§ 3005-10 Inspections and Tests.
RCNY § 3005-10
(a)Scope. Every new altered, rebuilt, or modified amusement device, temporary or permanent, must be inspected and tested in accordance with the manufacturer's manuals, manufacturer's bulletins, and the requirements of this subchapter. In the case where such manuals are not available, a registered design professional must prepare the necessary operation, maintenance, inspection, and test manual(s) in accordance with ASTM F 853, F 770, F 2374, and F 2376.
(b)Inspection and testing notification. The owner or amusement park operator of a permanent amusement device must provide notice to the Department by phone, fax or email that the device is ready to be inspected and tested. Notice must be provided at least thirty (30) business days prior to the proposed date of inspection and test. Exception. Inflatable rides are not tested. Certificates of competency are issued instead, based on criteria described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) of 1 RCNY § 3005-03.
(c)Fees. Refer to § 28-112.8 of the Administrative Code for fees related to inspections and related required filings.
(d)Initial inspection and testing by the Department.
(1)Acceptance test required. Upon initial installation, the load capacity and safety of permanent amusement devices including, but not limited to all operating protective safety devices, the adequacy of the structural supports and anchorage to floors, walls, ceilings, and foundations must be inspected and tested in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements documented in the operating manual. Inspections and testing must be done by the person or firm installing, assembling, altering or relocating the amusement device, and such tests must be witnessed by the Department.
(2)Relocated, disassembled and reassembled permanent amusement devices. Relocated, disassembled and reassembled permanent amusement devices must be inspected and tested. The inspection and tests must be conducted after relocation or reassembly and prior to its use and operation, regardless of the date of the previous inspection and tests. The commissioner may require inspections or tests to be performed during assembly or disassembly of amusement devices when such tests are necessary to ensure safety.
(3)Portable mechanical amusement devices. Portable mechanical rides must have an initial Department inspection performed after having registered with the Department prior to public use. During the initial inspection, the owner must submit all maintenance and repair logs. In order to pass inspection, all rides must be in compliance with manufacturer's bulletins, if any. Any other alteration performed on the amusement device must be supported with certification from a registered design professional.
(4)Temporary devices. In order to obtain a Certificate of Compliance (green card), every temporary amusement device, except an inflatable and truck mounted amusement devices, must be inspected each time the amusement device is set up or a DCA license is issued.
(5)Additional tests and inspections. The commissioner may require additional tests and inspections of amusement devices regardless of the date of the previous inspection and tests, when such tests are necessary to ensure safety.
(e)Periodic Department inspections and testing.
(ii)Rides operated year round. The Department will perform a minimum of three inspections on rides operated year round. Each subsequent inspection will take place no sooner than ninety (90) days and no later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the previous inspection.
(f)Daily inspection and test by competent person. An amusement device must be inspected and tested by a competent person in accordance with the manual each day before it is used. The inspection and test must be performed by the amusement park operator and must include, but not be limited to, evaluation of items such as: (1) Electrical: Operation of control devices, speed-limiting devices, wiring, lighting, control panel function and indicator lights, and emergency stop switches; (2) Mechanical: Brakes, proper adjustment of brakes, drive systems, wheels, rollers, chains, bearings, bushings, gears, pulleys, drive-belts, clutches, anti-rollback features, listening for any unusual noises, and looking for unusual movements or actions by the amusement device; (3) Amusement device setup: Blocking, leveling, ground conditions, fencing clearance, clearance to local hazards, trip hazards, and security issues; (4) Structural components: Passenger enclosures, welds, cracks, pins, bolts, nuts, fasteners, harnesses, safety belts, lap-bars, hair guards, and passenger restraints; and (5) Additional safety items: Checking sharp edges and the condition of fire extinguishers.
(g)Certificate of Compliance. A Certificate of Compliance ("green card") is issued to all amusement devices, except inflatables, as follows: (1) Permanent. Upon satisfactory completion of an inspection and test of a permanent amusement device, the Department will issue a Certificate of Compliance ("green card") for ninety (90) to one hundred and twenty (120) days. Such certificate must be posted in plain sight next to the amusement device. The device must be retested to renew the Certificate of Compliance.
(h)Load tests.
(6)Air compressor load test. Air compressors, tanks and related equipment must be inspected and tested annually or more frequently if required by the manual. Air compressor tanks must be tested to demonstrate their ability to sustain a hydrostatic pressure specified by the manufacturer for a period of at least one (1) hour. A record of each inspection and the results of the air compressor tank test must be kept at the site where the device is used and made available to the commissioner upon request.
(i)Welding work. An inspector certified by the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials ("NAARSO"), an inspector certified by the Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers ("AIMS"), or a registered design professional, must affirm, in a form acceptable to the Department, that any welding performed (new, replaced, or inspected) was done by a licensed welder. Such certified inspector or registered design professional must also affirm that all necessary weld maintenance, inspections and tests, required by either the ride manual or manufacturer, were performed within the last twelve (12) months prior to the amusement device's scheduled inspection by the Department and are clearly listed in the amusement device's maintenance log. Such an affirmation must be kept at the site and made available upon request of the Department.
(j)Nondestructive testing ("NDT").
(iii)Test procedures. The parts of the amusement device and supporting structure subject to NDT are those recommended for such testing by the manufacturer. Where the manufacturer's recommendations are not available, a registered design professional must determine the parts of the amusement device and supporting structure that must be tested in accordance with applicable ASTM standards.
(iv)Test report. A special inspection report for the NDT performed must be filed with the Department. The test report must identify the ride by name, serial number and manufacturer and must include the part(s) tested and the location of the tested areas. If the manufacturer or the registered design professional does not recommend NDT for all or part of the device, an affidavit must be submitted by the owner or amusement park operator with evidence acceptable to the commissioner that such testing is not required.
(k)Unsafe conditions. If, during inspection or operation, any amusement device or part thereof is found to be unsafe or hazardous to life and safety, the device must be taken out of service immediately by the owner, amusement park operator, amusement device operator, or inspector. Unsafe conditions must be corrected before the device is returned to service. Findings of unsafe conditions and necessary corrective actions taken must be logged and made available for inspection when requested.
