N.J. Admin. Code § 5:14A-12.5

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 9, May 6, 2024

Section 5:14A-12.5 - Design and construction

(a) This section establishes minimum criteria for the design, manufacture, and modification of water amusement rides manufactured on or after June 16, 2009.

(b) This section shall not apply to water amusement rides manufactured prior to June 16, 2009, unless specifically required elsewhere in this chapter.

(c) Water amusement rides shall be designed and constructed in accordance with applicable provisions of N.J.A.C. 5:14A-7 and to facilitate conformance with provisions of 5:14A-12.6.

(d) Aquatic recreation pools shall be designed and constructed in accordance with ANSI/IAF-9 (2005), American National Standard for Aquatic Recreation Facilities, as amended by 5:14A-12.9.

(e) Water amusement rides shall not require:

1. An "operator presence device";

2. A "patron restraint"; or

3. An "emergency stop" and/or "category 0 stop."

(f) Surfaces of decks, platforms, walkways, and stairs, which are likely to become wet, shall be self-draining and slip-resistant.

(g) Water slides: Design of water slides shall be in accordance with ASTM F 2376-06, as amended by 5:14A-12.8.

(h) The following apply to leisure rivers:

1. Entry and egress shall be via stairs or ramps.

2. Construction, dimensions, and mechanical attachments of the flume shall be such that the interior surface is continuous and unobstructed for the entire length, except for acceptable entry and egress openings. Stairs, ramps, and railings shall not obstruct or impede the path of riders.

3. The patron clearance envelope shall extend vertically above the flume bottom a minimum distance of 90 inches.

4. The depth of water shall not exceed 42 inches.

5. The flume width, excluding entry and egress paths, shall be a minimum of eight feet.

6. The flow rate shall be a maximum of seven feet per second (five miles per hour).

7. Exit paths shall have a dedicated deck with a minimum, unobstructed, distance of 10 feet in direction of travel and a minimum width of four feet.

8. The pump discharge stream shall be located so as to produce minimal undertow and/or cross currents that may adversely affect riders.

(i) The following apply to wave pools:

1. Any barrier utilized to limit access to the pool by unauthorized personnel shall be no closer than 36 inches from the pool edge, and terminate at the side of zero static water depth.

2. Unauthorized personnel shall be prevented from accessing wave-generating machinery.

3. Following suspension of wave action, an audible signal shall be used to notify patrons of the impending resumption of wave action.

4. A "ride stop" switch, to cease wave action, shall be located at each designated lifeguard station or mobile with each designated lifeguard.

5. Ladders shall be recessed into the pool wall. Handrails and treads shall extend down the pool wall in such a way so that they will be easily accessible at the lowest water level during wave action.

(j) The following apply to rope drops:

1. Design shall be such that the rope does not contact the dispatch deck.

2. The deck in the area of dispatch shall provide sufficient space for patrons to safely dispatch, attendant workspace, signage, and any communication devices needed for operation.

3. The rope shall have a means for the rider to safely grasp the lower end with two hands.

4. The lower end of the rope shall be a minimum of four feet above the water surface of the catch pool.

5. The rope pivot point shall be over the catch pool.

6. The patron clearance envelope for a rope swing shall be a three dimensional unobstructed zone, with the landing area being the base and a height from the water surface to the pivot point of the swing.

7. The following apply to rope drop catch pools:

i. Catch pools shall be designed to receive riders for safe exit from the rope. Water depth in the landing area shall be a minimum of 10 feet and be sufficient to absorb rider impact without contacting the pool bottom.

ii. A separate landing area shall be designated and dedicated to each rope drop.

iii. The exit path of the rider shall not cross the landing area of another ride.

iv. The designated catch pool exit(s) shall be such as to direct riders to move forward and away from the paths of other riders.

v. The landing area shall be an area on the catch pool surface, which contains the reasonably foreseeable points at which the rider may enter. The catch pool shall extend a minimum of three feet beyond the perimeter of the landing area.

(k) The following apply to aquatic activity areas:

1. An aquatic activity area shall be classified as one of two types:

i. Type 1 - aquatic activity pool, with standing water of any depth, including "zero depth entry" or "beach entry" pools; or

ii. Type 2 - aquatic activity deck, with no standing water.

2. Aquatic play equipment operating in a system that re-circulates water shall operate with a filtration/sanitizing system.

3. Aquatic play equipment operating with potable water, without a re-circulating system, shall discharge water per applicable local codes, while ensuring water quality.

4. Aquatic play equipment shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of ASTM F1487-01, as amended by 5:14A-12.7.

5. Floating aquatic play equipment, such as lily pads, log rolls, and stepping/balancing devices, shall be anchored.

6. Floating aquatic play equipment, on which standing is permitted, shall have a landing area extending six feet beyond the equipment perimeter. Water in this landing area shall be a minimum depth of four feet.

i. Floating aquatic play equipment, on which standing is permitted, may be positioned closer than six feet from a deck, for purposes of accessing to/from that deck, when the deck is treated with an impact attenuating surface that meets, or exceeds, requirements of ASTM F 1292, Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment. This deck shall have a minimum unobstructed area extending three feet from the water's edge or any obstacle within three feet from the water's edge shall be treated with an impact attenuating surface that meets, or exceeds, the requirements of ASTM F 1292.

(l) The following apply to materials of construction:

1. Water amusement rides shall be manufactured and constructed only of materials that have demonstrated durability in an aquatic environment. Any new material shall be documented or tested accordingly for durability by the water amusement ride manufacturer.

2. Materials shall not be toxic or harmful to man or the environment under the intended use and reasonable foreseeable abuse.

3. Surfaces which patrons can be expected to contact shall be easily cleaned. Surfaces and edges shall be assembled, arranged, and/or finished (deburred, polished, etc.) so as to not constitute a cutting, pinching, puncturing, or abrasion hazard under casual contact and the intended use. Sharp edges and points shall be eliminated.

4. Surfaces, which are intended to provide a footing for patrons, shall have a slip-resistant surface, but shall not be so rough as to cause a reasonably foreseeable injury.

5. There shall be no protrusions, extensions, means of entanglement, or other obstruction, which can cause entrapment or injury of patrons.

6. Support structures shall be constructed of durable materials such as wood, steel, aluminum, concrete, or engineered composites.

7. Metal structures shall be either inherently corrosion resistant, or be finished in such a way as to provide protection from corrosion. Any such finish shall assume reasonable maintenance.

8. Wood materials shall be finished in such a way as to provide protection against deterioration. Any such finish shall assume reasonable maintenance.

9. Fasteners, connecting, and covering devices shall be corrosion resistant or provided with a corrosion resistant coating.

10. Paints or similar coatings shall comply with Consumer Product Safety Commission 16 CFR Part 1303, Ban of Lead-Containing Paint and Certain Consumer Products Bearing Lead-Containing Paint.

11. Orifices within reach of patrons, including water nozzle openings, shall be designed to minimize entrapment.

12. Padded surfaces shall not leach any chemicals that may adversely affect water chemistry.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:14A-12.5