Birket Engineering Provides Effect Control System for Busch Attraction
Reprinted from BIRKET Engineering News, September/October 1994

Birket Engineering has begun design on the Effect control system for the new “Escape from Pompeii” attraction at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

The Allen-Bradley PLC-5/30-based system will manage all special effects in the show, including mechanical and fire effects, as well as environmental safety, building intrusion and natural gas management systems, and the global safety system. The programmable logic controller, together with an SLC 500, addresses 768 digital I/O points.

Fog and mechanical effects warn of an impending volcanic eruption. The mechanical effects include a buckling column, falling beam, splashing beam, and falling statue.

The fire effects include an underwater propagating fire ending with a ring of fire, exploding fire from wall niche, and a combination fireball and brain fire. The brain fire is similar to that seen in the popular Backdraft attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, also controlled with a Birket system. In total, the Busch effects require five burners and three accumulators.

The Busch attraction is unique in that it is believed to be the first time fire effects have been used with a captive audience. The largest of the fire effects takes place within the ride envelope of the guest vehicle. Unlike Backdraft or other theme park fire displays, the audience may not leave if the show is too unsettling, as they are passengers in a ride vehicle.

The Birket system provides for guest, staff, and building safety using a variety of technologies. Guest safety is assured through the use of a life-safety-qualified infrared intrusion system. Staff safety is provided by seven secure area arming stations and door sensors.

Building safety is provided through the use of five sets of environmental sensors. Four low explosive level sensors sniff the building for hanging natural gas, four sensors monitor building temperature, and three differential pressure sensors detect air handling and conditioning system operation, while three oxygen and three carbon monoxide sensors verify air quality. Heat and the products of combustion are removed from the building by the air handling system which completely exchanges the air in the building several times a minute.

The effect control system is designed for a capacity of 100 vehicles per hour. Effects are used once every 36 seconds.

Under contract to SpectraF/X of California, Birket Engineering provides the design, manufacture, and installation of these effect and safety systems for Busch Entertainment Corporation.