Hybrid Izmir Elevator Symposium Held

The 10th Elevator Symposium, organized by the Izmir branches on behalf of TMMOB Chamber of Mechanical Engineers and TMMOB Chamber of Electrical Engineers, was held in İzmir MMO Tepekule Congress and Exhibition Center on November 18-20, 2021. The event was also live-streamed through Zoom and YouTube.

The three-day event, which was also live-streamed through Zoom and YouTube, hosted seven sessions and two panels. The event, where the papers and presentations were live-streamed and the opening session and panels were held in-person, has been supported by many institutions and companies. At the opening ceremony, MMO Chairman Melih Yalçın, EMO Izmir Branch Chairman Şebnem Seçkin Uğurlu, Aegean Elevator and Escalator Industrialists Association (EAYSAD) President Mert Öğüşlü, Turkey Elevator Industrialists Federation (TASFED) Deputy Chairman Cem Bozdağ, MMO President Yunus Yener, EMO President Bülent Pala and Elevator and Escalator Industrialists Association (AYSAD) President Sefa Targıt made speeches. 

Uğurlu: “We want to draw attention to unemployment problem of newly graduated engineers.”

First, TMMOB Chamber of Mechanical Engineers Chairman Melih Yalçın took the floor. Yalçın talked about the history of the elevator symposium and the studies carried out for the industry for 28 years, and then gave information about the symposium program. Then, TMMOM Chamber of Electrical Engineers Izmir Branch Chairman Uğurlu took the floor. She said that their branch emphasized production economy and technological development in every meeting held in recent years and added, “This year, we would like to draw attention to unemployment problem experienced by our newly graduated colleagues as the economic conditions gets worse.” Uğurlu also said, “Although we have qualified manpower, we are condemned to use imported technology and equipment in almost every field. As in all industries, foreign source dependency in raw materials and intermediate goods in elevator industry creates new waves of crisis due to exchange rate fluctuation. It is a known fact that there is a serious bottleneck in the elevator industry, as in the entire construction industry, due to increasing costs and breakage of delivery and stock chain.”

Economies that cannot develop their own technologies will not have the chance to survive

Uğurlu underlined that the idle engineer capacity should be used in the manufacturing field, saying, “We could carry the industry to the current level only by installing the imported intermediate goods. On this occasion, I would like to remind once again that the economies which cannot develop their own technologies will not have the chance to survive. The way of technological development and R&D is to increase the engineer’s labor in this field. Young engineers who graduated within the last five years should be employed in component manufacturing for leading the development of the industry. In order to compete with the multinational companies that are the possessors the world market, we have to create an engineer-oriented industry and give importance to R&D studies.”

Market volatility challenges the industry

EAYSAD President Mert Öğüşlü stated that the symposium was an important platform that helps reaching a wide audience and made a brief evaluation of the elevator industry.  Referring the difficulties brought by companies that do not comply with the legal regulations, Öğüşlü also underlined that this situation poses a problem for the citizens. He stated that the exchange rate volatility also put the industry into trouble but, anyway, they continue giving service without sacrificing quality and standards and, in this context, domestic elevator industrialists should be supported more.

Then, Turkey Elevator Industrialists Federation (TASFED) Deputy Chairman Cem Bozdağ took the floor. Bozdağ said TASFED had 18 affiliated associations, and gave information about the elevator academies opened by the federation in three cities. Bozdağ also acknowledged those who contributed the symposium.    

Elevator technical committee should be more functional

Yunus Yener, Chairman of the Board of MMO, stated that he was pleased to take place in this hybrid event, which has been held late due to the pandemic. He underlined that they organize various courses and certification activities for the technical staff in elevator industry across the country, as well as training for the companies.

Yener mentioned that thousands of engineers in the sector become unemployed, and said that the elevator technical committee, which carries out permanent and continuous work about the sector, should be more functional, and the chambers of mechanical engineers, which are widespread throughout the country, should be authorized more in many areas.  Finally, he spoke about the economic situation of the countrym and emphasized that the problems should be solved with a public interest approach.

