1. Mark Taber-Miller Universal Ropes Course Builders, Inc.
REGULATION OF CHALLENGE COURSES, CANOPY/ZIPLINE TOURS AND ADVENTURE PARKS
Mark Taber-Miller
Universal Ropes Course Builders, Inc.

2. Why We Are Here
Come learn and talk about adventure parks or self guided ropes courses – what are they, how are they used, when might they fall under state regulations and when they do not.

3. Definitions
Challenge Course – A Challenge Course is a facility or facilities consisting of one or more elements that challenge participants as part of a supervised educational, recreational, or therapeutic curriculum, not located in an amusement park.
- ACCT -

4. -Experiential Systems -
Definitions
Adventure Park – A Self guided, static self-belayed adventure course; that utilizes a combination of traditional and non traditional high ropes course, zip line, and climbing elements for recreational and commercial purposes, with 100% tie off for increased participant safety.
-Experiential Systems -

5. - American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) International -
Definitions
Amusement Ride or Device – A device or combination of devices or elements that carry, convey, or direct a person(s) over or through a fixed or restricted course or within a defined area, for the primary purpose of amusement or entertainment.
- American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) International -

6. Definitions
Amusement ride—A device that carries, suspends 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. - 7 PA Act

7. State Definitions Pennsylvania – January 23, 2009
Extreme Sports (including Climbing Walls and Bungee Trampolines).
Although there is no current ASTM International categorization of this type of amusement ride or amusement attraction, ASTM International is currently moving toward establishing such a categorization. In the interim, the Department believes it is appropriate to establish a distinct category for this type of ride or attraction, in these “extreme sports” attractions tend to be aggregated at facilities that do not have other types or rides or attractions on site. PA Dept. of Agriculture

8. Current Regulations By State
US State By State Regulation

9. State Inspection Requirements

10. What does PA Currently Regulate?
Ziplines
Aerial Adventure Parks
Climbing Walls
Climbing Towers
High Challenge Courses
Low Ropes Courses

11. What does PA Currently Require
Operators Manual
Documented Inspections
Engineered drawings or plans for Installation
Ride to be Licensed.
To What Standard – ASTM F-24 standards where applicable.
In the absence of the ASTM Standards for Design– the Association For Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) standards may be used.
The state will revisit this policy when a final Challenge Course/Zip Line standard is released from ASTM (2014?)

12. Things to Look for Daily documented and signed pre-opening inspection.
Functional test of all communication systems.
Inspection or test of all automatic and manual safety devices.
Replacement parts – Shall be procured from the original manufacturer of the element (s) using the appropriate manufacturer supplied identifying nomenclature. Or procured or produced using appropriate original manufacturing drawings or specifications (both preferred).
Manufacturer shall supply a description of the recommended daily, pre-opening inspections to be performed.

13. What To Look For– Cont.
Manufacturer shall provide a description, including frequency of regular maintenance inspections and testing, in addition to daily inspection descriptions.
Manufacture shall provide recommended wear limits or tolerances for components and training and /or tools for operator/owner to make appropriate assessment.
Procedures for extended periods of non use shall be provided by the manufacture.
Manufacture shall provide supplemental notification bulletins that are relevant after the initial product sale – for as long as product/system is in use.
Bulletins shall use standard ASTM form and be:
Red for Safety Alert
Blue for Service Bulletins
Green for Notifications.

14. What To Look For– Cont.
The program of maintenance Shall include a checklist covering each ride or element.
Information Requirements
Information Plate printed in English shall be clearly available for visual inspection.
Serial Number (if applicable)
Name or definition of Element or Structure
Date of manufacture (completion of construction)
Participant weight capacity
Maximum Number of participants to be on Structure simultaneously (whole course, platforms, elements)
Estimated ride speed (feet per second)

15. What To Look For– Cont.
Manufacturer shall provide instructions for the patron (information that shall be made available for every patron – waivers, signage, etc.)
Operational restrictions relating to environmental conditions like wind, rain, or temperature.
Location for all ride operators to be stationed during operations.
Description of series of all steps to be followed in a definite order to operate the ride or rides.
Evacuation procedures and rescue procedures.

16. Documentation of Ride Analysis
A ride analysis shall be conducted that includes: Patron constraint analysis (can’t fall out of harness –no seat harnesses); Patron Clearance Envelope – participant shall have no ability to contact non-intended structures (other elements, trees, etc.); Failure analysis –this shall include identifying the most significant factors that may affect participant safety (unhooking from harness, splinters on wood, zipping to fast and hitting pole or structure, etc.); A means to mitigate each identifiable safety issue shall be provided.

17. Resources