royer.slater@honeywell.com Ref: UK37/01

Honeywell valve is in water protection role behind the scenes on £15 million Valhalla ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. 

BRACKNELL, UK, 16 AUGUST 2001 – Thrill-seekers on the £15 million "Valhalla" ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach will be oblivious to a Honeywell water valve that fulfils a safety role on this water-borne ride. However, the Honeywell backflow prevention valve doesn't protect riders, instead it protects the public water supply from contamination.

Dave Marsh of the Lancashire-based company Boiler Energy Services explained that the Honeywell BA294 RPZ (reduced pressure zone) valve is in the incoming mains water feed to a steam boiler that creates Valhalla's "tunnel of fire" effects. "The Honeywell valve prevents the possibility that boiler feed water will flow back and contaminate the mains," he explained. "It saves space and cost, compared the traditional solution, which is to create an air gap in the supply by means of a header tank and ball valve arrangement."

While American specialists created and installed the nozzles, lights and compressed air for the effects, it was the local company Boiler Energy Services that designed and installed the boiler installation which provides the steam. "I chose the Honeywell BA294 RPZ valve on independent recommendation and its reputation," revealed Dave Marsh. "It's state-of-the-art equipment. I keep abreast of legislation as much as possible, so I knew that it was wise to fit the valve, although there was no legal requirement to do so." The Honeywell valve was supplied by F Ashton Ltd of Salford, Greater Manchester.

In Norse mythology, "Valhalla" is the hall of slain warriors, who live there under the leadership of the god Odin. Blackpool's Valhalla ride follows a Norse theme, with riders transported in Viking longboats along a half-mile watercourse through a series of thrilling and shocking encounters. It includes fire, water, fog, snow, thunder and lightning effects, with riders experiencing extremes of temperatures from minus 20 degrees to plus 30 degrees C.

Contact details for reader enquiries:

Honeywell Water Products, Honeywell Home and Building Control, Honeywell House, Arlington Business Park, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1EB. Tel: 01344 656000. Fax: 01344 656240. E-mail: uk.infocentre@honeywell.com Web: www.honeywell.com/uk

Boiler Energy Services, 34 Claughton Avenue, Clayton-le Woods, Leyland, Preston, Lancashire PR5 2TL. Tel: 01772 458228. E-mail: dave@boilerenergy.co.uk

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool , Lancashire FY4 1EZ. Tel: 01253 341033 www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.co.uk

Honeywell Home & Building Control is a US$5 billion business that provides products and services to create efficient, safe, comfortable environments. The business offers controls for heating, ventilation, humidification and air-conditioning equipment, security and fire alarm systems, home automation systems, energy-efficient lighting controls and building management systems and services.

Honeywell is a US$25-billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; power generation systems; speciality chemicals; fibres; plastics; and electronic and advanced materials. Honeywell employs approximately 120,000 people in 95 countries and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HON, as well as on the London, Chicago and Pacific stock exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Additional information on the company is available on the Internet at www.honeywell.com.

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Honeywell Control Systems Ltd
Honeywell House, Arlington Business Park
Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1EB
Tel: 01344 656000. Fax: 01344 656240.
Enquiries e-mail: uk.infocentre@honeywell.com
Web: www.honeywell.com/uk