prEN 13814-1
(Main)Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices - Part 1: Design and manufacture
- Abstract
This document specifies the minimum requirements necessary to ensure the safe design, calculation, manufacture, and installation of mobile, temporary or permanently installed machinery and structures which are intended for use by persons as a leisure activity, e.g. roundabouts, swings, boats, ferris wheels, roller coasters, chutes, booths, side shows, and structures for artistic aerial displays. The above items are hereafter called amusement devices, which are intended to be installed both repeatedly without degradation or loss of integrity, and temporarily or permanently in fairgrounds and amusement parks or any other locations. Grandstands, construction site installations, scaffolding, removable agricultural structures, simple coin operated children's amusement devices, carrying up to three children, and recreational devices like waterslides or summer toboggan runs, playground equipment, rope courses, climbing wall, inflatable, trampolines, swimming pool equipment (this list is not exhaustive) are not covered by this document.
For all the equipment not covered by the requirements of EN 13814 1, the relevant standards apply.
Nevertheless this document can be used in the design of any similar structural or passenger carrying amusement device not explicitly mentioned herein.
In terms of workers’ health and safety, national regulations apply.
This document is applicable to manufacturing and major modification of amusement devices and rides for designs after the effective date of publication.
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 19-May-2027
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 152 - Fairground and amusement park machinery and structures - Safety
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 152/WG 1 - Rides
- Current Stage
- 4020 - Submission to enquiry - Enquiry
- Start Date
- 15-Oct-2026
- Due Date
- 11-Dec-2025
- Completion Date
- 15-Oct-2026
prEN 13814-1 is a CEN draft European Standard for the safety of amusement rides and amusement devices. It specifies minimum requirements for the safe design, calculation, manufacture and installation of mobile, temporary or permanently installed amusement machinery and structures intended for leisure use. It is written for designers, manufacturers, controllers, operators and inspection bodies that need a common technical basis for amusement rides and similar devices.
What does prEN 13814-1 specify?
prEN 13814-1 covers the design and manufacture of amusement devices used by persons as a leisure activity, including roundabouts, swings, boats, ferris wheels, roller coasters, chutes, booths, side shows and structures for artistic aerial displays. The document applies to devices installed repeatedly without degradation or loss of integrity, and to devices installed temporarily or permanently in fairgrounds, amusement parks or other locations.
The scope excludes several other installations, including grandstands, construction site installations, scaffolding, removable agricultural structures, simple coin-operated children's amusement devices carrying up to three children, waterslides, summer toboggan runs, playground equipment, rope courses, climbing walls, inflatables, trampolines and swimming pool equipment. For equipment outside the scope, the relevant standards apply. The document can still be used for similar structural or passenger-carrying amusement devices not named explicitly.
It is applicable to manufacturing and major modification of amusement devices and rides for designs after the effective date of publication. For workers' health and safety, national regulations apply.
The document is organized into the following main parts:
- Clause 1 - Scope
- Clause 2 - Normative references
- Clause 3 - Terms and definitions
- Clause 4 - Design basis, analysis and verification
- Clause 5 - Requirements for design and manufacture
- Annexes A to I - technical requirements, guidance, logs, hazards, behaviour and high-speed go karts
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| A | Electrical equipment and control systems |
| B | Control systems - best practices |
| C | Guidance on design of rider containment |
| D | Amusement Device Log for an amusement device |
| E | Main hazards, hazardous situations and events for spectators and riders |
| F | Guest behaviour |
| G | Limited accessibility to amusement devices |
| H | Acceleration effects on riders |
| I | High speed go karts |
What are the key requirements of prEN 13814-1?
prEN 13814-1 ties together design evidence, structural analysis, rider protection and manufacturing controls. The most important practical message is that the designer must justify the ride by documents, calculations, risk assessments and safety measures, then the manufacturer and controller must carry those requirements through build, operation and later review.
Design documents, risk assessments and documentation
Clause 4.1 requires design documents that cover stability and operational safety, including the Design Risk Assessment (DRA). The documents need a description of the construction and operation, design drawings, and a stress, fatigue and stability analysis. In practice, this means the approval file must show how the device was conceived, calculated and intended to work.
Clause 5.1 requires both a DRA and an Operation and Use Risk Assessment (OURA). The DRA is produced by the designer, while the OURA is produced by the controller. Together they divide responsibility between design-stage risks and risks that arise during use, so the hazard controls are not left to interpretation at site level.
Clause 5.7, 5.8 and 5.9 require design documentation, an Amusement Device Log and an official technical dossier. These records support initial approval, later inspections, maintenance history and identification of the device over its working life.
Loads, analysis and structural verification
Clause 4.3 states that verification should follow Eurocodes or internationally accepted standards and guidelines. The document names FKM, EN 13001, CIDECT and IIW guidelines as accepted references for analysis. Practically, the designer must choose a defensible calculation method and use it consistently.
Clause 4.4 defines the main actions to be considered, including rider masses, vertical and horizontal loads, driving and braking forces, bracing and restraint loads, wind, snow, inertia, intentional collision, seismic and self-straining loads. Table 2 gives rider masses for different design cases, while Table 6 gives operating wind loads. This matters because the load case changes with the ride condition, the number of riders and the exposure to weather.
