Amusement rides in condos and clubs subject to stricter safety rules

SINGAPORE - Thrill-seekers can look forward to safer adventures even when taking rides in clubs and condominiums.

Amusement rides in private spaces are now also required to comply with stricter rules, after the law was amended on April 1.

The attractions too must appoint a qualified ride manager and obtain insurance coverage, among other requirements.

"Safety regulations are not static," said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan in a blog post yesterday.

"They have to evolve to meet new safety standards, respond to new incidents and keep pace with introduction of new rides."

That is why the Amusement Rides Safety Act was amended to include rides, on land or in water, in private clubs and residential estates.

At least four clubs may be affected, and they have six months to comply.

The Civil Service Club at Bukit Batok, for example, has a water slide at least 5m tall. Any water slide above 5m needs clearance from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

This attraction will now join public rides, such as those from theme park Universal Studios Singapore, that will be subject to surprise audits and regular inspections by engineers from BCA.

The checks range from monthly to every six months, depending on how complicated the attractions are.

Inspections can be laborious.

At Wild Wild Wet's Torpedo - a six-storey high free-fall water slide in Pasir Ris - engineers are harnessed and lowered into a tunnel 85m long.

Each inspection can take two to three hours.

They must check that every piece joins up, there are no tears in the ride's laminates, and its water hydraulics are working.

Engineers also conduct "mystery shopper" spot checks, making sure that safety signboards are in place and ride operators emphasise the safe way to play.

Previously, safety regulations fell under the police's purview. With the Act, regulations have become more technical and stringent, in part to keep up with more complicated rides.

For example, Zorb balls - transparent air-filled balls that riders can "walk" on water in - can now operate in deeper pools but with additional safety measures, such as having a lifeguard on duty.

Mr Khaw added that his ministry will stay up to date with industry standards and the latest technologies, and also urged thrill- seekers to follow safety guidelines.

"Adrenaline seekers have many exciting options... Public safety is, however, paramount," he said.

Bad experiences

Universal Studios Singapore's Battlestar Galactica

The high-speed roller-coaster got off to a poor start in March 2010 when a seat fell off due to a technical glitch during a routine test.

No one was hurt but the police suspended the ride's licence immediately. Since then it has been plagued by several closures, the latest one in July last year. It is still out of action, and the ride may close permanently for an overhaul.

Sentosa's Megazip

An Australian tourist broke several vertebrae in September 2011 when a malfunction on the zipline caused him to sweep past the end without stopping.

The ride was suspended, but resumed in May 2012 with new safety measures such as individual braking systems and closed-circuit TVs to monitor riders.

Fantasy Island's Double Trouble

Eight-year-old Saachi Sawhney died in March 2000 after her raft overturned. She was sucked under a tear in the rubber-foam lining of the slide, and later drowned.

A coroner ruled that her death could have been avoided if the ride was properly maintained. At least nine tears - some between 20cm and 30cm long - were found on the slide.

Dogged by safety complaints and financial problems, the park closed in 2001.

This article was published on April 12 in The Straits Times.

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