What is a safe wind speed for inflatables? Some of the most serious accidents involving inflatables occur due to high winds.
The manufacturer or importer has a responsibility to make sure that all their inflatable products adhere to the safety standard with regard to anchor points.
- That each inflatable has enough anchor points.
- That each anchor point has the required strength to carry out its function.
You: The person who hires out the inflatable has also got a responsibility to ensure the inflatable is installed correctly by adhering to the EN14960 in your installation work method.
The basic rule is that inflatables should not be used in winds exceeding force 5 on the Beaufort scale:
https://www.met.ie/forecasts/marine-inland-lakes/beaufort-scale.
Inflatables should never to be used in winds exceeding 18 – 24 mph or 29-38 km/h.
Annual Safety Inspection
Your inflatable’s most recent annual safety inspection will have checked the quantity, strength and condition of your anchor points, so you don’t have to worry about this as you should already have your documentation (Annual safety cert).
You can see a full list of registered inspectors here on our website.
Your Responsibility as a Hirer
It is your responsibility to ensure your work method complies with the standard. You need to check the weather/wind forecast for your area for any indication of high winds.
A wind app on your phone will be of some use but cannot be relied on as you cannot be sure of the location of the source of the information.
The best way to measure wind speed is at the site of the installation with a hand held Anemometer. Some operators have taken the decision to leave an anemometer with each and every hire and collect it when picking up the inflatable.
If you get a general high wind forecast over the period of the hire then you should contact your customers reminding them of the forecast and advising to deflate the unit in strong winds.
It is important that you include in your hire agreement between you and your customer clearly laid out safe wind advice and what their responsibilities are.
Anchor Points
The standard clearly states that you must secure all anchor points on every inflatable at all times.
Your anchor pegs must be a minimum of 380mm long 16 mm wide and be rounded at the top. No more than 25mm should protrude above ground.
The anchor pegs should be inserted at an angle of between 45° and 30° away from the inflatable. The anchor peg, when inserted, must give a secure fixing and be capable of resisting a force of 165 kilos.
If you are in doubt about this, such as when in very wet soil or newly laid lawn the peg inserts without the need for a lump or sledge hammer – just by hand or foot pressure – then the fixing is not secure and you should not continue with the installation of the inflatable as it will not comply with European safety standard.
A Popular Misconception
Regarding the installation of inflatables on hard standing, one popular misconception is that you can use ordinary sand bags on each anchor point.
THIS IS INCORRECT
Each anchor point must be capable of withstanding 165 kilos of force and your average sand bag weighs about 15 to 25 kilos. So, it is plain to see you would need a van load of normal sandbags for just one hire.
To be clear: To secure an inflatable on hard standing the best method is drill & fix, or you can tie it to fixed structures such as weights or fittings already in the ground – if they are capable of withstanding the 165 kilos.
You can also use a vehicle or other movable machinery if such vehicle or machinery is immobilised and under the control of the operator.
Blowing away is one of the highest risks to inflatable users. Please be mindful of this and adhere to the standard at all times!
Protect that child, protect this industry!