Clause 4.5 requires checks for ultimate limit states, including structural strength, fatigue strength and stability. It also introduces load combinations, dynamic factors and a specific way to count fatigue load cycles. The document also adds a path for operation beyond theoretical design fatigue life, provided initial and periodic inspections are defined.
Clause 4.6, 4.7 and 4.8 deal with ground anchorage, bolts, ropes, chains, safety devices, connectors and adapters. Clause 4.6 refers to prEN 13782:2026, clause 9, for ground anchorage. In practice, the device must not rely on generic hardware alone - the anchoring and fastening system has to be designed and checked as part of the ride.
Rider safety, containments and restraints
Clause 5.2 sets out the main physical safety measures - platforms, ramps, stairs, walkways, fencing, guarding, access and egress, rider containments, restraints, clearance envelopes and provisions for special needs. These requirements matter because they shape how people board, ride and leave the device without being exposed to moving parts or fall hazards.
Clause 5.2.5 classifies restraints into Areas 1 to 5, with Table 17 summarizing the restraint and retention device configuration. The higher the area, the more demanding the check and the safer the retention concept. The practical effect is that the designer must decide whether a restraint is needed, whether it needs a retention device, whether that device must be fail-safe, and whether redundancy is required.
Clause 5.2.6 defines the clearance envelope. It can be determined either from a reach envelope based on a theoretical rider model, or from simplified distances. The reach envelope uses the 95th percentile of the intended rider population and considers reasonably foreseeable behaviour, so the rider must not be able to contact dangerous objects during the ride cycle.
Clause 5.2.7 adds further provisions for guarding of machinery parts, the height-to-age relationship for riders and riders with special needs. This helps the designer and operator align the ride with the intended users and the access rules shown to guests.
Special ride types, mechanical systems and manufacturing controls
Clause 5.3 adds supplementary requirements for specific amusement device types, including vertical-axis rides, horizontal-axis rides, rail-guided or track-bound devices, dodgem cars, speedways, high-performance go-karts, mini-motorbikes for children, boat rides, flume rides, slides, side shows and shooting stands. That means the general rules are supplemented by device-specific provisions where the ride form changes the hazard pattern.
Clause 5.4 covers hydraulic and pneumatic devices, plus lifting and elevating units that are integral parts of a ride. Clause 5.5 covers manufacturing, including personnel competence, subcontracting, quality plan, welding, non-destructive testing and electrical installations. In practice, the standard is not only about design - it also controls how the ride is built and verified.
Clause 5.6 requires manuals, special information and drawings and diagrams to accompany supply. Clause 5.7 to 5.9 require the technical paperwork needed for installation, operation, traceability and formal authorization.
What terms does prEN 13814-1 define?
prEN 13814-1 defines the technical language used across design, operation and inspection. These are the terms that matter most when reading drawings, risk assessments and acceptance reports.
- Amusement device - an amusement ride and any arrangement of equipment that produces amusement or entertainment when the user moves through it or on it mainly by his or her own action.
- Design Risk Assessment (DRA) - a document produced by the designer as a tool for safe design within the agreed scope of supply.
- Operation and Use Risk Assessment (OURA) - a document produced by the controller that records the risks present during operation and the measures used to reduce them.
- Safety-related control system (SRCS) - an assembly of components that monitors and controls an amusement device to reduce risks to guests.
- Retention device - the system used to secure a restraint in a retained state.
- Clearance envelope - the space that reduces the risk of harmful contact between riders and objects.
- Temporary installed amusement device - an amusement device designed to be installed and uninstalled, with an installation period not exceeding 3 months.
- Theoretical hourly ride capacity (THRC) - the maximum theoretical number of guests per hour under ideal operating conditions.
Who uses prEN 13814-1?
prEN 13814-1 is used by ride designers, structural engineers and control-system engineers when they create the ride concept, calculate loads and define safety functions. Manufacturers use it for fabrication, welding, quality assurance, manuals and supply documentation.
It is also used by controllers, operators and attendants in fairgrounds and amusement parks to prepare the OURA, run the ride, check restraints and keep the Amusement Device Log. Inspection bodies use it for initial approval, thorough examination and later checks on whether a ride can continue in service. Buyers, owners, concessionaires and lessees use it when specifying or accepting a ride, especially after major modification.
What changed in prEN 13814-1 from the previous edition?
prEN 13814-1 will supersede EN 13814-1:2019+A1:2024. The foreword states these main changes: rider loads have been fully reviewed, the safety envelope definition has been completely reviewed, the term “retention device” has been introduced to clarify locking and latching systems, the acceleration section has been revised with additional limits for children, the former Annex H on safety envelopes has been removed, hazards have been integrated into Annex E, Clause 4.4 has been restructured with further alignment to Eurocode, fatigue load cycle counting is now more precise, continued operation after theoretical fatigue life is linked to initial and periodic inspections, an additional annex for high speed go karts has been added, and the terms for persons in the park or fairground have been reviewed.