There is a legislation gap regarding escalators and moving walks

After Yunus Yener, Bülent Pala, the Chairman of the Chamber of Electrical Engineers, took the floor. Pala stated that the number of escalators and moving walks increased considerably in public buildings recently, and said, “Such equipment is easily imported from the Far East within the frame of machinery safety directive and operated.  Still, there is a legislation gap regarding the inspection of these products. The increase in escalator accidents, especially those resulting with injuries of children, should be considered as a danger signal. Urgent efforts are needed in order to record the installation, commissioning, registration and inspection of escalators and moving walks.”

Two Sessions and one panel were held on the first day.

First Session

The symposium continued with the first session chaired by İlyas Menderes Büyüklü from the Ministry of Industry and Technology. First, Murat Yazgan from the Ministry of Industry and Technology made a presentation titled, “Elevator Market Surveillance Activities and Future Perspective.” He gave information about the legal infrastructure and legislation, and spoke about the purpose of market surveillance. Yazgan stated that the purpose of market surveillance is to improve the quality of public life through protecting human health, life safety and the environment, and shared the results of the market surveillance. Yazgan states that the Ministry carries inspections within the scope of the market surveillance code, and the disadvantages were eliminated with the current code. Additionally, Yazgan talked about the problems during maintenance and repair activities, conformity assessment activities and elevator security components, and who are responsible for these. He also touched upon the problems about elevator maintenance fees and the problems experienced in tracking elevator data.

Then, Burak Demircan, who is a mechanical engineer working at MMO Izmir Branch, made his second presentation. In his talk, on Assessment of Periodical Elevator Control Activities in our country, he first spoke about the criteria of these controls. He exemplified some unconformities that were observed during the first periodical controls before MMO registration as of January 1, 2019. He also listed these unconformities for the audience.

Demircan also talked about the items that are in the control list but require update. He explained the current situation in Maryland, USA, on the same issues.

The questions of the people who follow the session via YouTube and Zoom were answered.

Second Session

The second session was chaired by Elevator and Escalator Industrialists Association President Sefa Targıt. The first presentation of the session was made by Talat Oral Çağıl from Istanbul Technical University. Çağıl made a presentation on Automatic Climbing Lift Design for Wind Turbines and, first , spoke about the future of wind power in the world, in Turkey and its current position. Then, he shared information about the Automatic Climbing System.

Then, Electrical Engineer Mehmet Yücelay took the floor and made a presentation prepared by himself, Latif Dallı and Gürkan Öztürk from Gravit Makine. He gave information about how to calculate the number of pulleys needed for up and down winding and about the calculation of the pulley inertia force components in the accelerated stop. He also gave information about the calculations for the rails in tall buildings, the elevators that are exposed to seismic activities, and how to find the acceleration displacement (AD).

Panel

The last event of the day was the panel on “The Relationship Between Conformity Assessments and Periodic Controls, Market Surveillance and Inspection of Elevators in Turkey” chaired by MMO Chairman Yener.

Periodical control is never the last inspection

First, Menderes Büyüklü, from the Ministry of Industry and Technology, took the floor. He talked about the elevator process in Turkey, including installation, placing on the market, registration and the guarantee period. He explained the difference between the conformity assessment and periodical control, and said that periodical control never means the last inspection.

Then, Sedat Kaya from the Department of Product and Certification of the Ministry of Industry and Technology took the floor. Kaya gave general information about the legislation, elevator market surveillance activities, conformity assessment and periodical controls, as well as inspection processes and the data obtained. He explained the relationship between market surveillance and conformity assessment, and said, “Market surveillance is carried out directly and in line with focused inspection, complaints and notices regarding the elevators and elevator safety components that are placed on the market. With the help of market surveillance, the safety level of the product, whether the conformity assessment procedure is operated correctly or not, and whether the first periodical controls are carried out or not, is identified.”

