Why should I buy from an established company?
Experience has to be one of the main reasons. Jumbo developed its methods from long-term research and real world trials. Why buy from a company that is just learning its business, and uses YOU as a guinea pig?

Why does Jumbo have an inflated step on all its units?
We consider steps an essential safety feature and will not sell an inflatable without one! This gives a gentle step to ground level instead of a high drop. Even small kids can enter and exit the unit without an adult having to lift them in and out, avoiding back strain. As the child walks to the edge of the step, it becomes narrower, has less air pressure, and hence offers a gentle gradient to ground level. Some try to argue that a step is unsafe, but steps are NOT to be bounced on, and correct supervision will avoid this.

What is IPMA?
The Inflatable Play Manufacturers Association is a British trade organization dedicated to the advancement and safety of inflatable play structures. Jumbo is a founding member, and has pioneered and helped develop many of the safety requirements now in use by its members.

What happens if the power goes out?
When power supply ceases, the blower stops operating, and the air will gradually escape from the unit. This is not an abrupt effect however, and there will usually be plenty of time to evacuate the riders under good supervision. It IS however very important to stop bouncing immediately so that the riders do not "bottom out". Larger units also incorporate a non-return flap on the blower to lessen rate of deflation.

Can roofs be dangerous?
There is a concern that children could be trapped under a unit with a roof when the power goes out! However, inflatables hold a large volume of air, and do NOT sink to a flat state in just a few seconds! It takes several minutes for all the air to withdraw from the unit, so there is plenty of time for a supervisor to evacuate the children in an orderly manner. This is where good supervision can prevent 99% of potential problems before they occur.

Why are Jumbo’s netted windows and front safety nets laced and not sewn into the inflatables?
The easiest way to attach a net is to insert it into the seam during manufacture, so that it can be sewn-in. This method is of course cheaper to manufacture, which is why many manufacturers will use it. If a net should be damaged or worn, the seam will have to be unpicked and the unit dismantled and re-sewn to replace the net. Jumbo’s method of lacing-in nets is much more labor intensive during manufacture, and hence more expensive. However, the benefit to the operator of easy replacement and no down-time, are obvious!

Can I buy a front safety net to attach to the front of our inflatable?
Nets have to be requested at time of ordering because they are attached to special tabs that are sewn into the unit during manufacture. They cannot be applied to a unit that is not built for it. Nearly all units shown in our literature with open fronts can be ordered with front safety nets, usually at additional cost.

Do inflatables have to be anchored to the ground?
Anchoring with stakes or sandbags is ALWAYS required. This stops the unit from moving during use, and also extreme circumstances, prevents the inflatable from being turned over in the event of a sudden, violent gust.

What is used to anchor the unit?
18” stakes or sandbags are recommended. When being used on a beach, sandbags can be buried for extra security. They can also be tied to large trees or vehicles if no other form of anchoring is available.

I have seen many inflatables that only have anchors around the base. Why do you attach them to the upper parts also?
This is to control the upper part of the unit for a firmer installation, and also helps spread the load over more anchor points to lessen stress on each individual point.

IS the fabric flame retardant?
YES. Our fabric is flame retardant AND self-extinguishing, and conforms to BS5867 type B. Unfortunately some manufacturers do not offer flame retardancy.

What weight is the fabric?
18oz.

Some makers say they use fabric greater than 18oz. Is this better?
NO! The fabric INSIDE the material (the substrate) is the part that takes the stress. The tensile strength of this fabric is far more important for durability than a basic weight number.

Why does Jumbo’s inflatables have “strip protection” on the floor seams?
The floor seam is the highest-wearing part of any bounce. This not only receives stress as the kids bounce, but also receives abrasion and scuffing from the children’s’ feet. Because our seams are covered, they are not even exposed to wear, and this feature also helps spread the floor seams’ stress over a larger area. Each Jumbo floor seam features eight (8) rows of stitching.

How much does an inflatable weigh?
Each one varies according to its size and design. Typically, most party rental bounces weigh between 180lbs (82 kgs.) and 350lbs. (160 kgs.); obstacle courses can weigh between 250-700lbs. (115 - 320kgs.); big slides 500-1200 lbs. (230 - 545 kgs.).

