N.J. Admin. Code § 5:14A-10.9

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 5:14A-10.9 - Mechanical equipment

(a) Scales:

1. Scales shall be tested and sealed by a New Jersey Weights and Measures officer at least once a year; and

2. Scales shall be tested using certified test weights before the opening of the ride each day.

(b) Weights:

1. Each bungee jumping operation shall obtain test weights that have been tested and sealed by the Superintendent of the State Office of Weights and Measures in the aggregate capacity of 300 pounds.

(c) Bungee cords:

1. Operating testing: All commercial operators shall follow the inspection and testing recommendations set forth by the bungee cord manufacturer;

2. All bungee cord manufacturers shall provide specifications to purchasers on maximum usage of bungee cords expressed in number of jumps;

3. Bungee cords shall be retired when the bungee cords exhibit deterioration or damage or when maximum usage expressed in number of jumps as specified by the manufacturer is reached, whichever is first. All commercial operators shall have an auditable system for recording the number of jumps on each individual bungee cord in use. This data shall be readily available to the Department upon request; and

4. Bungee cords retired from use shall be destroyed by cutting the bungee cord into five-foot lengths.

(d) Bungee cord end connections:

1. All bungee cord end connections shall be of a size and shape to allow easy attachment to the harnesses and to the rigging. On multiple cord systems, each bungee cord shall meet its own independent end connection;

2. All bungee cord end attachment points subject to wear shall be retired when the bungee cord is retired;

3. On multiple bungee cord systems, all bungee cord end attachment points shall be bound together in a protective sheath that allows the individual ends to move with respect to each other; and

4. All bungee cords shall be inspected each day for wear, slippage, or any other abnormalities, unless the manufacturer specifies more frequent inspections.

(e) Harnesses:

1. A harness shall be either:

i. A full body harness; or

ii. An ankle harness or ankle strapping that is tied off in such a manner so as to secure the jumper to the cord end connection. The ankle harness/strapping shall evidence redundancy. A link to a waist harness shall be required;

2. No harness shall cause bruising.

3. Harnesses shall be available to fit the range of jumper sizes accepted for jumping.

4. The harness shall have a minimum breaking strength of 4,000 pounds, shall be suitable for the type of jumping conducted, and shall be manufactured by an organization approved to manufacture similar harnesses to an approved standard; and

5. Each harness shall be inspected prior to harnessing a bungee jumper and shall be removed from service when it exhibits signs of excessive wear, damage, or when it has met the manufacturer's maximum usage allowance.

(f) Carabiners and locking devices:

1. Specification: Carabiners shall be of the screw type lock with a minimum main axis breaking strength of 8,000 pounds;

2. Use: A minimum of two carabiners shall be used at each bungee cord end connection point;

3. Design and construction: All carabiners shall be designed and constructed using the existing standards for mountaineering and rescue gear; and

4. Testing: All carabiners shall be inspected daily and shall be removed from service when the locking mechanisms fail to lock properly, the springs are worn, or the locking gates deform.

(g) Anchors:

1. Specifications: There shall be two anchors that attach the bungee cord to the structure. Each anchor shall have a minimum strength of 8,000 pounds or shall be designed with a minimum factor of safety of five, whichever is more. There shall be a carabiner that attaches each anchor to the bungee cord end connections The two carabiners shall not be connected to each other;

2. Where wire rope is used, it shall have staged ends with a thimble eye or it shall be continuous. Other connection systems shall be acceptable if they meet the aforementioned strength specifications; and

3. Daily inspection of the anchors shall be carried out, and any portion showing signs of excessive wear shall be removed from service immediately.

(h) Air bags:

1. An air bag shall be provided; and

2. A minimum of a 10-foot safety zone shall be maintained above the air bag.

(i) Platforms:

1. Platforms shall be constructed to provide safety and security to the public. Every platform shall:

i. Be completely enclosed except for the jumping off area;

ii. Have a nonskid floor surface;

iii. Be provided with a gate equipped with locking devices to prevent accidental openings;

iv. Be provided with anchor rails or points to secure the bungee jumper prior to the bungee jump;

v. Have no more than two persons on the platform during bungee jumping operations, the bungee jumper, and bungee jump master. A third person, who shall be an employee, may be added only for training and instruction purposes;

vi. Be permanently attached to a structure; and

vii. Be constructed so that the bungee jump point shall not exceed 100 feet above the ground surface.

(j) Rescue procedures: All operations regardless of jump platform in use shall have a secondary retrieval system. All appropriate staff shall be trained on proper rescue procedures. Prior to bungee jumping operations, all appropriate staff shall conduct a test rescue.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:14A-10.9