Virginia Administrative Code › Title 13 - HOUSING › Agency 5 - DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT › Chapter 31 - VIRGINIA AMUSEMENT DEVICE REGULATIONS › Part VIII - Bungee Jumping › Section 13VAC5-31-260 - Operational and site requirements

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
A. Operators shall follow the criteria
				  provided by the manufacturer for the use of bungee cords. A record of the
				  number of jumps with each cord shall be maintained. All cords shall be
				  inspected daily for wear, slippage, or other abnormalities unless the
				  manufacturer specifies more frequent inspections.
B. The jump master or site manager shall be
				  responsible for determining the appropriate use of all bungee cords in relation
				  to the weight of the jumper and height of the platform. Bungee cords shall be
				  attached to the structure at all times when in the connection area.
C. All harnesses shall be inspected prior to
				  harnessing a jumper and shall be removed from service when they exhibit signs
				  of excessive wear or damage. All carabineers shall be inspected daily and shall
				  be removed from service when they exhibit signs of excessive wear or damage or
				  fail to function as designed. The anchors shall be inspected daily and shall be
				  replaced if showing signs of excessive wear.
D. A secondary retrieval system shall be
				  provided in all operations. A locking mechanism on the line shall be used to
				  stop and hold the jumper in place after being pulled back to the jump platform
				  in a retrieval system. A dead man's switch or locking mechanism that will stop
				  the lowering action shall be used in a friction lowering system.
E. The jump zone, preparation area and
				  landing/recovery area shall be identified and maintained during bungee jumping
				  activities. The landing/recovery area shall be accessible to emergency
				  vehicles. Communication shall be maintained between all personnel involved with
				  the jump.
F. An air bag, a minimum
				  of 10 feet by 10 feet, shall be used. The air bag shall be rated for the
				  maximum free fall height possible from the platform during operation. The air
				  bag shall be located immediately below the jump space. The landing area shall
				  be free of spectators and debris at all times and shall be free of any
				  equipment or personnel when a jumper is being prepared on the jump platform and
				  until the bungee cord is at its static extended state. A place to sit and
				  recover shall be provided adjacent to, but outside, the landing area where the
				  jumper shall be allowed to recover.
G. Where the jump space or landing area, or
				  both, is over sea, lake, river, or harbor waters, the following shall apply:
1. The landing water area shall be at least
				  nine feet deep and a minimum of 10 feet by 10 feet or have a minimum of 15 feet
				  in diameter if circular;
2. The
				  jump space and landing area shall be free of other vessels, floating and
				  submerged objects and buoys. A sign of approved size that reads "Bungee
				  Jumping! Keep Clear" shall be fixed to buoys on four sides of the landing
				  area;
3. The landing vessel shall
				  be readily available for the duration of the landing procedures;
4. The landing vessel shall have a landing
				  pad size of at least five feet by five feet within and lower than the sides of
				  the vessel;
5. A landing vessel
				  shall be available that can be maneuvered in the range of water conditions
				  expected and will enable staff to pick up a jumper; and
6. One person may operate the landing vessel
				  where the vessel is positioned without the use of power. A separate person
				  shall operate the vessel where power is required to maneuver into or hold the
				  landing position.