Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) This
section establishes specific requirements for water related amusement rides in
addition to the general requirements contained in this chapter in order that
water related amusement rides erected permanently or temporarily in the state
are operated and maintained in accordance with Section
616.242, F.S.
(2) Definitions. As used in this section, the
following definitions shall apply:
(a) Catch
pool means a pool at the base of the water related amusement ride from which
patrons exits.
(b) Catch pool
attendant means an attendant who directly monitors the activity in the catch
pool and immediate vicinity.
(c)
Flume means an inclined channel containing water which provides a transit path
for conveying patrons.
(d) Runout
means the portion at the end of a water related amusement ride which contains a
flow of water and allows for safe deceleration and exit of patrons.
(e) Water related amusement ride means any
amusement ride involving immersion of the body totally or partially in the
water.
(f) Water slide means a
water related amusement ride used as a recreational device which:
1. Has a total vertical drop of 10 feet or
more; and,
2. Uses flowing water to
provide low friction; and,
3. Is
designed to provide a descending ride into a catch pool, runout or body of
water at the base of the water related amusement ride.
(3) Manual.
(a) Each owner or manager of a water related
amusement ride shall maintain an operational manual or other written
instructions for all operation and maintenance.
(b) The manual, and other written
instruction, shall be legible, in English, and readily accessible at the water
park and shall include the following:
1.
General maintenance and cleanup procedures;
2. Equipment operation
instructions;
3. A written
emergency plan.
(4) Posted Signs. At the water park's
entrance or at each water related amusement ride, the owner or manager shall
provide a sign that conveys the meaning of the following instructions and
information:
(a) General instructions for
patron safety for specific amusement rides.
(b) Any other instructions recommended or
required by the manufacturer, owner or manager to be posted.
(5) Daily Inspections. During
operations, the owner, manager, or the owner's designee shall:
(a) Inspect the water related amusement ride
prior to each day's use to determine that the water related amusement ride is
in proper operating condition;
(b)
Maintain appropriate water related amusement ride inspection records as
required in Section 616.242(16),
F.S., 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.
(6) Operation.
(a) The owner or manager shall operate each
water related amusement ride in accordance with its operations manual and
manufacturer requirements.
(b) Each
attendant shall be trained in:
1. The use of
the equipment which the attendant may operate,
2. Procedures for operations,
3. The instructions to patrons;
and,
4. The water related amusement
ride general emergency plan.
(c) At least one attendant must be trained in
first aid and certified in life saving techniques by The American Red Cross,
Y.M.C.A. or other nationally recognized organization with similar standards as
required under Chapter 514, F.S.
(d) Owners, managers or attendants shall
instruct all patrons as to safe operation procedures.
(e) Owners, managers or attendants shall
enforce the rules for patron safety set out in the owner's operations manual
and in manufacturer's requirements.
(7) Criteria.
(a) All parts or components with external
surfaces and edges of the water related amusement ride that may come in contact
with the patron shall minimize the potential for a cutting or pinching
hazard.
(b) The water park shall be
fenced. Fencing and gating shall be in accordance with ASTM International
Committee F-24 on Amusement Rides and Devices Designations, as incorporated by
reference in Rule 5J-18.0011, F.A.C. Individual
water related amusement rides need not be fenced when the water park is
fenced.
(c) Wave pools shall have a
buoy line or other device to warn patrons away from the wave generating
equipment when required by the manufacturer.
(d) At least one attendant position at a wave
pool shall have a functional emergency stop.
(8) Ingress, Egress, and Walking Surfaces.
The owner or manager shall maintain the means of ingress, egress and walking
surfaces of the amusement ride so that they are slip resistant with a textured
surface which is not conducive to slipping under contact of bare
feet.
Rulemaking Authority 616.165, 616.242(4)(c) FS. Law
Implemented 616.242(4) FS.
New 12-6-93, Amended 2-14-99, 5-30-10, Formerly
5F-8.016, Amended 7-27-17,
5-2-19, 10-29-19, 11-18-20.
