Zellar Consulting, LLC
Family Entertainment Center Design, Development, & Risk Management Services
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Zellar Consulting, LLC Family Entertainment Center Design, Development, & Risk Management Services
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSSelect FAQ Category:
Family Entertainment Center FAQ's:What is a Family Entertainment Center (FEC)?In its broader sense, Family Entertainment Centers (FEC's) are commercial ventures which offer participatory recreation that simulates or replicates activities or sports that are beyond the reach of the general populace. A Family Entertainment Center is a complex of individual entertainment components with separate user fees that function together in a synergistic fashion, thereby creating an entertainment facility whose drawing power is greater than the sum of the individual components. Typical attractions usually focus on go-kart tracks, batting cages, bumper boats, gamerooms, and miniature golf courses. What are the peak operating hours of a Family Entertainment Center?Evenings after dinner and weekend days and nights between Memorial Day and Labor Day when school is not in session and the weather is best for outdoor activities. Is there typically an entrance fee to get into the park?Most FEC's charge by the attraction, there is not an entrance fee. Most FEC's are in a residential market where guests spend less per visit than tourists but return more often per year. What are the most important factors to consider in selecting a location for a FEC?Drive-by visibility, demographics within a 20 mile radius, climate, traffic count, competition, and land costs. Concession Go-Kart FAQ's:What is the ideal length for a concession go-kart track?Most of the U.S. go-kart manufacturers specify 40 linear feet of track per go-kart. There are very few operators that run more than 20 go-karts at a time on the track, as it gets too difficult to manage, therefore the ideal length would be around 800 to 900 feet for a typical road track. What is the best barrier system for a concession go-kart track?The tires and steel barrier is the best to make the track run safely and efficiently. The steel of the barrier matches up with the steel bumper of the go-kart and makes a durable, low friction system that allows drivers to stay in control. The energy of an impact is transferred to the mass of the steel rail moving horizontally over a distance as the tires compress. Other barriers simply prevent the go-karts from going off the track and may have some energy absorbing action, but none has approached the performance of the tires and steel barrier. What is a concession go-kart track?A track where the public pays a fee to drive go-karts owned by the facility. In Europe this is called a rental track. There are also Racing go-kart tracks where drivers own and operate their own go-karts and compete against each other as a sport in a race. The third type of go-kart is called a Fun Kart and normally runs in a field or parking lot and is also owned by private individuals. Concession go-karts are the only ones that are owned by a facility and operated by the public on a track for a fee. How do people get injured on concession go-kart tracks?The most serious injuries are from being impacted by another go-kart. This may occur when a moving go-kart hits a stopped or slowed go-kart either on the track or in the pit. Is a remote shut-off system necessary to operate a concession go-kart track?In order to maintain control of the track and prevent injuries to guests and track employees, a remote shut-off system is an absolute necessity. This is a system that slows all go-karts to walking speed when activated to avoid impacts while the track is in operation and when getting the go-karts off the track after ride time is up. It does not apply the brakes to the go-kart, as its only function is to remove power from the engine. Do bridges allow more track to be built on less land?No. The slopes of the track approaching the bridge must not be too steep or the go-karts will not be able to climb up, and the slopes going down must be gentle enough so that go-karts do not build up too much speed to maintain driver control. These slopes require significant track length to safely get up and down the bridge. Bridges also require earthworks, retaining walls, and drainage systems that add to the land used. What is "double pitting" on a concession go-kart track?Double pitting is when the track has twice as many go-karts as the capacity of the track calls for. One group of go-karts runs on the track while the other group loads new drivers. When the group comes in off the track the other group is released to drive. This is a very efficient way to operate a track providing the most rides per hour possible. (See the article Double Pitting For Maximum Go-Kart Profits for more information.) What is the difference between live axle and split axle drive systems?A live axle means that there is a solid axle and both rear wheels are driven with the same power. A split axle go-kart has the rear axle split into two pieces with the short portion of the axle mounting the drive pulley and providing power to one wheel. Most manufacturers specify the left rear wheel as the driving wheel, therefore making the go-kart turn more sharply to the right than to the left with a split axle. The live axle turns equally well right and left, but requires more arm strength to steer. Do go-karts with split axles require tires to be rotated to wear evenly?No, the left rear driving tire does not wear faster than the rest. Are hydraulic brakes better than mechanical brakes?Yes, hydraulic brakes require the least amount of adjustment and maintenance after they are initially set up. They also perform well with good stopping power. What is the life expectancy of Honda engines on concession go-karts?The GX160 5.5 hp engine will typically last about 