Indemnification – MIT requires an express contractual indemnification from the vendor (not mutual). Required insurance is that the vendor must carry $1M in General Liability Insurance. Vendor must furnish evidence (Certificate of Insurance) prior to the event and add MIT as additional insured to Vendor’s general liability policy (should be reflected on the certificate description section)
License – all inflatable amusement vendors leasing inflatables in MA are expected to be licensed/furnish evidence of a current license; license verifies that they are having their equipment inspected regularly/it passes inspection, in accordance with the statute. Copy of the vendor’s amusement license must be furnished prior to the event. This should be sent to insurance@mit.edu and uploaded to the Atlas event registration.
Vendors sign the MIT On-Campus Events Agreement. The form should be provided to vendors in pdf form only. Any requested changes must be approved by the OGC.
With the exception of CPW and Rush events, MIT’s standard liability release must be signed by all participants using any inflatable amusement other than a moon bounce. The executed releases must be kept by the hosting student group or DLC for at least one year following the event, and producible upon request by EHS, Audit, SAO (if applicable), or the Office of Insurance.
Excluded Amusements: Climbing walls of any kind are prohibited.
Assembly/disassembly/monitoring use of equipment – must be solely the vendor’s responsibility. Student volunteers for the event shall not set up, operate, or take down any amusements.
Volunteers may be utilized for access to the event and to monitor compliance with EHS guidelines and safety plans. The sponsoring group should coordinate the development of a safety plan for each amusement with the Vendor & MIT’s Environment, Health & Safety Office.
The inflatable must be set up in an open space with no obstacles (e.g. trees, benches, pipes etc.) surrounding it.
The unit should not be used if wind exceeds 15 mph or during rain, thunder, or lightning storms. Evacuate participants as soon as you hear thunder, see lightning, and/or it begins to rain. The activity may only resume when/if the storm has completely passed.
Only jumpers of the same size should be allowed in the inflatable at the same time.
With the exception of a single rental of a moon bounce, where a single vendor employee may be present to monitor safe set-up, operation, and disassembly of the equipment, Vendor will provide at least two (2) employees for the rental of two or more inflatables who will be responsible for the safe operation of the equipment and will be present from the initial setup through completion and disassembly.
The vendor employees or MIT volunteers will monitor the number of users and may permit entry into the inflatable by not more than 10 people (or fewer based on the manufacturer’s instructions, if applicable) at one time.
Remove shoes, glasses, and any sharp objects.
Participants shall not bring food, drink, or personal property of any kind into the inflatable.
No somersaults, flips, wrestling, or rough play.
Vendors may reserve the right to refuse riders who may be at risk or could place others at risk of injury.
Ages 3 and older
No alcohol will be permitted in the inflatable.
Keep children away from blower at all times.
Because the plastic is usually not fire rated for indoor use, the inflatables must be used outside. If the vendor can provide MIT with a certificate that the plastic meets NFPA 701 and ASTM F24 vol 15.07 requirements for flame retardant materials, then the inflatable can be used indoors.
To comply with the fall protection of EHS Standard Operating Procedure, avoid games with the potential to fall more than 4 feet.
Be prepared to clean up spills of body fluids with bleach.
The event planner should create a document that includes all of the applicable rules of use and document that this was reviewed with all of the event staff (signed or checked off and dated). One person should have a hard copy of this document during the event in case users don’t comply. This document should be uploaded to the Atlas event registration.
Rockets/RC Airplanes
Use the same process described on this page if you plan to launch soda bottle rockets, Class 1 Model Rockets, fly remote controlled (RC) airplanes or helicopters. The maximum altitude for rockets is 400 feet due to proximity of Logan Airport and the frequent helicopter traffic that pass by MIT on their way to all of the local hospitals. Specific guidelines and requirements for the type of rocket you will be using is outlined in the Rocket Safety Plan template.
Model rocket must meet all 5 criteria, unless using soda bottle rockets.
Uses no more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant;
Uses a slow-burning propellant;
Is made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic;
Contains no metal nose weights, fins, or other heavy metal parts; and
Weighs no more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces), including the propellant.
To comply with the restrictions, order B engines for model rockets.
