchor point, not 163 kilograms divided between all the anchor points.
A few ordinary sandbags attached to the inflatable will not normally provide sufficient restraint for outdoor operation.
Suitable impact-absorbing mats must also be provided where a user could fall onto the hard surface.
Before booking, tell the operator that the inflatable will be installed on concrete, tarmac or another hard surface. The anchoring arrangements must be planned before the equipment arrives.
Generators and electrical equipment can be used safely when they are suitable, properly maintained and correctly positioned.
The operator should ensure that:
Fuel must be safely stored away from the inflatable, generator, users and sources of ignition.
The operator will need safe and unobstructed access to bring the inflatable, blower, anchoring equipment and mats to the installation area.
As a general guide, many inflatables require at least:
However, the exact clearance depends on the design of the inflatable and the manufacturer’s instructions. Larger slides, obstacle courses and combination units may require considerably more space.
The area should also be:
Provide accurate measurements and photographs to the operator before booking if space is restricted.
Raise your concerns immediately with the installer or inflatable supplier.
Do not allow anyone to use the inflatable until the concern has been properly addressed. If the equipment is already in use, stop admitting users and evacuate it safely.
Examples of warning signs include:
If you are not satisfied with the explanation or corrective action, do not use the equipment. Ask the supplier to make the installation safe or remove it.
Serious concerns involving an IIHF member may be reported to the IIHF.
Full IIHF members are required to:
The IIHF also provides its members with safety guidance, industry updates, compliance support and information about changes in Irish law.
Choosing an IIHF member gives customers an identifiable operator who has committed to the IIHF’s insurance and safety requirements.
The following answers explain the principal compliance requirements of the IIHF insurance scheme, arranged through Arachas and underwritten by Allianz.
This page provides general guidance for IIHF members. It should be read alongside the current insurance policy documents, IIHF Membership Terms and Conditions, Rules of the Insurance Scheme and Code of Conduct.
Members must:
Yes. Every inflatable under the operator’s control and used in connection with the insured business must be fully and accurately declared.
If an inflatable is purchased, borrowed, leased or otherwise added during the policy year, it must be declared and accepted for cover before being hired out or made available for use.
Failure to declare equipment or disclose relevant information could affect insurance cover and the handling of a claim.
If you are uncertain whether an item needs to be listed, contact the IIHF or Arachas before using it.
Contact the IIHF or Arachas and provide the required information before hiring out or using the inflatable.
The equipment must:
Do not assume that newly purchased, borrowed, leased or replacement equipment is automatically covered.
Certificate of Safety must be issued by a Suitably Qualified Individual (SQI) who satisfies the applicable legal and IIHF insurance-scheme requirements.
The certificate must:
Members must not hire out or make an inflatable available for use without a valid Certificate of Safety.
Yes. The current IIHF Default Hire Agreement must be completed and signed for every hire, including domestic, commercial, community and event hires.
The agreement should be signed by the person accepting responsibility for the equipment before the inflatable is made available for use.
A signed Hire Agreement provides a written record of the contract between the inflatable operator and the person, company or organisation hiring the equipment. It sets out the terms and conditions of the hire and clearly explains the respective responsibilities of the operator and the customer.
Completed Hire Agreements must be securely stored and retained for a minimum of six years.
es. A routine inspection must be completed after the inflatable has been installed and fully inflated, and before it is made available for use.
The inspection must be recorded using the current IIHF Routine Inspection Sheet.
The inspection confirms that important matters have been checked, including:
Routine inspection records must be securely stored and retained for a minimum of six years.
Relevant documents such as the routine inspection sheet. code of conduct rules of the scheme and hire agreements can be downloaded at the top of the members only section of the website https://www.iihf.ie/members-area/
organisation hiring the equipment.
It clearly sets out:
The agreement helps ensure that both parties understand their respective responsibilities before the inflatable is made available for use.
The completed Routine Inspection Sheet provides a separate record confirming that the inflatable was inspected after installation and before use. It demonstrates that important matters such as the condition of the inflatable, anchorage, blower, electrical supply, operating area, impact protection and weather conditions were checked.
Together, these documents help members to:
These documents are not simply administrative paperwork. They form an important record of the contractual arrangements, safety instructions, installation and inspection associated with every hire.
No. These are established requirements of the IIHF Membership and Insurance Scheme.
They are regularly highlighted to ensure that every member understands what is required and maintains appropriate records for every hire.
Safety certification is also a legal requirement under Irish law. It is not solely an insurance or IIHF requirement.
Signed IIHF Default Hire Agreements and completed Routine Inspection Sheets must be securely retained for a minimum of six years.
Records may be stored electronically, provided they are:
Members should use a consistent filing system that allows the records for a particular customer, inflatable and date of hire to be located quickly.
