Float Build Safety

Written by Helen Trimarco Ransome 2025

This document does not provide a definitive list of do’s and don’ts but will help when it comes to entering your float into the Carnival. The Carnival has an appointed Safety Officer and it is their duty to ensure that all entries are safe and come up to a minimum standard.

Any floats considered unsuitable for inclusion will not be allowed to participate in the Procession. We are all here to have fun, whilst being safe. We therefore offer you guidance to make your entry safe and enjoyable for everyone so please don’t hesitate to contact us if required. We would like to draw your attention to some advice to help keep you, your group, and the spectators safe while taking part:

General Information

St Denys Carnival aim to provide minimal impact on our environment. Floats should be electric, pedal powered or a walking procession. We encourage environmental messages to be conveyed within the theme of your floats should you wish to do so but please be mindful that it is a community & family focused event, profanity or any sort of hate/divisive themes will not be accepted and you will be asked to leave.

Please nominate an adult member of your group to be responsible for all aspects of safety, and to act as a single point of contact between your group and Carnival organisers both before and during the event. This person will be assumed as the existing point of contact unless otherwise notified.

Upon arrival and leaving the event area, it is your responsibility to provide adults to act as banksman to ensure the safety of everyone around your vehicle/float. Although there is first aid provided at the event and at the centre of the procession, it is advisable to carry a small first aid kit. We would also suggest that some drinking water is readily available as the effects of dehydration can quickly set in on a hot day.

Children should have an adequate number of adult supervisors accompanying them at all times, a ratio of 1 adult per every 4 children is suggested. We discourage the crowds from throwing coins, as this can cause serious injury, and in return the spraying of water and throwing objects into the crowd is strictly prohibited. If you want to do collections for your cause, please use kerbside walking entrants with buckets/tins. Please do the same when giving freebies out.

The consumption of alcohol whilst in the procession is strictly prohibited.

Please ensure any electrical items in use are fitted safely, waterproof and are suitable for outside use, use LED lighting where possible to limit overheating. We also suggest that mains operated equipment be inspected and PAT tested before use.

Please ensure that you come equipped for the prevailing weather conditions, for instance that you have a supply of sunscreen and drinking water.

If there are any problems, there are stewards all along the procession route, and they are there to provide assistance & safety advice should you have a problem.

Pedestrian Entrants

If you are wearing a large costume, be aware that the wind may catch it and force you to fall over. It is always a good idea to have somebody help you with it and monitor your fatigue. Remember, costumes are usually flammable; stay away from sources of heat. If you have children in your walking group, please keep them together and away from moving vehicles and ensure that you have enough adult helpers for the number of children in your party i.e. a ratio of 1 adult to 4 children.

Float specific entries

Consideration must be given to not using Flammable materials in the construction of the float. A simple match test will show if any of the materials you are anticipating to use on your float will burst into flame should a naked light come into contact with them.

You should be able to detach and secure parts of the construction of your float to allow for transportation to and from the event at normal highway speeds. You should be able to transport the float to and from the event without the need to drive at excessively slow speeds (causing an obstruction to the highway).

If you are going to have people on your float then a good rule of thumb for capacity would be to allow 1 square metre per person as a nominal load capacity. If they are seated, the seating structure should be secured in such a manner as to prevent the passenger from being thrown should the vehicle have to brake abruptly whilst in the procession.

All vehicles should carry a suitable fire extinguisher and you must provide a fire risk assessment before the event.

The streets of St Denys are narrow and will be lined with parked cars on both sides. Therefore, the maximum size of floats we can accept is up to 6.5 metres in length and 2.3 metres in width (roughly the footprint of a Ford Transit flatbed van). If the float is to be towed behind a suitable electric vehicle, then the maximum length stated is in addition to the length of the towing vehicle.

It is recommended that your float does not exceed 3.05 metres in height and therefore you may wish to make the height of your float adjustable if road height issues should be discovered on the route.

Power must be electric, this can be battery or solar powered on floats but should have a quick shut off switch that is easily accessible should the need arise to shut it down quickly.

The vehicle or towing vehicle and trailer must be in a legal and roadworthy condition.

The trailer must not exceed the maximum towing capacity of the towing vehicle.

The driver of the towing vehicle is responsible for the general safety of the vehicle, towing mechanism, break-away chain and general sturdiness of the float, including adequate insurance cover.

Gaps between floats & towing vehicle must roped off with DO NOT CROSS signs attached.

Anything that could fall off must be secured.

The driver of the towing vehicle must have a clear view of the road ahead and both sides of the float at all times. St Denys Carnival does not provide any insurance cover for participants or spectators of the procession other than where required by law.

If there are people on the float, you should ensure they are safe while on the float, consideration should be given to ensure seats are securely attached and adequate hand railings to prevent passengers and chairs falling off.

The number of people on the float should be restricted to reasonable levels to ensure everyone’s safety.

The driver should keep up with the procession and not allow significant gaps to form which can cause the spectators to spill on to the procession space on the roads. The driver should pay particular attention to spectators trying to cut across the procession ahead of them, and crowding to the side.

The use of adults to walk alongside the float who can be clearly seen by the driver is recommended to provide an additional pair of eyes alongside the float as processions can be very busy.

Nobody should ride on a float hanging over the edge, or go in between the towing vehicle and float when it is in motion. You should only climb onto or off your float when the vehicle has stopped moving.

Please try to keep your vehicle in the centre of the road during the procession away from either side of spectators in case a spectator falls or is pushed into the road. We hope you have a safe and fun carnival and help us to keep it an accident free one, and look forward to seeing you on the day!!

All floats will be required to sign an injury liability waiver before they participate in the procession.

NOTE: You will be expected to sign a statement to the effect that your float complies with all the guidelines set out above. This will be a condition of entry at the event for your safety and that of the public and the event. St Denys Carnival reserves the right to amend these safety guidelines at any point before the event, Any changes will be communicated directly to the email address entered during registration of the event.

Guidance on designing & building a safe float.

 

Ensure all materials are fire resistant.

Choose lightweight sheet materials.

Be mindful of the maximum weight load of the vehicle. If you are unsure, use a weighbridge at a scrap metal dealers or nearest VSA depot. Gross weight includes all decor weight, supplies and all personnel.

Design your float so the sections can be removed/ flat packed for transporting.

Make sure all decorations are securely fixed onto your float.

Remember to design safety belts or handrails for all people on the floats, these can be covered to keep your aesthetic of your design.

There will be 4 sessions scheduled at St Denys Community Centre for prop building in May if you need space to build or decorate your float.