Serving the themed entertainment community

Latest News

  • Looking forward, WhiteWater redefines leadership team
  • Mad Systems announces addition of Toni Losier to business development team
  • Museums Evolving conference goes virtual for second year in a row due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • Whitney Hines joins Luci Creative as Senior Project Manager
  • David Gillig joins San Diego Zoo Global as chief philanthropy officer
  • Design Silverfish uses Christie projectors to immerse visitors in South Korean culture
  • Ocubo selects AV Stumpfl’s PIXERA media server software for Immersivus 3D art installation in Lisbon
  • Editorial: Current events and the US attractions industry
  • Home
  • Opportunity Hub
    • Leads & Opportunities
    • Webinar Calendar
    • Submit a Webinar
  • News
    • COVID-19
  • Issues
    • 2020
      • #85 – Looking forward to the future
      • #84 – Everything the industry has to offer
      • #83 – Waterparks and more!
      • #82 – Solving Problems with Innovation
      • #81 COVID-19 and beyond
      • IPM guide to AV 2020
    • 2019
      • #80 – IAAPA 2019
      • #79.5 – IAAPA Expo 2019 Preview
      • #79 Europe and Waterparks
      • #78 – Asia/Tech
      • #77 – The Best in Themed Entertainment
    • 2018
      • #76 – Year End/Trade Show Round-up
      • #75 – IAAPA 2018
      • #74 – EME/Waterparks
      • #73 – Asia and Technology
      • #72 – Dubai/Museums
      • #71 – MENA/Entertainment
    • 2017
      • #70 – IAAPA 2017
      • #69 – Game Changers
      • #68 Going Global: Technology on the International Stage
      • #67 – Experience Design: Many Faces Many Places
      • #66 Theatrical Influence and Convergence
    • 2016
      • #65 IAAPA 2016
      • #64 Waterpark, Zoo & Aquarium 2016
      • #63 Technology 2016
      • #62 International
      • #61 Museums and Expanding Markets
    • 2015
      • #60 – IAAPA 2015
      • #59 – Zoos/Aquaria and Waterparks 2015
      • #58 – Technology 2015
      • #57 – International 2015
      • #56 – Museums 2015
    • 2014
      • #55 – IAAPA 2014 / Tenth Anniversary
      • #54 – Waterparks, Zoos and Aquariums 2014
      • #53 – Technology 2014
      • #52 – International 2014
      • #51 – Museums 2014
    • 2013
      • #46 – Museums 2013
      • #47 – International 2013
      • #48 – Technology 2013
      • #49 – Waterparks 2013
      • #50 – IAAPA 2013
      • 2013 Wrap-Up
    • 2012
      • #45 – IAAPA & WWA Wrap-Up
      • #44 – IAAPA
      • #43 – Waterparks
      • #42 – Technology
      • #41 – International
      • #40 – Museums
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About
    • About InPark
    • Privacy Policy
  • IPM books
    • Screens to scenes: Christie’s visual technology
    • Tales from the Expo
    • Themed entertainment in academia
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linked
    • Youtube

Safety in Numbers

Jun 05, 2014 Martin Palicki #52 - International 2014, Water Parks Comments Off on Safety in Numbers


Safety in Numbers

Weighing your options – and your guests – in water park rides by Sam Baker, SR Instruments

2014 continues an encouraging trend for growth in indoor and outdoor water parks. Announcements of park upgrades, expansions, new high thrill rides and proposed new parks, all indicate a population enthusiastic about the fun and thrills available at family friendly venues. According to estimates from the World Water Park Association (WWA), more than 82.5 million guests will visit water parks this year.

With increased attendance comes an increased need for ways to accommodate different body types. Estimates vary regionally, but at least one calculation claims over one billion world citizens are considered overweight, with at least 64% of the US population earning that designation. Some of those people are going to be too heavy for some rides to safely accommodate, and park operators need non-confrontational, unbiased ways to address the situation.

Ride manufacturers are well aware of this reality. Their solution has been to supply park operators with recommended weight limits, especially for the most dynamic rides, and for multi-person rides.

srinstruments ad

Many parks post height and weight requirements, with slide attendants trained to size up riders and politely enforce them. Some parks back up the policy by installing scales at a critical point in the queue to gauge the actual weight of a rider or a group. Insurance carriers and risk management companies have responded favorably to the implementation of scales to help enforce rider safety in this way, as have some OSHA and state health boards.

With the use of standard scales comes the potential for confrontation. To mitigate this and avoid guest embarrassment, readouts have to be covered or angled so that only an attendant can see it. However, this means the attendant is making a determination based on something that the guest cannot see. A less confrontational method is to employ colored lights that are triggered by the reading on the scale, with red signifying “stop” and green signifying “go.”

Some parks have taken a DIY approach, building mechanical scales from kits or installing scales designed for other environments. As mechanical scales contain many metal parts prone to rust, these aren’t always successful in the long term in the humid setting of a water park, whether indoors or outdoors. The wide variety of climatic conditions from Sacramento to San Antonio and from Denver to Dubai, not to mention the particular challenges of indoor parks, makes the selection of scales challenging and worthy of careful investigation.

A specialist provider such as our company, SR Instruments, will offer operators a choice of purpose-built scale systems specifically designed and fabricated for use in water parks. Look for a range of sizes to accommodate the desired number of riders, and for a choice of freestanding or flush-mounted scales. We’ve found from observing our scales used in the field that a red/green light system, used in conjunction with well-trained operations staff, will help take the stress and confrontation out of the equation. If the light stays green riders are good to go, if the light is red, adjustments need to be made to meet weight limits, and since people equate traffic lights with safety, guests don’t often complain.

