General Safety and Maintenance.
1 RCNY § 3005-08
in effect§ 3005-08 General Safety and Maintenance.
(a) Cleanliness. A suitable number of metal containers for trash must be provided in and around amusement devices. Excessive trash or refuse must be promptly removed. All parts of amusement devices, buildings and structures must be maintained in a clean condition, including the underside of amusement devices where the buildup of leaves and trash poses a fire hazard.
(b) Lighting. While an amusement device is in operation or occupied, all entry/exit and loading/unloading areas of the amusement device must be provided with illumination by natural or artificial means of not less than five (5) foot-candles (fc) measured at grade level.
(c) Location of controls. Controls for the starting and stopping of amusement devices must be properly labeled and in a location that allows the device operator to have a clear view of the passengers in the loading and unloading areas. In those cases where the device operator does not have clear views of the passenger loading and unloading areas from the controls, the amusement device must be equipped with a signal system in accordance with subdivision (g) of this section.
(d) Overload. An amusement device must not be overcrowded or loaded above its safe carrying capacity, as stipulated in the manufacturer's operating manual.
(e) Entry and exit areas. Each amusement device, special amusement building, or dark ride must have safe means of entry and exit as follows:
(1) Protection from nearby hazards. Means of entry and exit must be protected from nearby hazards.
(2) Debris and other hazards. Passenger loading and unloading areas and means of entry and exit must be free from debris, obstructions and projections, and from slipping, tripping, and other hazards.
(3) Head clearance. The head clearance in passageways must not be less than 7 feet (2134 mm).
(4) Stairways and ramps. Means of entry and exit must be comprised of either stairways or ramps, and connecting landings or platforms with proper handrails and guards to prevent falls where the public enters or leaves an amusement device that is above or below grade.
(5) Special amusement buildings. All special amusement buildings must also comply with the means of egress requirements in Section BC 411.
(f) Protection against moving parts.
(1) Fencing and barricading. An amusement device may not be used or operated if anyone from the public has access to unsafe areas when the device is in operation. Such areas must be fenced, barricaded, or otherwise guarded against public access.
(2) Machinery guards and maintenance. Machinery used in or with an amusement device must be enclosed, barricaded or otherwise guarded in accordance with the operating and maintenance manual. All guards removed for maintenance purposes must be replaced before normal operation is resumed. Maintenance may not be performed while the amusement device is being used by the public.
(3) Passenger protection. Passengers on loading and unloading areas must be protected from coming in contact with moving parts accidentally.
(g) Signal systems. Where the device operator does not have a clear view of the point at which passengers are loaded or unloaded, signal systems for the starting and stopping of the amusement device must be in place.
(1) Communication system of signals. Both the device operator and signal person must be familiar with any communication system of signals adopted for the operation of an amusement device. Anyone, including the amusement device operator, who may use these signals must be instructed in their use by the amusement park operator.
(2) Position of safety. Signals for movement or operation of an amusement device may not be given until all of the passengers and other affected individuals are in safe positions and locations where they are not endangered by the movement or operation of the device.
(h) Electrical wiring and equipment. All electrical wiring and equipment used for amusement devices or for lighting must be installed, operated and maintained in accordance with the New York City Electrical Code.
(1) Electrical transformer substations. All electrical transformer substations must be properly enclosed and proper warning signs must be posted.
(2) Outdoor wiring and equipment. Electrical wiring and equipment located outdoors must be protected from exposure to weather that may interfere with its normal operation.
(3) Lightning protection. Amusement rides must be protected from lightning strikes.
(4) Elevated power lines. Elevated power lines crossing access pathways or other roads within the grounds of an amusement park must be suspended high enough to provide a vertical clearance of at least 14 feet (4267 mm) from the road surface or 3 feet (914 mm) above any vehicle used within the grounds of such amusement park. A horizontal clearance of at least 3 feet (914 mm) must be provided on each side of the normal passage space of vehicles.
(5) Lighting fixtures. All lighting fixtures used for general illumination must be a minimum of 7 feet (2134 mm) above the normal walking surface to the bottom of such fixture, including its lamp. If lighting stringers are used, such stringers must also be suitably hung with fixture or lamp holders with bulb guards to protect the bulb from accidental contact or breakage.
(6) Protection from electrical shock. No person may be permitted to remain so close to an electric power circuit that he or she may come into physical contact with the circuit unless the person is protected against electrical shock by de-energizing the circuit, grounding it, or guarding it by effective insulation. If protection is provided by de-energizing the circuit, the switch controlling the circuit must be locked-out and tagged-out to prevent any unintentional energizing of the circuit.
(7) Emergency lighting. Emergency lighting must be in compliance with the code provisions in effect at the time of construction of the amusement device and be operable and in use in conjunction with the automatic fire detection and alarm/communication systems.
(8) Special amusement buildings. All special amusement buildings must also comply with the emergency voice/alarm communication requirements in Section BC 411.
(i) Fire prevention. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "listed" has the same definition as established in Section FC 202 of the New York City Fire Code.
(1) Fire extinguishers. The owner or amusement park operator must provide at least one listed 20-pound (9.07 kg) ABC multi-purpose portable type fire extinguisher for every amusement ride, in order to secure reasonable and adequate protection from fire hazards.
(2) Flammable items. Flammable waste, such as oily rags and other flammable materials, must be placed in listed containers with lids that are listed for such use. Such containers cannot be kept at or near exits or entrances to any amusement ride or the amusement park.
(3) Flammable liquids and gases. Gasoline and other flammable liquids and flammable gases, when stored, must be kept in reasonably cool and ventilated places. Such liquids must be stored in listed containers or tanks that comply with the requirements of Section FC 3404 of the New York City Fire Code. Smoking and/or the handling of lit cigars, cigarettes, pipes, or any open flame is prohibited in any area where such liquids or gases are stored or are transferred from one container to another.
(4) Special amusement buildings. The owner or amusement park operator must provide special amusement buildings with:
(i) No fewer than two (2) listed portable fire extinguishers of a 20-pound (9.07 kg) ABC multi-purpose type; and.
(ii) Automatic fire detectors and sprinklers in compliance with Section BC 411.
Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCrules/0-0-0-4258Fetched: 10/24/2026