Garden & Venue Suitability Guide
Is Your Garden or Venue Suitable for an Inflatable?
Before booking with AW Inflatables, it's important to make sure your chosen setup area is suitable for the inflatable you've selected.
Inflatables must be installed on a safe, suitable surface with sufficient space for correct anchoring.
Checking your garden or venue before booking can prevent problems, delays or disappointment on the day of your event.
Not sure? Send us some photos before you book and we'll be happy to advise.
✅ Natural Grass – Our Preferred Surface
Natural grass is the preferred outdoor surface for inflatable hire.
It allows our team to securely anchor the inflatable into the ground using appropriate ground stakes.
The grass should be:
✓ Firm
✓ Reasonably level
✓ Well drained
✓ Free from excessive mud
✓ Free from sharp objects
✓ Free from underground hazards
✓ Large enough for the inflatable and its required safety area
The ground must be suitable for stakes to be driven securely into it.
❌ Unsuitable Setup Areas
Unless specifically agreed with AW Inflatables in advance, we cannot normally install equipment on:
❌ Steep slopes
❌ Waterlogged ground
❌ Extremely soft or muddy ground
❌ Uneven or unstable surfaces
❌ Half grass / half hard-standing areas
❌ Wooden decking
❌ Wooden pallets
❌ Raised platforms
❌ Loose or unstable surfaces
❌ Areas where suitable anchoring cannot be achieved
❌ Areas containing known underground hazards
We will not install an inflatable where our team believes the surface, anchoring or surrounding area makes the setup unsafe.
Concrete & Tarmac
Available By Prior Arrangement
Some inflatables may be suitable for installation on concrete, tarmac or another appropriate hard surface.
This MUST be agreed with us before your event.
Hard-standing installations require a suitable method of anchoring.
Where appropriate, this may involve drilling anchor points into the surface.
Hard Surface Setup Charge: £30 Per Inflatable
The property owner or person responsible for the site must give permission for drilling before installation.
If permission cannot be obtained or appropriate anchoring cannot be achieved, we may be unable to install the inflatable.
Not every inflatable or hard surface will necessarily be suitable.
Artificial Grass
Available By Prior Arrangement
We may be able to install selected inflatables on artificial grass where the surface and ground underneath are suitable.
To correctly anchor the inflatable, our team may need to drive stakes through the artificial grass and into the ground below.
Artificial Grass Setup Charge: £30 Per Inflatable
By requesting installation on artificial grass, the customer must ensure they have permission for the required anchoring method.
Staking artificial grass may result in holes, cuts, marks or other damage to the surface.
If you do not want stakes driven through your artificial grass, please tell us before booking.
We cannot simply leave an inflatable inadequately anchored to protect the surface.
Safety and correct anchoring always come first.
Paving Slabs & Patios
Paving slabs and patio areas are not automatically suitable for inflatable installation.
Do not assume that because an area is flat, we can install an inflatable on it.
The inflatable still requires an appropriate anchoring system.
Please contact us before booking if your proposed setup area consists of:
• Paving slabs
• Patio slabs
• Block paving
• Driveways
• Other hard landscaping
We will advise whether installation may be possible.
Soil
Firm soil may be suitable where our team can safely and securely install the required anchors.
The ground must not be excessively:
• Soft
• Loose
• Waterlogged
• Uneven
• Muddy
Please tell us before booking if the inflatable will be positioned primarily on soil rather than grass.
Gravel & Loose Surfaces
Gravel and other loose surfaces require prior approval.
Suitability will depend on factors including:
• The depth of the gravel
• The surface underneath
• Whether suitable anchoring can be achieved
• Ground stability
• The inflatable being hired
Please contact us before booking.
Slopes & Uneven Gardens
Inflatables require a reasonably level setup area.
A very slight gradient may sometimes be acceptable, but steep or unsuitable slopes will be refused.
The direction and severity of the slope can affect:
• Inflatable stability
• User safety
• Anchoring
• Entrances and exits
• Slides
• Internal play areas
If your garden slopes and you're unsure whether it is suitable, send us photographs before booking.