Which standards are used with prEN 13814-1?
prEN 13814-1 relies on structural, electrical, control-system, welding and material standards to support its ride-specific rules.
| Standard | What it contributes |
|---|---|
| EN ISO 12100 | General risk assessment and risk reduction method |
| EN 1991-1-4 | Wind actions on structures |
| EN 1993-1-8 | Joints for steel structures |
| EN 1993-1-9 | Fatigue design for steel structures |
| EN 1999-1-1 | General rules for aluminium structures |
| EN 1090-2 and EN 1090-3 | Execution requirements for steel and aluminium structures |
| EN 60204-1 and EN 60204-32 | Electrical equipment of machinery and hoisting machines |
| EN IEC 62061 and EN ISO 13849 | Functional safety of safety-related control systems |
| EN ISO 4413 and EN ISO 4414 | Hydraulic and pneumatic system safety |
| EN ISO 14119 and EN ISO 14120 | Interlocking devices and guards |
| EN 818, EN 14399, EN ISO 898-1, EN ISO 4014, EN ISO 4032 | Chains and bolted fastening hardware |
| prEN 13814-2:2026 and prEN 13814-3:2026 | Companion parts for operation, maintenance, use and inspection |
| CEN/TS 17959 | Manufacturing quality recommendations for machinery components |
What does the prEN 13814-1 document contain?
prEN 13814-1 contains design methods, load models, verification rules and device-specific safety provisions for amusement rides and related devices. It includes tables for rider masses, wind loads and bolt resistances, plus figures for restraint zones, clearance distances and acceleration effects.
The annexes provide practical tools rather than just principles. Annex A sets out electrical equipment and control-system requirements, Annex C gives guidance on rider containment, Annex D provides a device log model, Annex E lists main hazards, Annex F discusses guest behaviour, Annex G addresses limited accessibility, Annex H explains acceleration effects on riders, and Annex I adds provisions for high speed go karts.
It also contains procedures for design review, approval, testing, record keeping, maintenance documentation and authorization records. For a buyer, engineer or inspection body, that means the document is not only a design code - it is also a working file structure for build, acceptance and ongoing operation.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 22-Jan-2025
Frequently Asked Questions
prEN 13814-1 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices - Part 1: Design and manufacture". This standard covers: This document specifies the minimum requirements necessary to ensure the safe design, calculation, manufacture, and installation of mobile, temporary or permanently installed machinery and structures which are intended for use by persons as a leisure activity, e.g. roundabouts, swings, boats, ferris wheels, roller coasters, chutes, booths, side shows, and structures for artistic aerial displays. The above items are hereafter called amusement devices, which are intended to be installed both repeatedly without degradation or loss of integrity, and temporarily or permanently in fairgrounds and amusement parks or any other locations. Grandstands, construction site installations, scaffolding, removable agricultural structures, simple coin operated children's amusement devices, carrying up to three children, and recreational devices like waterslides or summer toboggan runs, playground equipment, rope courses, climbing wall, inflatable, trampolines, swimming pool equipment (this list is not exhaustive) are not covered by this document. For all the equipment not covered by the requirements of EN 13814 1, the relevant standards apply. Nevertheless this document can be used in the design of any similar structural or passenger carrying amusement device not explicitly mentioned herein. In terms of workers’ health and safety, national regulations apply. This document is applicable to manufacturing and major modification of amusement devices and rides for designs after the effective date of publication.
This document specifies the minimum requirements necessary to ensure the safe design, calculation, manufacture, and installation of mobile, temporary or permanently installed machinery and structures which are intended for use by persons as a leisure activity, e.g. roundabouts, swings, boats, ferris wheels, roller coasters, chutes, booths, side shows, and structures for artistic aerial displays. The above items are hereafter called amusement devices, which are intended to be installed both repeatedly without degradation or loss of integrity, and temporarily or permanently in fairgrounds and amusement parks or any other locations. Grandstands, construction site installations, scaffolding, removable agricultural structures, simple coin operated children's amusement devices, carrying up to three children, and recreational devices like waterslides or summer toboggan runs, playground equipment, rope courses, climbing wall, inflatable, trampolines, swimming pool equipment (this list is not exhaustive) are not covered by this document. For all the equipment not covered by the requirements of EN 13814 1, the relevant standards apply. Nevertheless this document can be used in the design of any similar structural or passenger carrying amusement device not explicitly mentioned herein. In terms of workers’ health and safety, national regulations apply. This document is applicable to manufacturing and major modification of amusement devices and rides for designs after the effective date of publication.