Mechanical Engineer İbrahim Özçakır from TASFED addressed to the presentations of Büyüklü and Kaya on conformity assessment and talked about the importance of certification and market surveillance. Emphasizing the importance of carrying out documentation controls properly, Özçakır said, “Another difficulty is arises due to the deficiencies of the buildings, and the building managers are not aware of their authorities.”

Our industry is a highly regulated industry technically

Then, Mechanical Engineer Oğuzhan Bulgurluoğlu from AYSAD took the floor. Stating that the industry is highly regulated technically, he said, “We have an extensive legislation. We are subject to a wide range of regulations and audits, thanks to our standards and regulations, as well as market surveillance.” Bulgurluoğlu stated that placing a product with a European CE marking on the market could not be prevented, and said, “However, first control and registration should be done within the 60 days. Then comes market surveillance for placing the product on the market. The Ministry may carry out inspections upon complaints as well as annual inspections. Additionally, market surveillance can be carried out without periodical inspection.”

Type A inspection bodies behave as they are the supervisors of the elevator companies

EAYSAD and EMO member H. Onur Ercan stated that we reached a good level in terms of periodical control when compared with the past, and said, “Personnel of type A inspection bodies are inexperienced and technically insufficient. On the other hand, type A inspection bodies take some internal decisions and act accordingly, which creates some problems. Type A inspection bodies behave as if they are the supervisors of the elevator companies.” He added, “We worked through periodical control code and reported to the Ministry. There are some issues that we complained about from the beginning. We need the elimination of factors that are not suitable for the structure. Carrying out effective and continuous inspection and market surveillance will be helpful.”

Gürkan Selamcı, from Royal Cert Belgelendirme Gözetim Hizmetleri A.Ş., talked about the proposed solutions for the problems of the industry, and spoked about the implementation of E-Elevator Application, which combines online maintenance reports and the needs of all industry shareholder in one single software.

We should be more active in working on regulations and legislation

Then, S. Zafer Güneş from MMO took the floor. He stated that the results obtained from periodical control processes present net data, that there are some measures and standards approved worldwide, and the industry should pay attention to those measures. Güneş underlined that the industry should be in close communication and cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, as it is with the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and said, “Because project design process is one of the issues which we experience nonconformities mainly, therefore, we should be more active in working on regulations and legislation, like Planned Zoning Regulation.”

Two sessions and one panel were held on the second day.

Third Session

Three sessions and one panel were held on the second day of the event. The first session of the second day was chaired by Mechanical Engineer Halim Akışın. Fİrst, Şamil Çahal from HKS HAS Asansör took the floor with his presentation on “Use of Parametric Design Approach in the Elevator Industry.” Çahal explained the general features of elevator cabin with the parameters used in cabin production, and also gave information about the general structure of the parametric design software. He also explained the logic of the design software.

Then, Onur Tuncer from OHC Lift Asansör took the floor with a presentation titled, “Overview of Maintenance and Service on Hydraulic Lifting Platforms.” He started his speech by giving information about his company, and then made important statements about electrical maintenance and service activities.

 Fourth Session

The fourth sessions was chaired by Electrical and Electronics Engineer Ahmet Aydın.

First, Burak Özpınar from Mikrolift made a presentation on The Advantages IoT on Elevator System. Özpınar explained how elevator data is collected, monitored and analyzed, and indicated which important data could be extracted from elevator system. Özpınar said with the advantages of IoT-based elevators, “Many companies realized that IoT-based elevators will both save time and money, and started implementing it. These features can be used regardless of the facility size. It should be explained well, and the use of this technology should be expanded.”

Then, Emre Öner Tartan from Başkent University took the floor. He made a presentation on Modeling Elevator Control with Markov Decision Process. Tartan said that determining which elevators will respond to which calls in a group of Elevator Control System is called the Elevator Dispatching Problem, and said, “Markov processes make future predictions based on current situation, not on past experiences.”

Fifth Session

The fifth session was chaired by M. Berkay Eriş, executive committee member of the symposium from MMO.

