S.C. Code Regs. § § 71-4450

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 11, November 22, 2024

Section 71-4450 - Miscellaneous Safety Requirements for Amusement Rides

1. Electrical Systems.

A. The following wiring systems are acceptable:

(1) Three Phase System with an equipment grounding conductor grounded at the power source that is not bonded to a neutral conductor (except at the source) and is constructed in accordance with the 1990 National Electrical Code. Compliance with the requirements of any later edition of the National Electrical Code will be accepted by the Director as compliance with the 1990 edition.

(2) Single Phase System with an equipment grounding conductor grounded at the power source that is not bonded to a neutral conductor (except at the source) and is constructed in accordance with the 1990 National Electrical Code. Compliance with the requirements of any later edition of the National Electrical Code will be accepted by the Director as compliance with the 1990 edition.

B. Ground fault interruption circuitry must be provided for wiring systems of 240 volts or less, 30 amps or less, for amusement devices in which water is a major medium. Control circuits 50 volts or less are exempt from this requirement. Permanent area lighting not attached to the amusement device or accessible by the public are exempt from this requirement when wired in accordance with the 1990 National Electrical Code. Compliance with the requirements of any later edition of the National Electrical Code will be accepted by the Director as compliance with the 1990 edition.

C. All electrical equipment and devices are to be guarded against access by unauthorized persons. All cable must be routed to reduce a tripping hazard.

D. Dark Rides

(1) The track or bus supplying voltage to the individual cars shall be maintained at 50 volts or less potential.

(2) All areas shall have adequate emergency lighting to permit safe exiting in the event of power failure. This lighting must come on automatically in the event of power failure.

(3) All areas shall have lighting controlled by a switch at the operating control station, in addition to emergency lights. This lighting shall be adequate to allow safe exiting.

(4) All exits shall have illuminated exit signs mounted above the exit and wired to automatically be energized in the event of power failure or in the event that the area lighting control switch at the operating station is activated.

E. All fluorescent lights shall have sleeving and be secured in place.

F. Each electrically operated amusement device shall be provided with a lockable externally operated protected disconnect. This disconnect shall remove all power from the amusement device, and shall be clearly labeled.

2. Structural.

A. All devices shall be guarded against access by non-authorized personnel into the area of operation.

B. One AB&C fire extinguisher of at least 10 lb. capacity shall be placed on all generator units of greater than 7.5 kilowatts. One AB&C fire extinguisher of at least 10 lb. capacity shall be provided for all gasoline powered amusement devices with engines greater than 5 HP and all remote fuel storage areas of 10 gallons or more. The fire extinguisher must be readily accessible and in good working order.

C. One AB&C fire extinguisher of at least 5 lb. capacity shall be placed on all generators less than 7.5 kilowatts. One AB&C fire extinguisher of at least 5 lb. capacity shall be provided for all gasoline-powered amusement devices with engines 5 HP or less and all remote fuel storage areas not exceeding 10 gallons. The fire extinguisher must be readily accessible and in good working order.

D. There shall be a minimum of 6 feet between fences when the fence is attached to a portion of a device containing an electrical device. Where the electrical device is 240 volts or less, 30 amps or less, and equipped with GFI circuitry, the minimum distance need not be maintained. Common fences are acceptable under other conditions.

E. Dark Rides--There shall be a minimum of one

(1) smoke and fire detector per 500 square foot area and a five (5) lb. ABC fire extinguisher shall be located at all entrances and exits and at any operator station not located directly at an entrance or exit.

F. Blocking Requirements.

(1) The footing, blocking, or anchorage for amusement devices shall be sound, rigid, and capable of carrying the maximum intended load without settling or displacement. Unstable objects such as barrels, boxes, loose brick, or concrete blocks, shall not be used to support amusement devices.

(2) Blocking of an amusement device shall be sized so that the bearing surface of the blocking is equal to or greater than the bearing surface of the support pad of the amusement device.

(3) The height of the blocking shall not exceed the total width of the base of the blocks being used.

G. All amusement devices, generators and power distribution centers must be accessible to emergency vehicles.

H. All amusement devices must maintain a minimum 10' clearance from any overhead power lines in both the static and dynamic states.

I. Internal combustion and electrical power sources, and power transmitting elements, shall be of adequate type, design and capacity to handle the design load.

J. Fuel tanks should be of adequate capacity to permit uninterrupted operation during normal operating hours. Where it is impossible to provide tanks of proper capacity for a complete day, the engine shall be shut down and the amusement device unloaded or evacuated during the refueling procedure. Under no circumstances shall the fuel supply be replenished while the engines are running.

K. An enclosed area in which an internal combustion engine is operated shall be ventilated. Exhaust fumes from the engine shall be discharged outside the area. The equipment shall be properly grounded.

L. Internal combustion power sources shall be located in a manner permitting proper maintenance and shall be protected either by guards, fencing or enclosures.

M. All amusement grounds shall be free from recognized hazards which may cause injury.

3. Ride Operation.

A. The owner shall not allow any device operator under the influence of controlled drugs or alcohol to operate or assist in the operation of the device.

B. When requested, the operator must halt a device and allow passengers desiring to disembark to do so.

C. The owner shall have no fewer than one (1) operator per device. Additional assistance may be required as necessary.

D. The owner shall not allow an operator to leave the controls during operation of the device and shall not allow assistants to leave their assigned stations during operation of the device.

E. All buttons and switches on operating control stations shall be properly labeled in English as to their functions, and all emergency stopping devices shall be colored red.

F. All operators must be able to speak and comprehend the English Language sufficiently to communicate with patrons, follow instructions and comprehend the operating fact sheet.

4. Mechanical.

A. An amusement device capable of exceeding its maximum safe operating speed shall be provided with a speed limiting device.

B. Amusement rides shall continue to meet manufacturing specifications including all safety bulletins.

S.C. Code Regs. § 71-4450

Added by State Register Volume 11, Issue No. 6, effective June 26, 1987. Amended by State Register Volume 12, Issue No. 5, effective May 27, 1988; State Register Volume 17, Issue No. 5, Part 3, eff May 28, 1993; State Register Volume 21, Issue No. 6, Part 2, eff June 27, 1997.