Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 120-3-27-.41 - Kart Rules and Regulations

(1) Mandatory rules and regulations for every owner, manager, and operator who provides for the operation and use of all types of mechanically operated karts which carry or convey 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 shall comply with the Georgia Amusement Ride Safety Act, the Georgia Laws and Rules for Regulating and Licensing Amusement Rides Chapter 15 of Title 25 and this Section.

(a) Definition of terms used in this section:

1. The term "kart"means a powered vehicle used for amusement along, around or over a fixed restricted route or course or within a defined area including vehicles commonly called go karts and similar vehicles.

2. The term "kart ride"includes all karts, kart track, refueling areas, spectator areas, and all other areas used in any manner for the operation of karts.

(b) Where a kart is defective and not in compliance with this provision, such units shall be taken out of service and clearly marked with a red tag reading "Out of Service."

(c) The Chief Safety Inspector or his designee, upon presenting credentials to the owner/operator, is authorized without prior notice to inspect and investigate during regular working hours and at other reasonable times, and within reasonable limits and manner, any kart, kart track, or other area of the kart rides.

1. Inspection includes, but is not limited to, a review of necessary documents, observance and/or inspection of the karts, kart track or any portion of the kart ride.

2. Inspection of the ride is to include: track design, track operation, kart design, fuel containers, mechanical condition and safe operation of the ride.

(d) The Office shall order in writing, a temporary cessation of operation of the kart ride, if it has been determined after inspection to be hazardous or unsafe or the failure to comply with any of the other provisions of the Chapter or the regulations promulgated thereunder including, but not limited to, the requirements set forth in Section .04 of this Chapter. Operation shall not be resumed until such conditions are corrected to the satisfaction of the Office.

(2) Track Operations.

(a) All karts that are operated on a kart track shall have bumpers, wheels and body parts that are compatible.

(b) No kart shall be operated during a lightning storm, a period of tornado alert or warning, fire, riot or other civil disturbance in the amusement park or in an area adjacent thereto. Passengers shall be unloaded and evacuated from the ride and the ride shut down until normal, safe operational conditions are established.

(c) All kart tracks shall be monitored during its operation either directly by attendants or indirectly by electronic visual and audio means acceptable to the Office.

(d) A kart that is losing oil or fuel shall immediately be removed from the kart track and be repaired prior to returning to operation on the kart track.

(e) Karts may only be operated by persons within the heights limits set by the manufacturer. If no height limit is set by the manufacturer, height limit shall be no less than 52 inches.

(f) Karts designed for single or dual riders shall use a shoulder harness and belt restraint system acceptable to the Office.

(g) All loose clothing and hair longer than shoulder length must be secured prior to operating any kart. Fully enclosed shoes must be worn by operators and passengers at all times during operation of a kart.

(h) A person who is smoking shall not be permitted to operate a kart.

(i) Track attendants shall not allow riders to leave their vehicles either in the pit or on the track unless assisted by a track or pit attendant.

(j) Where a kart track exposes a passenger or operator to high speed, or a high degree of excitement, the owner shall post a conspicuous warning sign at the entrance to the kart track advising the public of risk to passengers.

(k) The sign required by (j) above shall be at least two feet by two feet in sharply contrasting colors.

(l) The sign required by (j) shall read as follows or express an equivalent warning:

"The following people should not ride this ride.

1. Those with heart conditions

2. Pregnant women

3. Those with back or neck ailments"

(m) Every kart track shall have a sign posted at the ticket window or track entrance and in the pit area that conveys at least the following rules and regulations.

1. Height limit as specified by manufacturer, or no less than 52 inches.

2. Keep both hands on the wheel and both feet in the kart at all times. Do not get out of kart unless track attendant is present.

3. All loose clothing and hair longer than shoulder length must be secured. Fully enclosed shoes must be worn by operators and passengers at all times during operation of kart.

4. No smoking in karts or pit area.

5. Persons under the influence of intoxicants will not be allowed to operate karts.

(n) The use of private karts or vehicles will be prohibited on kart or other vehicle tracks while open to the general public.

(3) Kart Designs:

(a) The speed of every kart shall be set at a limit of not more than 20 mph, and not to exceed the maximum speed for which the track is designed and acceptable to the Department.

(b) Where the design of a kart enables the readjustment of its speed, the means of adjusting the speed shall not be accessible to the operator of the kart.

(c) The seat, back rest, seat belts and leg area of every kart shall be so designed as to retain the driver inside the kart in the event of a collision or overturn.

(d) No more than one person shall occupy a kart at one time unless the kart is designed and equipped with a seat belt system that is intended for two persons.

