Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 66 Special Safety Provisions

Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Code is amended by adding Chapter 66, entitled "SPECIAL SAFETY PROVISIONS," to read as follows:

SECTION 6601 - GENERAL PROVISIONS

The provisions of this Chapter are intended to regulate structures not otherwise regulated by this or other Codes, which affect or may affect public safety, and shall include the installation, maintenance and operation of public assembly tents, amusement devices, towers, membrane or temporary structures not regulated by Chapter 31, and other structures.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE OR STRUCTURE is any device or structure such as rebound tumbling equipment, merry-go-round, captive air-planes, dark houses and similar devices or structures which the public is invited or permitted to ride or use for the purpose of amusement.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 67, 2016; Ord. 2013-0048 § 69, 2013; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

No person shall erect or construct or proceed with the erection or construction of any public assembly tent, amusement device, or other structure regulated by this Chapter without first filing an application and obtaining a permit therefor from the Building Official. A permit shall be required each time said structure is erected or moved.

Any person desiring a permit under this Chapter shall, at the time of filing an application therefor, pay to the Building Official a fee as set forth in Section 107.

(Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

Amusement devices, and all other structures, equipment or devices regulated by this Chapter, whether specifically mentioned or not, shall be made structurally safe, with due allowance for impact, wear and injury during use.

Where not otherwise specifically provided in this Code, the construction, installation, maintenance and use of everything regulated by this Chapter shall provide adequate safety for the loads to which they may be subjected.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 68, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

No structure regulated by this Chapter shall be used or occupied unless or until an inspection has been made and a certificate of occupancy has been issued as provided in Section 109 each time said structure is erected or moved.

(Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

Whenever any structure or device regulated by this Chapter is being used or occupied contrary to the provisions of this Code or in a dangerous or unsafe manner, the Building Official may order such use or occupancy discontinued by notice in writing served on any persons engaged in using or occupying or causing to be used or occupied such structure or device, and all such persons shall forthwith discontinue such use or occupancy until authorized by the Building Official to continue the same.

(Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

SECTION 6602 - AMUSEMENT DEVICES

Amusement devices or structures shall be regulated by this Section. Amusement devices or structures located within special amusement buildings must also comply with the requirements of Sections 411 and 903.2.11.6.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 69, 2016; Ord. 2010-0053 § 76, 2010; Ord. 2007-0108 § 26, 2007; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

Location of structures and devices regulated by this Section shall be such as to provide adequate safety to the occupants of or egress from said structure or device, or adjacent structures or devices, in case of fire or panic.

(Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

All structures or devices regulated by this Section shall be constructed and maintained as required in Section 6601.

(Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

In case of doubt, the Building Official, at any time, may order a structure or device regulated by this Chapter to be tested in his or her presence with loads equal to double the weight of the proposed occupants, loaded either uniformly or eccentrically.

When necessary for safety, the Building Official may limit the speed of operation of such devices or order sufficient alterations to make them safe.

(Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

Exits and exit passageways shall be provided from or between structures or devices to ensure safety in case of panic or disaster.

(Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

Adequate fire-extinguishing apparatus shall be provided subject to the approval of the Building Official.

(Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

The Building Official may cause all structures and devices regulated by this Section to be reinspected, and fees for such inspection shall be paid as required by Section 107.

(Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

SECTION 6603 - REBOUND TUMBLING EQUIPMENT

Rebound tumbling equipment, as used in this Chapter and Section 107, is a fabric bed or surface designed to provide resilience by virtue of its own elasticity or that provided by an elastic or spring suspension system, or by both, within a stable and tested frame and intended to be used for jumping, bouncing or acrobatic tumbling.

(Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

SECTION 6604 - REBOUND TUMBLING CENTER

Rebound tumbling center, as used in this Chapter, is a place where rebound tumbling equipment is provided and maintained for public use and shall comply with Sections 6604.1 through 6604.6.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 70, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

Rebound tumbling equipment shall be located on a level surface in such a way as to be within view of the operator or attendant at all times.

