Jan 19, 2012

ASTM International Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices will be holding three days of standards development meetings from Feb. 16-18, 2012, at the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The committee produces global safety standards for the amusement industry.

Approximately 50 separate meetings will be held, each one focusing on a specific safety element of the amusement industry. Between 150 and 200 safety experts from all over the world are expected. Meetings are open to both members and non-members of ASTM and registration is available at www.astm.org/COMMIT/COMMITTEE/F24.htm.

In addition to traditional sessions on issues such as ride design, operations and maintenance, some of the areas that will be covered include nontraditional areas of growth, such as participatory attractions like zip lines, rock wall climbing, inflatables, globe riders and trampoline parks. A number of meetings will focus on water-related attractions that continue to see ample growth in the resort and hotel industry. A significant amount of work has been performed on the subject of trains, which will also be reviewed in detail.

Several sessions will again be held to assist global representatives with the adoption of ASTM F24 standards. The successful coordination efforts between F24 and Canadian stakeholders (including the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the TSSA) to develop guidance specific to the design, operation and inspection of amusement rides in Canada is being used as a model for other countries that have a desire to adopt F24 standards, but have unique requirements specific to a particular region or country that must be added to the existing standards. The newly established F24 task group focused on Latin American adoption of F24 will meet to review the model. “With the success of the Canadian and Colombian efforts, we now have a clear path that allows any country to adopt the globally focused F24 standards while being be responsive to local level challenges or concerns,” said Leonard Morrissey, director, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International.

Preregistration for the ASTM F24 spring 2012 meeting is strongly encouraged. The committee urges all participants to make room reservations at the Riverside Hotel as soon as possible to take advantage of the special group rate. A complete list of meeting details can be found at the ASTM website.

“I am extremely pleased with the high level of interest expressed by committee members for the upcoming spring 2012 meeting,” said Jim Seay, chairman of Committee F24 and president of Premier Rides. “I am grateful that participants will travel from around the globe to share their passion for safety in the amusement industry. As always, the meeting is open to all that have an interest in safety and would like to contribute to the industry’s standards.”

The International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA) will hold its biannual Safety Committee Meeting at the same location on Feb. 15, 2012.

ASTM International Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices was formed in 1978. F24 meets twice a year, usually in February and October, with over 100 members from around the world attending several days of technical meetings. The committee, with current membership of more than 500 global members, currently has jurisdiction over 17 standards, published in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. These standards, available in multiple languages, continue to play a preeminent role in all safety aspects important to amusement rides and devices.

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ASTM Committee F24 Next Meeting: Feb. 16-18, 2012, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Technical Contact: James Seay, Premier Rides, Baltimore, Md., Phone: 410-923-0414; jseay@premier-rides.com
ASTM Staff Contact: Leonard Morrissey, Phone: 610-832-9719; lmorriss@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #9073