Commissioner Adam H. Putnam

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Fair Rides Inspection

Florida Laws | Guidelines | Forms | Related Links | Contact

The Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection is responsible for inspecting all amusement rides in The State. No amusement ride can operate in the State of Florida unless inspected and permitted by The Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection.

Florida Laws

Guidelines for Operating Amusement Rides

Minutes to the 09/14/11 Amusement Device and Attraction Advisory Committee Meeting [PDF]

Amusement rides regulated in the State of Florida fall into two major groups; temporary amusement rides (those that are regularly relocated with or without assembly), and permanent facility amusement rides (those that are not regularly relocated and operate as a lasting part of the premises).

Before amusement rides can operate in the State, owners/operators must have proof of appropriate insurance, an Affidavit of Compliance and Nondestructive Testing and pass an inspection conducted by State inspectors.

The permitting process starts with a request for inspection (see below). Permitting through the mail is not possible. When the inspector arrives at the event or location, he or she will verify and validate the insurance coverage and Affidavit of Compliance and Nondestructive Testing (see below). When this is completed, the inspector will inspect the ride for compliance with State standards for amusement rides.

When the ride passes the inspection, the permit application is completed, and the appropriate fees are paid, the inspector will issue a United States Amusement Identification (USAID) plate and a permit decal (both plate and decal are considered the permit to operate).The plate must be affixed permanently to the amusement ride. The inspector will also issue an inspection certificate. The inspection certificate (IC) indicates the ride has been inspected at a specific location/site and is good for six months unless the ride is relocated. If it is relocated, another inspection must be requested. The inspection certificate will be posted on the ride by the inspector so that it is visible to patrons. The IC and USAID plate and decal are non-transferable.

If the ride fails the inspection, a Stop Operation Order (red tag) will be issued, and the ride cannot operate until it is removed by an inspector. It costs $500 for a re-inspection of the ride(s) at the same location it was red tagged.

PERMITTING PROCESS:

Request for Inspection (It All Starts With a Request)

For Temporary Amusement Rides:

To request an inspection, submit DACS Form 03429 available below, to the Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection at least 14 calendar days in advance of inspection date. If the form is received in less than 14 calendar days, it is late, and $100 per ride late request fee will be charged.

Please follow the instructions on the back of the DACS-03429 when completing the form. Ensure the total number rides requested for inspection match the total listed.

You will get a return fax confirming the inspection date. A Bureau inspector will come to the event or location to inspect the ride and issue the required permit and/or inspection certificate.

Please remember to have the required affidavits and proof of insurance available for the inspector at the event at the time of inspection and an authorized individual to pay the required fees.

The Bureau does not accept cash or credit cards. Payment may be made by check or money order at the time of inspection.

For Permanent Facility AMUSEMENT RIDES:

Existing permanent facilities may submit a DACS Form 03429 to renew the permit or inspection certificate. However, the Bureau monitors expiration dates for permits, affidavits, insurance and inspection certificates and will notify the facility via facsimile a few weeks in advance that an inspection is required and establish a date for inspection. If the existing facility is adding new rides, then a DACS-03429 must be submitted to the Bureau 15 calendar days in advance of the inspection date.

For a new permanent facility or one that is changing ownership, a DACS 03429 must be submitted to the Bureau 15 calendar days in advance of the inspection date, and the same guidelines apply as for temporary rides discussed above.

When a permanent facility receives notification that an inspection is scheduled for existing amusement rides, please have an authorized person available to issue a check or money order at the time of inspection.

Insurance:

To obtain a permit to operate an amusement ride in Florida, the owner must obtain an insurance certificate in the amount of $1 million per occurrence and $1 million aggregate. Contact an insurance agency of your choice to obtain insurance coverage, but make sure the policy is procured from an insurer that is licensed to transact business in Florida. Also ensure the insurance certificate has a policy number on it (TBD is not acceptable) and a list of rides covered by theme name and serial number. The Bureau cannot accept insurance without a list of rides and serial numbers. Make sure serial numbers on the insurance match those on the affidavits. Insurance expires at 12:01 a.m. of the expiration date, not 11:59 p.m. on the expiration date. This means at one minute after midnight on the expiration date, insurance has expired.

Each amusement ride company seeking permitting must have its own insurance certificate.

Affidavit of Compliance and Nondestructive Testing:

In addition, the owner must submit a DACS Form 03433, Affidavit of Compliance and Nondestructive Testing, completed by a qualified inspector or professional engineer authorized by the Bureau to execute these documents. Contact the Bureau to obtain a list of qualified inspectors to arrange for their services.