prEN 13814-1 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 97.200.40 - Playgrounds. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
prEN 13814-1 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13814-1:2019+A1:2024. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
prEN 13814-1 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2026
Varnost naprav in opreme v zabaviščnih parkih - 1. del: Načrtovanje in izdelava
Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices - Part 1: Design and manufacture
Sicherheit von Fahrgeschäften und Vergnügungsanlagen - Teil 1: Konstruktion,
Bemessung und Herstellung
Sécurité des manèges et des dispositifs de divertissement - Partie 1 : Conception et
fabrication
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 13814-1
ICS:
97.200.40 Igrišča Playgrounds
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2026
ICS Will supersede EN 13814-1:2019+A1:2024
English Version
Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices - Part
1: Design and manufacture
Sécurité des manèges et des dispositifs de Sicherheit von Fahrgeschäften und
divertissement - Partie 1 : Conception et fabrication Vergnügungsanlagen - Teil 1: Konstruktion,
Bemessung und Herstellung
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 152.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 13814-1:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 5
Introduction . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 10
4.1 Design Documents . 16
4.1.1 General. 16
4.1.2 Design risk assessment . 16
4.1.3 Description of design and operation . 16
4.1.4 Design and manufacturing drawings . 16
4.1.5 Structural Integrity and Strength. 17
4.2 Selection of Materials . 17
4.2.1 Standards relating to ropes, chains, safety devices, connectors and adapters . 17
4.3 Principles of Analysis . 18
4.3.1 Design Standards . 18
4.3.2 Analysis Principles for various types of rides . 18
4.3.3 Other railways with track-bound vehicles . 23
4.4 Effects, Loads and Actions . 23
4.4.1 General. 23
4.4.2 Permanent actions . 24
4.4.3 Variable actions . 24
4.5 Verification of strength (ultimate limit states) . 31
4.5.1 General. 31
4.5.2 Load combinations . 31
4.5.3 Dynamic Factors . 32
4.5.4 Ultimate Limit State of Structural Strength (ULS-STR) . 33
4.5.5 Ultimate Limit State of Fatigue Strength-(ULS-FAT) . 33
4.5.6 Verification of stability (ULS-EQU) . 38
4.6 Ground Anchorage . 40
4.7 Bolts . 40
4.7.1 Bolt Materials . 40
4.7.2 Bolt Assessment . 40
4.8 Ropes, chains, safety devices, connectors, and adapters . 43
4.8.1 Ropes, chains, belts, and straps . 43
4.8.2 Rider safety locking devices. 45
4.8.3 Connectors and adapters . 45
5 Requirements for design and manufacture . 45
5.1 Risk assessment . 45
5.1.1 General. 45
5.1.2 Design Risk Assessment (DRA) . 46
5.1.3 Operation and Use Risk Assessment (OURA). 46
5.2 Prevailing design and safety measures . 47
5.2.1 Platforms, ramps, floors, stairs and walkways . 47
5.2.2 Fencing and guarding . 51
5.2.3 Access and egress . 55
5.2.4 Rider Containments . 57
5.2.5 Restraints . 59
5.2.6 Clearance envelope for riders . 66
5.2.7 Further provisions . 71
5.3 Supplementary requirements for various types of amusement device. 71
5.3.1 General . 71
5.3.2 Amusement rides with vertical axis . 71
5.3.3 Amusement rides with horizontal axis . 73
5.3.4 Rail-guided channel or track-bound amusement devices . 76
5.3.5 Dodgem cars/Bumper cars . 78
5.3.6 Speedways/Go-karts . 84
5.3.7 High performance Go-karts . 85
5.3.8 Mini-motorbikes for children . 86
5.3.9 Boat rides . 86
5.3.10 Flume rides . 87
5.3.11 Helter skelters, slides, etc . 89
5.3.12 Side shows, booths, win-a-prize and sales stands, mazes, halls of mirrors, fun houses,
labyrinths, hammers, ring the bell and similar . 90
5.3.13 Shooting stands and trailers, shooting devices . 92
5.4 Mechanical systems . 94
5.4.1 Hydraulic and pneumatic devices . 94
5.4.2 Lifting and elevating units being integral part of a ride . 95
5.5 Manufacture . 98
5.5.1 Manufacturer . 98
5.5.2 Quality assurance — Quality plan . 99
5.5.3 Manufacturing process . 100
5.5.4 Safety precautions to be taken by the manufacturer . 102
5.5.5 Electrical installations . 102
5.6 Supply . 102
5.6.1 Manuals . 102
5.6.2 Special information . 104
5.6.3 Drawings and diagrams . 104
5.7 Design documentation . 104
5.7.1 General . 104
5.7.2 Description of installation and technical specification/information . 105
5.8 Amusement Device Log . 106
5.8.1 General . 106
5.9 Official technical dossier . 107
5.9.1 General . 107
5.9.2 Content . 108
5.9.3 Identification marking . 108
Annex A (normative) Electrical equipment and control systems . 109
Annex B (informative) Control systems - Best practices . 121
Annex C (informative) Guidance on design of rider containment . 123
Annex D (informative) Amusement Device Log for an amusement device. 128
Annex E (informative) List of main hazards, hazardous situations and events for spectators
and riders during the operation and use of amusement rides . 150
Annex F (informative) Guest behaviour . 153
Annex G (informative) Limited accessibility to amusement devices . 158
Annex H (informative) Acceleration effects on riders. 161
Annex I (informative) High speed go karts. 173
I.5 Karting facilities for high performance go-kart . 174
Bibliography . 178
European foreword
This document (prEN 13814-1:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 152
“Fairground and amusement park machinery and structures - Safety”, the secretariat of which is held by
UNI.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 13814-1:2019+A1:2024.
EN 13814-1:2026 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
EN 13814-1:2019+A1:2024.
This revision was initiated to incorporate the responses to the questions raised during the 2019 enquiry.
