Section SPS 334.24 - Access, egress and passageways(1) HAZARDS. Access to, egress from and passage through amusement rides shall be free of hazards.(2) DESIGN LOADS. All stairways, ramps, platforms and passageways shall be designed and maintained to safely support a superimposed load of at least 100 pounds per square foot.(3) GUARDRAILS. (a)1. Guardrails shall be provided at all open sides of platforms and passageways which are more than 24 inches above the ground or adjacent level.2. Guardrails shall be provided between passenger-carrying devices and persons waiting on the platform or entranceway of a class 2 ride. Note: This rule is intended to keep frequenters from standing on the platform of himalaya-type rides while the ride is in motion.
(b)1. Except as provided in subd. 2., guardrails shall be at least 42 inches high.2. If a guardrail is less than 42 inches high, the department may grant an exception if an equivalent degree of safety is provided.(c) The top member of the guardrail shall be rigid and smooth and capable of withstanding a minimum load of 200 pounds applied downward or horizontally.(d) Guardrails shall be designed and constructed with a rigid intermediate barrier, or equivalent, capable of withstanding a minimum load of 100 pounds applied downward or horizontally.(e) Ropes, chains and similar devices may not be used as guardrails.(f) Guardrails that serve stairways and ramps constructed or manufactured on or after January 1, 2009, shall be designed and constructed in such a fashion to reject a 4-inch ball at all openings, including the bottom of the guardrail and the surface upon which it rests.(4) SURFACES FOR WALKING. (a) All stairways, ramps, platforms and passageways shall be well-drained and kept free of debris, obstructions, projections, tripping hazards and other hazards.(b) All stair treads, ramps and platforms shall have an abrasive or other type of slip-resistant surface. Note: A coefficient of friction of 0.5 or greater is considered to be slip-resistant.
(c) Tripping hazards which cannot be avoided due to the design of the device shall be provided with handrails, contrasting colors, illumination or signs. Note: The low rail of a bumper-car enclosure, electrical distribution boxes or guy wires are examples of these types of tripping hazards.
(d) Gaps between adjacent sections of fixed surfaces for walking shall not exceed one inch in width.(e) Gaps between a fixed and a movable surface for walking or between 2 movable surfaces for walking shall not exceed 3 inches. The gaps shall be minimized by extending one surface under or over the other provided the extensions do not adversely affect the operation of the amusement ride or create a greater tripping hazard.(5) OVERHEAD CLEARANCE. (a) Except as provided in par. (b), overhead clearance shall be not less than 6 feet 8 inches. Note: This rule is intended to apply to all areas of amusement rides where the frequenters walk or stand or are capable of standing during operation of the amusement ride.
(b) The department may accept lesser headroom clearances when the low overhead is part of the amusement ride; however, protection against head injuries shall be provided.(6) STAIRS. (a) Tread width and riser height shall be of any combination that results in a stair angle between 30º and 40º to the horizontal. The riser height shall be at least 6 inches but not greater than 8 inches. Note: The following table presents typical tread-riser combinations which satisfy this rule.
Angle to Horizontal | Rise (in inches) | Tread Run (in inches) |
30° 35..................... | 61/2 | 11 |
32° 08 ...................... | 63/4 | 103/4 |
33° 41..................... | 7 | 101/2 |
35° 16..................... | 71/2 | 101/4 |
36° 52..................... | 71/2 | 10 |
38° 29..................... | 73/4 | 93/4 |
40° 00..................... | 8 | 91/2 |
(b)1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the difference in width between treads and the difference in height between risers shall not exceed 3/8-inch in any one flight of stairs.2. To accommodate ground slopes, the riser distance from ground level to the lowest tread may be less than the rise of the other steps in the stairway.(c) Stair treads shall be level in both directions except that a slight slope to improve drainage is acceptable.(d)1. Handrails shall be provided on both sides of all flights of stairs that have 3 or more risers.2. The handrails shall be located between 30 and 34 inches above the nose of the stair tread.3. The handrail shall be rigid, smooth and capable of withstanding a minimum load of 200 pounds applied downward or horizontally.4. Handrails shall be designed and constructed with a rigid intermediate barrier, or equivalent, capable of withstanding a minimum load of 100 pounds applied downward or horizontally.5. Ropes, chains and similar devices may not be used as handrails.(7) RAMPS. (a) Handrails shall be provided on both sides of all ramps with a slope of more than 1:12. The handrails shall be located between 30 and 34 inches above the ramp surface.(b)1. Except as provided in subd. 2., ramps with a slope of 1:4 shall not exceed 24 inches in width.2. If the amusement ride has a ramp with a slope of 1:4 and a width greater than 24 inches, the department may grant an exception if an equivalent degree of safety is provided.(c)1. Except as provided in subd. 2., ramps shall not have a slope greater than 1:4.2. If the amusement ride has a ramp slope steeper than 1:4, the department may grant an exception if an equivalent degree of safety is provided.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Safety and Professional Services SPS 334.24
Cr. Register, February, 1992, No. 434, eff. 3-1-92; CR 02-127: am. (1), (3) (a) 2., (4) (e), (5) (b), (7) (b) 2. and (c) 2. Register May 2003 No. 569, eff. 6-1-03; CR 08-054: cr. (3) (e), (f) and (6) (d) 5., am. (6) (d) 1. Register December 2008 No. 636, eff. 1-1-09.