5J-18.003. Qualified Inspectors

(1) Each person seeking to perform amusement ride inspections as a Qualified Inspector (QI) for an insurance underwriter and execute the FDACS 03433, Fair Rides Affidavit of Compliance and Nondestructive Testing, 07/20, as incorporated by reference in Rule 5J-18.0012, F.A.C., shall provide the department the following documents and information:

(a) Written certification from an insurance company, which certification must be renewed by the insurance company every 3 years, verifying that the applicant is an employee or agent of the company and is authorized to act as a qualified inspector for that insurance company, which is insuring the amusement ride; and,

(b) Information which will verify employment dates together with names and addresses of employers for such period of time as will demonstrate the required experience in the amusement ride field; at least two years of which were involved in actual ride inspection with an amusement ride manufacturer, government agency, park, carnival or insurance company; and,

(c) A written statement or certificate from a school or seminar which demonstrates at least eighty hours of formal education from a school or seminar for amusement ride inspection or ride safety, which is approved by rule of the department, during the past five years. Nondestructive testing training that meets the requirements of American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) may be substituted for up to half of the required hours of formal education; and,

(d) A written statement or certificate from a school or sponsor of a seminar showing thirty-two hours per year of continuing education annually at a school or schools, or a seminar, approved by the department. These continuing education hours may include in-service industry or manufacturer updates and seminars. Curriculum subjects considered for credits are those subjects included in schools or seminars conducted or sponsored by: National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO), Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers International (AIMS), Council for Amusement and Recreational Equipment Safety (CARES), or any nationally recognized amusement ride organization, ride inspector or ride safety training programs conducted or sanctioned by state or local government amusement ride regulatory agencies in any jurisdiction, exempt permanent facilities in the state of Florida, and vocational training programs that reasonably relate to amusement ride safety or inspection, or other nationally recognized programs relating to amusement ride inspection or ride safety. Nondestructive testing training that meets the requirements of ASNT may be substituted for up to half of the required hours of continuing education.

(e) When a Qualified Inspector possesses the requisite qualifications the department will provide the applicant a qualified inspector number designating that person as a qualified inspector for the purpose of executing the Fair Rides Affidavit of Compliance and Nondestructive Testing. The qualified inspector number shall be used when executing the required affidavits. The qualified inspector number issued by the department to a qualified inspector shall be valid for one year, so long as the applicant possesses the qualifications required by Section 616.242(3)(q), F.S.

(f) The department acknowledges the amusement ride education programs of NAARSO, AIMS, CNA Insurance, and the Pennsylvania Amusement Ride Safety Seminar, as educational programs meeting the department’s requirements to certify a qualified inspector.

(g) A sponsor or an attendee of any school or seminar that concerns, or is reasonably related to, amusement ride inspection or ride safety may request consideration as an educational program which meets the requirements of this rule by contacting the Bureau Chief, Bureau of Fair Ride Inspections, 2005 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-6500; Phone: [phone]; FAX: [phone]; or by email to [e-mail].

(2) Each person seeking authorization to perform amusement ride inspection as a Professional Engineer (PE) and execute the Fair Rides Affidavit of Compliance and Nondestructive Testing shall submit to the department a copy of his or her professional engineer’s license issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation of the State of Florida or the equivalent licensing body in another state. Upon receipt of proof of current licensure the department will acknowledge receipt of that license in writing. A PE shall use their professional engineer’s license number when executing the Fair Rides Affidavit of Compliance and Nondestructive Testing. The authorization to execute the Fair Rides Affidavit of Compliance and Nondestructive Testing shall remain valid for one year, unless the QI or PE ceases to possess the qualifications required by law.

(3) The QI or PE shall perform inspections on all inspection points identified in the manufacturer’s manual, manufacturer’s inspection bulletins and ride operations manual.

(4) The QI or PE shall review the maintenance documentation of the ride when determining if additional Nondestructive Testing is required.

(5) When a QI or PE no longer possesses the qualifications required by Section 616.242(3)(p) or (q), F.S., that person shall immediately notify the department by fax: [phone]; or by email to [e-mail], and shall cease to act as a qualified inspector.

Rulemaking Authority 616.165, 616.242(3)(p), (q), (5) FS. Law Implemented 616.242 FS. History–New 9-15-92, Amended 2-23-94, 2-14-99, 10-10-01, 5-30-05, 10-2-07, Formerly 5F-8.003, Amended 10-29-19, 11-18-20.