5J-18.004. Nondestructive Testing of Amusement Rides

(1) In accordance with the requirements of Section 616.242(7), F.S., nondestructive testing of amusement rides shall be conducted on all inspection points identified, including all relevant bulletins and shall be reported to the department for each amusement ride by the Qualified Inspector or PE on department form FDACS-03433, Fair Rides Affidavit of Compliance and Nondestructive Testing, Rev. 05/24, incorporated by reference in Rule 5J-18.0012, F.A.C.

(2) All nondestructive testing of amusement rides shall be conducted by a level II or level III nondestructive technician certified in accordance with American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) recommended practice SNT-TC-1A.

(3) Additional, nonvisual nondestructive testing of specified amusement rides shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions set forth in this subsection.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision adopted by rule and in addition to all other testing required pursuant to Section 616.242, F.S., the amusement rides listed below must undergo nonvisual nondestructive metal fatigue testing of wall thickness of all sealed tubular components upon initial entry into the state and prior to undergoing a department inspection. Additional nonvisual nondestructive metal fatigue testing shall occur every 5 years thereafter.

1. If all sealed tubular components of an amusement ride are replaced with newly manufactured components purchased directly from the amusement ride manufacturer after August 1, 2017, nonvisual nondestructive metal fatigue testing of the sealed tubular components shall be conducted 5 years after the purchase date of the components and every 5 years thereafter.

2. If an amusement ride has a manufacture date after August 1, 2017, nonvisual nondestructive metal fatigue testing of the sealed tubular components shall be conducted 5 years after the manufacture date of the amusement ride and every 5 years thereafter.

3. Notwithstanding the requirements of subparagraphs (3)(a)1. and 2., if the manufacturer of an amusement ride establishes a schedule for nonvisual nondestructive metal fatigue testing of sealed tubular components, the amusement ride shall undergo such testing in accordance with the manufacturer’s published schedule.

(b) The owner or manager shall consult with the manufacturer of the amusement ride to determine specifications for acceptable wall thickness of all sealed tubular components for the amusement ride. If the manufacturer of the amusement ride is no longer in business or refuses to provide such specifications, the owner or manager shall consult a licensed professional engineer to determine specifications for acceptable wall thickness of all sealed tubular components of the amusement ride.

(c) If nonvisual nondestructive metal fatigue testing demonstrates that all sealed tubular components meet wall thickness specifications, the owner or manager of the amusement ride shall provide the nondestructive testing documentation in English to the Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection. Such documentation shall be from the manufacturer of the amusement ride or from the ASNT level II or III certified technician certifying that the wall thickness specifications have been met.

1. All such documentation shall be based upon nonvisual nondestructive metal fatigue testing conducted on or after August 1, 2017.

2. Amusement rides for which no such documentation has been provided to the Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection shall not be operated in Florida.

(d) The following amusement rides are subject to the requirements set forth in this subsection:

1. Confolding – Extreme;

2. KMG – Fireball, Afterburner, Freakout, Fuerball, Wildclaw, Beach Party, Speed, Tango;

3. Technical Park – Chaos, Streetfighter, Dreamcatcher, High Energy, Pegasus, Delusion, Sky Fighter, Stinger, Extreme;

4. Tivoli – Spin Out; and,

5. Zamperla – Discovery, Nitro, Powersurge.

(4) The department shall require additional nondestructive testing following repairs on components found to contain defects or that have resulted in failure or present serious risk of injury to patrons.

(5) During annual affidavit of compliance and nondestructive testing, additional testing of components where padding or other covering prevents daily visual checks shall be conducted.

(6) In addition to all other requirements, affiants conducting nondestructive testing on go-karts or go-kart tracks shall certify the following:

(a) The speed of the go-karts is governed or otherwise limited in accordance with Rule 5J-18.015 or 5J-18.0152, F.A.C.; and

(b) The track is designed to accommodate go-karts traveling at speeds at which the go-karts are being operated on the track; and

(c) The barriers on the track are appropriate to be used with the go-karts being operated on the track.

Rulemaking Authority 616.165, 616.242(4), (7) FS. Law Implemented 616.242(4)(b), (7) FS. History–New 9-15-92, Amended 9-21-93, 2-23-94, 2-14-99, 5-30-05, Formerly 5F-8.004, Amended 2-22-18, 10-14-18, 10-29-19, 11-18-20, 6-27-24.