A Series of Unexpected Places to Find Interlocks

Water slide with safety interlocks, showing Fortress Safety’s unexpected applications in entertainment environments.

Safety in Unexpected Places

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.

Trapped key safety system at Walibi using a Fortress Safety key exchange unit for access control.
Fortress Safety mGard unit at Walibi, securing rollercoaster access with trapped key safety interlocks.
Fortress Safety keyswitch at Walibi, enabling safe operator control with trapped key access near amusement rides.

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.

mGard trapped key interlock installed on access point at Wet 'n' Wild water slide
Trapped key mGard interlock system installed at Wet 'n' Wild water park attraction

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.

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.

mGard mechanical trapped keys in red, orange, and blue, mounted on a gate, demonstrating advanced safety solutions in a zoo environment.
A worker at Amersfoort Zoo feeding a spectacled bear safely.

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.

Red amGardpro safety solution featuring a Power over Ethernet guard lock and control pods, highlighting advanced safety technology.
A yellow machine operating in the Omnifactory, an advanced manufacturing environment integrating digital technologies, safeguarded by Fortress Safety’s amGardpro interlock and control pods.

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.

Safety interlock units mounted in a high-security particle accelerator facility
Installed safety interlocks securing access points in particle accelerator infrastructure

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).

Safety interlock units installed on automated systems in a vertical farming facility
Safety interlock units installed on equipment in a whiskey distillery

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.

amGardpro safety interlock installed on machinery at the Falkirk Wheel
Bird’s-eye view of the Falkirk Wheel rotating boat lift in Scotland
Close-up of amGardpro safety interlock installed at Falkirk Wheel site

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 Application

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.

Picture of Stefano Tommasone, PhD

Stefano Tommasone, PhD

Stefano is an experienced writer and editor with a proven track record of creating authoritative, insightful content. As the Content Manager at Fortress Safety since April 2023, he produces high-quality articles, press releases, case studies, and more for both industry experts and wider audiences. With a PhD in Chemistry and a B11 Licensed Machinery Safety Specialist certification, Stefano’s background combines academic training with practical expertise. Known for his attention to detail and technical accuracy, he ensures complex concepts are communicated clearly. Stefano writes on a broad range of topics, consistently delivering content that is precise, accessible, and actionable, earning him a reputation as a trusted authority in his field.

Stefano Tommasone, PhD

Stefano is an experienced writer and editor with a proven track record of creating authoritative, insightful content. As the Content Manager at Fortress Safety since April 2023, he produces high-quality articles, press releases, case studies, and more for both industry experts and wider audiences. With a PhD in Chemistry and a B11 Licensed Machinery Safety Specialist certification, Stefano’s background combines academic training with practical expertise. Known for his attention to detail and technical accuracy, he ensures complex concepts are communicated clearly. Stefano writes on a broad range of topics, consistently delivering content that is precise, accessible, and actionable, earning him a reputation as a trusted authority in his field.

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