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Dear Students, So, one might ask
– what makes an amusement park fun? For adults and kids alike, a visit to the
amusement park comes packed with emotions through the exhilarating
attractions and beautifully crafted themes – excitement, child-like wonder
and perhaps most importantly the thrill that comes from the park rides. Some
might disagree, especially when it comes to rollercoasters, as not everyone
is a fan of the stimulation it brings. But did you know that all amusement
rides operated in Singapore require a permit under the Amusement Rides Safety
Act 2011? This regulatory framework aims to safeguard public safety on
amusement rides. For those of you
considering a career in engineering and happen to be a fan of amusement
parks, here’s a career option for you in this fun filled industry. Under the
regulations, it is a requirement for all amusement rides operating in
Singapore to have a valid operating permit. These permits are valid for one
year and require annual inspections and safety checks. The inspections are
carried out by a Specialist Professional Engineer, in the field of amusement
rides. For major rides, the inspections will be carried out together with a
conformity assessor, who have vast experience in amusement rides worldwide. Here’s what goes
into an engineer’s role to ensure the safety of the amusement ride. The
inspection process includes checking the safety critical functions of the
rides. Engineers would have to study the drawings and control logic to
determine what is safety critical, i.e., the failure of these functions would
result in catastrophic outcomes. That is where the analytical skillset of the
engineer is critical. Through inspections, we see the application of the
amusement ride design and how the equipment works in real time. The process
involves the application of systems knowledge acquired during your education.
In the context of an amusement ride, this consists of hydraulic pump systems,
electrical logic controls, bearings, structures, motors, and etc. Using this
knowledge, you can apply it during inspection to ensure everything functions
as intended and the ride can go on. The fun part of the amusement rides is
applying the traditional engineering concepts to create thrills for the
patrons. The objective is not conventional, but it is still essential to
ensure the integrity and safety of the systems. At the end of the day, it
gives you the satisfaction of knowing that your work directly contributes to
the fun of amusement parks, all while keeping the patrons in safe hands.
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