West Conshohocken, PA, USA — ASTM F24, the committee on amusement rides and attractions that produces global safety standards for the amusement industry, held its semi-annual meeting from February 14th through February 16th at the Hyatt French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. Approximately fifty separate meetings were held, each one focusing on a specific safety element of the amusement industry. Attendance was very strong with over 200 safety experts from 10 different countries participating.
Jim Seay, Chairman of ASTM F24 Committee and President of Premier Rides, commented, “With the most scheduled meetings we have ever had for an F24 meeting, I was grateful for high level of interest and attendance. To see so many people travel on a voluntary basis from all corners of the globe in the name of safety is quite humbling and really shows a high level of passion.”
A lot of attention was focused on F24’s newest global safety standard, ASTM F2959, Practice for Requirements for Aerial Adventure Courses. Stakeholders including operators, manufacturers, regulators, and consumers held open discussions to review the new standard in detail, which will now allow uniformity for installations and operations of the industry’s fastest growing segment.
Len Morrissey, Director/TCO Division of ASTM International, stated, “The approval of F24’s newest global safety standard highlights the effectiveness of the open ASTM process that brings together the best experts, with diverse interests in an industry, to collaborate on a wide range of issues and develop effective solutions through the development of global standards.”
Some of the most attended meetings focused on trampoline parks, another rapidly growing segment and approval of a new standard is very close. Extensive discussions also addressed the topic of supervising companions as it relates to different categories of rides. Additionally, the committee approved its first safety standard for parasailing, another new area of focus; a standard focused on auditing was also approved.
The International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA), including the IAAPA Safety Committee, collated multiple meetings at the same location. The California Attractions & Parks Association (CAPA) also held a meeting. Additionally, the following organizations were represented at the ASTM F24 Spring 2013 Meeting: Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), AIMS International, National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO), Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA), and the World Waterpark Association (WWA).
The ASTM F24 meetings were sponsored by Hewitt Wolensky LLP, IALDA, Premier Rides, ProSlide, Rockwell Automation, Seipp, Flick & Hosley LLP, Tapeswitch, Uremet, Van Stone Conveyor INC, and Vekoma Rides.
The next ASTM Committee F24 Fall Meeting will be held October 24-26, 2013 at the Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona.
http://www.astm.org/COMMITTEE/F24.htm
