Electrical and Mechanical Services Department General Legislation Division Code of Practice for Amusement Rides 2015 Edition Code of Practice for Amusement Rides Electrical and Mechanical Services Department 2015 Contents Page Foreword ............................................................................................................................................... 5 1 General ........................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Scope .................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Definitions ............................................................................................................................. 6 1.3 Application Process ................................................................................................................ 6 1.3.1 Licensing Process for Amusement Rides .................................................................... 7 (a) Stage 1 : Design Approval ............................................................................... 7 (b) Stage 2 : Permit to Use and Operate ............................................................... 9 (c) Stage 3 : Annual In-service Examination ........................................................ 10 1.3.2 Additional Requirements for Mobile Rides in Carnival Events .................................. 11 1.3.3 Major Alteration ..................................................................................................... 11 1.3.4 Kiddie Rides ........................................................................................................... 11 (a) Permit to Use and Operate ............................................................................ 11 (b) Half-yearly In-Service Examination ................................................................. 12 2 Design Requirements..................................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Risk Assessment ................................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Design Loads ....................................................................................................................... 13 2.2.1 Dead Loads ............................................................................................................ 13 2.2.2 Live Loads .............................................................................................................. 13 2.2.3 Dynamic Loads ....................................................................................................... 14 2.2.4 Wind Loads ............................................................................................................ 14 2.2.5 Other Special Loads ................................................................................................ 14 2.3 Stress Analysis and Related Issues ......................................................................................... 15 2.3.1 Structural Calculation and Stress Analysis ............................................................... 15 2.3.2 Mechanical Design and Safety Factors .................................................................... 15 2.3.3 Fatigue Life ............................................................................................................ 15 2.3.4 Deflection .............................................................................................................. 16 2.4 Stability ................................................................................................................................ 16 2.4.1 Overturning ........................................................................................................... 16 2.4.2 Lateral Sliding ........................................................................................................ 16 2.5 Restraint Device ................................................................................................................... 16 2.5.1 Application ............................................................................................................ 16 2.5.2 General .................................................................................................................. 17 2.5.3 Warning Sign ......................................................................................................... 17 2.5.4 Fixing of Restraint Device ....................................................................................... 17 2.5.5 Requirements for Interlocking ................................................................................ 17 2.5.6 Restraint of Simpler Design .................................................................................... 18 2.5.7 Deletion of Restraint Device ................................................................................... 18 2.5.8 Cushion ................................................................................................................. 18 2.5.9 Lock and Latch ....................................................................................................... 18 2.5.10 Movement of Passengers on the Seats ................................................................... 18 2.5.11 Prevention of Vigorous Head Movement ................................................................ 18 2.5.12 Strength of Restraint Device ................................................................................... 18   2 Page   2.6 Brake System ....................................................................................................................... 18 2.7 Lifting System ...................................................................................................................... 19 2.7.1 General .................................................................................................................. 19 2.7.2 Hydraulic System .................................................................................................... 19 2.7.3 Pneumatic System .................................................................................................. 19 2.7.4 Wire Rope Systems ................................................................................................. 20 3 General Specification for Materials, Installation and Facilities ......................................................... 22 3.1 Suspended Passenger Unit ................................................................................................... 22 3.2 Wire Ropes, Shackles and Pulleys ......................................................................................... 22 3.3 Hydraulic System .................................................................................................................. 22 3.3.1 Design Information ................................................................................................ 22 3.3.2 Installation and Safety Features .............................................................................. 22 3.4 Pneumatic System ................................................................................................................ 23 3.4.1 Installation and Safety Features .............................................................................. 23 3.5 Electrical Requirements ........................................................................................................ 23 3.5.1 High Voltage Installation ........................................................................................ 23 3.5.2 Low Voltage Installation ......................................................................................... 23 3.5.3 Extra Low Voltage Installation ................................................................................ 24 3.5.4 Equipotential Bonding Requirements ...................................................................... 