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Rides Inspected At Maryland State Fair

TIMONIUM, Md. (WJZ) ― The Maryland State Fair opens Friday in Timonium, but state inspectors were on site Wednesday checking the rides.

Suzanne Collins reports on what dangers they are looking for to avoid disaster.

It might thrill a child to ride the Wiggly Worm, but are the bolts underneath it secure?  A crew of five state inspectors were on site at the state fair Wednesday to be sure of that.

The Ferris Wheel buckets and all the parts that hold them on are thoroughly checked.  So is everything mechanical and electrical.

"From transporting them from place to place, they flex, and a lot of times this is where we get the stress cracks," said state inspector Gina Principio.

Cracks must be fixed by a certified welder and by manufacturer's guidelines.

Inspectors say the Zipper is especially rough and takes a lot of wear and tear.  In this case, it was a question of blocks that keep the ride level on the ground.

"We find a lot of problems with the blocking, which is the foundation of the ride, which is important and we have it corrected.  We find fasteners missing or not tight enough and occasionally some stress cracks here and there," Principio said.

The inspectors say kids shouldn't ride if they are too short because that could create a danger.

Even an attraction with no moving parts is inspected.  An example is the House of Mirrors.

"One of the main things we check is make sure all glass is secure and make sure no tripping hazards, and also we make sure the fire marshal has come through and inspected the device itself," said state inspector Glenn Powell.

These safety inspections do not end once the fair starts Friday.  State law requires the amusement company itself to inspect the rides every day before the fair opens.

In advance of the official opening Friday, Thursday night is "Ride Mania," open to the public from 5 to 11 p.m.

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