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The American company Six Flags has a recipe of thrills for its 35 amusement parks in the U.S.A. and Europe. But above all the rides must be safe. ‘Just one serious accident would ruin the season – not just for us, but for all other amusement parks,’ says Daniel P. Aylward, executive vice president and managing director of Six Flags’ European division.

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`Anything that goes wrong is magnified a hundred-fold in this public-intensive sector. So no effort is spared in ensuring safety,´ says Daniel P. Aylward of Six Flags.
Six Flags took over the Belgian Walibi group in 1998, with amusement parks in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Spain. This year, the Walibi park at Dronten, the Walibi Flevo, an hours drive east of Amsterdam, has been transformed and renamed Six Flags Holland. The company has also invested dramatically this year by adding more than 30 new attractions. Thats where DNV comes into the picture safety at two of the main Six Flags Holland attractions the giant wheel and the wooden roller-coaster, is being assessed and assured by DNV.

Safety priorities
Says Aylward We must work to the highest standards. When were building tall structures, like those here, we can recognise similarities to what DNV does in other industries. The steelwork is the same. That also goes for all the building blocks being assembled. The safety work has involved more inspections, and the introduction of preventive measures at the companies that supply Six Flags too. Anything that goes wrong is magnified a hundred-fold in this public-intensive sector. So no effort is spared in ensuring safety, Aylward emphasises.

Aylward was managing an amusement park in California when he was asked if he would take over as European manager. Six Flags had increased its number of parks from 13 to 31 in the space of a week. Aylward did not hesitate. With a life spent working in amusement parks, apart from one year in an advertising agency I almost died of boredom! he believes that there is very little, if any, difference between an American and a European public. We have to deliver satisfaction, he says, and has no doubt that the wooden roller-coaster is the greatest attraction. The woodies are back. Its a different ride on a wooden structure than on steel. You get the sensation of experiencing forces up to 2G. Thats an experience all coaster enthusiasts cherish. he says. He is proud of presenting Six Flags Holland as a thrill park mixed with family attractions and the roller-coaster capital of Europe.

Families the target group
Aylwards marketing background has been useful, and while other amusement parks had a downturn last year, Six Flags turnover in Europe rose by 30%. The company is optimistic about this years season.The parks mainly target families, offering them the chance to have an exciting time together. Aylward emphasises that both safety standards and atmosphere are crucial to whether the guests enjoy themselves, have fun and come back again.

Statistics show that the most dangerous thing people do when they visit us is to get into their cars and drive home. Its easy for amusement parks to grow big, but they must remain safe and reliable.

Date: 15 August 2000

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Certification of amusement parks’ rides

Owners of fairgrounds and amusement parks not only face the challenge of their customers and the authorities to be safe, but must also demonstrate that safety. Other involved parties, including operators, designers and manufacturers of rides are similarly challenged.

To meet the needs of operators and the requirements stipulated by the various regulatory and statutory agencies, Det Norske Veritas has developed the following certification services:

  • Certification of New Rides and Attractions
  • Certification of Existing Rides
  • Certification of Personnel Operating Rides

Experience gained worldwide in safeguarding the safety and quality of rides and attractions has been captured in regulations specified by several governments and in European Standards currently being developed for the EU/EFTA countries. These regulations and standards, together with DNVs experience, form the basis of DNVs Certification programme. The Dutch Ministry of Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport has appointed DNV as a notified body for Fairgrounds and Amusement Parks.

The certification programme applies to a wide range of rides and attractions in which a flaw in design, manufacture and/or operation may impair the safety of users and operators, as well as inspection and maintenance staff.

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