Md. Code Regs. 09.12.60.13

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 09.12.60.13 - Electrical Requirements

A. Electrical systems, conductors, and equipment installed on or used in conjunction with amusement attractions shall comply with:

(1) The National Electrical Code, National Fire Protection Association 70 in effect at the time of the manufacture of the amusement attraction; or

(2) At a minimum, the National Fire Protection Association 70 (1987).

B. Each owner shall ensure that electrical systems required to operate amusement attractions be installed and maintained by a qualified person.

C. Electrical inspections shall be performed prior to public use by the qualified person responsible for the electrical installation.

D. A copy of the electrical inspection report shall be:

(1) Signed by the person performing the inspection;

(2) Kept with the amusement attraction or at an on-site office;

(3) Maintained for at least 30 days; and

(4) Provided to the Commissioner on request.

E. Equipment Grounding and Bonding.

(1) Equipment grounding and bonding shall comply with the National Electrical Code.

(2) The continuity of the grounding conductor system shall be verified as part of the daily preopening electrical inspection.

(3) The neutral and equipment safety grounding conductors shall be continuous and separate throughout the entire system.

(4) Separate steel tracks or steel framework, such as roller coaster tracks or large slides, shall have grounding in accordance with Article 250 of the National Electrical Code.

F. Portable distribution or terminal boxes shall be:

(1) Designed so that no live parts are exposed to accidental contact;

(2) Of weatherproof construction and mounted so that the bottom of the box is not less than 6 above ground; and

(3) Protected against access from the general public and other unauthorized personnel.

G. Current Limiting Devices.

(1) A conductor shall be fused or protected to its current carrying capacity.

(2) A fuse or current limiting device may not be installed in neutral or grounding conductors.

(3) Motors and lighting circuits shall be fused separately.

(4) Each fuse or current limiting device shall be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code.

H. Wiring Methods.

(1) Where flexible cords or cables are used, they shall be listed for extra hard usage.

(2) Where flexible cords or cables are used and are not subject to physical damage, they shall be permitted to be listed for hard usage.

(3) An elevated power line crossing a road within a carnival, fair, or amusement park shall be suspended to provide:

(a) Minimum vertical clearance of 15 feet from the road surface; and

(b) Minimum horizontal clearance of 3 feet on each side of normal vehicle passage space.

(4) A flexible cord shall be connected to devices and fittings sufficient to ensure that tension of the cord is not transmitted to connectors or terminals.

(5) Flexible cords or cables shall be continuous without splice or tap between boxes or fittings.

(6) Cord connectors may not be laid on the ground unless listed for wet locations.

I. Amusement attractions may not be located:

(1) Less than 15 feet in any direction from overhead conductors operating at 600 volts or less, except for the conductors supplying the amusement attraction; or

(2) Under or within 15 feet of horizontal conductors operating in excess of 600 volts.

J. An electrical power source, that is, a portable electrical generator, shall be:

(1) Positioned in a manner to permit proper maintenance; and

(2) Protected by either fencing or a secure enclosure to prevent public access and exposure to hazard.

K. Collector Rings.

(1) Collector rings and brush assemblies shall be sized to accommodate the rated load.

(2) A grounding collector ring or device capable of carrying the sum of the over-current devices feeding the slip ring set shall be provided.

L. Lighting Systems.

(1) Lighting systems shall be kept in good repair and protected against accidental contact and, if possible, breakage.

(2) All fluorescent lighting systems that are connected to moving components of an amusement attraction or within 7 feet, 6 inches, of a rider or spectator shall be:

(a) Properly secured and protected against accidental breakage; and

(b) Capable of containing the pieces of a broken light.

M. Power Line Clearances.

(1) Power line clearances shall comply with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA #70, Article 525.5-2005.

(2) Amusement attractions may not be erected within 15 feet in any direction of overhead conductors operating at 600 volts or less.

(3) Amusement attractions may not be erected under or within 15 feet horizontally of conductors operating in excess of 600 volts.

Md. Code Regs. 09.12.60.13

Regulations .13 amended and recodified from 09.12.62.17 effective 49:21 Md. R. 933-968, eff. 11/1/2022