A complete review of rider loads to be used in design, testing and operation has been made. The section
regarding safety envelope definition has been completely reviewed. The introduction of the term
“retention device” helps to clarify the requirements for locking and latching systems. The overall section
has also been streamlined to facilitate reading. The accelerations section has been completely reviewed.
There are additional paragraphs to cover acceleration limits for children. The previous Annex H entitled
Safety Envelopes for Passengers in EN13914-2019 has been removed. The content of the table of hazards
has been integrated into Annex E. Clause 4.4 has been restructured and some further alignment with
Eurocode has been made. A new section provides a more precise way to define how fatigue load cycles
are counted. A new section has been added to explain how components that have reached their
theoretical design fatigue life can continue operation by defining initial and subsequent periodic
inspections that are required. An additional Annex for high speed go karts has been added. A review of
the terms for persons in the park or fairground has also been made.
EN 13814 consists of the following parts, under the general title Safety of amusement rides and
amusement devices:
— Part 1: Design and manufacture;
— Part 2: Operation, maintenance and use;
— Part 3: Requirements for inspection during design, manufacture, operation and use.
Introduction
The object of this document is to define safety rules related to structures and machinery, which are either
an integral part of, or constitute the amusement device itself. The safety rules are intended to safeguard
persons against the risk of accidents caused by deficiencies in design, manufacture and operation of such
structures and machinery.
Annex A (normative) provides guidance on electrical equipment and control systems.
Annex B (informative) provides control systems – best practices.
Annex C (informative) provides guidance of rider containment.
Annex D (informative) shows a typical layout of a device log for an amusement device.
Annex E (informative) lists hazards pertaining to amusement rides.
Annex F (informative) provides guidance on guest behaviour.
Annex G (informative) provides guidance on the limited accessibility to amusement devices.
Annex H (informative) explains acceleration effects on riders.
Annex I (informative) provides requirements for high speed go karts.
This revision was initiated to incorporate the responses to the questions raised during the 2019 enquiry.
For reference the initial replies were provided in document CEN/TR 18042. A complete review of rider
loads to be used in design, testing and operation has been made. The section regarding safety envelope
definition has been completely reviewed. The introduction of the term “retention device” helps to clarify
the requirements for locking and latching systems. The overall section has also been streamlined to
facilitate reading. The accelerations section has been completely reviewed. There are additional
paragraphs to cover acceleration limits for children. The previous annex H entitled Safety Envelopes for
Passengers in EN 13914-2019 has been removed. The annex has been removed and the table of hazards
has been integrated into Annex E. Sub-clause 4.4 has been restructured with some further alignment with
Eurocode has been made. As part of the fatigue analysis it is important to define how fatigue load cycles
are defined. The new section provides a more precise definition. A new section has been added to explain
how components that have reached their theoretical design fatigue life by defining initial and subsequent
periodic inspections that are required to be able to continue operation. An additional Annex for high
speed go karts has been added.
Terms used for the persons in the park of fairground was made. The aim was to standardize terms and
provide a logical set of definitions. Words for guest, participant, user, passenger and rider have been
reviewed and revised as necessary.
1 Scope
This document specifies the minimum requirements necessary to ensure the safe design, calculation,
manufacture, and installation of mobile, temporary or permanently installed machinery and structures
which are intended for use by persons as a leisure activity, e.g. roundabouts, swings, boats, ferris wheels,
roller coasters, chutes, booths, side shows, and structures for artistic aerial displays. The above items are
hereafter called amusement devices, which are intended to be installed both repeatedly without
degradation or loss of integrity, and temporarily or permanently in fairgrounds and amusement parks or
any other locations. Grandstands, construction site installations, scaffolding, removable agricultural
structures, simple coin operated children's amusement devices, carrying up to three children, and
recreational devices like waterslides or summer toboggan runs, playground equipment, rope courses,
climbing wall, inflatable, trampolines, swimming pool equipment (this list is not exhaustive) are not
covered by this document.
For all the equipment not covered by the requirements of EN 13814-1, the relevant standards apply.
Nevertheless, this document can be used in the design of any similar structural or user carrying
amusement device not explicitly mentioned herein.
In terms of workers’ health and safety, national regulations apply.
