The Standard EN-13814 requires that a ride log book be prepared and kept at all times with the ride. What does this involve and what does the ride owner need to do?
 
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIDE LOG BOOK AND TECHNICAL DOSSIER
by Enrico Fabbri
 
Standard EN-13814, issued in 2007, together with standard ISO-17842, specify that a set of documents needs to be kept at all times with a ride, even when this is sold to third parties. Despite the fact that many operators have been using the term ‘book’ to define these documents for some time now, not many are clear on exactly what documents are required. In general, the documents making up a ride’s Log Book (or Device Log) must be organised by the ride’s owner; on the other hand, the documents making up the Technical Dossier must be organised by the manufacturer and consigned to the customer. Following the introduction of standards EN-13814 and ISO-17842, more and more countries have been adopting stricter procedures for the first approval of used rides when entering the country. Consequently, an operator who keeps a log book has an advantage when selling a used ride, avoiding higher costs and wasted time. On the other hand, operators whose ride log books are incomplete may not be able to sell their used rides, or may need to lower the selling price.

Let’s then look at the requirements for the Log Book: this shall clearly identify the device and contain a summary of the technical and operational data, history, records of all repairs, modifications, examinations, tests and checks and the detailed reports thereof, including photographs, welding inspection results and invoices paid for materials and services. In detail:

1.    Owner’s name
2.    Drawing with overall dimensions
3.    Maximum speed and performance
4.    Passenger restrictions (age, height, weight)
5.    Wind and earthquake limits
6.    List of incidents occurred, even minor ones
7.    Copy of licenses or government approvals for ride operation
8.    List of fairgrounds where operated and duration of each
9.    Periodical inspections carried out and conclusions
10.  Information on daily and periodical checks carried out by the operator
11.  Information on repairs carried out
12.  Information on any modifications made
13.  Information on unscheduled maintenance
14.  Assessment of risks relating to use, assembly and dismantling, maintenance operations, by analysing the manufacturer’s instructions
15.  Copy of service/technical bulletins (or alerts) issued by the manufacturer or third parties and relating to the ride
16.  List of faults occurred on the ride and the solutions adopted or repairs carried out
17.  Copy of all communications and invoices relating to the above-mentioned operations.
 
Now we will examine what documents make up the ride’s Technical Dossier, which must be prepared by the manufacturer and provided to the customer on delivering the ride: must comprise the design documents to provide detailed information with respect to design, calculation, method of construction, instructions and information relating to operation and maintenance and for examinations by independent inspection bodies. In detail:

1.    Manual containing information on ride assembly and dismantling, maintenance and operation
2.    Certificates of quality for the materials used to make the most important structures, NDT certificates for the most important welded joints
3.    Overall drawings of the ride and its main components, including detailed drawings of the safety components
4.    Wiring, hydraulic and pneumatic diagram with key and description of the components, information relating to the PLC and list of errors
5.    Risk assessment performed by the manufacturer
6.    Structural calculation, including analysis of fatigue strength
7.    Rating plate that identifies the ride and that states:
a.     Manufacturer’s name and address
b.    Type, model, year of construction
c.     Date of first approval
d.    Maximum number of passengers

To conclude, I recommend that operators who want to sell a used ride should start early to gather all the documents needed, and always request the Technical Dossier when buying a new ride.

Finally, engineers and operators should always demand accurate analysis of the ride during periodical inspections, checking the most important/stressed welded joints using modern NDT (non-destructive testing) methods, especially when carrying out unscheduled maintenance that requires repainting.

 

 

Written by Mr. Enrico Fabbri enrico@fabbrirides.com
Article originally published in Games Industry (Italy) magazine
Original date: October 2016

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