Md. Code Regs. 09.12.60.05

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 09.12.60.05 - Inspection, Registration, and Certificate Inspection

A. An owner may not operate an amusement attraction unless the amusement attraction has been inspected and a certificate of inspection has been issued by the Commissioner.

B. Annual Registration.

(1) Annually, by April 1, each owner shall register with the Commissioner all of the existing amusement attractions that were previously issued a certificate of inspection by the Commissioner that the owner intends to operate in Maryland that year.

(2) The owner of a new amusement attraction or an amusement attraction that was not previously registered or issued a certificate of inspection in Maryland shall register the amusement attraction with the Commissioner as soon as practical or at least 30 days before anticipated operation and shall include the documentation required in regulation .10 of this chapter.

C. Inspection Hours.

(1) Amusement attraction inspections will normally be conducted during the business hours of 7 a.m. through 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

(2) The Commissioner may schedule inspections at other times when the Commissioner determines that there are extenuating circumstances.

D. Request for Inspection.

(1) Each owner shall notify the Commissioner that the owner's amusement attraction is ready for inspection by submitting a completed inspection request form at least 30 days in advance of the anticipated operation date.

(2) If there is a cancellation or change in the schedule of location or dates after initial notification, an owner shall:

(a) Immediately notify the Commissioner by telephone; and

(b) Promptly confirm the change in writing.

(3) If an owner is unable to provide the Commissioner with the required 30-day advance notice, the owner shall submit to the Commissioner an inspection request form along with a detailed explanation of the reason for the lack of advance notice. The Commissioner may grant the inspection request contingent upon the availability of State resources.

(4) The owner of a new amusement attraction, an amusement attraction that has undergone a major modification, or an amusement attraction that has never received a certificate of inspection allowing it to operate in Maryland shall:

(a) Submit all required records in compliance with Regulation .10 of this chapter; and

(b) After filing the required records, submit a request for inspection to the Commissioner at least 30 days in advance of the anticipated operation date.

(5) The inspection request form shall be furnished by the Commissioner.

(6) The owner shall include with the inspection request form a certificate of insurance indicating that the owner has obtained insurance in the amount required by Business Regulation Article, §3-403, Annotated Code of Maryland.

E. Certificate of Inspection. A certificate of inspection shall be posted in public view on the amusement attraction for which the certificate is issued.

F. Work Orders.

(1) The Commissioner may issue a work order that details required corrective action for an amusement attraction and the time allowed for abatement of each action.

(2) If the corrective action is not completed within the time allowed, the Commissioner may:

(a) Grant an extension of the time allowed; or

(b) Deny a certificate of inspection.

G. Special Amusement Structures.

(1) For a special amusement structure located in an amusement park, the owner shall make a request to the fire official for the jurisdiction where the amusement attraction is located for a fire safety inspection:

(a) Annually, before the start of operation in the State; and

(b) When there is a change in construction or decorative material.

(2) For a special amusement structure located in a carnival or fair, the owner shall make a request to the fire official for the jurisdiction where the amusement attraction is located for a fire safety inspection:

(a) Before operation at each location; and

(b) When there is a change in construction or decorative material.

(3) A certificate of inspection issued by the Commissioner is valid for the amusement attraction only and does not address fire safety issues that may be required by the local fire official.

H. Exits.

(1) At least two exits remote from each other shall be provided for each floor, tier, room, or balcony in a structure that contains an amusement attraction.

(2) An exit may not be less than 22 inches wide.

Md. Code Regs. 09.12.60.05

Regulations .05 amended and recodified from 09.12.62.05 effective 49:21 Md. R. 933-968, eff. 11/1/2022