Torrance Municipal Code Art. 6 Erection of Tents, Devices, Hoists, Conveyors, Etc

The provisions of this Article are intended to regulate structures not otherwise regulated by this Code or any other ordinances in the City which affect the physical safety of human beings, and shall include the installation, maintenance and operation of public assembly tents, amusement devices, freight hoists and conveyors. This Article shall also include devices such as stage lifts, automobile lifts, horizontal devices or devices inclined at an angle for carrying one or more persons, belt, bucket, scoop, cellar conveyors, or similarly inclined or vertical freight conveyors, building hoists and similar devices or structures.

"Amusement device or structure" is any device or structure such as merry-go-rounds, ferris wheels, captive airplanes, dark houses, slides and similar devices or structures which the public is invited or permitted to ride or use for the purpose of amusement.

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

(Amended by O-1782; O-2839)

a) Any person desiring a permit under the preceding Section shall, at the time of filing an application therefor, pay to the Building and Safety Director the proper fee, which shall be determined from Table A set forth herein below:

TABLE A

Re-inspection: Any inspection called for in this Article not ready at the appointed time causing a return trip for such inspection shall pay in addition to such fees already collected, an additional fee equal to one-half (1/2) of the original fee.

b) Adjustment of Fees:

1. If the Producer Price Indexes, All Commodities, prepared by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor for the last calendar month available on June 30, 1979 shall stand at 207.9 (using the price prevailing during the year 1967 as a base of 100) then the amount of the fees provided in this Section shall remain as written herein.

2. If the said index for said month shall stand at other than 207.9 then the amount of fees provided in this Section shall be increased or decreased a corresponding amount, provided however, the fees shall be rounded to the nearest dollar.

3. The amount of adjustment shall be determined by the Director of Finance, and he shall provide such adjusted figures annually thereafter.

4. In the event the said bureau shall revise the said index, the Director of Finance shall accept the method of revisions or conversion recommended by the bureau.

5. If the said bureau shall discontinue the preparation of the Producer Price Indexes, All Commodities, using prices prevailing in the year 1967 as a base of 100, and if no transposition table prepared by the bureau is available which is applicable to the year 1967, then the fees shall be increased or decreased on the basis of any other nationally recognized indicator of increases or decreases in consumer product prices.

Amusement devices, freight hoists, conveyors and all structures, equipment or devices regulated by this Article, 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 Article, the construction, installation, maintenance and use of everything regulated by this Article shall provide adequate safety for the loads to which they may be subjected.

All structures or devices regulated by this Article, shall be constructed and maintained as hereinabove required.

No structure regulated by this Article 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 306 of the Uniform Building Code each time such structure is erected or moved.

Whenever any structure or device regulated by this Article is being used or occupied contrary to the provisions of this Article or the Uniform Building 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.

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

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

Adequate fire extinguishing apparatus shall be provided subject to the approval of the Fire Marshal of the City.

In case of doubt, the Building Official, at any time may order a structure or device regulated by this Article to be tested in his presence with loads equal to double the weight of the proposed occupants, loaded either uniformly or eccentrically. When necessary for safety, he may limit the speed of operation of such devices or order sufficient alterations to make them safe.

The Building Official may cause all structures and devices regulated by this Article to be reinspected, and fees for such inspection shall be paid as required by Section 303 of the Uniform Building Code.