Failure to comply with the policy conditions or IIHF scheme requirements could affect insurance cover and the handling of a claim. It could also result in action being taken under the IIHF Membership Terms and Conditions or Rules of the Insurance Scheme.
Members should never wait until an accident or claim occurs to discover that required documents are missing or that an inflatable was not properly declared.
If you are uncertain about any requirement, contact the IIHF or Arachas before making the equipment available for use.
Full details are available through the IIHF website and members’ area, including:
Where there is any difference between this FAQ and the formal policy or scheme documents, the formal documents will apply.
Members should contact the IIHF or Arachas if they are uncertain about any requirement.
To request a quotation under the IIHF insurance scheme, you can contact the IIHF directly for assistance or complete the online Commercial Leisure Proposal Form:
Complete the Commercial Leisure Proposal Form
Once the completed form is received, the IIHF will review the information provided and, where appropriate, forward the application to Arachas for consideration.
All quotations and insurance cover are subject to the insurer’s normal underwriting requirements. Completing the proposal form does not guarantee that cover will be offered, and no insurance is in place until the application has been accepted, the required conditions have been satisfied and the premium has been paid.
Yes. Once you have received and accepted an insurance quotation, you can discuss the available premium-finance arrangements directly with Arachas.
Any finance arrangement will be subject to the finance provider’s approval, terms, conditions and applicable charges. Arachas will explain the payment options and provide full details before an arrangement is entered into.
Starting an inflatable hire business involves considerably more than purchasing a bouncy castle and advertising it for hire.
Before accepting any bookings, you must consider business registration, insurance, safety certification, equipment compliance, training, anchoring, weather monitoring, customer contracts and record-keeping.
These frequently asked questions provide an introduction for anyone considering starting an inflatable hire business in Ireland.
Before purchasing equipment or accepting bookings, you should:
For initial guidance, email info@iihf.ie or telephone 086 686 7514.
Yes. You must select an appropriate business structure and register for tax with Revenue.
You may operate as:
If you trade under a business name that is different from your own name, that business name may also need to be registered with the Companies Registration Office.
The structure you choose can affect taxation, accounting, personal liability and administration. You should obtain advice from a qualified accountant or business adviser.
Read Revenue’s guidance on registering a business
Read the Companies Registration Office registration guidance
You should not operate an inflatable hire business without appropriate public liability insurance that specifically covers inflatable hire and all the activities you undertake.
A general business, entertainment or events policy may not automatically include inflatable equipment.
Depending on your business, you may also require:
Always describe your activities fully and accurately to the broker or insurer.
You can contact the IIHF directly for assistance or complete the online Commercial Leisure Proposal Form:
Complete the Commercial Leisure Proposal Form
The IIHF will review the information supplied and, where appropriate, forward the application to Arachas for consideration under the IIHF insurance scheme.
All quotations and insurance cover are subject to the insurer’s underwriting requirements. Completing the proposal form does not guarantee that cover will be offered.
Yes. Once you have received and accepted an insurance quotation, you can discuss the available premium-finance arrangements directly with Arachas.
Any finance arrangement will be subject to the finance provider’s approval, terms, conditions and applicable charges. Arachas will provide the full details before an arrangement is entered into.
You should not hire out or make inflatable equipment available for use until:
Receiving an estimate or quotation does not mean that insurance cover is in place.
Yes. Every inflatable owned, borrowed, leased, hired or otherwise under your control and used in connection with the business must be fully and accurately declared.
Do not assume that insurance automatically covers:
Contact the IIHF or Arachas and obtain confirmation before making additional equipment available for use.
Failure to declare equipment or provide accurate information could affect insurance cover and the handling of a claim.
Before paying for a new or second-hand inflatable, obtain:
A low purchase price is not good value if the inflatable cannot be certified or insured.
Whenever possible, arrange for the equipment and documentation to be reviewed by a Suitably Qualified Individual before completing the purchase.
Yes, but a second-hand inflatable should be carefully inspected before purchase.
Do not rely solely on its appearance or on a statement that it “previously passed” an inspection. Check:
The seller’s certificate may contain ownership details that no longer correspond with the new owner. Obtain advice from an SQI or the IIHF about the inspection and certification required before putting the equipment into service.
Yes, but the purchaser or importer must ensure that the equipment is safe, properly documented and capable of satisfying the applicable Irish legal and insurance requirements.
Do not assume that an overseas certificate, CE marking, UK test document or seller’s assurance will automatically be sufficient.
Before importing, obtain the complete technical file and operating manual. The documentation should cover matters including:
Import duties, VAT and other customs requirements may also apply. These should be checked before calculating the true cost of the equipment.
Inflatable play equipment that falls within the applicable legal definition and is made available for use by the public must have a current Certificate of Safety.