First, Abdül Melik Sancak from Istanbul Technical University took the floor. With his presentation on “Comparison of Earthquake Precautions and Calculation Principles of Elevator Facilities in Earthquake Zones,” he gave information about seismic activity and damages “Comparison of Earthquake Precautions and Calculation Principles of Elevator Facilities in Earthquake Zones,” and gave information about seismic activity and damages caused by earthquakes under the title of Earthquake in Turkey. “Comparison of Earthquake Precautions and Calculation Principles of Elevator Facilities in Earthquake Zones” gave information about seismic activity and damages caused by earthquakes under the title of Earthquake in Turkey. “Comparison of Earthquake Precautions and Calculation Principles of Elevator Facilities in Earthquake Zones” gave information about seismic activity and damages caused by earthquakes under the title of Earthquake in Turkey. “Comparison of Earthquake Precautions and Calculation Principles of Elevator Facilities in Earthquake Zones” gave information about seismic activity and damages caused by earthquakes under the title of Earthquake in Turkey. “Comparison of Earthquake Precautions and Calculation Principles of Elevator Facilities in Earthquake Zones” gave information about seismic activity and damages caused by Earthquakes in Turkey. He shared images and information about the elevator damages during earthquakes, and talked about the damages experienced in the elevators in the 2011 Van earthquake. Finally, he gave information about Elevator Earthquake standards, saying that these two standards advised similar precautions. 

Then, Serdar Tavaslıoğlu from EMO took the floor with his presentation titled, “Additional Elevator Scenarios for Emergencies in Tall Buildings.” He talked about the legal obligations, and then gave information about the articles of the Regulation on the Amendment of the Regulation on the Protection of Buildings from Fire. He explained why additional scenarios were needed, and detailed his explanations with examples. Tavaslıoğlu shared information about the earthquake behaviors of tall buildings as well as additional scenarios that need to be examined. He also said, “Tall buildings may be considered between 30 and 80 meters. These levels should be determined by considering the potentials of the fire department.”

Panel

The last event of the day was the panel on “Situations of Elevators During Earthquake and Fire.” First, Büyüklü from the Ministry of Industry and Technology took the floor at the panel chaired by Pala from EMO. Büyüklü talked about the purpose and scope of the Lift Directive and its essential requirements.

Then, Serkan Korkmaz from Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department took the floor. He said the features of elevators in new buildings, elevators in existing buildings and emergency elevators are within the scope of the regulation on protection of buildings from fire. He also shared their experiences and advices with the audience.

At an earthquake, measures can be taken by detecting the first wave through seismic detection system

Cem Bozdağ, TASFED Deputy Chairman, made a presentation on Elevators Subject to Seismic Conditions, and made statements about the design acceleration calculation. He underlined that design acceleration is also important in cabin and counterweight calculations. Bozdağ stated that jamming of the ropes and wiring in the shafts during a seismic activity should be prevented, and said, “If shaft distance is more than 60 meters, then we need to protect all these ropes and wiring.” Bozdağ gave information about seismic detection system and said, “Vertical and horizontal waves occur during an earthquake. Vertical wave reaches us faster while the destructive wave is the second horizontal wave. Through seismic detection system, measures can be taken by detecting the first wave.” Bozdağ also said, “There is nothing that the elevator professional can do about the design acceleration. The designer of the building should be careful about it. Zoning regulation and the municipalities should make design acceleration obligatory for licensing, and the elevator industrialists should manufacture elevators accordingly.”

Then, Prof. Dr. Erdem İmrak from AYSAD took the floor. İmsak stated that there are legal confusions in the definition of tall buildings, and said, “According to earthquake regulations for the buildings, buildings which are in height class 1, which is categorized as 70 meters, 90 meters or 105 meters in some cases, are considered tall.” İmrak also talked about emergency elevators, made some critics and underlined that the predicted measurement values will not be important in some cases, giving some examples. He said that the solution should be determined during drawing the project of the building, and that architects could solve it. Finally, he asked if the keys of the firefighter lifts are standard, and said they do not have any information about how these elevators are maintained and tested.

