Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 09 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Subtitle 12 - DIVISION OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Chapter 09.12.63 - Water Slides Erected Permanently or Temporarily in the State
Section 09.12.63.07 - Design Criteria
Universal Citation: MD Code Reg 09.12.63.07
Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 19, September 20, 2024
A. Scope.
(1) The design criteria contained in COMAR
09.12.62.10B
apply to all water slides.
(2) The
criteria contained in this regulation shall apply to any slide for which:
(a) A construction permit is issued after the
effective date of this chapter; or
(b) Construction or renovation has begun
after the effective date of this chapter.
B. Overall Design.
(1) The slide's structural design and
materials shall:
(a) Comply with generally
accepted structural engineering practices; and
(b) Provide a durable frame which shall
safely sustain all weights and pressures for the projected operating life of
the structure.
(2) The
materials for components and accessories to be used in and around slides shall
be such that the operational strength of the entire assembly and its components
is not adversely affected by exposure to rain, snow, ice, sunlight, local
normal temperature extremes, local normal wind variations, local air pollution
products, and the mechanical, electrical, and chemical environment in and
around the slides.
(3) Materials
selected for components and accessories used in and around slides shall be such
that all parts with external surfaces and edges that may come in contact with
the slider are assembled, arranged, and finished so that they do not constitute
a cutting, pinching, puncturing, or abrasion hazard in casual contact or
intended use.
(4) Surfaces shall be
inert, nontoxic, smooth, and easy to clean.
(5) The flumes shall be designed or
ventilated, or both, to prevent concentrations of toxic disinfectant
fumes.
C. Water Slide Flume.
(1) Curves, turns, and tunnels within
the path of a slide flume shall be designed so that body impact with the walls
of the flume or ceiling of a tunnel does not present a hazard.
(2) The slide flume shall be banked to keep
the slider's body safely inside the flume or curve under all foreseeable
circumstances.
(3) Slopes within
the path of the slide flume shall be designed so that the slider's speed does
not exceed the level when a safe equilibrium of dynamic forces can be
maintained on any curve or turn.
(4) The construction, dimensions, and
attachment of slide flume bed components shall be such that the surface of the
slide flume is continuous and smooth.
(5) The walls of the flume shall be designed
so that the continuous and combined action of hydrostatic, dynamic, and static
loads, and normal environmental deterioration do not cause structural failures
which could result in injury or require patching of the original
structure.
D. Flume Exit.
(1) When the water slide ends in a
splash pool, the following requirements apply:
(a) The pool shall be of sufficient length
and width so as to preclude a slider from contacting the walls, adjacent flume
exits, and sliders exiting from multiple exit flumes;
(b) Unless the manufacturer specifies
otherwise, the flumes shall terminate:
(i) At
a depth of at least 6 inches below the splash pool's operating water surface
level; or
(ii) If the flume is
level for a distance of at least 10 feet from its exit, at a height not more
than 2 inches above the water's surface.
(2) When the water slide ends in a runout,
the owner shall ensure that the runout is of a sufficient length to allow for
the safe deceleration of sliders.
E. Splash Pool.
(1) Unless the manufacturer specifies
otherwise, a splash pool depth of at least 3 feet shall be provided at the end
of each flume for a distance of at least 20 feet.
(2) Inlets from the water circulation system
shall be designed so as to prevent injury to the splash pool user.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maryland may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
