La. Admin. Code tit. 55 § V-2593

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section V-2593 - Go-Kart Rules and Regulations

A. Kart Design

1. The speed of each kart shall be limited or governed to not exceed the following: The maximum adult track speed shall not exceed 25 mph and kiddie track speed shall not exceed 10 mph. Speeds other than defined will require approval from the Office of State Fire Marshal.

2. Whenever the design of a kart enables the readjustment of the governing speed, the means of adjustment shall not be accessible to the patron of the kart.

3. The seat, backrest, seat belts, and leg area of every kart shall be designed to retain the patron inside the kart in the event of a collision or overturn.

4. Karts shall be fitted with a shoulder harness and/or belt restraint system as required by the kart manufacturer and acceptable to the Office of State Fire Marshal.

5. Karts shall be provided with sufficient guards to prevent anyone from coming in contact with the drive chains, belts, hot mufflers, engines or rotating parts.

6. Karts shall have bumpers, wheels, and body parts that are comparable to that installed by the original manufacturer.

7. Kart wheels shall be enclosed, guarded, or operated so the wheels of a kart cannot interlock with or ride over the wheels of another kart.

8. The kart steering wheel, hub, and all exposed components shall be padded or helmets and face shields worn to minimize the risk of injury to any patron in the event of a collision or overturn.

9. The kart fuel tank shall be designed and mounted to prevent it from damage or leaking in the event of a collision or overturn.

10. Headrests or roll bars on a kart shall extend above the patron's head and be capable of supporting the weight of the kart and patron as required by the manufacturer. In the event the manufacturer fails to recommend or address this area, the karts shall be equipped with roll bars acceptable to the Office of State Fire Marshal. Any deviations from this requirement shall be submitted to and approved by the Office of State Fire Marshal.

11. Karts shall be provided with impact absorbing bumpers, or energy absorption body parts.

12. Karts shall have sufficient muffler systems installed to prevent any noise levels which will interfere with the track operations, adjacent businesses, residential areas, or damage the hearing of employees or patrons.

13. The brake and throttle controls on a kart shall be clearly identified. The brake and throttle controls shall be foot operated and return automatically to a non-operational position when released.

14. Karts shall be individually identified either by numbers, alpha characters, or other markings acceptable to the Office of State Fire Marshal.

15. Karts shall be inspected and maintained in accordance to manufacturer standards to include, but not limited to, the frame, engine, body, safety restraints, tires, etc.

16. Records of kart inspections and maintenance shall be retained by the operator for a period of 24 calendar months.

B. Track Design

1. The design of the kart track shall be consistent with the kart manufacturers' recommendations. In the absence of any manufacturers' recommendations, the track design shall comply with the current industry standards acceptable to the Office of State Fire Marshal.

2. Cones may be used on tracks as a warning device and to notify the patron of upcoming changes in the track conditions and are used for the following specific reasons:

a. to notify drivers of impending course changes;

b. to outline the track and mark key points such as the apex of the turns; and

c. as a warning device to notify the drivers of the severity of upcoming turns by the location and number of cones prior to the turn;

d. cone placement:

i. on the inside corners; one cone to alert the driver and locate the apex;

ii. on the outside corner; two cones to identify minor course changes;

iii. three cones to identify course changes which requires a slower speed to safely negotiate the turn; and

iv. four and five cones to identify areas where both slower speed and applied braking will be necessary to safely complete the course.

e. once the proper cone locations have been located for the track, these locations shall be marked with high visibility paint under the proper location of the cone. This will alert racing attendants to the correct location of the cones when they are displaced.

3. The track shall have a hard, smooth surface.

4. The track shall provide road grip sufficient to enable the kart to be driven safely at maximum speed and shall be free of ruts, holes, bumps, water, oil, dirt, or other debris.

5. Track surface and design not covered by manufacturers' recommendations or in the absence of such recommendations must be approved by the Office of State Fire Marshal.

6. The width of the track must be a minimum of 16 feet and maximum of 25 feet. The turns on an oval track must be a minimum of 5 feet wider than the straight away. The minimum radius of the turns is 15 feet. Any deviations from these requirements shall be submitted to and approved by the Office of State Fire Marshal.

7. The track shall have signs that indicate one direction of travel and no U-turns permitted. These signs shall be posted at various locations around the track perimeter. Signs, signal lights and other safety equipment shall be maintained in operational condition at all times when open to the public.

8. The track shall have no intersecting course configurations. Pit entrances and exits are allowed but appropriate clearly posted signage indicating the entry and exit locations are required to prevent collisions.

9. The shoulder shall be level with the track and marked with cones. White or yellow lines at least 4 inches in width shall be used to mark all inside and outside edges of the kart track except where barriers are provided along the inside and outside edges of the kart track.

10. Barriers shall be designed to prevent a kart from overturning or running over or under the barrier and designed to bring a kart safely to a full stop or guide the kart safely back onto the track.

a. Barriers shall be placed:

i. between tracks or sections of tracks within 30 feet of each other and constructed of materials that will not readily ignite;

ii. between the track and obstructions or hazards located with 30 feet from the track;

iii. along all non-access and non-egress edges of the pit area; and

iv. between the track and any area accessible to spectators.

11. Fencing shall be at least 48 inches in height. The fence and gates shall be designed so a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through any opening. Fencing shall be located around every kart track.

12. Pit area for loading and unloading must be separated from the track by a fence or barrier. The pit area must be the same surface as the track and have separate, clearly marked entrance and exit lanes.

13. Electrical installations must comply with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70 (2014 edition), and include lighting for night operation, if operations are conducted after dark.