This document is applicable to manufacturing and major modification of amusement devices and rides
for designs after the effective date of publication.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 818 (all parts), Short link chain for lifting purposes — Safety
EN 1090-2:2018+A1:2024, Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures — Part 2: Technical
requirements for steel structures
EN 1090-3:2019, Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures — Part 3: Technical requirements
for aluminium structures
EN 1176 (all parts), Playground equipment and surfacing
EN 1991-1-4, Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - Part 1-4: General actions - Wind actions
EN 1993-1-8, Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures - Part 1-8: Joints
EN 1993-1-9, Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures - Part 1-9: Fatigue
EN 1999-1-1, Eurocode 9: Design of aluminium structures — Part 1-1: General rules
EN 10204, Metallic products - Types of inspection documents
EN 12195-2, Load restraint assemblies on road vehicles - Safety - Part 2: Web lashing made from man-made
fibres
EN 13796-1, Safety requirements for cableway installations designed to carry persons - Carriers - Part 1:
Grips, carrier trucks, on-board brakes, cabins, chairs, carriages, maintenance carriers, tow-hangers
prEN 13814-2:2026, Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices — Part 2: Operation, maintenance
and use
prEN 13814-3:2026, Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices — Part 3: Requirements for
inspection during design, manufacture, operation and use
EN 14399 (all parts), High-strength structural bolting assemblies for preloading
EN 50172, Emergency escape lighting systems
EN 60204-1:2018, Safety of machinery — Electrical equipment of machines — Part 1: General
requirements (IEC 60204-1:2016)
EN 60204-32, Safety of machinery - Electrical equipment of machines - Part 32: Requirements for hoisting
machines (IEC 60204-32)
HD 60364-4-41, Low-voltage electrical installations — Part 4-41: Protection for safety — Protection
against electric shock (IEC 60364-4-41)
HD 60364-5-54, Low-voltage electrical installations - Part 5-54: Selection and erection of electrical
equipment - Earthing arrangements and protective conductors (IEC 60364-5-54)
HD 60364-7-740, Electrical installations of buildings - Part 7-740: Requirements for special installations or
locations - Temporary electrical installations for structures, amusement devices and booths at fairgrounds,
amusement parks and circuses (IEC 60364-7-740)
EN IEC 61558-1, Safety of transformers, reactors, power supply units and combinations thereof - Part 1:
General requirements and tests
EN 61800-5-2, Adjustable speed electrical power drive systems — Part 5-2: Safety requirements —
Functional (IEC 61800-5-2)
EN IEC 62061, Safety of machinery - Functional safety of safety-related control systems
EN 62305 (all parts), Protection against lightning (IEC 62305, all parts)
CEN/TS 17959, Safety of amusement rides and devices: Manufacturing quality recommendations for
machinery components
EN ISO 898-1, Mechanical properties of fasteners made of carbon steel and alloy steel - Part 1: Bolts, screws
and studs with specified property classes - Coarse thread and fine pitch thread (ISO 898-1)
EN ISO 3834-2, Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials - Part 2: Comprehensive
quality requirements (ISO 3834-2)
EN ISO 3834-3, Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials - Part 3: Standard quality
requirements (ISO 3834-3)
EN ISO 3834-4, Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials - Part 4: Elementary quality
requirements (ISO 3834-4)
EN ISO 4014, Fasteners - Hexagon head bolts - Product grades A and B (ISO 4014)
EN ISO 4016, Fasteners - Hexagon head bolts - Product grade C (ISO 4016)
EN ISO 4017, Fasteners - Hexagon head screws - Product grades A and B (ISO 4017)
EN ISO 4018, Hexagon head screws - Product grade C (ISO 4018)
EN ISO 4032, Fasteners -Hexagon regular nuts (style 1) (ISO 4032)
EN ISO 4413, Hydraulic fluid power - General rules and safety requirements for systems and their
components (ISO 4413)
EN ISO 4414, Pneumatic fluid power - General rules and safety requirements for systems and their
components (ISO 4414)
EN ISO 5817, Welding - Fusion-welded joints in steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys (beam welding
excluded) - Quality levels for imperfections (ISO 5817)
EN ISO 9606-1, Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding - Part 1: Steels (ISO 9606-1)
EN ISO 9606-2, Qualification test of welders - Fusion welding - Part 2: Aluminium and aluminium alloys (ISO
9606-2)
EN ISO 9692-1, Welding and allied processes - Types of joint preparation - Part 1: Manual metal arc welding,
gas-shielded metal arc welding, gas welding, TIG welding and beam welding of steels (ISO 9692-1)
EN ISO 9692-2, Welding and allied processes - Joint preparation - Part 2: Submerged arc welding of steels
(ISO 9692-2)
EN ISO 9692-3, Welding and allied processes - Types of joint preparation - Part 3: Metal inert gas welding
and tungsten inert gas welding of aluminium and its alloys (ISO 9692-3)
EN ISO 9712:2012, Non-destructive testing - Qualification and certification of NDT personnel (ISO
9712:2012)
EN ISO 10042:2018, Welding - Arc-welded joints in aluminium and its alloys - Quality levels for
imperfections (ISO 10042:2018)
EN ISO 12100:2010, Safety of machinery - General principles for design - Risk assessment and risk reduction
(ISO 12100:2010)
EN ISO 13849 (all parts), Safety of machinery — Safety-related parts of control systems (ISO 13849)
EN ISO 13854, Safety of machinery - Minimum gaps to avoid crushing of parts of the human body (ISO
13854)
EN ISO 13857, Safety of machinery - Safety distances to prevent hazard zones being reached by upper and
lower limbs (ISO 13857)
EN ISO 14119, Safety of machinery - Interlocking devices associated with guards - Principles for design and
selection (ISO 14119)
EN ISO 14120, Safety of machinery - Guards - General requirements for the design and construction of fixed
and movable guards (ISO 14120)
EN ISO 14731, Welding coordination - Tasks and responsibilities (ISO 14731)
EN ISO 14732, Welding personnel - Qualification testing of welding operators and weld setters for
mechanized and automatic welding of metallic materials (ISO 14732)
EN ISO 17635, Non-destructive testing of welds - General rules for metallic materials (ISO 17635)
ISO 10474, Steel and steel products — Inspection documents
ISO 14118, Safety of machinery — Prevention of unexpected start-up
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
amusement device
amusement ride (3.3) and any arrangement of equipment that produces the desired effect of amusement
or entertainment when the user (3.57) moves through it or on it primarily by his or her own action
3.2
amusement device log
book and/or electronic data file containing all the necessary information about the use and history of any
amusement device (3.1)
3.3
amusement ride
equipment that is designed to entertain the riders (3.43) during motion including the consequence of
biomechanical effect
3.4
attendant
trained person appointed to work under the supervision of an operator (3.31), to assist in the operation
of an amusement device (3.1) available for use by the guests (3.21)
3.5
behaviour
non-passive physical activity or movement made by a guest (3.21). All reactions to internal and external
stimuli
3.6
boarding rider
rider (3.43) who is transiting from the waiting area to the amusement ride (3.3)
3.7
child
person aged from birth to 14 years
Note 1 to entry: In the amusement field it is helpful to consider children’s physical, psychological, social and
educational development with relation to their age.
