Skip to main content

Activities & Inflatables

Requirements and best practices for inflatable games, bouncy houses, obstacle courses, model rockets, etc.

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.

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.

Rocket Safety Plan Template

Class 1 Model Rocket Requirements

Model rocket must meet all 5 criteria, unless using soda bottle rockets.

  1. Uses no more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant;
  2. Uses a slow-burning propellant;
  3. Is made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic;
  4. Contains no metal nose weights, fins, or other heavy metal parts; and
  5. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Rocket Safety Plan Template

Class 1 Model Rocket Requirements

Model rocket must meet all 5 criteria, unless using soda bottle rockets.

  1. Uses no more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant;
  2. Uses a slow-burning propellant;
  3. Is made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic;
  4. Contains no metal nose weights, fins, or other heavy metal parts; and
  5. 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.

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.