RC or other model aircraft
Must follow most of the FAA rules for drones and the Academy of Model Aeronautics National Model Aircraft Safety Code. MIT is within 5 miles of Logan airport so the operator of the model aircraft must provide the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower with prior notice of the operation. Refer to the Unmanned Aircraft page for additional guidance.
Using a balloon
If the balloon has a diameter of more than 6 feet or a gas capacity of more than 115 cubic feet, review the restrictions in the FAA regulations. MIT is within 5 miles of Logan Airport (“restricted area”), use a tethered (moored) balloon outside or contact Molly Dufour mdufour@mit.edu in the Athletics Dept. to reserve large indoor space.
If the launch is part of an MIT class, the faculty sponsor should assign someone to be responsible for the safety plan, and consult with the DLC EHS coordinator.
Either the DSL or departmental EHS Coordinator will work with the Occupational & Construction Safety Program to review the safety plan and make recommendations to finalize it, if necessary.
Schedule several people with loud voices to patrol the perimeter and prevent people from being hit. Signage could be used to inform people.
Communicating your Safety Plan
After EHS reviews the final version of the safety plan, the sponsor sends the plan to Molly Dufour mdufour@mit.edu.
DAPER will give final approval or they may have additional requirements. Molly sends the sponsor a Field Confirmation and the procedure for weather-related cancellations.
Once the field reservation has been confirmed, the sponsor sends the final version of the safety plan to the EHS Office (safety@mit.edu), EHS Coordinator(s), MIT Police (cp-detail@mit.edu) and DAPER (Molly Dufour mdufour@mit.edu).
EHS will send the safety plan to the on-call team a few days before the launch date.
Briggs Field can be reserved through Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER).
Sponsor must reserve two fields to create a buffer zone.
Contact Molly Dufour, mdufour@mit.edu or Ryan Steele, rsteele@mit.edu at least 3 weeks in advance to check on field availability and make your tentative reservation.
Plan an alternate date in case there aren’t any fields that are available on your preferred date.
Students can make reservations.
The reservation is contingent upon finalizing your safety plan.
Unsafe Outdoor Locations
The North Court and McDermott Dot are not safe to use because the wind speeds are often high. In both of these locations, there are many pedestrians and bicyclists, who will pass by your launch site and the rockets could injure someone. The wind will blow the rockets into windows or vehicles.
The lawn in front of Bldg. 33 is not safe because the rockets could be blown by the wind into Mass Ave, into windows or hit a vehicle or pedestrian.
CAC doesn’t have any spaces that can be used for rocket launches.
Schedule this event during the week because the fields are busy during the weekends. You may need to hire a Police Detail for crowd control if you choose to schedule this event during the weekend.
Contact Dig Safe and BSI to survey the underground utilities surveyed before any stakes are driven into the ground. This must be done each time. Dig Safe requires 3 business days of advance notice and they mark the public streets and sidewalks. BSI checks MIT property (grounds, sidewalks, and streets).
To comply with dig safe, do NOT use of stakes for the launcher. Exceptions for Briggs Field must be approved by DAPER.
Unsafe Types Of Activities, Demonstrations, And Rides
The departments that support events developed the following list due to accidents that have occurred at MIT and nationwide. This is also based on our reviews of many events that involved the following. The Cambridge Fire Department strictly follows the Mass. Fire Prevention Regulations and has not approved previous requests for fire/explosion related activities listed below.
Climbing walls and inflatable games in which a participant could free fall more the 4 feet, which is what triggers the OSHA requirements for Fall Protection. Refer to the inflatable guidelines
Inflatable games that the 2 participants try to knock each other over and this could result in a serious injury, especially involving the head, neck or spinal cord. Refer to the inflatable guidelines
Mechanical rides (bucking bronco, bull, surfboard, etc.) that are designed to throw the rider off.
Tight rope walking, Slacklining, Aerial silk, etc.
Demonstartions that involve ignition, explosion, and/or detonation. This includes ‘whoosh’ bottle demonstration, hydrogen filled balloons, igniting various salts and methanol, fire tornados. The CSB investigated 3 incidents that occurred in 2014.
