IIHF Insurance: Conditions of cover for mechanical rides

It is recognised that some specific equipment being used for hire or reward contain higher than usual risk factors and possible liabilities than standard inflatables used to bounce and slide on. 

Equipment other than inflatables

The IIHF will occasionally add non inflatable rides to members insurance providing they meet certain conditions. Inflatables must be at least 80% of the members business and follow the below rules depending on the type of equipment they have.

In order to obtain cover as part of the IIHF insurance scheme it is now a requirement that the following conditions are met by the hirer/owner of the further mentioned equipment in order to reduce the potential for liability claims.

Rodeo Bulls: Conditions of cover

1. Units must have a full design review, the Irish inflatable hirers federation has gained copies from the 3 main providers of such equipment GS Engineering, Rodeo Sales and Galaxy Multi Rides any other units however sourced must have the correct paperwork to achieve cover requirements.
2. Operators must have a copy of the devices operator manual at hand and be fully conversant with its contents.
3. All units, to include the inflatable safety device, must have an annual inspection by a competent person and meet all manufacturers recommendations for safe operation.
4. The unit must be setup in accordance with manufacturers recommendations as set out in the operation manual.
5. All riders should sign a disclaimer form for every ride that they take, if under the age of 18 then a responsible adult MUST BE PRESENT on EVERY RIDE. This will ensure responsible witnesses are present in the event of a claim. Additionally, the requirement of signing every time will allow insurers to assess how many riders were processed during the session.
6. In order to ride users must be able to mount the device unaided, and assistance must result in the rider being refused operation (this stops heavy and very small children getting on the device)
7. It is strongly suggested (although not a condition) that some form of video recording device is used during the session for the purposes of evidence review.

In the event of a claim all of the above supporting paperwork must be provided to the insurers in a timely manner in order to retain cover

Surf Simulator devices: Conditions of cover

1. Units must have a full design review, the Irish inflatable hirers federation has gained copies from the 3 main providers of such equipment GS Engineering, Rodeo Sales and Galaxy Multi Rides any other units however sourced must have the correct paperwork to achieve cover requirements.
2. Operators must have a copy of the devices operator manual at hand and be fully conversant with its contents.
3. All units, to include the inflatable safety device, must have an annual inspection by a competent person and meet all manufacturers recommendations for safe operation.
4. The unit must be setup in accordance with manufacturers recommendations as set out in the operation manual.
5. All riders should sign a disclaimer form for every ride that they take, if under the age of 18 then a responsible adult MUST BE PRESENT on EVERY RIDE. This will ensure responsible witnesses are present in the event of a claim. Additionally, the requirement of signing every time will allow insurers to assess how many riders were processed during the session.
6. In order to ride users must be able to mount the device unaided, and assistance must result in the rider being refused operation (this stops heavy and very small children getting on the device)
7. It is strongly suggested (although not a condition) that some form of video recording device is used during the session for the purposes of evidence review.

In the event of a claim all of the above supporting paperwork must be provided to the insurers in a timely manner in order to retain cover

Sweeper devices: Conditions of cover

1. Units must have a full design review, the Irish inflatable hirers federation has gained copies from the 3 main providers of such equipment GS Engineering, Rodeo Sales and Galaxy Multi Rides any other units however sourced must have the correct paperwork to achieve cover requirements.
2. Operators must have a copy of the devices operator manual at hand and be fully conversant with its contents.
3. All units, to include the inflatable safety device, must have an annual inspection by a competent person and meet all manufacturers recommendations for safe operation.
4. The unit must be setup in accordance with manufacturers recommendations as set out in the operation manual.
5. In order to ride users must be able to jump the main sweeping bar unaided, and assistance must result in the rider being refused operation (this stops heavy and very small children getting on the device)
6. Speed control and directional change must be specifically under the full control of the operator only, sudden changes in direction and large changes in speed should be avoided at all times due to the increased level of liability.
7. Only one player per marked segment on the inflatable bed
8. If users move away from marked segments i/e start running around the bed. Then the operation should stop until such time as the user returns to marked area
9. Absolutely no somersaults or flips to be allowed while playing.
10. It is strongly suggested (although not a condition) that some form of video recording device is used during the session for the purposes of evidence review.

In the event of a claim all of the above supporting paperwork must be provided to the insurers in a timely manner in order to retain cover