World Elevator Conference Focuses on Developments in Technology, Accident Prevention

The World Elevator Conference took place in Nanjing, China, on June 19-20. Speakers from Europe, North America and, particularly, China shared the latest developments in lift technology and safety with the predominantly Chinese audience. A striking feature of the conference was the technological progress in China, including the implementation of programmable electronic systems in safety-related applications for lifts. Lift accident analysis and prevention, along with time-based maintenance, were also discussed.

Globalization

CEN (European committee for standardization) TC 10 Chairman Esfandiar Gharibaan talked about the latest developments in standardization. EN 81-20 and 81-50 are at the final stage of development and will be available in 2014. CEN TC 10 is aiming for worldwide adoption of this harmonized lift standard through partnership with the International Organization for Standardization.

Evacuation Using Lifts

David McColl of Otis North America talked about extension of the U.S. standard A17.1 to include using lifts to evacuate buildings. Lifts constructed in accordance with this extended standard can be used for “Occupant Evacuation Operation.” A similar variant of this American standard will be available in Europe in the form of TS 81-76.

Fire Safety, Etc.

Willem Kasteleijn, product manager Lifts at Liftinstituut, dealt with lift safety. His presentation focused on fire safety of lift landing doors. He explained that thanks to the existence of the harmonized standard for testing the fire resistance of lift landing doors, uniform testing of lift landing doors is now possible everywhere. This does not mean, though, that fire resistance of such doors is the same in all European countries. Fire resistance depends on construction regulations in individual member states. Other speakers included:

• Simo Makimattila, manager, Testing and Materials, China & Asia Technology at KONE China
• Luca Paolo Borgonovo, director, Escalator Modernization Solutions at KONE Italy
• Ian Todkill, president of the Pacific Asia Lift and Escalator Association, and manager of Codes and Standards Asia Pacific at Otis Asia Pacific
• Shi Xueling of the Functional Safety Center of China
• Wu XingJun of the Guangzhou Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision, and Guangzhou Academy of Special Equipment Inspection and Testing
• Fengwang Chen of National Technical Committee 196 on Elevators, Escalators and Moving Walks of Standardization Administration of China

The organization of the conference was led by the inspiring Zhang Lexiang of the China Elevator Association. This was the event’s second iteration, having previously taken place in 2011 (ELEVATOR WORLD, September 2011).