The affidavits are good for 60 days after execution. Keep this in mind, and request an inspection before 60 days run out. The payment of fees for affidavits is made directly to those individuals or agencies. The Bureau will not permit rides until the affidavits and insurance are complete and available at the time the inspector arrives at the event.

THE BUREAU WILL ACCEPT ONLY THE ORIGINAL AFFIDAVITS (NO COPIES OR FACSIMILES). MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE ORIGINALS AT THE EVENT/SITE/LOCATION AT THE TIME OF PERMITTING.

Affidavits are good for one year and expire at 11:59 p.m. on the expiration date. Affidavits are transferable but are subject to the 60-day rule.

Normally insurance or affidavits are issued for one year. Once they expire, the permit is invalid and the amusement ride may not operate. It is your responsibility to ensure insurance, affidavits and permits are current.

Operations and Maintenance Manuals/Instructions:

Upon request, the owner shall provide, at no cost to the Bureau, a copy of the manufacturer’s current operating instructions, operating fact sheet, and any written bulletins concerning the safety, operation, or maintenance of the amusement ride. Make sure an amusement ride manual is always on site while open to patrons.

Fees:

The permit fee is paid once a year, but an inspection fee is charged each time the ride is inspected or is relocated. Additional fees include, late, failure to cancel, weekend/holiday, and re-inspection fees. A fee schedule is available upon request.

Fees and Fee Schedules

OTHER RESPONSIBILITES:

Modifications:

Amusement ride owners/operators should notify the Bureau prior to modifications taking place. Also notify the Bureau when in receipt of manufacturer’s bulletins or notices affecting ride operation or maintenance.

After an amusement ride has undergone a major modification and before the ride is placed in operation, a professional engineer, licensed by the state in which certification is performed, must certify that the amusement ride complies with F.S. 616.242 and all rules. A major modification is defined as, any change in structural or operational characteristics of the ride which will alter its performance from that specified in the manufacturer’s design criteria.

Accidents:

The owner/operator is responsible to report an accident for which a patron is transported to a hospital. Call (800) 663-3542 or (850) 921-1530, within 4 hours of the occurrence followed by a written report using DACS Form 03428 within 24 hours after the occurrence of the accident.

Defects:

The owner/operator is responsible to report any mechanical, structural, or electrical defects affecting patron safety, for which a ride is closed for patron use for more than 4 hours. This report must be made by telephone or facsimile within 8 hours and followed by a written report on DACS Form 03430, available below, within 24 hours after the closing of the ride.

Owner/Operator’s Daily Inspection:

The owner/operator is responsible to inspect the amusement ride prior to opening each day of operation. Record the inspection on DACS Form 03424 for carnival-type rides; DACS 03425 for water parks; DACS 03426 for go-kart tracks/vehicles; and DACS 03427 for bungy jumps. These forms are available below.

Any deficiencies discovered during the daily inspection must be corrected prior to opening to patrons. Inspection records must be kept on site for the last 14 daily inspections and made immediately available upon request.

Employee Training:

The owner/operator is also responsible to train and record training for each employee authorized to operate, assemble, disassemble, transport or conduct maintenance on the ride. Use form DACS-03431 available below to record training. Training records must be kept on site and available for review.

Section 616.242 F.S.

This is the Statute that governs regulation of amusement rides in Florida and is available upon request.

Chapter 5F-8, Florida Administrative Code:

The Administrative Code, along with the Statute, governs regulation of amusement rides as well. It is also available upon request.

Note: The above summary is provided to assist you in understanding the main requirements of the Statutes and Administrative Code. As such, it is not intended to replace reading and understanding the Statutes and Administrative Code. In all cases, the final determining authority is the Statute and Administrative Code.

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Forms

Please follow the instructions provided below when printing and completing the forms listed.

  1. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print forms. Skip this step if Adobe Reader is already installed on your pc.
  2. Print forms on white 8 1/2" x 11" paper.
  3. Type or print the entire form in blue or black ink.
  4. Make check payable to: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES.
    5. This payment is due at the time of permitting when the ride passes the required inspection.

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Related Links

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Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:
Allan Harrison
E-mail Allan.Harrison@freshfromflorida.com
3125 Conner Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650
Telephone: (850) 921-1530
Fax: (850) 921-1539

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