Definitions

As used in Sections 29-136-1a to 29-136-11a, inclusive: (1) "Amusement" means any circus or carnival presented in the open, including a place where one or more mechanical amusement rides or devices capable of accommodating five or more persons are presented for amusement or entertainment purposes, and any circus, carnival or other portable show or exhibition presented under any single tent, air-supported plastic or fabric or other portable shelter, and involving the assembly of 100 or more persons. (2) "Carnival" means a transient enterprise offering amusement and entertainment for the public in, upon or by means of mechanical amusement rides or devices. (3) "Concession Booth" means a structure or enclosure used at a fair, carnival or park from which amusements are offered to the public. (4) "E-1" means an individual with an unlimited electrical contractor's license issued by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection in accordance with the provisions of Section 20-332 of the Connecticut General Statutes. (5) "Engineer" means a Connecticut licensed professional engineer with civil, electrical, structural or mechanical disciplines and having knowledge of mechanical amusement rides and devices, who has been approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety to inspect and determine the safety of such rides and devices. (6) "Fair" means an enterprise principally devoted to the exhibition of products of agriculture or industry, to which the operation of mechanical amusement rides and devices or concession booths is an adjunct. (7) "Homemade Ride or Device" means a mechanical amusement ride or device that was not manufactured by a recognized manufacturer or any mechanical amusement ride or device which has been substantially altered without the approval of the manufacturer. (8) "Inspection" means the physical examination of a mechanical amusement ride or device and the grounds and area around such ride or device, made by the Commissioner of Public Safety or his designee. (9) "Inspector" means a Connecticut licensed professional engineer, an electrical official with an E-1 electrical rating, municipal building official, or the Commissioner of Public Safety or his designee. (10) "Kiddie Ride" means a mechanical amusement ride or device designed primarily for use by children 12 years of age and under. (11) "Major Alteration" means a change in the type, capacity, structure, electrical or hydraulic systems, or mechanism of a mechanical amusement ride or device. This includes any change that would require approval of the manufacturer or an engineer. (12) "Major Ride" means a mechanical amusement ride or device designed to carry adults and children in or on a vehicle suitable for conveying persons. (13) "Mechanical Amusement Ride or Device" means any device or system requiring the supervision or control of an operator, designed and presented for entertainment, excitement or pleasure by physically conveying five or more persons, or providing a walkway for five or more persons to move themselves along, around or over a course in any direction as a form of amusement. This definition shall not include the following: (A) any non-electrical, non-mechanical playground equipment including, but not limited to, swings, seesaws, spring mounted animal features, rider propelled merry-go-rounds, climbers, playground slides, trampolines, and physical fitness devices; or (B) any permanently installed special amusement building designed and constructed in accordance with the Connecticut Fire Safety Code and the Connecticut State Building Code. (14) "Owner" means the proprietor, operator, agent or possessor of such amusement. (15) "Repair" means to restore a mechanical amusement ride or device to a condition equal to or better than the original design specifications. (16) "Ride Control Access System" means a device, barrier or mechanism that prohibits unauthorized activation of the mechanical amusement ride or device. (17) "Ride File Jacket" means a file concerning an individual mechanical amusement ride or device which contains nondestructive test reports on the testing firm or corporation's official letterhead; the name of the ride or device; the manufacturer and date of manufacture; maintenance records; records of any alterations; serial number; daily check lists and engineer's reports. (18) "Ride or Device Manufacturer" means any firm or corporation that manufactures mechanical amusement rides or devices, including homemade rides or devices. (19) "Ride or Device Operator" means the person in charge of a mechanical amusement ride or device who caused such ride or device to operate, having direct control of the starting, stopping, or speed of a mechanical amusement ride or device. (20) "Special Amusement Building" means any building that is temporary, permanent, or mobile, and containing a device or system that conveys passengers or provides a walkway along, around, or over a course in any direction as a form of amusement, and arranged so that the egress path is not readily apparent due to visual or audio distractions or an intentionally confounded egress path, or is not readily available due to the mode of conveyance through the building or structure. (21) "Stop Order" means any order issued by an inspector for the temporary cessation of a mechanical amusement ride or device.