When it comes to inspecting the fair’s rides, Delaware’s Office of the State Fire Marshal oversees all amusement rides in the state.
The State Fair’s rides will be inspected by two fire marshals this year. The process started Wednesday and ends Thursday, said Michael Chionchio, assistant state fire marshal.
Chionchio said it’s hard to quantify how long each ride is examined because simple kiddie rides only require a few minutes for inspection, but a Ferris Wheel can take much longer. In general, it takes two eight-hour days to inspect the entire carnival section.
There are quite a few things fire marshals look for when examining the rides.
But that’s not all.
Amusement ride vendors are required to file, on an annual basis, an Amusement Ride Safety Inspection Certificate for any ride they plan to set up and use in Delaware.
“We have electrical inspectors that are approved by the state to come in and they have to submit an approval for the electrical to run the machines,” he explained. “Then we look for any kind of hazards such as any kind of tripping hazards or any kind of hazards where gates don’t open, the fences are broken.”
Along with the form, the vendors are required to submit a valid Certificate of Insurance for the company and that specific ride by including the ride on the insurance schedule.
Amusements rides also are required to be inspected within one year of use by a third-party ride inspector contracted by the amusement ride vendor and the vendor’s insurance company.
Chionchio said the third-party ride inspector signs off on the ride and provides a signed safety inspection form once the ride is approved for use.
