Text-only version
Saferparks Report on Falls and Ejections - Last update July 2006
Table of Contents:
Overview
Data Sources
Summary of Findings
Whirling/Spinning Rides
Kiddie Rides
Coasters
Other Ride Types
Industry Standards for Restraints
Industry Standards for Amusement Ride Restraints
Industry standards for amusement rides are developed by the ASTM F-24 committee. ASTM F2291, Standard Practice for Design of Amusement Rides and Devices, defines minimum requirements for restraint systems on rides designed after 2003. There are no explicit standardized restraint requirements for amusement rides designed prior to the adoption of F2291 in 2003. Industry standards for amusement rides do not require that older rides ever be brought up to modern safety standards. New rides manufacturered to pre-2003 designs are not required to meet modern safety standards as long as any design-related failures or safety issues have been mitigated. The term "design-related" is not defined; interpretation is left up to each manufacturer and/or regulatory body.
Minimum Standards for Restraints on Rides Designed After 2003
- Acceleration-based Restraint Requirements - In order to comply with industry standards, rides designed after 2003 must be provided with restraint devices in cases where patrons could be lifted or ejected from their seat or riding positions by the acceleration of the amusement ride or device, or by seat inclination, or by other events related to the motion/position of the vehicle (e.g., emergency braking or stops in an inverted position). Five minimum levels of restraints, called classes, are defined in F2291. Restraint levels range from none at all (Class 1) to individually-adjustable restraints with redundant locking function (Class 5). Selection of restraint class is guided by design accelerations, but may be adjusted (either up or down) according to the design analysis.
- Kiddie Ride Restraint Requirements - In addition to the requirements based on acceleration, kiddie rides designed after 2003 are required to provide either a fully enclosed compartment or a latching restraint, unless the design analysis indicates that a restraint is not appropriate (e.g., on a water ride). The final latching position must be "adjustable in relation to the patron(s)". Depending upon interpretation, that could mean adjustable in relation to each patron, or adjustable in relations to the group of patrons in the seat. Kiddie rides are formally defined as rides designed primarily for use by children up to 12 years of age, but current usage of the term denotes a younger cutoff (i.e., rides used primarily by children up to 7 years of age).
Child Restraint Standards
The current design standard, ASTM F2291, does not include explicit requirements for age-appropriate containment and restraint of young children on all rides. The ASTM F-24 industry standards committee formed a task group in 2005 to determine whether additional requirements are necessary.