3.8
children ride
amusement ride (3.3) solely designed for the use by children as defined by the designer (3.14)
3.9
clearance envelope
space which adequately reduces the risk of harmful contact of riders (3.43) with objects
3.10
competent person
person who can demonstrate that he has acquired through training, qualifications or experience, or a
combination of these, the knowledge and skills enabling that person to perform a specified task
3.11
controller
person or organisation having overall control of an amusement device (3.1). This may be either an
individual or corporate body owning an amusement device (3.1) or the concessionaire or lessee who has
been granted control of the amusement device (3.1), by the owner, for a specified period
3.12
design review
document detailing the review of all the applicable design documents, to determine the suitability for use
of an amusement device (3.1)
3.13
design risk assessment
DRA
document, produced by the designer (3.14) as a tool for safe design, within the agreed scope of supply
3.14
designer
engineer
persons or bodies that are responsible for the design of an amusement device (3.1) (or modifications
thereof), including, but not limited to establishing and describing the configuration of the amusement
device (3.1), conducting appropriate risk assessment(s), establishing strength (including fatigue
strength), designing and specifying electrical/electronic control systems, defining the acceptable quality
level for production, defining inspection criteria and including the publication of the necessary
documentation
3.15
exiting rider
rider (3.43) who is transiting from the amusement ride (3.3) to the exit
3.16
fail-safe
characteristic of a system, component, or device, that upon a failure of one of their elements, the system,
component, or device is designed to result in a safe state
3.17
fence
structure designed to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary without change of elevation
3.18
foreseeable behaviour
foreseeable misuse and predictable pathological behaviours (3.5) (such as anxiety, escape, etc).
Note 1 to entry: The concept of “reasonably foreseeable” excludes the irrational. The foreseeability of the hazard
includes considering the likelihood of the combination of circumstances that are necessary for it to occur. It will be
noted that foreseeable situations in which the user’s actions due to a lack of perception of the hazard or an
unexpected event, can expose them to an increased risk.
Note 2 to entry: See Fairground and amusement park – Guidance on safe practice, HSG 175, for more information.
3.19
gate
section of fence (3.17) that can be opened to provide access or egress
3.20
guardrail
rail intended to prevent a user (3.57) from falling
3.21
guest
persons visiting an amusement park or fairground
3.22
handrail
rail intended to assist the user (3.57) to balance
3.23
impact acceleration
acceleration with duration of less than 200 ms
3.24
initial approval
design and calculation review process including, verification, examinations and tests executed by the
inspection body (3.25) before a ride is first made available for guest use
3.25
inspection body
any organisation capable of carrying out examination, tests and approval of amusement devices (3.1)
3.26
machinery component
component which forms part of an assembly in which at least one component moves (excluding vibration
and deformation)
3.27
major modification
safety-related alteration to the hardware or software of an amusement device (3.1), including the
introduction of a new safety-related component (3.48) or the substitution of a safety-related component
(3.48), which results in a deviation from the current design specification
3.28
manufacturer
individual or commercial entity responsible for designing and manufacturing a product with the view to
placing it on the market under their own name
Note 1 to entry: Any commercial entity that either places a product on the market under their own name or
trademark or modifies a product in such a way that compliance with applicable requirements maybe affected should
be considered to be the manufacturer and should assume the obligations of the manufacturer.
3.29
maximum permissible restraint position
position of the restraint (3.40) at which the allowed maximum sized rider is properly restrained
Note 1 to entry: Maximum sized riders are riders (3.43) with any body dimension at the largest intended design
parameters. This position does not necessarily ensure smaller riders are properly restrained.
3.30
operation and use risk assessment
OURA
document, produced by the controller (3.11), that details all of the considered risks inherent during all
modes of the amusement device operation and the means taken to mitigate against them
Note 1 to entry: This term is explained in detail in 5.1.3.
3.31
operator
trained person appointed by the controller (3.11) to be in charge of the operation of an amusement device
(3.1) when it is intended to be available for the guests (3.21)
3.32
participant
person using an amusement device (3.1) which is not an amusement ride (3.3)
3.33
permit
authorisation to operate an amusement device (3.1) in a particular member state granted by the legally
authorised body after successful approval and/or examination
3.34
platform
horizontal or inclined surface raised above the level of an adjacent area
Note 1 to entry: See 5.2.1.2 for maximum slope of platform.
