BOUNCY CASTLES

The Lancaster Hall trustees allow the use of bouncy castles under the following conditions:

1. When booking, the hirer must declare that they intend to have a bouncy castle. This declaration will imply a commitment to make sure that:

  • The bouncy castle will be supervised at all times by an adult (over 18).

  • Public liability insurance will be provided either by the supplier or the hirer*.

2. Before the actual booking, the hirer must confirm that insurance is in place, and must be prepared to provide evidence for this.

The hall reserves the right to prohibit the use of the castle, or even to cancel the booking if appropriate evidence is not provided on request.

*PLEASE NOTE: The hall insurance doesn’t cover use of bouncy castles. The hall is only responsible for advising hirers  that they must put appropriate arrangements in place.

Any responsible supplier of a bouncy castle must have insurance, but often their public liability insurance will only apply if they are present to supervise the use of the castle.

If they are not present and their cover doesn’t apply, then the hirer is responsible for providing public liability insurance and for supervision of the castle by an adult over 18.

It is the responsibility of the hirer to investigate what cover is provided and when they should buy additional cover themselves.  Insurance for a one off event can be purchased. See details at end.

Supervision and Safety Instructions

These instructions have been provided by The Lancaster Hall insurance company. Hirers are required to follow these instructions.

  1. The castle must be adequately secured;

  2. Soft matting covering hard surfaces must be placed adjacent to the front or open sides;

  3. There should be responsible adult supervision, paying close attention to the children at play at all times during its use;

  4. The number of children using the bouncy castle must be limited to the number recommended in the Hire Company’s safety instructions. There must be no overcrowding;

  5. A rota system for different age or size groups should be operated together with the observance of any age limit of users (it is suggested that children over 10 years of age should not use the equipment);

  6. All children must be made to remove footwear, hard or sharp objects such as jewellery, buckles, pens and other similar pocket contents.

  7. Eating while bouncing or performing acrobatics must not be allowed.

Additionally, the hirer should ensure that the Hire Company (the supplier):

  1. Fully complies with the Health and Safety Executive Guidance Note PM76 – “The Safe Operation of Inflatable Bouncing Devices” (this important guide deals with all aspects of safety);

  2. Employs suitably experienced and trained adult personnel, where the Company are responsible for setting up, operation and supervision of the bouncy castle;

  3. Provides written evidence of a current Public Liability Insurance Policy with a Limit of Indemnity of at least £5 million. This insurance is to cover the liability of the Hire Company. Note that this is unlikely to extend to cover the hirer of the equipment.

  4. Provides written instructions about the safe setting up, operation and supervision of the equipment, and that the name and address of the manufacturer or supplier is clearly marked upon it.

Insurance

If you need to obtain party insurance which includes cover for use of bouncy castles, we have found

Please let us know if you find any others.