GENERALLY

Jackson Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. II, div. 1

in effect

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-36 Purpose of article.

Sec. 14-36. - Purpose of article. This article establishes safety standards for the installation, assembly, repair, maintenance, use, operation, disassembly, and inspection of amusement rides and amusement attractions erected permanently or temporarily at carnivals, fairs, and amusement parks in the city. (Code 1971, § 5-80)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-37 Definitions.

Sec. 14-37. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Amusement attraction means a building or structure around, over, or through which people may move or walk, without the aid of any moving device integral to the building or structure, that provides amusement, pleasure, thrills, or excitement. Amusement attraction does not include any enterprise principally devoted to the exhibition of products or agriculture, industry, education, science, religion, or the arts. Amusement ride means a device that carries or conveys passengers along, around, or over a fixed or restricted route or course or within a defined area, for the purpose of giving its passengers amusement, pleasure, thrills, or excitement. Annual inspection means the official yearly inspection of a ride or attraction made by the city or its designated representative. Attendant means a person or persons actually engaged in or directly controlling the operation of an amusement ride or attraction. Average adult passenger means, for purposes of design, a person weighing 170 pounds. Average child passenger means, for purposes of design, a child weighing 75 pounds. Containing device means a strap, belt, bar, gate, or other safety device designed to prevent accidental or inadvertent dislodgement of a passenger from a ride or attraction but which does not actually provide physical support. Exit means a doorway or other opening affording safe and unobstructed access to a safe area. Kiddie ride means a device designed primarily for use by children. Load design or design load means the load established by the manufacturer for normal operation with required factors of safety and design to withstand both static and dynamic loads, including dead, live, and wind loads and impact. Major alteration or modification means a change in the type or capacity of an amusement ride or attraction or a change in the structure or mechanism that materially affects its function or operation. Major breakdown means a stoppage of operation from any cause resulting in damage, failure, or breakage of a structural or stress bearing part of a ride or attraction. Major ride means a device designed to carry a specific number of passengers, adults or children, either by power or gravity in cars or other suitable fixtures for conveying persons. National Electrical Code means the National Electrical Code, NFPA No. 70, 1993, as revised. New amusement ride or attraction means an amusement ride or attraction of a design not previously operated in the city and for which no standards and regulations have been adopted. Owner means a person who owns an amusement ride or attraction, or the lessee if the amusement ride or attraction is leased. Rated capacity means a capacity established by the manufacturer for the normal loading and operation of a ride or attraction, or in the absence thereof, as established by the city after inspection. Reinspection means an inspection, other than the annual inspection made during the current season, of a ride or attraction as a result of a major breakdown, major alteration, any accident resulting in a serious injury or fatality, or for other reasons. Restraining device means a safety belt, harness, chain, bar, or other device which affords actual physical support, retention, or restraint to the passenger of a ride or attraction. Rope and wire rope means the same, but does not include fiber rope. Safety factor or factor of safety means the ratio of the ultimate or breaking strength of a member or piece of material to the actual working stress or to the maximum permissible or safe load stress when in use. Safety retainer means a secondary safety wire rope, bar, attachment or other device designed to prevent parts of a ride or attraction from becoming disengaged from the mechanism or from tipping or tilting in a manner to cause hazard to persons riding on, or in the vicinity of, a ride or attraction. Temporary structure means a structure, enclosure, or arrangement of parts, used or intended to be used for or as an amusement ride or attraction, that is relocated from time to time with or without disassembly. (Code 1971, § 5-81)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-38 General responsibility for compliance.

Sec. 14-38. - General responsibility for compliance. (a) Every owner or attendant of an amusement ride or amusement attraction permanently or temporarily erected at carnivals, fairs, and amusement parks in the city shall comply with all the provisions of these safety standards. (b) Any amusement ride or attraction which is not in compliance with these safety standards may not be used or occupied until brought into compliance. (Code 1971, § 5-82)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-39 Inspection and certificate of inspection.