24 3.5.5 Local Wall-mounted Switch Panels ......................................................................... 24 3.5.6 Free-standing Motor Control Switchboard .............................................................. 24 3.5.7 Isolating Switch ...................................................................................................... 24 3.5.8 Emergency Lighting ................................................................................................ 25 3.5.9 Power Points .......................................................................................................... 25 3.5.10 Other Requirements ............................................................................................... 25 3.5.11 Flexible Cable and Plug .......................................................................................... 25 3.5.12 Electrified Metallic Grid .......................................................................................... 25 3.5.13 Electrical Installation of Aquatic Rides ..................................................................... 25 3.6 Ride Control Equipment ....................................................................................................... 26 3.7 Lightning Protection ............................................................................................................. 26 3.8 Steam and Gas Propelled Equipment .................................................................................... 26 3.9 Fire Protection ...................................................................................................................... 27 3.10 Propulsion System and Associated Protective Mechanism ..................................................... 27 3.10.1 Protection for Overspeed ........................................................................................ 27 3.10.2 Protection for Underspeed ..................................................................................... 27 3.10.3 Retrieval by Manual Winding .................................................................................. 27 3.11 Vehicle Body ........................................................................................................................ 27 3.12 Safety Clearance and Envelope ............................................................................................ 28 3.12.1 Fully Enclosed Passenger Unit ................................................................................. 28 3.12.2 Restrained Passenger in Open Type Passenger Unit ................................................. 28 3.12.3 Unrestrained Passenger in Open Type Passenger Unit ............................................. 29 3.12.4 Maintenance and Inspection Requirements ............................................................ 29 3.13 Passenger Gates ................................................................................................................... 29 3.14 Maintenance Access ............................................................................................................ 29   3 Page   3.15 Guard-rails ........................................................................................................................... 29 3.16 Evacuation Facilities ............................................................................................................. 30 3.17 Welding ............................................................................................................................... 30 3.18 Guarding of Machinery ........................................................................................................ 30 4 Testing and Inspection................................................................................................................... 31 4.1 Full Load Test ....................................................................................................................... 31 4.2 Unbalanced Load Test .......................................................................................................... 31 4.3 Electrical Test ....................................................................................................................... 31 4.3.1 Visual Inspection .................................................................................................... 31 4.3.2 Continuity of Protective Conductors ....................................................................... 32 4.3.3 Insulation Resistance .............................................................................................. 32 4.3.4 Polarity ................................................................................................................... 32 4.3.5 Earth Fault Loop Impedance and Earth Electrode Resistance ................................... 32 4.3.6 Functions of Protective Devices ............................................................................... 33 4.3.7 Lightning Protection System ................................................................................... 33 4.4 Tests for Hydraulic and Pneumatic System ............................................................................ 33 4.5 Non-Destructive Test ............................................................................................................ 33 4.6 Certification and Test Record ............................................................................................... 34 5 Chart of Licensing Process ............................................................................................................. 35 6 Reference ...................................................................................................................................... 36 7 Enquiry ......................................................................................................................................... 36 4 Foreword The Code of Practice for Amusement Rides (the ‘Code’) is issued by virtue of section 49 of the Amusement Rides (Safety) Ordinance (Cap. 449). Unless otherwise stated by the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (the ‘Director’), the Code is applicable to the design, manufacture, installation and examination of amusement rides under the purview of the Ordinance. The Code intends to provide general requirements for the design and operation of amusement rides for the safety of the public. The amusement ride owners (the ‘Owners’) and trade practitioners shall take necessary steps to ensure that relevant requirements stipulated in the Code are complied with and the amusement ride design is in compliance with the latest international standards, specifications and guidelines (such as EN 13814, ASTM F-24, GB8408, AS 3533 and/or HSE 175) as recognized by the Director at the time of lodging an application to the Director. The international standards quoted in this Code of Practice are reference yardsticks. Other equivalent international standards as recognized by the Director shall be acceptable. Apart from the general requirements laid down in the Code, more specific and detailed requirements for individual category of amusement rides may be issued in the form of technical guidelines, which shall also be observed by the Owners and relevant personnel. It shall be noted that updates on the Code or technical guidelines may be required with emerging technology and experience. As such, these documents will be reviewed and updated from time to time and new guidelines for other special subjects may be issued where situation warrants. Enquiries may be lodged to the General Legislation Division of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (the ‘EMSD’). 