How much space does a stored inflatable use?
This depends upon size and design. The usual party bounce will fold smaller than a child’s desk, and when stored upright (on its end) will use between 2 – 3 sq.ft. Larger units could be described as the size and volume of an office desk.

Can I use an inflatable inside a house/garage?
You can if it fits within the ceiling height! However, only small (preschool-sized) children should be allowed because taller children could hit their head on the ceiling. Inflatables can be erected inside any suitable building such as a gymnasium or church.

How long will a Jumbo inflatable last?
Longevity depends upon use and care. One can expect a party rental inflatable to last 5 -10 years depending upon location, hours used, care taken, weight of riders, maintenance etc. Careful maintenance and use will result in greater durability.

How long is the warranty?
12 months.

How safe is inflatable play?
With proper supervision, probably far safer than the average park playground! Risk can be minimized with attention to detail like no overloading, no mixing of child sizes, no flips, and no horseplay such as wrestling or pushing.

Can disabled people bounce in an inflatable?
We have no wish to preclude our friends with disabilities from the fun of bouncing and inflatable play. However, it must be recognized that this can be a very physically challenging activity; sometimes similar to bouncing on a trampoline, so it may not be suitable for some disabled persons. If in doubt, consult a physician. The following persons should not under any circumstances be allowed entry: pregnant women; individuals on medication; those with physical ailments, including wearing of casts, heart conditions, skeletal or muscular injury or pain; individuals under the influence of alcohol or drugs; any person who could be injured in any way by the strenuous activity likely to be undertaken.

I have seen some makers sell inflatables cheaper than you. Why is this?
Quality isn’t cheap! Although our products are competitively priced for similar quality products, a poorly made product can nearly always be sold more cheaply. Value for money is seldom the cheapest short term option, but years of ownership will prove that a quality product will outperform a poorly made one, and will in the long term cost less!

How do I clean the inflatable?
The secret is to KEEP IT CLEAN. If it is permitted to get very dirty, it will be far more difficult to get it back to “as new” condition. Best cleaning is frequent use of warm soapy water. If deep ground-in dirt is present, a soft nylon brush can be used, but be careful around artwork.

How do I keep my slide surface slippery?
We recommend the use of vinyl / leather safe polish such as “Pledge”. Conditioners like Armorall are not suitable, because they place an oily film over the surface that will be rubbed off after one or two sliders.

You have a lot of artwork on your inflatables. How is this applied and what is used?
We have a special vinyl paint that offers vibrant colors, and is hand-painted by our talented artists. This makes every Jumbo inflatable unique.

Will the artwork last?
Our special paint is very flexible, and will not peel or crack.

Can I choose my own color scheme and theme?
Yes. You can choose the design, color scheme and theme for your new unit.

My country has different voltage. Will the blower work?
Yes. We will supply the correct volt/Hertz blower needed for your country.

Who can repair inflatables?
If willing to try, anyone with heavy-duty sewing equipment can repair inflatables. In case of accidental damage they can be sewn, or patches can be sewn or heat-welded.

Do I need insurance?
It is recommended that every business should carry liability insurance. Whether it’s a party rental company, a gas station, or a department store, everyone should protect themselves with a general liability policy.

Can Jumbo give me advice how to start a new rental business?
Yes. Our book Renting Inflatables which is available free of charge to our valued customers, provides much information about how to start and run a successful rental business. Like a franchise, we can help with advice on marketing, equipment care, insurance referrals, sample rental contracts and much more. However, unlike a franchise, there is no charge for this; there is no minimum to buy, geographical restrictions, franchise fees or requirements on how you run your own business.

How do I transport an inflatable?
Depending upon the size of the unit, a van, minivan, pickup truck, or an enclosed or utility trailer can all be used to transport inflatables. However the weight of several units along with their blower fans, sandbags and sundry equipment can add up quickly. It’s important to check the weight and / or towing capacity of your vehicle to avoid overloading.

We hope that this information has been useful to you. If you have questions that are not covered above, for more information call us (+44) 01455 220886 or email sales@jumbo.co.uk.