5J-18.009. Inspections by Owner or Manager

(1) Prior to opening on each day of operation and prior to any inspection by the department the owner or manager of each amusement ride shall inspect and test the amusement ride in accordance with the requirements of Section 616.242(16), F.S., and record the inspection on the applicable department form FDACS-03424, Rev. 07/19, Fair Rides Owner’s Daily Inspection Report (Carnival Type); FDACS-03425, Rev. 07/19, Fair Rides Owner’s Daily Inspection Report (Water Park); FDACS-03426, Rev. 09/20, Fair Rides Owner’s Daily Inspection Report (Go-Kart Track and Vehicle); FDACS-03427, Rev. 07/19, Fair Rides Owner’s Daily Inspection Report (Bungy). In lieu of the forms referenced in this section and incorporated by reference in Rule 5J-18.0012, F.A.C., the owner or manager may request approval of an alternative form by submitting the form to the department by email to [e-mail], by fax to [phone], or by mail to Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection, 2005 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-6500. The department shall approve the alternative form for use if the alternative form includes, at a minimum, all information required on the applicable department form. Upon approval, an alternative form may be used to document daily inspections as required by Section 616.242(16), F.S.

(2) Inspections shall be consistent with inspection programs outlined in ASTM F770-23, as incorporated by reference in Rule 5J-18.0011, F.A.C. to include inspections and testing of the following, at a minimum:

(a) Proper operation of all carriers, to include restraint devices and latches;

(b) Entrance, exits, stairways and ramps;

(c) Loading/unloading areas;

(d) Communication devices used for operations;

(e) Safety devices;

(f) Braking systems;

(g) Fencing and guarding of amusement devices;

(h) Structural integrity for rust and corrosion, cracks, and other abnormalities;

(i) Safety signage;

(j) Operational test of amusement ride; and,

(k) Any additional specifications outlined by the manufacturer.

Inspection documentation shall be reviewed and approved by the owner, manager, or designee, as specified in subsections 5J-18.014(2) and (3), F.A.C.

(3) The owner or manager shall implement a program of maintenance based on manufacturer recommendations and in accordance with ASTM International Committee F-24 on Amusement Rides and Devices Designation, as incorporated by reference in Rule 5J-18.0011, F.A.C. This program of maintenance shall include a checklist with the following information, at a minimum:

(a) Frequency of preventative maintenance on components of the ride;

(b) Preventative maintenance assignments for all persons conducting maintenance;

(c) Frequency of lubrication;

(d) Wear tolerances deemed necessary by the manufacturer;

(e) Operational testing and minimum intervals on when to perform;

(f) Specifications for replacement fasteners and torque requirements; and,

(g) Nondestructive testing criteria and methodology.

Maintenance documentation shall be reviewed and approved by the owner, manager, or designee, as specified in subsections 5J-18.014(2) and (3), F.A.C.

(4) Records describing inspection results and maintenance work performed shall be maintained for a minimum of four years unless the required inspection/maintenance interval is greater than four years, in which case the most recent documented inspection results shall be maintained and must be made available immediately upon request.

(5) Inspection and maintenance records for a period of six months prior to inspection by the department must be made available immediately upon request.

(6) Records of major modifications shall be maintained for the life of the ride and must be made available immediately upon request.

Rulemaking Authority 616.165, 616.242(4), (16) FS. Law Implemented 616.242 FS. History–New 9-15-92, Amended 2-23-94, 2-14-99, 5-30-05, 5-30-10, Formerly 5F-8.009, Amended 7-27-17, 10-29-19, 11-18-20, 5-22-24.