The spacing of equipment units shall conform to the following minimum dimensions as measured from the inside edge of the frame:

Three feet (914 mm) between sides of units.

Four feet (1219 mm) between ends of units.

Five feet (1524 mm) from ends to nearest fence, building or other similar construction.

Three feet (914 mm) from sides or corners to nearest fence, building or other similar construction.

The area surrounding the rebound tumbling equipment shall be surfaced to prevent a dust nuisance and have a reasonably level surface of pea gravel or equivalent type of material from a safety and dust control standpoint.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 71, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

Pits for rebound tumbling centers shall be so constructed that they will not interfere with the operation of the equipment and be of a depth not less than 3 feet (914 mm) nor more than 4 feet (1219 mm) at centers.

Such pits shall be so framed that the rebound tumbling equipment is held in a level position and is supported on a solid stable surface. Lumber used as framing for pits shall not be less than 2 inches (51 mm) in thickness and shall be securely connected together.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 72, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

Precautionary measures shall be taken to prevent broken springs on rebound tumbling equipment disengaging from the assembly.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 73, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

The frames of rebound tumbling equipment shall be completely padded to provide reasonable safety. Pads 2 inches (51 mm) thick filled with cotton liners shall be deemed to meet this requirement.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 74, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

The entire rebound tumbling center shall be completely enclosed by fencing not less than 5 feet (1524mm) in height.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 75, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

The Building Official shall inspect annually every rebound tumbling center.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 76, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

SECTION 6605 - AUTOMOBILE RACING FACILITIES

Every person or corporation owning or operating oval and other closed track automobile racing facilities shall erect and maintain protective fencing between grandstands or bleacher areas in accordance with Section 6605.2. This Section shall not apply where racing is limited to quarter midget cars, go-carts and similar smaller vehicles.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 77, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

The location and construction of fencing shall comply with the following:

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 77, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

6605.2.1   Location.

Fencing shall be installed between the grandstands or bleachers and the track surface in the following situations:

When such surface is a curve and within 100 feet (30 480 mm) of the grandstands or bleachers.

When such surface is other than a curve and is within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of the grandstands or bleachers.

When such surface is within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of grandstands or bleachers and such grandstands and bleachers are located within the infield or other area surrounded by the track.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 77, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

6605.2.2   Height.

Fencing shall extend 12 feet (3658 mm) above the highest grade of the racing surface.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 77, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

6605.2.3   Construction.

At and adjacent to curves, the fencing shall be of galvanized wire mesh, minimum No. 11 gauge, with a maximum spacing between wire of 2-½ inches (63 mm). Galvanized steel posts spaced not greater than 12 feet (3658 mm) on center shall be designed to resist a minimum loading of 100 pounds (444.83N) applied perpendicular to the fence 5 feet (1524 mm) from its base. Two-and-one-half-inch diameter (63 mm) standard weight, Schedule 40, steel pipe (2-7/8-inch [73 mm] outside diameter) embedded in a concrete foundation 3 feet (914 mm) deep and 18 inches (457 mm) in diameter will satisfy this requirement. Continuous seven-strand ¼ inch ( 6.4 mm) diameter galvanized steel cable shall be provided horizontally at top and bottom of the fencing. Additional continuous ¼ inch (6.4 mm) horizontal cables shall be provided at a 4-foot (1219 mm) maximum spacing. Such cable shall be mechanically fastened to the post.

At location other than curves, the spacing between wires may be increased to 4 inches (102 mm).

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 77, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)

For the purpose of this Section, curves are defined as those portions of the track having a radius of less than 1,000 feet (304.8 m) at the inside edge and shall include a distance of 50 feet (15 240 mm) from each end of the curve.

(Ord. 2016-0053 § 77, 2016; Ord. 99-0040 § 68 (part), 1999.)