Annual inspection and certification of mechanical amusement rides and devices by approved engineers

engineers (a) No mechanical amusement ride or device shall be operated in this state unless it is annually inspected by an engineer approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety, and the engineer has certified to the Commissioner of Public Safety that: (1) in his or her judgment, the mechanical amusement ride or device conforms to or exceeds the standards set forth in the fourth edition of the ASTM Standards on Amusement Rides and Devices (1992), and is reasonably safe for public use; or (2) in his or her judgment, the mechanical amusement ride or device is not reasonably safe for public use, and the reasons therefor. (b) The engineer shall inspect a mechanical amusement ride or device in a disassembled configuration prior to the initial use in Connecticut each year and as often as the Commissioner of Public Safety shall direct. If the mechanical amusement ride or device is homemade or altered beyond manufacturer acceptance, or the manufacturer fails to make recommendations as to the disassembled configuration, the engineer shall recommend what is deemed to be a disassembled configuration for the purpose of the engineer's inspection. In all cases, the mechanical amusement ride or device shall be disassembled to the extent necessary so that its components may be viewed. (c) The engineer, during the annual inspection, shall determine: (1) if the mechanical amusement ride or device is a product of a registered ride or device manufacturer; (2) if the mechanical amusement ride or device is homemade or so altered that the manufacturer will no longer accept it as its product; (3) if the mechanical amusement ride or device is required to undergo nondestructive testing, and the extent of such testing; and (4) if the ride file jacket is complete and contains current information. (d) The engineer's certification to the Commissioner of Public Safety shall state that the inspection of the individual mechanical amusement ride or device was conducted while the mechanical amusement ride or device was in a disassembled configuration; that the mechanical amusement ride or device components were found to be structurally sound, free of cracks, bends, breaks and other defects; that the mechanical amusement ride or device was subjected to nondestructive testing where required (a copy of the test firm's report of such testing shall be attached to the engineer's report); and that the mechanical amusement ride or device did not require further repairs of any type prior to its assembly and operation; or that the mechanical amusement ride or device was unsafe. If the mechanical amusement ride or device is determined to be unsafe, the engineer's certification shall list the reasons for such determination. If a mechanical amusement ride or device is altered, the owner of such ride or device shall inform the engineer of the extent of the work. The engineer's report to the Commissioner of Public Safety shall note any alterations and evaluate them for conformance with applicable standards. (e) Nondestructive testing. (1) Nondestructive testing shall be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. (2) If the ride or device manufacturer has no requirements pertaining to nondestructive testing, or if the mechanical amusement ride or device is homemade or has been so altered that the manufacturer will no longer accept it as its product, an engineer approved by the Commissioner of Public Safety shall determine the areas of the mechanical amusement ride or device to be tested, the method of nondestructive testing to be used, and the frequency of such testing. (3) Testing shall be conducted by an independent and qualified testing agency in accordance with the standards set forth in the fourth edition of the ASTM Standards on Amusement Rides and Devices (1996). Testing by a mechanical amusement ride or device owner or manager shall not be acceptable. (f) Aquatic rides and devices. All manufacturer safety requirements pertaining to the operation of the mechanical amusement ride or device shall be followed. The Commissioner of Public Safety may set additional safety requirements in the interest of life safety.