Proposed Changes to Amusement Devices Regulation

Pending regulatory changes, our safety oversight will expand to include certain rides and devices that are currently unregulated. This will be an addition to rides and devices that are currently regulated such as:

• All amusement rides regulated under the Elevating Devices Safety Regulations (EDSR)
• Inflatable devices
• Water slides
• Train rides

The following unregulated rides and devices are now proposed to be included:

• Trampoline courts
• Ziplines previously not subject to the EDSR
• All other amusement devices not previously subject to the Elevating Devices Safety Regulations that have been identified for inclusion for oversight

The transition timeline for each amusement device and ride will be added to this page once we have more information.

• New definition of “amusement ride” and “amusement device”.
• “New to regulation” requirements.
• New licencing requirements.
• Compliance with the ASTM F24 Amusement Ride and Devices Standard (to replace CSA Z-267) for regulated products and regulated work.

New proposed definitions will provide clarity to operators and the public as to which amusement rides and devices are regulated and which are not.

It is proposed that the following amusement rides and devices would be excluded from oversight:

• Professional or sports training with oversight by training or coaching staff and appropriate safety precautions (e.g., simulators used exclusively for pilot training, or gymnastics facilities with trampolines used exclusively for sports training).
• Specific extreme thrill rides and devices (e.g., parasailing, bungee jumping, zorb balls, and via ferrata).
• Low risk rides (e.g., coin-operated children’s rides which are commonly found at malls or shopping centers, and children’s playgrounds that are covered by other safety codes).

We have proposed that select ASTM F24 standards be adopted as the safety code for regulated amusement rides and devices, as the current code is no longer supported or updated.

The ASTM standards provide requirements on design, construction, installation, operation, maintenance, and inspection of amusement rides and devices. The design of new rides, or devices designed or installed after the code is adopted, would be required to comply with this standard.

The list of standards proposed for adoption will be made available at a future date. The required standards are protected by copyright and therefore a copy cannot be provided by Technical Safety BC. All standards can be purchased here.

New fees may be introduced to support newly introduced equipment. We will provide more information on the fees in an upcoming fee consultation.

Changes are also proposed for design registration, most notably, the introduction of enhancements to the installation permit and design registration application forms. These changes require specific amusement ride or device technical information to be supplied, which acts as a guide for the applicant to ensure that all required technical information has been accounted for in the submission.

Further information on Design Registration and any changes to the current process will be made available at a future date.

Design Registrations submitted after the launch date must comply with the new Adopted Codes and Standards listed in the Amusement Device Regulation, including ASTM codes.