Overview
ISO 17842-3:2022 defines the minimum requirements for independent inspections of amusement rides and amusement devices during design, manufacture, operation and use. It applies to devices designed and manufactured in accordance with ISO 17842-1 and operated per ISO 17842-2. The document clarifies procedures for initial approval, pre-use review, in-service (periodical) inspection and installation examination, and requires inspection bodies to operate in accordance with ISO/IEC 17020.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Initial approval procedures
- Design review of safety-relevant documents: design risk assessment, calculations, stress/fatigue analysis, structural/mechanical, hydraulic/pneumatic, electrical/electronic (including software) and installation/maintenance information.
- Inspection of manufacturing process: verify dimensions, component presence, weight assumptions, material certificates, welding procedure conformity, and suitability of assemblies. Reports must reference manufacturer inspection records and form part of the amusement device log.
- Initial inspection and testing: functional tests unloaded and under full load, unbalanced load tests per ISO 17842-1, checks on clearances, control systems, brakes, hydraulic/pneumatic pressures, electrical supply and safety devices.
- Pre-use inspection and review
- Independent review and checks before first passenger use; documentation of findings and conformity statements to ISO 17842-1 and ISO 17842-2 become part of the device log.
- In-service inspection (periodical test)
- Purpose: confirm fitness for continued safe operation and identify deterioration of safety-related components.
- Frequency: at least annual where no national rules specify otherwise; more frequent inspections may be agreed.
- Process: visual inspection supplemented by non‑destructive testing (NDT) as required (see device manual/amusement device log); inspection body obtains maintenance history, incident reports, and agrees inspection scope with the controller.
- Typical checks: structural deformities, corrosion, wear, welds/bolts/pins, exposed safety components, and electrical fire-risk areas.
- Installation examination
- Added to 2022 revision: extent and procedures for on-site installation checks.
Applications - Who Uses This Standard
- Inspection bodies and conformity assessment organizations performing independent inspections.
- Manufacturers and designers for compliance during design review and manufacturing inspection.
- Operators / controllers of amusement rides to meet legal and safety obligations and to maintain the device log.
- Regulators and auditors setting inspection regimes or verifying compliance.
- Maintenance and NDT technicians using the standard to plan periodic testing and repairs.
Related Standards
- ISO 17842-1 - Design and manufacture (referenced for tests and structural analysis)
- ISO 17842-2 - Operation and use
- ISO/IEC 17020 - Requirements for inspection bodies
- ISO 9712 - Qualification and certification of NDT personnel
- IEC 60204-1 - Electrical equipment of machines
Keywords: ISO 17842-3, safety of amusement rides, inspection requirements, in-service inspection, initial approval, design review, non-destructive testing, ISO 17842 series.