If the earthquake elevators of tall buildings do not work, you feel you are casted away

With his presentation titled “Proposed Solutions for Emergencies in Very Tall Buildings,” Serdar Tavaslıoğlu said, “The first rule in tall buildings is that the elevator should be in operation in case of an earthquake. If the elevator does not work, then you feel you are casted away.”  Tavaslıoğlu stated that the behavior of tall buildings is somewhat different, and said, “Tall Building Structural Health Monitoring System” sensors are placed in a selected tall building in a study conducted at METU. According to the data obtained through these sensors, the intensity of the earthquake is different in the upper floors when compared with the ground. The lower floors of the building shake less, while the upper floors shake more violently.”

Stating that necessary precautions should be taken against earthquakes, Tavaslıoğlu said, “Making elevators suitable for use during earthquakes is underestimated. Additionally, necessary precautions should be taken in order to put elevators into operation after earthquakes because elevators should always be in operation in tall buildings. You will be helpless if the elevators do not operate.”

Electricity wiring in the shaft should resist fire for 60 minutes

Burak Demircan from MMO identified the problems that may occur in case of earthquakes and fire, and their solutions, and said that there are some problems about the height of the building. Demircan stated that electricity wiring in the shaft resist fire for 60 minutes, and asked, “Who determines whether cables can withstand fire for 60 minutes during a fire?”

Two sessions were held on the third day.

Sixth Session

Two sessions were held on the third day of the symposiums. The sixth session was chaired by Bülent Çarşıbaşı from EMO. First, Mustafa Mıhçılar from RST Elektronik made a presentation titled “Elevator Specifications for Elevator Purchases in Public Tenders.”

Mıhçılar explained what should be targeted in public tenders, and said that the needs of the building may differ in terms of number, capacity, speed and traffic when preparing tender specifications. He also gave information about elevator specifications for the buildings of public institutions, and said, “The prohibition of specifying the brand and name in the specifications is broken in certain ways.” Mıhçılar also said, “Tender specifications that are prepared blindly make the manufacturers, which are very few, unable to be the suppliers in public tenders.”

The second presentation of the day, titled “Elevator Landing Door Locking Device, Pendulum Impact Tests on Landing Doors and TS EN 81:20, TS EN 81:50 Requirements,” was made by Yusuf Baran Okçu from D Kare Gözetim Test ve Belgelendirme. Okçu talked about elevator door types, landing doors and landing door types based on their opening style, and showed sample images. Okçu also showed detailed drawings of landing door locking devices, and made remarks on locking devices based on 2014/33/EU Lift Directive. Okçu also explained and played videos on the impact points that will be used landing door resistance tests and pendulum impact tests in accordance with the TS EN 81-20.

Seventh Session

After a short break, the last session of the day and also the event started. At the seventh session, chaired by Battal Murat Öztürk, first Necdet Canbulat from Cenk Mühendislik took the floor. Canbulat made a presentation on Elevator Accidents and Risk Factors and, stating that the number of people killed and injured in accidents is not known accurately and in detail, he explained the concept of accident. Canbulat also gave information about occupational safety discipline, and shared the number of elevator accidents that took place in Turkey between 2010-2020 with death and injury rates in these accidents. Explaining the risks of elevator accidents, Canbulat also showed charts on risk factors of elevator occupational accidents. 

Then, Umut Gölge from Procube Endüstri 4.0 Teknoloji Sistemleri took the floor and made a presentation titled “Emergency Audible Communication and Instantaneous Failure Tracking Device for Elevators.” First, he explained what IoT is, and then he talked about the main specifications of emergency audible communication and online failure tracking device. He also showed the working principles of the Emergency Audible Communication and Instantaneous Failure Tracking Device for Elevators, and gave information about IoT Ecosystem.

After the last session, symposium secretary Zafer Güneş from Chamber of Mechanical Engineers made a closing speech and expressed his thanks to the participants and the presenters.

The questions of the participants and the followers on YouTube and Zoom were answered at the end of each session.