Check for Underground Services
Before we drive stakes into the ground, you should tell us about any known underground services or obstacles within the proposed setup area.
These may include:
⚠️ Electrical cables
⚠️ Water pipes
⚠️ Gas services
⚠️ Drainage
⚠️ Irrigation systems
⚠️ Garden lighting cables
⚠️ Other underground services
If you're aware of anything underneath the proposed setup area, tell us before installation begins.
Make Sure You Have Enough Space
The advertised dimensions of an inflatable are not necessarily the total amount of space required for installation.
Additional room may be needed for:
• Safety mats
• Blowers
• Blower tubes
• Anchoring points
• Safety areas
• Entrances and exits
• Access around the equipment
Never measure only the inflatable itself.
Check the full space requirements shown on the individual product page or contact us if you're unsure.
Don't Forget Height
For indoor venues, garages, covered areas and other restricted-height locations, you must also check the available ceiling height.
We have a dedicated selection of low-height inflatables suitable for many indoor venues.
Please check both:
Floor Space
and
Ceiling Height
before booking.
Access to the Setup Area
Having enough garden space isn't enough if we can't physically get the equipment there.
Please consider:
✓ Gate width
✓ Pathway width
✓ Steps
✓ Narrow passages
✓ Side access
✓ Doorways
✓ Corridors
✓ Vehicle access
✓ Distance from our vehicle
Large inflatables can be extremely heavy when packed.
If access is restricted, please tell us before booking.
💨 Weather & Wind Safety
Outdoor inflatable hire is always subject to suitable weather conditions.
Inflatables must not be operated where wind speeds or gusts exceed 24mph.
Some equipment or locations may require operation to stop at a lower wind speed.
Our team will consider:
• Forecast wind speeds
• Wind gusts
• Site exposure
• Ground conditions
• Rainfall
• Local conditions
• Individual equipment requirements
AW Inflatables may refuse installation, suspend use or require equipment to be deflated where conditions are considered unsafe.
Safety decisions made by our team are final.
Waterlogged & Wet Ground
Even when the weather is dry on the day of your event, previous rainfall can leave a garden unsuitable.
If the ground is excessively:
• Wet
• Muddy
• Waterlogged
• Soft
• Unstable
we may be unable to achieve safe anchoring.
Where we're unable to safely install the equipment, the setup may be refused.
Please Check the Area Before We Arrive
Before your delivery, please make sure the agreed setup area is:
✓ Clear of garden furniture
✓ Clear of toys
✓ Clear of trampolines where they obstruct the setup area
✓ Clear of play equipment
✓ Clear of animal waste
✓ Clear of rubbish
✓ Free from sharp objects
✓ Accessible to our team
✓ Ready for installation
This helps us complete your setup safely and on time.
Final Suitability Is Assessed on Arrival
Photographs, measurements and information provided before your event can help us advise you, but they cannot always show every condition present on the day.
The final decision on whether an inflatable can be safely installed remains with the AW Inflatables team attending your event.
If the surface, space, access, anchoring or surrounding conditions are unsuitable, we reserve the right to refuse installation.
Where installation cannot take place because the customer or venue has provided an unsuitable area, applicable hire charges may remain payable in accordance with our Terms & Conditions.
Not Sure About Your Garden or Venue?
Send Us Some Photos 📸
If you're unsure whether your setup area is suitable, please contact us before booking.
Send us clear photographs showing:
📸 The full setup area
📸 The ground surface
📸 Any slopes
📸 Access gates and pathways
📸 Any potential obstacles
It can also be helpful to send us the approximate measurements of the available area.
For larger events or unusual locations, we may recommend a Site Inspection & Event Site Survey.
Contact AW Inflatables
📞 01934 611752
📞 01275 338601
📧 enquiries@awinflatables.co.uk
🌐 www.awinflatables.co.uk
📩 Contact AW Inflatables
AW Inflatables – Professional Inflatable Hire Since 2010
Suitable Ground • Correct Anchoring • Safe Installation • Professional Service