Sec. 14-39. - Inspection and certificate of inspection. (a) Required; application; insurance. A person may not operate an amusement ride or amusement attraction unless it has been inspected and a certificate of inspection has been issued by the city. The owner or operator shall notify the city that the rides or attractions are ready for inspection. Application for a certificate of inspection shall be made upon forms to be furnished by the city. Application shall be accompanied by a certificate of insurance indicating that the owner or attendant has obtained insurance in the amount not less than $1,000,000.00 against liability for injury to persons arising out of the use of the amusement ride or attraction. Upon receipt of the application for the certificate of inspection, the city will make the required annual inspection. (b) Notice to the city. Notice to the city is to be made as follows: (1) A new or modified amusement ride and attraction shall be inspected before commencing its public operation. The owner or attendant of the new or modified amusement ride and attraction shall notify the city before the beginning of its operation. (2) An owner or attendant of any fair or carnival shall notify the city before the beginning of its operation in writing at least 15 working days before the opening of the carnival or fair at each new location. A certificate of inspection for a fair or carnival amusement ride or attraction is valid for not more than 30 days from the date of issuance. The written notice shall state the intended dates and location and identify the devices for use. (3) In a situation where an emergency booking makes the notification period impossible, the city shall be notified by telephone, and this notification shall be immediately confirmed in writing. (4) In cases where an owner or operator finds it necessary to change the booking of a carnival or fair for any cause after notification to the city, the city shall be notified by telephone, and this notification shall be immediately confirmed in writing. (5) An owner or operator of amusement rides and attractions in an amusement park shall notify the city in writing before the season begins that the rides or attractions are ready for inspection. A certificate of inspection for an amusement ride or attraction in an amusement park is valid for not more than one year from the date of issuance. (c) Issuance. Every amusement ride or attraction shall be registered, inspected, and, if approved, shall receive a certificate of inspection issued by the city. The certificate shall be posted in or on the equipment. A certificate of inspection may not be issued unless the ride or attraction is in full compliance with this article. (Code 1971, § 5-83)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-40 Identification and rating plates.

Sec. 14-40. - Identification and rating plates. Every amusement ride or attraction shall be identified by a trade or descriptive name and there shall be firmly attached thereto in a readily visible location a metal plate upon which there is legibly impressed the name of the ride or attraction, its model number, if any, and the name and address of its manufacturer. Upon the same or another metal plate so attached there shall be legibly impressed the maximum safe number of passengers, and the maximum safe speed as designed and specified by the manufacturer. (Code 1971, § 5-84)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-41 Major alteration or modification to amusement rides and attractions.

Sec. 14-41. - Major alteration or modification to amusement rides and attractions. If an amusement ride or attraction which has received a certificate of inspection is thereafter changed in type, capacity, structure or mechanism that materially affects its function or operation, the following shall apply: (1) The ride or attraction shall be reinspected and reidentified by a different name or identification number, or both. (2) The ride or attraction shall be subject to all provisions of this article as if it were a new ride or attraction not previously used. (Code 1971, § 5-85)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-42 Control of operation.

Sec. 14-42. - Control of operation. (a) Every attendant shall have knowledge of the use and function of all normal operating controls, signal systems and safety devices applicable to the ride or attraction and of the proper use, function, capacity and speed of the particular ride or attraction which is being operated. An attendant shall be in the immediate vicinity of the operating controls during operation and shall have complete control of the ride or attraction at all times that it is being operated for the public's use. When the ride or attraction is closed down, provision shall be made to prevent operation by unauthorized persons. (b) No person other than the trained attendant may be permitted to handle the controls during normal operation. This provision does not apply to amusement rides or attractions designed to be operated or controlled by a passenger. (c) A ride or attraction may not be loaded beyond its rated capacity or be operated at an unsafe speed or at any speed other than that prescribed by the engineer or manufacturer. When this information is not obtainable, the criteria for safe operating speeds and rates capacity shall be established by the city. (Code 1971, § 5-86)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-43 Medical and first aid.

Sec. 14-43. - Medical and first aid. The owner shall ensure the availability of medical aid. In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital used for the treatment of an injured person, in the near proximity of the amusement rides and attractions, a person shall be adequately trained to render first aid. First aid supplies recommended and approved by a consulting physician shall be readily available. The owner shall have conspicuously posted at the park, carnival or fair office the telephone numbers for physician, hospital, ambulance service and local fire department to be called in the event of an emergency. (Code 1971, § 5-87)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-44 Daily inspections.

Sec. 14-44. - Daily inspections. The amusement rides and amusement attractions shall be inspected on each day they are intended to be used. This inspection shall be made by the owner or attendant who shall be experienced and instructed in the proper assembly and operation of the rides or attractions and shall be performed before the rides or attractions are put into normal operation. The inspection and test shall include the operation of control devices, speed-limiting devices, brakes and other equipment provided for safety. A record of each inspection and test shall be made at once upon completion of the test and shall be kept with the ride or attraction and available to the city for 30 days. (Code 1971, § 5-88)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-45 Load tests.