14. Proposals for construction of new kart tracks and proposals for the renovation, alteration, or modification of existing tracks in the State of Louisiana shall be submitted to the Office of State Fire Marshal and other appropriate agencies before beginning construction. The following information shall accompany any application or proposal and shall include but not be limited to:

a. one copy of site plans and all accompanying documentation;

b. a copy of all required local, parish or state permits such as (but not limited to) business licenses, and/or electrical, building, or plumbing permits. When all inspections are completed by local, parish or state agencies one copy of the completed inspection report shall be sent to the Office of State Fire Marshal for enclosure in the facility's permanent file.

15. Fire Protection

a. Kart tracks shall be equipped with ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers with a 4A 80BC rating with a travel distance not to exceed 50 feet as provided for in NFPA 10 (2013 edition), Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.

b. The required fire extinguisher shall be readily accessible from all areas of the track and one fire extinguisher shall be kept in the pit and refueling area(s). The fire extinguisher location shall be prominently marked, easily accessible and approximately 36 inches above the ground.

16. Refueling Area

a. Karts shall be refueled in a designated location remote from any area accessible to the public. Fuel storage and transfer cans must meet the requirements of NFPA 30 (2015 edition). Any fuel spillage must be promptly cleaned and prevented from running onto the track or any area accessible to the public. Warning signs must be prominently displayed stating that smoking is prohibited in the refueling area.

b. All kart motors shall be turned off during refueling.

17. Track Operation

a. Karts may only be operated by patrons within height limits set by the manufacturer. If no height limit is set by the manufacturer, patrons shall be at least 52 inches tall and have a leg length that can reach the brake and throttle controls from the patron's seat in order to drive an adult kart.

b. Only patrons less than 52 inches in height with a leg length sufficient to reach the brake and throttle controls from the patron's seat shall be permitted to operate a kiddie kart.

c. Adult karts and kiddie karts shall not be operated on the same track at the same time.

d. No kart shall be operated during a lightning storm, a period of tornado warning, fire, riot, or other civil disturbance in the area of the track or in an adjacent area. If any of these events occur while the track is in operation, patrons shall be unloaded and evacuated from the ride and the ride shut down until normal, safe operational conditions are established.

e. Kart tracks shall be monitored during operation either directly by attendants, or indirectly by electronic visual and audio means acceptable to the Office of State Fire Marshal.

f. A kart losing oil or fuel shall immediately be removed from the kart track. All karts must be stopped immediately and the track cleaned prior to restarting.

g. When the kart manufacturer recommends, or they are deemed necessary by the Office of State Fire Marshal, the use of helmets must be provided for all patrons to use. Helmets, if used, must fit the patron's head correctly. All helmets must be cleaned with disinfectant twice daily.

h. Karts designed for single or multiple riders shall use a shoulder harness and/or belt restraint system as required by the kart manufacturer. When deemed necessary for additional protection of kart patrons, the Office of State Fire Marshal may require the addition and use of a shoulder harness or belt restraint system on all karts.

i. Patron's loose clothing and hair longer than shoulder length must be secured prior to operating any kart. Fully enclosed shoes must be worn by kart patrons at all times during operation of a kart.

j. Patrons are prohibited from smoking during kart operation.

k. Track attendants shall not allow patrons to leave their karts either in the pit or on the track unless assisted by track or pit attendants.

l. The kart track operator shall post a conspicuous warning sign at the entrance to the kart track. The sign shall be at least 2 feet by 2 feet in sharply contrasting colors and shall contain manufacturer warnings regarding medical restrictions, if any, for ride patrons.

m. The kart track operator must have a sign posted at the ticket window or track entrance and in the pit area that conveys, at a minimum, the following rules and regulations:

i. The patron height limit specified by the manufacturer, or no less than 52 inches for adult karts and no more than 52 inches for kiddie karts.

ii. Keep both hands on the wheel and both feet in the kart at all times. Do not get out of the kart unless track attendant is present.

iii. All loose clothing and hair longer than shoulder length must be secured. Fully enclosed shoes must be worn by kart patrons at all times during operation of kart.

iv. No smoking in kart or pit area.

v. Persons under the influence of intoxicants will not be allowed to operate karts.

vi. The use of private karts or vehicles will be prohibited on kart track when they are open to the public.

C. All plans and accompanying documents and any requests for deviations from the requirements herein can be submitted online to the Office of State Fire Marshal by utilizing the agencys Information Management System (OSFM-IMS), which is accessible via the agencys website (www.lasfm.org).

D. Record Retention and Inspection

1. Daily inspections must be made on all karts prior to operation. Inspections shall include but not be limited to: tires, padding, steering wheel, frame welds, spindles, axles, seat or shoulder belts, roll bars, gasoline tank condition, brake and gas pedal operation, and other parts as recommended by the kart manufacturer or the Office of State Fire Marshal.

2. Weekly, monthly and annual inspections shall be performed as recommended by the kart manufacturer or the Office of State Fire Marshal.

3. A track operation manual shall be written in the English language and available for review by the Office of State Fire Marshal.

4. The kart track shall have and demonstrate an emergency plan for evacuation of patrons and employees in the event of an emergency. This shall include, but not be limited to, fires, kart collisions, dangerous weather, obstructions on the track, handling intoxicated patrons, and emergency first aid.

5. The kart track shall maintain records of all required inspections for a period of 24 months.

La. Admin. Code tit. 55, § V-2593

Promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of the State Fire Marshal, LR 441269 (7/1/2018).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:1484.2(B).