3.35
properly restrained
condition where the restraint (3.40) is retained (3.41) in the intended position relative to the rider (3.43)
while in the intended riding position
Note 1 to entry: For individual, adjustable restraints (3.40) this may mean close to each rider’s body, but in a group
lap bar, this may mean close to the largest rider’s body. Intended riding position means that the rider (3.43) is
properly positioned in the rider carrying device, e.g. in a seat with full contact to the seat pan and backrest.
3.36
reach envelope
space, which a rider (3.43) can reach during a ride cycle while in the intended riding position
3.37
reasonably foreseeable misuse
use of an amusement device (3.1) in a way not intended by the designer (3.14), but which can result from
readily predictable human behaviour (3.5)
Note 1 to entry: Annex F (Guest Behaviour) gives a non-exhaustive list of human behaviours.
3.38
redundancy
application of more than one device or system, or part of a device or system, with the objective of ensuring
that in the event of one failing to perform its function another will perform that function
3.39
repair
restoration of components or assemblies to an acceptable condition
3.40
restraint
moveable system or device that is intended to inhibit or restrict the movement of the rider (3.43) while
on the amusement ride (3.3)
3.41
retained
when pertaining to a restraint (3.40), held secure against opening except by intentional action
Note 1 to entry: This can include restraints (for example drop bars) held in place by gravity, detents or other means.
3.42
retention device
system that is used to secure the restraint (3.40) in a retained state
3.43
rider
person using an amusement ride (3.3)
3.44
rider containment
system in an amusement ride (3.3) that accommodates the rider (3.43) for the purpose of riding the ride
including but not limited to the seats, side walls, walls, or bulkheads ahead of the rider(s), floors, objects
within the vicinity of the rider(s), restraints (3.40) and cages
Note 1 to entry: in many cases the rider containment is part of the rider unit (3.45).
3.45
rider unit
PU
device in or on which the rider (3.43) is conveyed during the ride cycle
Note 1 to entry: Examples for rider units are vehicles, boats, gondolas.
3.46
supervising companion
person of sufficient age having the authority and knowledge to help decide whether the accompanied
person is able to experience the amusement ride (3.3) or amusement device (3.1) based on information
provided by the controller (3.11)
3.47
safety-related control system
SRCS
assembly of components that may be electronic, electric, electro-mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or
mechanical combined to monitor and control an amusement device (3.1) so as to reduce risks to guests
(3.21)
3.48
safety-related component
part or component of an amusement device (3.1) on which the safety of the users (3.57) is dependent as
identified in the design risk assessment (3.13) and/or the operation and use risk assessment (3.30)
3.49
service
replacement or replenishment and check on the condition of components, including fluids which are
designated to be replaced, replenished and/or checked at specified intervals
3.50
sustained acceleration
acceleration with duration greater than or equal to 200 ms
3.51
sideshow
booth or similar enclosed structure containing, shows, activities or games for the entertainment of the
participants (3.32), where the guest (3.21) is not transported in any way by the structure
3.52
spectator
person in the vicinity of an amusement device (3.1). Typically defined as a person watching the operation
of the amusement device (3.1) or waiting to gain access to the use the amusement device (3.1)
3.53
structural component
calculated load bearing part which has not been classified as machinery components (3.26) by the designer
(3.14)
3.54
temporarily installed amusement device
an amusement device (3.1) which is designed to be installed and uninstalled, the installation period of
which shall not exceed more than 3 months
3.55
theoretical hourly ride capacity (THRC)
maximum number of guests (3.21) that an amusement ride (3.3) can theoretically accommodate in one
hour under ideal, perfect operating conditions. This calculation assumes no delays, full capacity in each
ride vehicle, and continuous loading and dispatch. It is a measure of potential throughput, rather than
what is realistically achievable
3.56
thorough examination
procedures and investigations necessary for the inspection body (3.25) to decide whether the amusement
device (3.1) can continue to be operated safely, or whether it requires defects to be remedied immediately
or within a specified time
3.57
user
generic name for a rider (3.43) and/or participant (3.32)
3.58
waiting user
guest (3.21) becomes a waiting user at the point where they join a queue line until the point at which they
enter the amusement device (3.1)
4.1 Design Documents
4.1.1 General
The design documents include all the documents required for the assessment of the stability and
operational safety of the amusement device, including the Design Risk Assessment (DRA). They shall be
available for any subsequent approval by the independent inspection bodies. These documents shall
encompass all the design conditions pertaining to the operation of the amusement devices or structures.
A description of the construction, operation and operational safety, design drawings and a
comprehensive stress, fatigue and stability analysis as specified in 4.1.4 are required for this purpose.
4.1.2 Design risk assessment
For more detail, see 5.1.2
4.1.3 Description of design and operation
The amusement device, in particular its design, modes of operation and its structure shall be explained
in this description. Adequate details of mechanical, (hydraulic, pneumatic) electrical and electronic
equipment, including the control system shall be described. The description shall include details of the
particular features of the amusement device and of any alternative modes of installation which may exist.
Also details of the main dimension motion spaces extendin
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