In its report published on May 24, the Chamber of Mechanical Engineers (MMO) published the technical report of the chamber on the controls of rope transportation systems, especially cable cars.
The cable car accident that occurred in Antalya on 12 April 2024 has once again shown that the relevant operating organizations of such facilities, municipalities and relevant public administrations should pay attention to the periodic checks of rope transportation systems. Our Chamber, as a professional organization in the nature of a public institution, sees it as a public duty to enlighten all relevant businesses, institutions, organizations and the public on this issue, which is within their fields of expertise.
The Chamber’s Technical Report on The Rope Transportation Systems Controls, presented in the annex of our statement, covers the scope and duration of all periodic controls and inspections that need to be carried out, the importance of non-destructive inspection methods, special controls, qualification of control personnel and conclusion recommendations.
Rope Transport Systems, which include steel constructions used in industry and buildings, are increasingly used widely in transportation. In order for cable cars, chair lifts and teleski systems, which are among the rope transportation systems designed for human transportation, to operate while ensuring high safety of life, they must undergo control and inspection as part of TS EN 1709 standard, Rope Transportation Systems – Maintenance and Inspection, in accordance with the Regulation on Health and Safety Conditions in the Use of Work Equipment.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods, which undertake an important function in the manufacturing and operating stages, have an important place in these controls. There is more than one non-destructive testing method based on inspections (visual, magnetic particle, penetrant and ultrasonic inspection).
The most critical parts of the construction that carry the load and are exposed to dynamic loading in rope transportation systems are the poles and carriers. All equipment subject to special controls under non-destructive testing methods and TS EN 1709 standard (components of load-bearing structures exposed to fatigue stresses, mechanical braking system equipment, rope grippers, carrier wagons/cabins, hangers, all other safety components exposed to fatigue loading); poles (shafts of variable load or compression poles, transport forks, shafts in support poles and transport forks) should especially be controlled; special checks (routine fatigue and special fatigue tests, durations) of the poles should be carried out completely and the evaluation criteria should be based on European norms.
Fatigue, one of the biggest dangers for constructions used under dynamic loading, causes fractures that occur over time, and the risk increases with environmental effects such as corrosion. All of these situations require control of the relevant facilities and equipment both annually and during certain operating periods. As stated in the TS EN 1709 standard, in addition to annual controls, it is necessary to carry out special controls including non-destructive examinations at certain periods and in certain cycle numbers.
Control Personnel Must Be Qualified and Have an Authorization
Rope transportation systems are vehicles that directly affect life safety and pose high risks. At this point, controls must be carried out by qualified and experienced personnel.
According to the Regulation on Health and Safety Conditions in the Use of Work Equipment, periodic controls of rope transportation systems can be conducted by mechanical engineers, mechatronics engineers, technical teachers who graduated from mechanical or metal education departments, mechanical technicians or higher technicians, and it is deemed sufficient for these people to have undergone two-day basic training. However, the personnel to carry out periodic controls must know the features of rope transportation systems well. When the TS EN 1709 standard is examined, it is seen that personnel experience, training in the relevant engineering discipline, and visual inspection qualification are of great importance, especially in annual controls.
However, there is no clarity in the legislation regarding who will carry out the periodic inspection of rope systems. It is an urgent requirement that the periodic inspection of rope transportation systems, especially cable cars, is ensured to be conducted by authorized engineers trained and certified by the relevant Chamber of Professional Affairs. In this way, control by unauthorized/uninformed persons will be prevented and the control engineers’ records will be kept. In addition to these issues, the personnel who will perform special controls must have a Level 2 certificate in Visual Inspection, Magnetic Particle Inspection and Ultrasonic Inspection according to ISO 9712 and must complete one of the four trainings in the field of welded manufacturing.
Work to be carried out to ensure life safety in rope transportation systems should be considered within the scope of public service.
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