Connecticut Administrative Code › Title 29 - Public Safety and State Police › 136 - Safety Regulations for Amusement Rides and Devices › Connecticut Mechanical Amusement Ride and Device Regulations › Section 29-136-9a - Mechanical amusement ride and device specifications and owner obligations

Current through July 10, 2024
(a) If a mechanical amusement ride or device
				is materially rebuilt or so modified as to change its original action, it shall
				be identified by a different name or identification number or both and be
				inspected by an approved engineer.
(b) Repairs shall be carried out in
				accordance with the manufacturer's or engineer's instructions and shall utilize
				replacement parts which meet or exceed original equipment
				specifications.
(c) It shall be the
				responsibility of the mechanical amusement ride or device owner to obtain all
				safety alert or maintenance bulletins and strictly adhere to the manufacturer's
				or engineer's requirements.
(d) The
				owner shall maintain a current ride file jacket.
(e) All major alterations or other
				modifications shall be submitted in writing to the manufacturer or an approved
				engineer for review. The manufacturer's or engineer's comments shall be kept in
				the ride file jacket.
(f) The
				assembly and disassembly of a mechanical amusement ride or device shall be
				performed by or under the immediate supervision of a person experienced in the
				proper performance of such work with respect to such ride or device.
(g) Parts shall be properly aligned and shall
				not be bent, distorted, cut, omitted or otherwise deformed to force them into
				place. Parts requiring lubrication shall be lubricated in the course of
				assembly in compliance with the manufacturer's or engineer's recommendations.
				Fastening and locking devices such as bolts, cap screws, cotter pins and lock
				washers shall be installed where required. Nuts and lock nuts shall be
				installed to the recommendations of the manufacturer or engineer. Welding of
				parts upon which safe operation depends shall be done by welders certified in
				accordance with the requirements of the American Welding Society. Any work
				performed by a welder shall be approved by the manufacturer or engineer and
				noted in the mechanical amusement ride or device record and filed in the ride
				file jacket.
(h) Tools and
				equipment used in the assembly and disassembly of mechanical amusement rides or
				devices shall be of proper size and recommended by the manufacturer or the
				engineer for such purpose.
(i)
				Daily inspection of mechanical amusement rides or devices shall be required
				whenever such ride or device is to be used. The inspection shall be made by the
				owner or the owner's agent. The inspection shall include the operation of
				control devices, speed-limiting devices, brakes and other equipment provided
				for safety including, but not limited to, pins, bolts, keys, and other
				fasteners. The manufacturer's or engineer's recommendations for inspection
				shall also be followed. A record of each inspection shall be filed in the ride
				file jacket.
(j) All power
				transmission devices and associated moving parts shall be shielded from the
				public in accordance with the manufacturer's or engineer's
				recommendations.
(k) Hydraulic
				systems shall be checked for leaks, damaged pipes and worn or deteriorated
				hoses. Only manufacturer or engineer-approved hydraulic fluid shall be used.
				Maximum pressures shall not exceed the manufacturer's or engineer's
				recommendations.
(l) Pressure
				relief valves or devices, including but not limited to, compressed air and gas
				devices, shall be tested in accordance with the manufacturer's or engineer's
				recommendations. Test records shall be kept in the ride file jacket.
(m) All fabrics constituting part of a
				mechanical amusement ride or device shall meet the requirements of the
				small-scale test contained in NFPA 701-1996, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for
				Flame-Resistant Textiles and Films. The standards promulgated by the National
				Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are available from the National Fire
				Protection Association, Inc., Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269; telephone
				number, 1-800-344-3555.
(n) The
				storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids shall comply with the
				requirements of the Connecticut Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, as
				adopted by the Commissioner of Public Safety pursuant to Section
				29-320 of
				the Connecticut General Statutes.
(o) The storage and use of liquefied
				petroleum gas shall comply with the requirements of the Connecticut Petroleum
				Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas Code, as adopted by the Commissioner of Public
				Safety pursuant to Section
				29-331 of
				the Connecticut General Statutes.
(p) The installation of gas equipment and gas
				piping shall comply with the requirements of the Connecticut Gas Equipment and
				Piping Code, as adopted by the Commissioner of Public Safety pursuant to
				Section
				29-329 of
				the Connecticut General Statutes.
(q) In all locations where vehicles and
				persons may travel, electrical cables shall be protected by approved methods
				such as, but not limited to, matting or trenching.
(r) Each electrically or mechanically
				operated amusement ride or device shall be provided with a control access
				system. Said system shall prevent such ride or device from starting by a single
				action.
(s) Safe and adequate means
				of access to and egress from mechanical amusement rides or devices shall be
				provided. All passageways shall be free from debris, obstructions, projections
				and other hazards. All surfaces shall be constructed of materials designed to
				prevent slipping and tipping. The width of passageways shall not be less than
				the width of exit doors or stairs to which they lead.
(t) A fixed mechanical amusement ride or
				device permanently erected shall be set on properly designed and constructed
				foundations or footings and secured to such footings in a manner that conforms
				to the manufacturer's or engineer's recommendations. Foundations and footings
				shall meet the minimum requirements of the Connecticut State Building Code,
				adopted by the Commissioner of Public Safety pursuant to Section
				29-252
				of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(u) All mechanical amusement rides or devices
				shall be surrounded by fencing. Each fence opening shall have a hinged gate
				adequate to prevent a child from inadvertantly entering the enclosed area. Each
				gate that swings in the direction of travel upon entering the area where the
				mechanical amusement ride or device is located shall include a latching device
				that engages when the gate is shut. Fences and gates shall also be constructed
				and installed so as to prevent riders or spectators from touching the
				mechanical amusement ride or device and fences or gates at the same time. Not
				later than January 1, 1999, all fencing and gates shall be at least 42 inches
				high, constructed so as to prevent passage of a sphere or round object 4 inches
				in diameter through all openings, and shall be designed, constructed and
				erected to prevent overturning or climbing by spectators or riders. Fencing and
				gates manufactured before January 1, 1993 and physically attached to the
				mechanical amusement ride or device by the manufacturer may remain in service
				at the discretion of the authority having jurisdiction.
(v) Fixed mechanical amusement rides or
				devices are required to be dismantled for inspection by the approved engineer
				or the contractor performing nondestructive testing. The extent of dismantling
				shall be determined by the manufacturer or engineer and the contractor
				performing the nondestructive testing.
(w) Mechanical amusement rides or devices are
				not to be set in the path of natural drainage.
(x) Separation distances required by NFPA 70,
				National Electrical Code, shall be maintained between mechanical amusement
				rides or devices and electrical lines, except that greater distances may be
				required by an inspector in the interest of safety.
(y) It shall be the responsibility of the
				mechanical amusement ride or device owner to ensure that ride and device
				operators are trained in the operation of such ride or device, based on the
				recommendations of the manufacturer or engineer. The owner shall maintain
				records in each ride file jacket regarding the training each such operator has
				received, including the nature of the training, when it was received, and the
				source of the training.
(z) Special
				amusement buildings shall comply with the requirements of the Connecticut Fire
				Safety Code and the Connecticut State Building Code as adopted by the
				Commissioner of Public Safety pursuant to Sections
				29-292
				and
				29-252,
				respectively, of the Connecticut General Statutes.