5 1 General 1.1 Scope The Code specifies the general requirements for the design, manufacture, installation and examination of amusement rides to be operated for use by members of the public in Hong Kong. It covers the general design requirements, specification of materials and equipment, provisions of redundancy and emergency arrangement, as well as testing and commissioning of amusement rides. 1.2 Definitions In addition to the interpretations stated in section 2 of the Ordinance, the following definitions will be used in this Code: ‘Competent Person’, ‘Qualified Person’, ‘Owner’ and ‘Surveyor’ have the same meaning as defined in the Amusement Rides (Safety) (Operation and Maintenance) Regulation (Cap.449B). ‘Registered Professional Engineer’ (RPE) has the same meaning as defined in the Engineers Registration Ordinance (Cap. 409) and is qualified to practice in a particular engineering discipline in Hong Kong. ‘Safety Factor’ means the ratio of the ultimate breaking load of a component against the maximum allowable load which may be imposed on that component. ‘Safety-critical Component’ and ‘Safety-critical System’ are component and system whose failure will result in uncontrolled operation or movement of the ride or failure of the restraint system, or where there is a risk of failure leading to fatality or injury. 1.3 Application Process This section provides practical guidelines on the licensing requirements for the Owners of amusement rides and any person who wishes to operate amusement rides for use by members of the public in Hong Kong. The design, manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance of amusement rides in Hong Kong are regulated under the Amusement Rides (Safety) Ordinance (Cap. 449) (the ‘Ordinance’) and its subsidiary legislation, for which the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department is the regulating authority. Amusement ride is a power driven device, together with the machinery, equipment and plant connected to, or used in connection with, such device, which is designed to be driven or ridden by members of the public primarily for amusement purposes: (a) and includes any such device that is capable of being moved from one place of operation to another; (b) but does not include any such device which is driven solely either by human physical effort or by gravity or partly by such effort and partly by gravity only (that is, it is neither wholly nor partly power driven), other than a device which is specified in Schedule 2 of the Ordinance. The guidelines hereunder outline the requirements of the Ordinance and are not exhaustive. The operation of amusement rides in fairground activities / carnivals can be subject to other statutory requirements in Hong Kong, for instances the requirements for building works, fire services installations, admission of the general public to the premises for entertainment, and/or 6 airspace restrictions. The Owners and his/her agents shall consult the relevant Government departments / authorities for the applicable requirements. 1.3.1 Licensing Process for Amusement Rides The licensing process for amusement rides has three stages as outlined below. Section 5 is a flow chart that shows the sequence of events and key milestones of the first 2 stages, namely “design approval” (Stage 1) and “permit to use and operate” (Stage 2). (a) Stage 1 : Design Approval Before commencement of any on-site installation work, the applicant has to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director, with proper supporting documents, the adequacy of engineering design and the approach in addressing the reasonably foreseeable safety-related issues during the installation, operation and maintenance of the amusement ride. The applicant shall submit a Form 1 (downloadable on EMSD website) to the Director together with details of the mechanical, electrical and structural design, safety systems and operation instructions of the ride. The list of typical information to be submitted is given as follows: (1) General  Particulars of manufacturer, model number, serial number and date of manufacture.  Motive power and power rating.  Duration of a normal ride cycle.  Maximum number of passengers, number of passenger carrying units and maximum weight to be carried on the amusement ride.  Location map of the amusement ride. (2) Description of Design and Operation  Total weight of the amusement ride and the arrangement for foundation, anchorage and/or tensioning.  Description of the ride motion with amplitude and duration of maximum speed, maximum acceleration and maximum deceleration in different directions.  Description of ride components and driving systems from power source to passenger seats.  The principle of ride control system with a comprehensive list of safety devices and/or systems which are operational in normal use and/or emergency cases. The list shall include the purposes and functions of these devices as well as the test method.  Signaling and communication equipment.  Means of braking, stopping and holding.  Passenger containment system including restraints, safety devices and redundancy provisions.  Outline description of key operational matters including the functional and operating procedures, the settings of safety gears, operation of controls, calibration and adjustment of the overload sensing devices, etc. 7  Outline description of passenger flow and crowd control matters including the description of passenger loading and unloading process as well as the duties of individual operators during normal and emergency situations.  Risk assessment and other design tools such as Fault Tree Analysis, , etc. (3) Drawings  Layout plan showing the dimensions of the amusement ride, all round clearances from nearby objects and the safety envelope throughout the ride cycle.  Layout plan showing the passenger queuing and crowd control arrangement, location of the control consoles, indicative signs, chief operator and operators.  Assembly drawings including, but not limited to, ride tracks, lifting and swiveling mechanisms, bearings, supports, passenger units, grab devices, locking and safety systems, buffers, devices for prevention of roll-back, derailment and overturning, etc.  Drawings and schematic diagrams for power supply, pneumatic system, hydraulic system, closed circuit television (CCTV), public address (PA) system, mechanized exhibits and show set elements.  Drawings and schematic diagram for the ride control system including, but not limited to, the details of interface, intrusion detection, overload/overspeed sensing, alarm and other safety systems. The specifications of sensors and field control equipment shall be included. (4) Calculations  Design calculation and stress analysis that demonstrate the adequacy of strength of the design and materials, including safety factors.  Design calculation that demonstrates the adequacy of safety-critical components including safety devices, overspeed governor, driving machines, brakes, wire rope suspension, etc.  Details of the software packages (author and version number of software) used in preparing design calculation, if any, and the list of clearly identifiable inputs and outputs with explanatory notes. For finite element analysis, system plots with assumed conditions shall be provided. (5) Others  An outline of the rules and regulations (in both Chinese and English) to the passengers in respect of the prohibited behaviours and restrictions on the physique of passengers.  A rescue plan for evacuation of passengers under different scenarios within a reasonable time. The plan shall include the rescue procedures, details of rescue equipment/facilities to be provided within or in the vicinity of the location and the arrangement for mobilizing adequate staff members for rescue operation.  Quality assurance document.  Past inspection certificate or approval issued by other government agencies and/or authorities in the amusement ride industry.  Method and programme of installation 8