A Series of Unexpected Places for Interlocks
When people think of interlocks, they (rightly so) often picture industrial environments such as manufacturing sites, warehouses, or power stations. However, ensuring personnel safety is crucial in every sector. Fortress Safety’s expertise, combined with highly versatile and configurable product ranges, has led to the implementation of interlocks in a variety of locations that may seem unusual.
Thanks to our ability to create bespoke safety solutions for unique applications, our interlocks can be found in places as diverse as amusement parks, zoos, and even cutting-edge research facilities.
Interlocks in Theme Parks
Ensuring safety in amusement parks is fundamental, particularly in areas that require controlled access for maintenance and inspections. Our interlocks have been installed in theme parks such as Walibi Holland (Biddinghuizen, Netherlands), where mechanical trapped key interlocks have been used to safeguard the area surrounding the roller coaster UNTAMED.
In the UK, mGard interlocks have been implemented to safeguard restricted areas of a few park rides at Legoland Windsor. Those enjoying a day out at Alton Towers (Staffordshire) will be able to spot a few Fortress interlocks there too.
Several videos on YouTube and TikTok show how Fortress interlocks are used on the AquaLoop body water slide at the Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast water park, Queensland, Australia. Before riders are sent down a 17-metre near-vertical descent, an mGard access lock keeps the door closed while a key-operated switch enables the release of the trapdoor.
Interlocks for Zoo Enclosures
A zoo might not be the first place one thinks of when it comes to interlocks, but ensuring staff safety when handling animals is paramount. Thanks to our channel partner Unique Safety Products (USP), Fortress Safety interlocks have been installed to control access to animal enclosures.
For instance, they can be found at the Amersfoort Zoo in the Netherlands, where they are used to safeguard a spectacle bear enclosure. A trapped key system prevents two adjacent doors in the same enclosure from being opened simultaneously, reducing the risk of unexpected staff-animal interaction. Similarly, mGard interlocks were installed at a jaguar enclosure to ensure that staff can access the area safely while preventing an accidental close encounter with the animal.
Enhancing Safety in R&D Facilities
Beyond industrial and public attractions, Fortress Safety’s expertise extends to some of the most advanced research environments, contributing to technological innovations in small but essential ways.
We supplied an amGardpro interlock featuring a Power over Ethernet and control options on a guard that provides access to a robot cell at the Omnifactory, a state-of-the-art concept factory at the University of Nottingham that integrates digital technologies to enhance traditional manufacturing practices.
Our interlocks have also been implemented in particle accelerator facilities, helping researchers operate safely in these highly specialised environments. By providing world-class interlocking solutions, Fortress plays a small but vital role in supporting groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
Unique Applications of Fortress Safety Interlocks
Interestingly, tGard units have been used to interlock the lift section of a vertical farm in an old Target store in the United States repurposed for hydroponics, while it is not that uncommon to find interlocks in breweries or whisky distilleries (especially our Alfred range for explosive atmospheres).
Another unusual location where Fortress Safety interlocks can be found is the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, the world’s only rotating boat lift. This one-of-a-kind structure connects two canals, lifting boats 24 metres between waterways. Fortress interlocks secure restricted areas on the upper level, preventing unauthorised access during operation.
There are many more unusual places where Fortress interlocks are used that remain under wraps. Over the years we have received some truly unique requests from customers all over the world in sectors such as defence and aerospace, some of which we cannot even talk about.
One of our old product ranges even made its Hollywood debut and was spotted in a scene of Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. A control station from the eGard range (now discontinued) can be seen in Dr Helen Cho’s lab while Iron Man and his fellow heroes discuss how to defeat the villain Ultron. Try to spot the eGard control station in the GIF below.
Tell Us About Your Unique Applications
The adaptability of Fortress Safety solutions makes them suitable for an incredibly diverse range of applications. Whether you need to protect personnel in a manufacturing environment, or work on an unusual application, our experts can help you design a solution that meets your specific requirements.
If you have a unique safety challenge, we would love to hear about it. Get in touch with our team to see how Fortress can enhance safety in your industry.
