To enable you to get the best out of your inflatable and to help operate it as safely as possible we have prepared basic guidelines which are offered without prejudice to help make operating more of a pleasure than a chore.

COMMON SENSE RULES
Remember safety is of paramount importance, a sensible initial approach will save problems later.

OPERATOR SUPERVISION
A responsible person capable of exercising authority over children should supervise the use of the equipment at all times, with an attendant to control the public into and out of the enclosure. These attendants must be on duty at all times when the equipment is in operation.

Setting Up
Preferably select a level of grassed area. Check for sharp objects, stones, glass etc., these could cause damage to the user and also to the equipment. Place a groundsheet down, where you intend to operate, roll and spread out your inflatable. Stake down the unit by the anchorage system provided with your inflatable. At this stage do not over tighten anchorage ropes; these will need final adjustments once the inflatable is fully inflated.

Connect blower to inflation tube by the strap provided, making sure that the tube will not slip off in use. Tie off deflation tubes or close deflation zips – all tubes are normally placed at the rear of the unit. Secure tightly to deter mischievous fingers. To reduce the risk of electrocution, always use RCD (residual current device) adapter or mains with a built in RCD when operating an electric blower.

Do not inflate the unit until you have placed your crowd control barriers in position. Inflating always attracts spectators. Place your control barrier around the inflatable at a distance of 6-8 feet (1.8m-2.5m) from any walled side of the unit and 12-15 feet (3.5m-4m) from any open side i.e. front of unit. A gateway approximately 3 feet (1m) in width is sufficient for user access and control. Height of barrier minimum 3 feet (1m). This will give you a clear operating and supervision area free of spectators.

Keep part of the groundsheet or lay an additional groundsheet to the front of the inflatable to keep children’s socks clean, also your bouncer. It is suggested that footwear be removed by the users outside the barrier plot to payment in order to reduce congestion.

Test blow, keeping constant observation on all anchorage points for being too tight. As the unit inflates, the base mattress will draw in to enable it to form shape and depth. When fully inflated, readjust ropes, etc. where necessary. Allow little movement on anchorage for the inflatable to operate correctly. Over tightening of anchor ropes will eventually cause damage. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.

NEVER, EVER OPERATE, AT ANY TIME WITHOUT SECURING DOWN THE INFLATABLE.

SAFETY CRASH MATS
Protect the access at all times and egress areas with foam mats, minimum depth 1 inch (2.5cm) thick and 4 feet (1.25m) wide.

OPERATING ON HARD SURFACES
If you can not drive anchor stakes into the ground, utilise vehicles or very heavy objects to secure to i.e. ballast bags etc.

OPERATING
The system of entry ensures that the users are admitted on payment into the inflatable enclosure in a controlled and safe manner. The operator should ensure that all children have removed their footwear and any sharp or dangerous objects from their person, such as pens, buckles, badges, purses etc. Spectacles are best removed.

Do not allow children to bounce and play on the step. The step is to assist the children in getting on and off. Do not allow the children to climb or hang on or over the walls. At the start of a session make sure the children go on in an orderly manner, not a stampede.

The operator must watch the activity on the inflatable continuously using a whistle or other device and take immediate action at the first sign of any misbehaviour, keeping an eye on the safety and well-being of all the children, especially the smaller, more timid ones.   Tough horseplay should not be allowed at all, persistent offenders should be made to leave the inflatable.

Larger, more boisterous children should be segregated from smaller ones.

The number of users at any one time should be limited to that figure which allows each child enough room to play safely.  Since larger children need more room to play, it follows that their numbers should be significantly less than the number of small children allowed on.

NEVER ALLOW ADULTS AND CHILDREN TO USE THE BOUNCER AT THE SAME TIME.
It is the responsibility of the operator to ensure that the equipment is not overloaded to the detriment of the users’ safety.  There is no hard and fast rule of how many children they will hold, children vary so much in size, weight, age and size of the unit.  This is a time when common sense and experience must take priority for safety.

BLOWER OR POWER FAILURE
Should you be unfortunate and experience a power failure, the suggested procedure to act on immediately is as follows:-

1.         Blow whistle hard and loud to attract the attention of al users.
2.         Insist that they sit down and not move around until told to.   
3.         Discourage anxious parents from taking any actions to go on, to fetch      
             their children off, this will only make the problem worse.
4.         Once the inflatable has settled, instruct the children to get off in a  
            careful, orderly manner, not all at once.  Keep talking to the children all 
             the time to keep them calm, do not let anyone panic, especially parents.
            The bouncer will not hurt anyone as it comes down, panic will.

BLOWER STILL RUNNING, UNIT SEEMS TOO SOFT AND FLOPPY
Check blower air intake grill for paper, polythene, etc.  Debris blowing around can
become stuck over the air intake grill and reduce its efficiency.

MINOR REPAIRS
Small tears, cuts, holes, etc. can be quickly repaired by fixing a patch to the
affected area.  Round all corners of the patch to discourage picking off by the
users.  If you have serious problems contact the manufacturer immediately.

TRAINING
Every operator should be given full and sufficient training in the working of the inflatable.

