Trampoline parks
Trampoline parks are sports centres with several interconnected trampolines and various areas for doing tricks on a trampoline, such as a foam pit, into which people can jump from a trampoline.
Trampoline parks are consumer services in accordance with the Consumer Safety Act. Trampolines intended for domestic use are toys, and they must fulfil the requirements of the legislation on toys.
Documents in order
The party managing the trampoline park must draw up a safety document. The safety document should pay special attention to the condition of trampolines and other jumping areas as well as the monitoring and instruction of customers.
Identify the risks
A statistically high number of accidents occur on trampolines; of the accidents, injuries to the back and the neck are the most severe. Factors increasing the risk of injuries include:
- insufficient monitoring of the jumpers
- structural deficiencies, such as too shallow foam pitsat
- inexperienced jumpers
- tricks that exceed the jumper’s skills
- jumping while tired
- recording tricks and the desire to show off.
Good safety practices
- Give the customers a sufficient orientation at the start and review the jumping rules. Teach the customers a safe landing position and how to jump safely.
- Instruct beginners in particular to proceed carefully and avoid tricks that are too difficult. Encourage beginners to participate in guided activities, where tricks are practiced safely before they are done independently.
- Monitor the jumping area and doing tricks actively. Correct wrong jumping methods and landing positions. Intervene in dangerous activities and activities that are against the rules sufficiently early.
- Monitor the condition of the foam pit. The plastic foam cubes should fill the pit full enough, and the cubes must not be compressed. If necessary, add more cubes and replace broken cubes with new ones.
What to take into account in the planning
- Place the largest and most powerful trampolines intended for competitive gymnasts in their own area, and separate them clearly from the other trampolines. Competition-level trampolines should not be used next to foam pits; instead, people should use less powerful trampolines to jump into the foam pit.
- Make sure that the foam pit is deep enough and provides sufficient cushioning. Take the intended purpose of the pit into account in its dimensioning, such as the permitted jumps, jumping heights and user groups. The foam pit and other landing areas must reach far enough from the jumping site length- and widthways.
- Only select plastic foam cubes suitable for use as a landing area. The cubes must provide enough cushioning, and there must be a sufficient amount of cubes.
- Design the jumping area so that it is bordered by trampolines placed diagonally, a soft wall, or a net. The jumping area must be surrounded by a cushioned safety zone that reaches far enough.
- In choosing the number of supervisors, take account of the number of customers in the park, the customer profile, the trampolines available, and the other special characteristics of the park. Monitor that the supervision is sufficient in practice.
