Bouncy castle safety checks before you book

A good hire company will happily answer every question on this page. If one won't, book a different one.

Updated 7 October 2026

Five questions to ask the hire company

  1. What is the PIPA tag number (or ADIPS certificate) for the castle I'm booking? Then check it yourself on the PIPA website.
  2. Can I see your public liability insurance certificate, and is this castle on it?
  3. How will you anchor it? On grass, with stakes at every anchor point; on hard ground, with heavy weights.
  4. What's your bad-weather policy? See the weather guide.
  5. How many children can use it at once, and what ages is it for?

PIPA tags and inspections

PIPA, the Professional Inflatable Play Association, runs the UK's main safety inspection scheme for inflatables. A castle that passes is tagged and registered, then re-inspected every year. Its tag is like a registration plate: type the number into the "Check a tag" box on pipa.org.uk to see the latest report. HSE says most play inflatables carry a numbered PIPA tag or an ADIPS declaration of compliance.

ADIPS (the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme) is the other scheme. It covers fairground rides as well as inflatables, and its certificates can be checked on adips.co.uk. Either is fine.

Inflatables are built to a published standard, BS EN 14960-1:2019, which PIPA inspections are based on. 39 of the companies we list mention PIPA testing on their websites, but always check the tag for the castle you're booking.

Insurance

There is no legal minimum for public liability insurance. Of the 54 companies on Bouncemap that publish a figure, 44 say £5 million and 10 say £10 million. PIPA advises asking what cover a company has and whether the specific inflatable is on its insurance schedule. One Surrey firm's FAQ says its cover doesn't protect the hirer for misuse, so check your own household policy too.

Setting up safely

  • Anchoring. HSE guidance says every anchor point should be used, with at least six, using metal stakes at least 380 mm long on grass. On hard ground, each anchor point needs at least 163 kg of weight instead.
  • Safety mats go at the entrance, and soft matting is needed wherever someone could fall onto hard ground.
  • The blower must stay on the whole time and be kept clear of children.
  • Wind and rain: HSE guidance says stop above 24 mph, and BIHA's code says not to use a castle in heavy rain.

Rules for the day

  • An adult supervises at all times, and can't do anything else while they're on duty.
  • Keep bigger and smaller children apart: take turns by age or size, and don't let adults on with children.
  • No shoes, glasses, jewellery or anything sharp in pockets.
  • No food, drink or sweets on the castle.
  • No somersaults, climbing the walls, or hanging off the sides.
  • Stick to the maximum number of users on the castle's label.

Find hire companies in your town

Each town page lists the companies that say they deliver there, with their phone numbers and websites, so you can ask them the questions above.

Common questions

What is a PIPA tag?

PIPA, the Professional Inflatable Play Association, runs the main UK inspection scheme for inflatables. Each inflatable that passes gets a numbered tag, and you can type the number into the PIPA website to see its latest inspection report. Inflatables need inspecting every year.

Is PIPA testing a legal requirement?

PIPA itself says it is not law. What matters is that the inflatable is inspected every year by a competent person, and PIPA and ADIPS are the two schemes HSE guidance names for that. A PIPA tag or ADIPS certificate is the easiest proof.

How much insurance should a hire company have?

There is no legal minimum for public liability insurance. Of the companies on Bouncemap that publish a figure, 44 of 54 say £5 million and 10 say £10 million. Ask to see the certificate, and whether the castle you're booking is covered.

Sources

Checked 7 October 2026. Hire companies' own policies are given as examples of common practice, not rules.