This should include adequate instructions on:

a.         The method of setting up and anchoring down.
b.         The method of operating the ride.
c.         The system of work necessary to ensure the safety of users and members
             of the public.
d.         Risks and precautions associated with the work.
e.         Procedures for attending to breakdowns or reporting defects.
f.          How to make a daily inspection of the ride.

INSPECTION
Daily inspection should be carried out before the first use of the day.  The inspection should include the following:-

a.         Check that all anchor points are intact and not damaged.
b.         Check that anchor ropes are not worn, chaffed, loose or missing.
c.         Check anchor stakes and their locations remain sound for continued use.
d.         Check that the wall to tower fixings are not torn or damaged.
e.         Check that there are no holes or rips in the surface or seams of the base
             mattress and step.
f.          When fully inflated, check that all walls, towers where fitted are firm and
             upright, that the operating pressure in the unit is sufficient to give a
             reliable and firm structure.
g.         Check the blower for the exposed wires, loose bolts, screws etc.
h.         Check that the inflation tube to blower is good.
i.          Check that deflation points are closed and secure.

END OF THE DAY FOLDING AND PACKING AWAY
Before deflating, make sure no-one is on the inflatable.  We suggest you do not remove your crowd control barrier until you have rolled up the inflatable, this will discourage children trying to jump on the inflatable whilst it is deflating.

Method:-

a.         Switch off the power.
b.         Open deflation tubes and or zip flaps.
c.         Disconnect blower tube.
d.         Stretch out the deflated unit.
e.         Lay the side towers and side walls into the centre of the bed.
f.          Lay the back wall to the centre of the bed.
g.         Top Frames ( where applicable) spread evenly.
h.         Remove anchor ropes.
i.          Pull out anchor stakes.
j.          When most of the air is removed, fold unit in half, side to side so that it
             keeps clean.  Fold surfaces face to face, walking on the unit will help
             remove any air left in.  Two more folds to the centre should give a suitable
             width, ready for rolling.
k.         Start rolling from the front step, keeping the roll as tight as possible. It   
             helps if someone can tread the air out whilst the unit is being rolled.
             Continue rolling to the rear edge of the unit.  Finish off by tucking in the
             blower and deflation tubes.
l.          Lay the rope/strap on the ground.  Roll the unit onto the rope/strap, join
             the rope/strap and pull tight.
m.        Finally, wrap and tie the unit in the groundsheet to protect it whilst loading and travelling.

Remove and pack away crowd control barriers, blower, anchor stakes, ropes, fold ground sheet, etc.  Check over the operating site for any item left lying about.

Leave the site clean and tidy.

LOADING INTO A VEHICLE OR TRAILER
It is easier to roll the inflatable rather than trying to carry it.  Alternatively, reverse vehicle to unit, stand the unit on its end, topple it over into the vehicle, lift the back end and push into the vehicle.  One person can achieve this but it is much easier done by two people.

Always keep for inflatable clean and tidy.  Presentation is very important. Parents do not like their children going on a dirty bouncer.

END OF SEASON AND STORING FOR THE WINTER
Always ensure the inflatable is dry before storing away.  It is advisable that, before storing away, the inflatable is returned to the factory for its annual inspection and if repair work is required it can be carried out promptly and efficiently.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the unit is dry and properly rolled and covered for storage.  Any damp within the inflatable will form mould and leave watermarks, which are very hard to remove from the fabric.  We cannot be held responsible, should this occur.

REPAIR WORK
Any inflatable returned to the factory for repair work must be clean and dry, properly rolled and packed.  A charge will be made if these conditions are not complied with.

ANNUAL TESTING
It is also desirable that operators are aware of the Annual Examinations and Inspection, paragraph 1-30 of the Code of Safe Practice at Fairs, issued by the Health & Safety Executive.  It relates to the intervals at which thorough examination and testing of each inflatable used for commercial purposes should be made, by an independent appointed person as required by the code.  In the case of equipment used on seasonal basis, this should be carried out where practicable before the commencement of each season, but in any case within 3 months of its commencement.  The thorough examination should include the following:-

Blower            
a.         Check the plug and wiring for wear or chaffing.
b.         Secure inlet and outlet air grills for dangerous moving parts.
c.         Security of the impellor fixing and hairline cracks.
d.         Secure outer casing fixings.
e.         Electrical check for earth leakage and continuity.

Inflatable
a.         Check the anchorage system for wear, rips cuts, holes, stitching in the
            fabric, particularly on the main bouncing surfaces, between the walls
            and towers, walls and the bouncing surface, step surface.
b.         Check that the walls, towers where fitted, are firm and held upright when
            inflated and that the operating pressure in the structure is sufficient for its
            intended use.
c.         Check anchor ropes and stakes.
d.         Check all deflation and inflation points.

INSURANCE
You must have a current certificate of insurance covering you for Public Liablity and it is advisable to have cover for fire, theft, damage, etc.  You could be asked to produce a certificate for Public Liability by event organisers.  We strongly suggest that you never operate without sufficient cover.  Contact us if you require advice.