3,000 hours of operation. The larger GX270 9.0 hp engine will last 4,500 to 5,000 hours. These are estimated life expectancies based on normal usage and changing the engine oil every 100 hours. Is it worth the extra expense when buying a new fleet to upgrade single go-karts to have the same larger engine as the double go-karts?Yes, not only will you benefit from the longer engine life, but you will be able to simplify your maintenance with only one engine for all go-karts. The single go-karts will perform better as well with less difference in acceleration between larger adult drivers and lighter children. What are the most common maintenance activities for concession go-karts?Changing engine oil, maintaining and replacing tires and drive belts. How does track operating speed affect go-kart maintenance costs?The ideal speed for minimum maintenance and family guest enjoyment is 17 mph. When track speed is increased to 20 mph maintenance costs go up by about 25 percent due to impact damage and mechanical wear. What is the normal fuel consumption rate of a go-kart?A go-kart will use about 3 gallons of gasoline for 6 to 8 hours of operation. Most tracks fuel all go-karts in the morning before opening and again in the late afternoon hours. For more information see the Photo Gallery page and the Go Kart Articles page How much land is required for a miniature golf course?A typical 36 hole course with a water system requires about 1.2 acres, but can be designed on less than an acre. What advantages are there for building caves?Caves can be played through and over and allow courses to cross. This means that the land is used more efficiently with intermingling of courses instead of having separate areas and water systems for each 18 hole course. Caves also give great visibility to waterfalls flowing over them and act as retaining walls to backfill against for more severe topography for the course. Who plays miniature golf?The entire family can play together no matter how old or young. The other activities at the park may have height or age limits and prevent everyone from participating as a group. How difficult should the holes be to play?There must be a mixture of easy and difficult holes to play to maintain the fun factor of the course. If guests are backed up on the sidewalk from the previous hole because it takes too long to play, the hole is too difficult. The objective is for the general public to have fun playing miniature golf, not to present such a challenge of skill that only the best players can play the course. How are guests prevented from playing more than 18 holes at a time?The cup of the 18th hole has a pipe that rolls the golf ball to a locked ball box. Guests are directed to purchase another round and get a new ball to continue. How do people get injured on miniature golf courses?The most common injuries are from slips and trips as there are many obstacles to step over or around. Should regulation golf cups be used for miniature golf?Yes. The cast aluminum regulation golf cups with the flag holder are the best for drainage. The aluminum cups with the small hole in the center do not drain well. The 18th hole does not have a cup, as it uses a PVC pipe to the ball box. What is the most economical way to light a miniature golf course?The best lighting is using 1000 watt metal halide "sports lighters" on wood poles with a mounting height of thirty feet above grade. Specify 480 volt fixtures to save even more money. For more information see the Miniature Golf Photos page and the Mini Golf Articles page. What fee schedule does the company use?All work is billed on a time and materials basis with an hourly, weekly, and monthly rate. Ride inspections and certified risk evaluations are done on a lump sum basis. Direct expenses are billed to clients at cost. Fee schedules and General Conditions are sent on request to potential clients. There is an architect overseeing the design of my FEC project, why do I need the services of Zellar Consulting?Most architects are not knowledgeable about how the various FEC attractions function within the park and what is necessary to construct it within budget and operate efficiently when it opens. How does Zellar Consulting design and permit site work?Zellar Consulting will select a civil engineer that is local to the project and knows the regulatory requirements and the officials that issue the permits. Working as a team to produce design drawings that will be functional and permitable, Zellar and the engineer will submit packages for permits and bids. My go-kart track is about to open for business, can Zellar Consulting train my staff?Yes, we can write Standard Operating Procedures for operating your track that are specific to your track's design and equipment used and train your staff to follow them. (See Concession Go-Kart Track S.O.P. Program ) Why do I need a Standard Operating Procedures Manual for my track?This is your official policy for track operations with procedures covering daily inspections, guest rules briefings, loading and unloading drivers, pushing go-karts off the rail, remote shut off system operations, etc. It is no good if it just sits in the manager's office, as it must be combined with an employee training program and documentation. If there is an incident involving injuries to guests or employees due to an employee not following the SOP manual, he/she must be reprimanded. This is a significant part of a facility's legal defense for personal injury lawsuits. Can Zellar Consulting help to reduce my facility's Workers Compensation Claims?Yes, working with you and your insurance carrier Zellar Consulting can provide a Standard Operating Procedures Manual and training program for reducing Workers Comp claims and help minimize the loss of valuable employees when they are injured. (See Taking Control Of The Workers Compensation Claims Process article.)
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