Sec. 14-45. - Load tests. (a) Required. A passenger-carrying amusement ride or attraction of the following types may not be used or put into normal operation until it has withstood an annual load test, or it has been certified as structurally sound on an annual basis by a registered professional engineer: (1) Devices having suspended passenger seats or spaces; (2) Devices normally operated at speeds or with movements creating severe centrifugal forces; (3) Devices so elevated that structural failure is likely to cause passengers to be injured by falling; and (4) Devices for which the city has ordered such a test upon finding it necessary to ensure safety. (b) Evidence of test. Unless a load test is made in the presence of a representative of the city, the owner or operator of the ride or attraction shall cause to be filed with the city, on a form provided by him, a statement by one of the following: The manufacturer of the ride or attraction, an insurance carrier lawfully doing business in this state and carrying public liability insurance on the ride or attraction; and a registered licensed professional engineer showing whether the ride or attraction withstood the test without failure. The form shall set forth such other relevant information as the city may require. The city may accept a certificate issued by a political subdivision of another state within the previous 12 months and whose standards for the test are equal to or more stringent than the city's load test which certifies to a satisfactory load test of the ride or attraction. Until such a statement is so filed, it shall be presumed that the ride or attraction has not withstood the load test as required. (c) Nature of test. Each passenger seat or space shall be weighted with at least 170 pounds deadweight, except that in a ride or attraction intended only for small children, each seat or space shall be weighted with at least 75 pounds. While so loaded, the ride or attraction shall be operated at maximum normal speed for the purpose of testing the full operation of all control devices, speed-limiting devices, brakes and other equipment provided for safety. Where this test is not practical, a test approved by the manufacturer or designer shall be used. (d) Effect of test. If the ride or attraction has withstood a load test without failure, it shall be tested again annually. If the ride or attraction fails to withstand a load test, it shall be deemed unsafe and may not be used until it has withstood a subsequent load test without failure. If a ride or attraction has a major alteration or modification, or if the city believes that a test is necessary to ensure safety, the test shall be made. (Code 1971, § 5-89)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-46 Access, egress and walking surfaces.

Sec. 14-46. - Access, egress and walking surfaces. (a) General requirements. Safe and adequate means of access to and egress from amusement rides or attractions and temporary structures shall be provided. The means of access and egress shall have: (1) Protection from adjacent hazards or from falling by the use of guardrails, enclosures, barriers or similar means. (2) Secure treading and supporting surface free from debris, obstruction, projections and slipping, tripping, and other hazards. (3) Adequate clearance. (b) Passageways. All passageways are to be kept free from debris, obstructions, projections and other hazards. All surfaces shall be such as to prevent slipping and tripping, and floors shall be kept free of protruding nails, splinters, holes or loose boards. Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed for passageways. (c) Stairways, landings and ramps. The following requirements shall apply to all stairways, landings and ramps: (1) Adequate stairways or ramps and the necessary landings and platforms shall be provided, where people enter or leave a ride or attraction which is above or below grade or floor level, at the entrance to or the exit from such amusement rides or attractions. All stairs with more than one step riser shall have standard handrails or railings on both sides regardless of width, and when stairways are 88 inches or greater in width, a railing shall be placed approximately in the center. (2) Stairways, landings and ramps shall be designed, constructed, and maintained so as to sustain safely a live load of at least 425 pounds per square foot. (3) Stairways and ramps shall have adequate clearance width. Stair treads shall be at least 10½ inches deep exclusive of nosing, and the height of rise may not exceed seven inches. Between any two levels the treads shall be of uniform depth and the risers of uniform height. (d) Exits. At least two exits remote from each other shall be provided from each floor, tier, room or balcony in structures which contain amusement rides or attractions. An exit may not be less than 22 inches wide. (Code 1971, § 5-91)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-47 Signal systems.

Sec. 14-47. - Signal systems. (a) Signal systems shall be provided and utilized for controlling, starting and stopping a ride or attraction when the operator of the ride or attraction does not have a clear view of the point where passengers are loaded or unloaded. (b) Where the need for coded signals is required, the code of signals adopted for operation of the ride or attraction shall be printed and kept posted at both the operator's and signal man's stations. Persons who use the signals shall be instructed in their use and shall be trained to understand thoroughly their operation and meaning. (c) Signal systems shall be tested each day before operation of the ride or attraction. A ride or attraction requiring a signal system may not be operated if the system is not performing correctly. Signals for the movement or operation of an amusement ride or attraction may not be given until all passengers and other persons who may be endangered are in a position of safety. (Code 1971, § 5-92)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-48 General environment.

