Carrying on with our series of articles to help you understand the European Safety standard, this week we look at setting up inflatables when indoors.
Different people have different ideas of what is required when setting up an inflatable indoors. Here we will explain what requirements the European standard EN14960-2019 has for setting up bouncy castles and other inflatables indoors.
Is the Site Suitable?
When setting up an inflatable indoors, it’s essential to ensure the location meets specific criteria. According to the European standard EN14960-2019, consider the following requirements:
- Floor Space: Ensure there is ample floor space for the inflatable and its fully extended blower tube. Additionally, provide at least 3.5 meters of clear space where users get on and off.
- Ceiling Height: The ceiling must be high enough to allow the inflatable to fully inflate without touching it or make sure users can not have contact with nany fittings such as lights. If there are any doubts about the ceiling height, stand by the blower during inflation and be ready to turn it off if any part of the inflatable touches the ceiling.
Does the Inflatable Need Anchoring Indoors?
The necessity for anchoring an inflatable indoors depends on its size and the size of its users. While inflatables won’t blow away indoors, they can still move across the floor or become unstable enough to tip over. Consider the following:
- Inflatables with a small base and high side walls are more prone to overturning, especially if users run from side to side or throw themselves against the sides. Such actions can cause the inflatable to tip over or move, potentially displacing the blower and affecting the inflation tube.
- Movement can also cause impact mats to shift out of position, leading to safety hazards. In one investigation, an inflatable’s movement caused the blower tube to bend, reducing pressure and resulting in a user impacting the floor. The standard emphasizes that all inflatables must have a sound and reliable footing and maintain a minimum safe working pressure.
- Use sandbags or similar weights on each anchor point to mitigate the risk of movement and turnover. Placing the blower on a mat can reduce vibrations and prevent it from moving.
Professional Responsibility
As a professional, it is your responsibility to make informed decisions regarding the setup of the inflatable. Larger inflatables are less likely to need sandbags due to their weight, but supervision is always essential.
Supervisory Duties
When installing and using inflatables indoors, the supervisor should perform additional duties beyond regular supervision, including:
- Periodically checking that impact mats remain securely in place.
- Ensuring the connection between the inflatable and blower tube is secure.
- Verifying that the blower tube is not bent and is positioned at right angles to the inflatable.
- Monitoring the inflatable for any risk of overturning.
- Ensuring sandbags are securely attached to anchor points and do not pose a trip hazard.
Conclusion
Protect the children and safeguard our industry by following these guidelines meticulously. Proper setup and supervision are crucial for the safe use of inflatables indoors.
Protect that child, protect this industry!
Contact The IIHF
If you have any questions at all regarding the inflatable industry in Ireland, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at the Irish Inflatable Hirers Federation. We’re here to help!