Improvised explosive devices (even if these just appear to be bombs) and incompatible reactions that appear to be an explosion
Vehicles (gasoline or diesel powered) inside buildings that are not parking garages or repair shops
Inflatables
Legal and Insurance Requirements
Indemnification – MIT requires an express contractual indemnification from the vendor (not mutual). Required insurance is that the vendor must carry $1M in General Liability Insurance. Vendor must furnish evidence (Certificate of Insurance) prior to the event and add MIT as additional insured to Vendor’s general liability policy (should be reflected on the certificate description section)
License – all inflatable amusement vendors leasing inflatables in MA are expected to be licensed/furnish evidence of a current license; license verifies that they are having their equipment inspected regularly/it passes inspection, in accordance with the statute. Copy of the vendor’s amusement license must be furnished prior to the event. This should be sent to insurance@mit.edu and uploaded to the Atlas event registration.
Vendors sign the MIT On-Campus Events Agreement. The form should be provided to vendors in pdf form only. Any requested changes must be approved by the OGC.
With the exception of CPW and Rush events, MIT’s standard liability release must be signed by all participants using any inflatable amusement other than a moon bounce. The executed releases must be kept by the hosting student group or DLC for at least one year following the event, and producible upon request by EHS, Audit, SAO (if applicable), or the Office of Insurance.
Excluded Amusements: Climbing walls of any kind are prohibited.
Assembly/disassembly/monitoring use of equipment – must be solely the vendor’s responsibility. Student volunteers for the event shall not set up, operate, or take down any amusements.
Volunteers may be utilized for access to the event and to monitor compliance with EHS guidelines and safety plans. The sponsoring group should coordinate the development of a safety plan for each amusement with the Vendor & MIT’s Environment, Health & Safety Office.
The inflatable must be set up in an open space with no obstacles (e.g. trees, benches, pipes etc.) surrounding it.
The unit should not be used if wind exceeds 15 mph or during rain, thunder, or lightning storms. Evacuate participants as soon as you hear thunder, see lightning, and/or it begins to rain. The activity may only resume when/if the storm has completely passed.
Only jumpers of the same size should be allowed in the inflatable at the same time.
With the exception of a single rental of a moon bounce, where a single vendor employee may be present to monitor safe set-up, operation, and disassembly of the equipment, Vendor will provide at least two (2) employees for the rental of two or more inflatables who will be responsible for the safe operation of the equipment and will be present from the initial setup through completion and disassembly.
The vendor employees or MIT volunteers will monitor the number of users and may permit entry into the inflatable by not more than 10 people (or fewer based on the manufacturer’s instructions, if applicable) at one time.
Remove shoes, glasses, and any sharp objects.
Participants shall not bring food, drink, or personal property of any kind into the inflatable.
No somersaults, flips, wrestling, or rough play.
Vendors may reserve the right to refuse riders who may be at risk or could place others at risk of injury.
Ages 3 and older
No alcohol will be permitted in the inflatable.
Keep children away from blower at all times.
Because the plastic is usually not fire rated for indoor use, the inflatables must be used outside. If the vendor can provide MIT with a certificate that the plastic meets NFPA 701 and ASTM F24 vol 15.07 requirements for flame retardant materials, then the inflatable can be used indoors.
To comply with the fall protection of EHS Standard Operating Procedure, avoid games with the potential to fall more than 4 feet.
Be prepared to clean up spills of body fluids with bleach.
The event planner should create a document that includes all of the applicable rules of use and document that this was reviewed with all of the event staff (signed or checked off and dated). One person should have a hard copy of this document during the event in case users don’t comply. This document should be uploaded to the Atlas event registration.
Rockets/RC Airplanes
Use the same process described on this page if you plan to launch soda bottle rockets, Class 1 Model Rockets, fly remote controlled (RC) airplanes or helicopters. The maximum altitude for rockets is 400 feet due to proximity of Logan Airport and the frequent helicopter traffic that pass by MIT on their way to all of the local hospitals. Specific guidelines and requirements for the type of rocket you will be using is outlined in the Rocket Safety Plan template.
Model rocket must meet all 5 criteria, unless using soda bottle rockets.
Uses no more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant;
Uses a slow-burning propellant;
Is made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic;
Contains no metal nose weights, fins, or other heavy metal parts; and
Weighs no more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces), including the propellant.
To comply with the restrictions, order B engines for model rockets.