(e) All karts shall be provided with sufficient guards to prevent anyone from coming in contact with drive chains, belts, hot muffler, engine parts or any rotating parts.

(f) The steering wheel and its hub and all exposed components on a kart shall be padded to minimize the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a collision or overturns.

(g) All karts shall have headrests of roll bars which must be of sufficient height and strength so as to provide the occupant with protection in the event a kart should roll over.

(h) A kart shall be provided with impact absorbing bumpers, or energy absorption body parts.

(i) Kart wheels shall be so enclosed or guarded so that the wheels of another kart cannot interlock with or ride over the wheels of another kart.

(j) The kart fuel tank shall be so designed and mounted that it cannot be damaged or spill any fuel in the event of collision or the kart overturning.

(k) All karts shall have sufficient muffler systems installed so as to prevent any undue noise levels which will interfere with the track operations, adjacent businesses, residential areas or damage the hearing of employees or patrons.

(l)

1. Daily inspections shall be made on all karts prior to operation. It shall include but not limited to: tires, padding, steering, frame welds, spindles, axles, safety belts, roll bars, gasoline tank condition, brake and gas pedal operation, etc., as recommended by the kart manufacturer and acceptable to the Office.

2. Weekly as recommended by manufacturer and acceptable to the Office.

3. Monthly as recommended by manufacturer and acceptable to the Office.

4. Annually as recommended by manufacturer and acceptable to the Office.

(4) Track Design:

(a) The design of the kart track shall be consistent with the kart manufacturer's recommendations and acceptable to the Office.

(b) A kart track shall:

1. Have a hard and smooth surface as recommended by kart manufacturer.

2. Provide road grip sufficient to enable a kart to be driven safely at maximum speed and be free of ruts, holes or bumps, water, oil, etc.

3. Track Bank-may be banked on turns only, minimum of 2 degrees and maximum 4 degrees.

4. Straight-away length must be flat, except two (2) degrees allowed for drainage.

5. Track width must be a minimum of 16 feet wide and maximum 25 feet wide. On an oval track the turns should be a minimum of 5 feet wider than straight-away. The minimum radius of the turns is 15 feet. 6. Signs that indicate one direction of travel of karts shall be posted at various locations around the kart track perimeter. Signs that indicate no "U"turn must be posted at various locations.

(c) White or yellow lines at least four inches in width shall be used to mark all inside and outside edges of a kart track except where barriers are provided along the inside and outside edges of the kart track.

(d)

1. A kart track shall be equipped with ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers of a minimum of 5 pounds capacity.

2. A fire extinguisher shall be located within seventy feet of all areas of the track and one fire extinguisher shall be kept in the pit and in the refueling area.

3. The location of each fire extinguisher shall be prominently marked and the fire extinguisher easily accessible.

(e) Refueling of karts shall be at a designated location remote from any area that is accessible to the public and must comply with NEC 70-510, 511, 514 and other applicable codes.

(f)

1. The shoulder of every kart track shall be level with the kart track or guarded to prevent the kart from leaving the track.

2. The spectator area shall have a smooth and firm surface up to at least 15 feet from the edge of the kart track.

3. Each barrier on a kart track shall:

(i) Be so constructed that a kart colliding with a barrier at maximum speed will:

(I) Safely come to a full stop, or

(II) Be guided safely back to the proper part of the kart track;

(ii) Be so designed as to prevent a kart from overturning or running over or under the barrier after its contact with the barrier, and;

(iii) Be constructed of materials that will not readily ignite.

(g)

1. Every kart track shall be surrounded by a fence that is at least 48 inches in height and be set back from the track at least 36 inches from the inside face of the barrier.

2. The requirements above may be met by natural barriers that provide the same degree of protection as the fence.

3. Gates will be located for easy supervision by attendants while the track is open, and locked when track is closed.

(5) Pit or pit areas:

(a) Must be fenced or have a barrier.

(b) Separate entrance and exit lanes required.

(6) Spectator Area must be separated from track and pit areas by fence or barriers that are built sufficient to withstand full impact from kart or other type of vehicle traveling at full speed.

(7) Electric - Lighting:

(a) All electric will comply with NFPA 70 and all revisions.

(b) Lighting for night operation will comply with all applicable codes acceptable to the Office.

(8) In addition, track design will incorporate all industry accepted standards of safety. Proposals for construction in the State of Georgia will be submitted to the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Safety Engineering Section and other appropriate agencies before construction begins. All building support items, etc., must be approved by appropriate agencies. These items listed above are minimum requirements.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 120-3-27-.41

O.C.G.A. Secs. 25-15-1in seq.

Original Rule entitled "Kart Rules and Regulations"adopted. F. Sep. 4, 2013; eff. Sept. 24, 2013.