520 CMR, § 5.07

Current through Register 1533, October 25, 2024
Section 5.07 - Design and Construction
(1)Scope. 520 CMR 5.07, in addition to the national standards adopted by 520 CMR 5.00, establishes minimum criteria, information and procedures for the design and construction of amusement devices other than inflatables.
(2)Passenger Tramways. Passenger tramways are not amusement devices and are not subject to the requirements of 520 CMR 5.00.
(3)Fire Prevention. All aspects of fire prevention shall be in accordance with 780 CMR: The Massachusetts State Building Code and 527 CMR 1.00: Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.
(4)Construction Requirements. Any building or structure associated as a functional part of or housing the ride shall be constructed in conformance with 780 CMR 1.00: Scope and Administration.
(5)Pressure Vessels, Air Compressors, and Hydraulic Systems. Pressure vessels shall conform to the requirements of 522 CMR 7.00, 522 CMR 8.00 and M.G.L. c. 146, §§ 34 through 41. Air tanks and other receptacles used in connection with air compressors shall be inspected in accordance to M.G.L. c. 146, § 39 and the certificate of inspection issued by the Department shall be kept in the maintenance repair log at the ride at all times.
(6)Manufacturer's Data Plate.
(a) The manufacturer shall affix a data plate to each ride in compliance with 520 CMR 5.00.
(b) Every amusement device shall be identified by a data plate which contains the information required by ASTM F 698. This includes, but is not limited to:
1. The name and address of the manufacturer;
2. A trade or descriptive name of the ride;
3. The manufacturer's serial number;
4. The maximum safe number of riders;
5. The maximum safe speed at which the ride can operate;
6. The minimum and maximum safe weight limit per vehicle or per rider (if applicable);
7. The recommended direction of travel; and
8. The minimum and maximum height restrictions or weight restrictions for riding alone and riding accompanied.
(c) This data plate information shall be legibly impressed on a metal plate or equivalent and permanently affixed in a location on the ride visible at all times.
(d) Where no data plate exists, the owner shall apply a new data plate in conformance with the manufacturer's instructions with approval of the Department.
(7)Electrical Requirements. The Department hereby adopts by reference the 2008 National Electrical Code as it pertains to amusement devices.

As indicated in the National Electric Code, the following should be noted:

(a)All Controls Shall Be Lockable. Operator switches are not a substitute for lockable controls.
(b) Local electrical inspectors have the authority to inspect any electrical device to ensure that it is safe and installed in accordance with the currently accepted code.
(c) During assembly/disassembly, no energized points/surfaces shall be exposed to any personnel.
(8)Chain.
(a) The chain factor of safety shall be defined as the ultimate tensile strength of the chain divided by the maximum steady state tension.
(b) Chain and related accessories shall be selected and designed for specified design loads, speed, corrosion, operating environmental and dynamic conditions, and for wear and fatigue.
(c) Chain manufacturer's specifications shall include dimensions, strength, grade, and nominal breaking strength-working load limit, and shall be included in the maintenance instructions.
(d) The capacity of the chain and related accessories, for example, terminations, adapters, shall be verifiable either by certificates, manufacturer's markings, or testing.
(e) Chains in the primary load path that do not pass around sprockets or wheels shall have a minimum factor of safety of five.
(f) Chains in the primary load path that pass around sprockets or wheels shall have a minimum factor of safety of six.
(g) A method shall be used to maintain proper chain contact with sprocket teeth and pulleys.
(h) The amusement device manufacturer shall include in the maintenance instructions the method to measure chain wear and the maximum allowable change in pitch length.
(i) Metallic chain guides shall be lined or appropriately protected.
(j) The amusement device manufacturer shall include cleaning and lubrication details in the maintenance instructions.
(k) Chains on lift hills shall be retained in the trough.
(9)Wire Rope.
(a) Wire rope may be used in systems such as drive, suspension, tension, braking, and counterweight.
(b) Wire rope consists of individual wires that are twisted into strands that form the rope.
(c) Wire rope and wire rope accessories, including terminations, adapters, and clamps, shall be designed for the specified design drive configuration, cycles, load(s), corrosion, dynamics, environment, wear, fatigue, and service conditions.
(d) Wire rope and wire rope accessories in the primary load patch shall have a minimum factor of safety of six.
(e) The wire rope factor of safety is defined as the ultimate tensile strength of the wire rope divided by the maximum steady state tension.
(f) The capacity of the wire rope and related accessories, for example, terminations, adapters, shall be verifiable either by certificates, manufacturer's markings or testing.
(g) Wire rope systems shall be configured to minimize the forming of kinks or knots on any part of the wire rope system from normal use, and shall be designed to avoid excessive local stressing of individual elements. For example, individual wires or strands within the rope.
(h) All splices shall be done according to the rope manufacturer's wire rope splice specifications.
(i) A method shall be used to maintain proper rope contact with sheaves and pulleys.
(j) Wire rope guides shall be lined or appropriately protected.
(k) The wire rope manufacturer shall recommend the type and frequency of lubrication and corrosion protection. Ropes that have little or no motion, such as ropes in static tension systems, anchors, and guys, require special consideration for protection against corrosion.
(l) Wire rope on amusement rides shall be thoroughly examined periodically, by a maintenance mechanic. Wire rope found to be damaged shall be replaced with new rope of proper design and capacity as per the manufacturer's specifications. Any of the following conditions shall be cause for replacement:
1. In running ropes, six randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay or three broken wires in one strand in one rope lay;
2. In pendants or standing ropes, evidence of more than one broken wire in one rope lay;
3. Any condition which causes the loss of more than a of the original diameter of the outside individual wires;
4. Severe corrosion;
5. Kinking, crushing, bird-caging, or other damage resulting in distortion of the rope structure;
6. Heat damage;
7. Reduction from normal diameter of more than 3/64 inch for diameters up to and including 3/4 inch, 1/16 inch for diameters, f inch to 1 c inches, 3/32 inch for diameters 11/4 inches to l1/2 inches;
8. Birdcaging or other distortion resulting in some members of the rope structure carrying more load than others; or
9. Noticeable rusting or development of broken wires in the vicinity of attachments. When this condition is localized in an operational rope, it may be eliminated by making a new attachment.
(m) Wire ropes used to support, suspend, bear or control forces and weights involved in the movement and utilization of tubs, cars, chairs, seats, gondolas, other carriers, the sweeps, or other supporting members of an amusement ride shall not be lengthened or repaired by splicing. In addition, these shall have a redundant support system capable of carrying the full load. Redundancy of the support system may also be accomplished with a design that includes a higher safety factor in the manufacture of the support system.
(n) Rides utilizing vehicles hanging or suspended from a wire rope shall relocate the vehicles on an annual basis as required by manufacturer's specifications.
(o) Previous fastening points shall be clearly marked for identification when disassembling.
(10)Machine Guards.
(a) The manufacturer shall provide machine guards or other appropriate measures to inhibit employees and patrons from undesirable contact with belts, chains, pulleys, gears, drive lines, and similar moving machinery.
(b) Drive shafts shall be provided with safety containment.
(c) Chain and sprocket guards shall be provided in compliance with ANSI/ASME B15.1, Safety Standards for Mechanical Power Transmission and Conveyors and Related Equipment.
(11)Stopping and Emergency Brakes. Emergency brakes and anti-rollback devices shall be provided and maintained in compliance with the manufacturer's specifications. If any apparent damage beyond normal wear, as indicated in the maintenance manual, is occurring to the anti-rollback dogs, the ride shall be shut down and repaired.
(12)Parking Brakes. Parking brakes shall keep the ride from moving during loading and unloading. In some cases, the brake may be a dynamic brake that stabilizes the ride.
(13)Fencing.
(a)General. All amusement devices shall be provided with fences or other apparatus and controls as may be necessary to do the following:
1. Confine operating staff and patrons within the boundaries of the device to safe areas.
2. Ensure the safety of persons in the vicinity of the amusement device, but not immediately participating in the activity of the amusement device; and
3. Ensure the safety of the operating staff.
(b)Fencing. When fences and gates are designed and manufactured to provide protection to spectators and riders, they shall be constructed to meet the following minimum requirements:
1. They shall be a height of at least 42 inches above the surface on which the inspectors and riders stand.
2. They shall be constructed in such a fashion so as to reject a four inch ball at all openings;
3. They shall be designed, constructed, and erected to inhibit overturning by spectators;
4. Where used, entrance, exit, and loading gates shall open away from the ride or device unless equipped with a positive latching device;
5. Gates shall be designed such that if opened during the amusement ride cycle, the gate will not come into contact with the amusement ride or cause a hazard to riders; and
6. Fences and gates shall be constructed as to inhibit spectator contact with the ride or rider contact with fences or gates, or both.
(14)Means of Access and Egress. Safe and adequate means of access to and egress from a ride shall be provided. Stairways or ramps and connecting landings or platforms shall be provided where the entrance to or exit from a ride is not at grade.
(15)Welding. All welding on structural parts of an amusement device or on sections of amusement devices that effect the mechanical safety of the device shall conform to 520 CMR 5.07(15).