RC or other model aircraft
Must follow most of the FAA rules for drones and the Academy of Model Aeronautics National Model Aircraft Safety Code. MIT is within 5 miles of Logan airport so the operator of the model aircraft must provide the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower with prior notice of the operation. Refer to the Unmanned Aircraft page for additional guidance.
Using a balloon
If the balloon has a diameter of more than 6 feet or a gas capacity of more than 115 cubic feet, review the restrictions in the FAA regulations. MIT is within 5 miles of Logan Airport (“restricted area”), use a tethered (moored) balloon outside or contact Molly Dufour mdufour@mit.edu in the Athletics Dept. to reserve large indoor space.
If the launch is part of an MIT class, the faculty sponsor should assign someone to be responsible for the safety plan, and consult with the DLC EHS coordinator.
Either the DSL or departmental EHS Coordinator will work with the Occupational & Construction Safety Program to review the safety plan and make recommendations to finalize it, if necessary.
Schedule several people with loud voices to patrol the perimeter and prevent people from being hit. Signage could be used to inform people.
Communicating your Safety Plan
After EHS reviews the final version of the safety plan, the sponsor sends the plan to Molly Dufour mdufour@mit.edu.
DAPER will give final approval or they may have additional requirements. Molly sends the sponsor a Field Confirmation and the procedure for weather-related cancellations.
Once the field reservation has been confirmed, the sponsor sends the final version of the safety plan to the EHS Office (safety@mit.edu), EHS Coordinator(s), MIT Police (cp-detail@mit.edu) and DAPER (Molly Dufour mdufour@mit.edu).
EHS will send the safety plan to the on-call team a few days before the launch date.
Briggs Field can be reserved through Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER).
Sponsor must reserve two fields to create a buffer zone.
Contact Molly Dufour, mdufour@mit.edu or Ryan Steele, rsteele@mit.edu at least 3 weeks in advance to check on field availability and make your tentative reservation.
Plan an alternate date in case there aren’t any fields that are available on your preferred date.
Students can make reservations.
The reservation is contingent upon finalizing your safety plan.
Unsafe Outdoor Locations
The North Court and McDermott Dot are not safe to use because the wind speeds are often high. In both of these locations, there are many pedestrians and bicyclists, who will pass by your launch site and the rockets could injure someone. The wind will blow the rockets into windows or vehicles.
The lawn in front of Bldg. 33 is not safe because the rockets could be blown by the wind into Mass Ave, into windows or hit a vehicle or pedestrian.
CAC doesn’t have any spaces that can be used for rocket launches.
Schedule this event during the week because the fields are busy during the weekends. You may need to hire a Police Detail for crowd control if you choose to schedule this event during the weekend.
Contact Dig Safe and BSI to survey the underground utilities surveyed before any stakes are driven into the ground. This must be done each time. Dig Safe requires 3 business days of advance notice and they mark the public streets and sidewalks. BSI checks MIT property (grounds, sidewalks, and streets).
To comply with dig safe, do NOT use of stakes for the launcher. Exceptions for Briggs Field must be approved by DAPER.
Unsafe Types Of Activities, Demonstrations, And Rides
The departments that support events developed the following list due to accidents that have occurred at MIT and nationwide. This is also based on our reviews of many events that involved the following. The Cambridge Fire Department strictly follows the Mass. Fire Prevention Regulations and has not approved previous requests for fire/explosion related activities listed below.
Climbing walls and inflatable games in which a participant could free fall more the 4 feet, which is what triggers the OSHA requirements for Fall Protection. Refer to the inflatable guidelines
Inflatable games that the 2 participants try to knock each other over and this could result in a serious injury, especially involving the head, neck or spinal cord. Refer to the inflatable guidelines
Mechanical rides (bucking bronco, bull, surfboard, etc.) that are designed to throw the rider off.
Tight rope walking, Slacklining, Aerial silk, etc.
Demonstartions that involve ignition, explosion, and/or detonation. This includes ‘whoosh’ bottle demonstration, hydrogen filled balloons, igniting various salts and methanol, fire tornados. The CSB investigated 3 incidents that occurred in 2014.
Improvised explosive devices (even if these just appear to be bombs) and incompatible reactions that appear to be an explosion