Sec. 14-48. - General environment. (a) Hazardous conditions. During a lightning storm, high wind storm, a period of tornado warning, severe storm warning, fire, or when violence, riot or civil disturbance occurs or threatens in or to an amusement park or a carnival lot, passengers shall be unloaded or evacuated from a ride or attraction and the ride or attraction closed down and secured immediately. Operations may not resume until the situation has returned to a safe condition. (b) Illumination. Access to an exit from amusement rides and attractions erected permanently or temporarily at carnivals, fairs and amusement parks shall be provided with illumination by natural or artificial means of no less than five footcandles measured at grade level. No less than ten footcandles of illumination shall be provided at all work levels for assembly and disassembly of amusement rides and attractions and temporary structures. (Code 1971, § 5-93)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-49 Fire protection.

Sec. 14-49. - Fire protection. (a) Hazardous materials. The owner or attendant shall store and handle liquid petroleum gases and flammable liquids utilized either as fuel for internal combustion engines, for heat or for illumination in a manner approved by the city. Bulk storage (quantities above 50 gallons) may not be permitted in any area accessible to the public. (b) Fire extinguishers. The owner or operator shall provide an adequate number of fire extinguishers. (c) Flammable waste and materials. The owner or operator shall provide identified covered metal containers for flammable waste such as oily rags and other flammable materials. The containers shall be kept in easily accessible locations and shall be located so that they will not obstruct means of ingress, egress or aisles. (Code 1971, § 5-94)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-50 Identification badges.

Sec. 14-50. - Identification badges. Every owner, attendant and every other person assisting in the operation of an amusement ride or attraction shall be required to wear an identification badge at all times during operation of the amusement ride or attraction and such badge shall contain a recent photograph of the individual, the name of the individual, the birthdate and the social security number of the individual. (Code 1971, § 5-96)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-51 Records and reports of injuries and accidents.

Sec. 14-51. - Records and reports of injuries and accidents. (a) Every owner or lessee of amusement rides or attractions operated in the city shall: (1) Make, keep, and preserve and make available to the city reports regarding his activities relating to this article; (2) Maintain accurate records of and make periodic reports on injuries to the public incurred in the use of such amusement ride or attraction, other than minor injuries requiring only first aid treatment and which do not involve medical treatment or loss of consciousness; and (3) On the basis of the records made and kept, file reports with the city. (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, every owner or lessee of an amusement ride or attraction shall report, in writing, to the city within 24 hours after the occurrence of any accident resulting in a serious injury or fatality incurred in the operation of any such amusement ride or attraction. When a serious physical injury or fatality occurs as a result of the operation of an amusement ride or attraction, the owner or attendant shall immediately close the ride or attraction until it has been inspected and approved by the city. The city shall inspect the ride or attraction within 48 hours after receiving notification of the accident. (Code 1971, § 5-97)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-52 Suspension of operations.

Sec. 14-52. - Suspension of operations. (a) If after inspection or investigation of any amusement ride or attraction, the city or its designated representative determines that the amusement ride or attraction is in violation of any standard promulgated under this article, and that there is a substantial probability of death or serious physical injury to the public from its continued use, notice of it shall be given in writing to the owner or lessee of the amusement ride or attraction. If the owner or lessee is not immediately available, notice may be given to the attendant. A copy of the notice shall be attached to the amusement ride or attraction. After the notice of violation is issued, the operation of the amusement ride or attraction is prohibited. The notice may not be removed until the amusement ride or attraction is made safe for public use and the required safeguards are provided. This notice may not be removed except by the city or its designated representative. (b) Any person aggrieved by decision of the city's designated representative may, pursuant to the provisions of this section, appeal this decision in writing to the city council, which shall consider the matter within ten days after receiving the appeal. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the city council may appeal that decision to the circuit court of the county as provided by law. (Code 1971, § 5-98)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-53 Variances.

Sec. 14-53. - Variances. (a) Any affected owner or lessee of amusement rides or attractions may apply in writing to the city for an order for a variance from any rule, regulation, or standard promulgated under this article. (b) This city or its designated representative may grant exceptions from the rules, regulations, and standards adopted by the city pursuant to this article if it is evident that the action is necessary to prevent undue hardship, or existing conditions prevent practical compliance and reasonable safety can, in the opinion of the city or its designated representative, be ensured. (Code 1971, § 5-99)

Jackson Code of Ordinances § 14-54 Political subdivisions exempted from provisions of article.

Sec. 14-54. - Political subdivisions exempted from provisions of article. No amusement ride or attraction owned and operated by the city, the state, or any other political subdivision of the state shall be subject to regulation under this article. (Code 1971, § 5-100)

Source: City of Jackson, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/jackson/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH14AMEN_ARTIIAMRIAT_DIV1GEFetched: 11/1/2026