Coping with Coronavirus
Dec 1, 2020
Antimicrobial passenger protection solutions dominate this issue’s section.
Air Sanitation and Car Sterilization Kit
Italy’s IGV Group SpA has introduced CARe, an air sanitation and elevator car sterilization kit the company says can be installed in any lift. Aimed at eliminating risk of contagion by sanitizing cabs with antimicrobial cleaning, it utilizes a UV-C ultraviolet LED light and a ventilation device that combines a high-efficiency particulate air filter and activated charcoal membrane. This automatic operation initiates when no passengers are inside to remove viruses and bacteria in the particulate. A vacuum takes air from the cab and channels it through pipes to where it is filtered and purified, then returned to the cab. CARe is designed to be easy to install, invisible, noise-free, energy efficient and reliable. The sanitizing device does not involve the use of ozone, which could be irritating without adequate air exchange.
Handrail Sanitization Device
Schindler’s Handrail Ultra UV Device is designed to disinfect escalator and moving walk handrails. “Helping prevent the spread of viruses and providing safe travel for passengers,” Schindler says, it can be added to both new and existing installations. Its germicidal UV-C LED light irradiates the handrails at a distance of only 15 mm, which the company says ensures bacteria and viruses are killed. The device is installed inside the escalator or moving walk. It utilizes the circular motion of the handrails to automatically disinfect them as they circulate.
Escalator Handrail Sterilization System
U.K.-based Aseptic Ltd.’s ClearWin is a self-powered escalator/moving-walk handrail sterilizer. Intended to sanitize a variety of pathogenic bacteria and viruses users may leave on the handrails after using them, the product is said to eliminate 99.99% of harmful surface germs by utilizing UV-C wavelengths. It fits on the vertical end of a unit’s handrail to offer continuous disinfection. Features include the ability to install it while the escalator/moving walk is running, light weight, no passenger slowdown and a lamp life estimated at 10,000 hr.
Covers for Elevator Buttons, Panels
Kapok 88 of Long Bennington, U.K., has designed protective flameproof PVC Hygiene Covers for lift control panels and push buttons. Intended to make the components much easier to keep clean, thus reducing the risk of spreading germs and viruses, they can reduce contagion risks for users and keep moisture away from electrical parts. They come in two standard sizes and can be manufactured in custom ones on request.
Richard Annable, Kapok 88 managing director, said of the products in May:
“They have gained a lot of interest over the last few weeks, with some of our hygiene covers being sent out to Italy and Germany. They [are] easy to install using self-adhesive Velcro®, and, once in place, the lift can still be operated and wiped clean.”
Elevator Air Purifier
Air Revolution Technologies of Randburg, South Africa, now offers the TiUvPro Elevate Series, a compact air purifier developed for use in passenger elevators. Its photo-catalytic oxidative technology activated and amplified by gemicidal UV-C ultraviolet light is designed to rapidly and effectively destroy all airborne pathogens and germs introduced by elevator passengers, preventing potential airborne cross-infection. It also neutralizes bodily-generated odors and negates volatile and harmful organic compounds and chemically activated copounds that may be drawn into the cab from the hoistway. Finished in brushed stainless steel, it is available in 110/240 VAC or 12/24/26 VDC configurations. It uses less than 10 W and produces little noise over a maintenance interval exceeding 10,000 hr or annually.
Profile-Based Contactless App/Retrofit
SCHAEFER GmbH of Sigmaringen, Germany, developed LiftBoy for contactless lift operation to make elevator operation hygienic. The product works independent of the controller, enabling it to be retrofitted to many existing lifts. Its operation can be manual or fully automatic, with both methods using users’ smartphones. In automatic mode, the phone can stay in the user’s pocket, as the app automatically detects him or her approaching a preferred elevator from the user’s favorites list. It then calls the elevator and automatically selects the destination floor stored in the user’s profile. The company points out that, in addition to increased hygiene and comfort, barrier-free access for disabled users is also improved.
schaefer-products.com/en/liftboy
Touchless Elevator Button
Sebit of Hong Kong has developed the Qlicky – a Touchless Elevator Button “to combat the spreading” of the coronavirus, the company said in May. The product precludes the need for passengers to press a button for elevator operation. Users can present QR codes or visual patterns such as logos on their smartphones to trigger a floor button without touching it. The system consists of a scanner or camera, a single-board computer and dry contacts that communicate with the lift control system.
New Modular Elevator Line
Schindler launched its new modular elevator generation in June. The models, Schindler 1000, Schindler 3000 and Schindler 5000, include lower CO2 emissions, “touchless technology, advanced connectivity and additional digital services,” the company added. Its goals are to provide a more seamless and interactive user experience and improve the way elevators look and feel, while giving architects increased design freedom and providing building owners with real-time performance tracking, adaptive maintenance and touchless transit management with Schindler PORT. Common existing touchless solutions, such as gesture-controlled landing operating panels and an interface that allows users to remotely interact with the operating panel with the myPORT smartphone app, are included.
The 1000 is for low- to mid-rise residential buildings, the 3000 is for flexibility for use in a wide range of buildings, and the 5000 is for faster handling times for higher passenger volumes with a focus on ride quality. Schindler has begun releasing the systems globally, starting with Asia and Europe. They are already available in Australia, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
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