This includes most commercially hired bouncy castles, inflatable slides, combination units and obstacle courses.
The certificate must be issued by a Suitably Qualified Individual and must relate to the particular inflatable being operated.
Do not hire out, advertise as available or make an inflatable available for use unless you are satisfied that it can be legally certified and insured.
Read about the legal requirement for inflatable safety certificates
The inspection and Certificate of Safety must be completed by a Suitably Qualified Individual, commonly referred to as an SQI.
An SQI must satisfy the qualifications, experience, competence and insurance requirements applicable to the equipment being inspected.
The IIHF maintains a list of inspectors who have provided evidence of the relevant qualifications and insurance.
The Certificate of Safety Disc is issued in connection with the inflatable’s Certificate of Safety and should be displayed in a clearly visible position on the equipment.
The disc helps customers, operators and enforcement authorities identify the certified inflatable.
The details on the disc and Certificate of Safety must relate to the actual inflatable. A disc must never be transferred from one inflatable to another.
EN 14960:2019 is the European safety standard covering inflatable play equipment within its scope.
It contains requirements relating to matters including:
Compliance is not limited to passing an annual inspection. The inflatable must also be correctly installed, anchored, supervised, maintained and operated every time it is made available for use.
Some inflatable products fall outside the scope of EN 14960 and may be governed by another applicable standard. An SQI should determine the appropriate standard for the particular equipment.
Anyone installing, operating or supervising inflatable equipment must be competent to perform their duties safely.
Training should cover:
Employing a person or asking a customer to supervise an inflatable does not make them competent. They must receive suitable instructions and understand their responsibilities.
Contact the IIHF for information about suitable operator and attendant training.
For every hire, IIHF members must use:
The Hire Agreement records the contract between the operator and the customer. It sets out the terms of hire, operating instructions and the responsibilities accepted by each party.
The Routine Inspection Sheet records the checks completed after installation and before the inflatable is made available for use.
These documents must be completed properly and securely retained for a minimum of six years.
After installation and full inflation, a routine inspection must be completed before anyone is permitted to use the inflatable.
Checks should include:
The operator must also continue monitoring the equipment, anchorage and weather conditions while it is in use.
Yes. An anemometer is required to measure the wind speed at the location where an inflatable is operating outdoors.
The maximum outdoor operating wind speed must never exceed 38 km/h or 24 mph, equivalent to Force 5 on the Beaufort scale. The manufacturer may specify a lower limit, in which case the lower limit must be followed.
Wind readings must be taken at regular intervals and recorded. A smartphone weather application or general forecast is not a substitute for measuring the wind at the actual site.
If the permitted limit is reached, stop admitting users, evacuate the inflatable and take it out of use.
Blowers, extension leads, plugs, sockets, generators and other electrical equipment must be suitable, properly maintained and inspected before use.
Applicable inspection and testing requirements must be followed, including portable appliance testing where required.
The operator should maintain records identifying each item of electrical equipment and its inspection or test history.
Electrical cables must be protected from damage, water, vehicles and trip hazards. Suitable electrical protection, including an RCD where required, should be provided.
A generator must be:
Fuel must be securely stored away from users, inflatables, generators and ignition sources.
Inflatables, blowers, stakes, mats and electrical equipment are heavy and require suitable transport and handling arrangements.
You should consider:
An inflatable stored while wet may develop mould, staining, material deterioration and unpleasant odours.
Possibly, depending on the size and type of equipment and the work involved. However, many inflatables cannot be safely handled, installed or removed by one person. Occasional help may be required
Consider:
If you employ staff, you will also have responsibilities relating to employment, payroll, training, supervision and workplace safety.
Your price must cover more than the purchase price of the inflatable.
Allow for:
Setting prices too low may make it impossible to maintain equipment, insurance and safety standards properly.
Social media can help promote the business, but it should not replace proper booking and record-keeping systems.
For every booking, record:
Customer information must be stored securely and handled in accordance with applicable data-protection requirements.
The IIHF offers membership options for established compliant operators and for people seeking guidance while preparing to enter the industry.
Full Membership is intended for operators who meet the IIHF’s insurance, safety-certification and scheme requirements. Only eligible Full Members are publicly listed as verified and insured operators.
View the IIHF membership options
You can also contact the IIHF at info@iihf.ie or telephone 086 686 7514.
Depending on the membership category, benefits may include:
The IIHF also represents the interests of responsible inflatable hire operators at industry and government level.
Yes. Seeking advice before purchasing is strongly recommended.
The IIHF can provide guidance on:
Obtaining advice early may prevent you from investing in equipment that cannot be certified, insured or legally operated.
Contact info@iihf.ie or telephone 086 686 7514 before making a substantial purchase.