Welding procedures shall be in accordance with American National Standards Institute/American Welding Society (ANSI/AWS) or American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), or equivalent standards. All welding used as a method of fabrication or assembly shall be in accordance with the appropriate American Welding Society (ANSI/AWS D1 specification).

(16)Mechanical Fastening. All fasteners and replacement fasteners shall be in accordance with the ride design specifications per the manufacturer.
(17)Foundations for and Siting of Rides at Fixed Locations.
(a) Before any ride is sited for the first time or moved, a copy of the permit application submitted to the local building department, including all plans and specifications, shall be submitted to the Department for review. The submission shall include the following:
1. Foundation drawing(s) and calculations signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer or a letter signed and sealed by a Massachusetts registered professional engineer certifying that the existing foundation, pad, or other support structure will support the ride in all design conditions;
2. A soil report for rides that require new foundation work; and
3. Site specific environmental information, if this information was not already submitted to the Department. Site specific environmental information shall not be required for rides when the design covers all environmental design conditions found in the Commonwealth.
(b) After the ride is erected, but prior to opening to the public, a copy of the inspection report by the designer or its representative shall be submitted to the Department.
(c) If a ride, which is designed for traveling, is set up for three months or more, the following information shall be submitted to the Department for review: Documentation of the manufacturer's set-up requirements, including documentation regarding the weather or other conditions under which the ride may safely operate and the environmental design conditions. When those conditions are exceeded, the ride shall be taken down.
(18)Internal Combustion Engines.
(a) Internal combustion engines shall be of adequate type, design, and capacity to handle the design load.
(b) Where fuel tanks of internal combustion engines for amusement rides are not of adequate capacity to permit uninterrupted operation during normal operating hours, the amusement ride shall be closed down and unloaded or evacuated during the refueling procedure. The fuel supply shall not be replenished while the engine is running.
(c) Where an internal combustion engine for an amusement ride is operated in an enclosed area, the exhaust fumes shall be discharged to the outside.
(d) Internal combustion engines for amusement rides shall be located to allow proper maintenance and shall be protected by guards, fencing or enclosure.
(19)Warning Signs.
(a) On rides that expose a rider to high speed, substantial centrifugal force or a high degree of excitement, the owner shall post a conspicuous warning sign at the entrance of the ride advising the public of the potential risk to riders.
(b) The signs required shall be in sharply contrasting colors and be legible to a person of normal vision standing at a point of entrance to the ride.
(c) The limitations shall be as specified by the manufacturer.
(d) Operators and operator assistants are responsible for the maintenance of signage in or around the ride. Rides and attractions requiring signs inside each vehicle instructing riders of the safest way to ride shall be maintained at all times. If any vehicle is missing the safety signage, the ride shall not be allowed to operate unless the owner has submitted and received approval from the Department for a policy that requires the vehicle to be positively locked and tagged out to prevent inadvertent use.
(e) If a sticker or on-ride signage is missing, the individual car or vehicle will be locked out utilizing a procedure that has been approved by the Commissioner or his designee. In lieu of such a program, the entire ride shall be taken "out of service" and not allowed to be operated until the proper signage is in place.

520 CMR, § 5.07

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1335, eff. 3/24/2017.