In finding a scale system, pay special attention to design, materials and construction. Scales made of stainless steel with hermetically sealed load cells and water sealed electronics are ideal to withstand environmental variations. The weighing surface must be extremely tough, chemical resistant, and non-skid. These specifications will help ensure a product that is heavy-duty, long-lasting, and trouble-free for many years. Also look for a solid warranty, and readily available technical service.

Purpose-built scales can also be uniquely customized with software to support data collection, enabling an operator to track the system’s performance. The turn-down rate due to overweight/underweight and other operational details for each ride can all easily be captured by software. The information can be used to inform actions by the operator to help maximize rider participation and minimize rider disappointments.

Finally, look for a supplier that can provide financial flexibility if needed. With everything that is at stake in new attraction investments and guest satisfaction, modern weight technology for enhanced safety and guest accommodation shouldn’t be something to skimp on.

Sam Baker has been the Director – Global Development with SR Instruments since 2008. SR is a US manufacturer of scale systems, used in medical applications, as stand alone scales, for hospitals, veterinarians, zoos, aquariums, fitness centers, and waterparks.  Mr. Baker’s career has been in sales, marketing, and new business development.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Print

  • Sam Baker, scales, sr instruments, SR Scales, waterpark safety, waterparks, weight and balance, wwa
  • tweet
Related articles
  • Looking forward, WhiteWater redefines leadership team
    Looking forward, WhiteWater redefines...

    Comments Off on Looking forward, WhiteWater redefines leadership team

  • Cedar Fair seeks Corporate Director, Communications
    Cedar Fair seeks Corporate Director,...

    Comments Off on Cedar Fair seeks Corporate Director, Communications

  • WhiteWater celebrates 40 years of waterpark innovation
    WhiteWater celebrates 40 years of...

    Comments Off on WhiteWater celebrates 40 years of waterpark innovation

  • Innovating at Yas Waterworld: Alhasan Kaabous Alzaabi, VP of Operations at Farah Experiences
    Innovating at Yas Waterworld: Alhasan...

    Comments Off on Innovating at Yas Waterworld: Alhasan Kaabous Alzaabi, VP of Operations at Farah Experiences

More in this category
  • Editorial: Current events and the US attractions industry
    Editorial: Current events and the US...

    Jan 19, 2021 Comments Off on Editorial: Current events and the US attractions industry

  • The London Resort files planning application with British government
    The London Resort files planning...

    Jan 05, 2021 Comments Off on The London Resort files planning application with British government

  • DXB Entertainments CEO Mohamed Almulla resigns in midst of Meraas acquisition bid
    DXB Entertainments CEO Mohamed Almulla...

    Dec 31, 2020 Comments Off on DXB Entertainments CEO Mohamed Almulla resigns in midst of Meraas acquisition bid

  • Casandra Matej named President and CEO of Visit Orlando
    Casandra Matej named President and CEO...

    Dec 29, 2020 Comments Off on Casandra Matej named President and CEO of Visit Orlando


Quick Takes

My Tweets

Latest Issue

Leads & Opportunities

  • Cedar Fair seeks Corporate Director, Communications
    Cedar Fair seeks Corporate Director, Communications

    Dec 29, 2020 Comments Off on Cedar Fair seeks Corporate Director, Communications

    The position will lead strategy development and execution...
  • Pursuit seeks Financial Analyst, FP&A
    Pursuit seeks Financial Analyst, FP&A

    Dec 28, 2020 Comments Off on Pursuit seeks Financial Analyst, FP&A

    This role will focus on all aspects of financial planning...
  • AOA seeks Show Set Designer
    AOA seeks Show Set Designer

    Dec 26, 2020 Comments Off on AOA seeks Show Set Designer

    There will be a great deal of freedom, which will be...
  • Visualization firm THE THIRD FLOOR has openings for a variety of positions
    Visualization firm THE THIRD FLOOR has openings for a...

    Dec 09, 2020 Comments Off on Visualization firm THE THIRD FLOOR has openings for a variety of positions

    THE THIRD FLOOR is currently seeking Postvis Generalists,...
  • CineVenture seeks 3D character animator
    CineVenture seeks 3D character animator

    Dec 09, 2020 Comments Off on CineVenture seeks 3D character animator

    CineVenture develops high-end content for the global...

Top Posts

  • Walruses return to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
    Walruses return to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
  • Whitney Hines joins Luci Creative as Senior Project Manager
    Whitney Hines joins Luci Creative as Senior Project Manager
  • Sally Brings the Animal Animatronics of Five Nights at Freddy's to Life in New Attraction Concept
    Sally Brings the Animal Animatronics of Five Nights at Freddy's to Life in New Attraction Concept
  • Looking forward, WhiteWater redefines leadership team
    Looking forward, WhiteWater redefines leadership team
  • SCAD THEDscapes Immersion Challenge showcases student team designs for variety of environments and venues
    SCAD THEDscapes Immersion Challenge showcases student team designs for variety of environments and venues
  • JRA designs new children's museum in Wisconsin
    JRA designs new children's museum in Wisconsin
  • VST Enterprises' technology being integrated into Circle Pass Enterprises' COVI-PASS Digital Health Passport
    VST Enterprises' technology being integrated into Circle Pass Enterprises' COVI-PASS Digital Health Passport

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Categories

  • IPM Interviews
  • Theme Parks
  • Museums
  • Water Parks
  • Attractions
    • Haunts
    • Zoos & Aquariums
  • World markets
    • Asia
    • Europe & Middle East
    • Latin America & Mexico
    • North America
  • Technology & Media
  • Business
    • Events
    • People
  • World Expos

InPark Magazine

2349 E Ohio Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207 USA
262.412.7107
mpalicki@inparkmagazine.com

View our Privacy Policy

Copyright 2018 InPark Magazine / All rights reserved
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Instagram