New safety requirements for elevator
2021.11.23
From April 1, 2022, new regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers (CM) “Regulations on safety and technical supervision of elevators (lifts) and vertical lifting platforms” come into force, providing for stricter safety requirements when using elevators.
The new rules in comparison with the current ones establish more stringent and clear standards and measures to ensure the safety of elevators. This is especially true for elevators older than 25 years. The need to change the requirements became clear after the inspection of elevators, during which in most cases discrepancies were identified, the data on which were sent to Consumer Rights Protection Centre (CRPC).
The new rules of the Cabinet of Ministers require that the elevators be equipped with two-way communication facilities to prevent situations in which a passenger in the elevator cannot contact and call for help in the event of an emergency just because he has no mobile phone with him, or the building’s telephone line has failed. Undoubtedly, the installation of such devices is necessary for operative communication with responsible services, but manufacturers of two-way communications and systems for monitoring and diagnosing elevators, taking care of safety, have developed and offer products that provide not only communication, but also continuous monitoring of elevators in real time. This means constant monitoring and analysis of various parameters related to the operation of elevators, which allows you to proactively monitor and anticipate elevator malfunctions before they become significant safety risks or lead to damage of the equipment.
“Currently, two-way communication devices are installed in about 20% of elevators with wear over 31 years of age (some are also equipped with remote on/off, monitoring systems for the condition of the elevator and floors). Further re-equipment continues intensively. The biggest problem is financing. We need to understand that most of the population are pensioners and people with small incomes. If it were not for the demand of the Cabinet of Ministers, I think it is unlikely that the re-equipment would have been launched at all. The interest of residents is minimal. But the management organizations are very interested in, since you need to understand that the reluctance to solve this issue can lead to the disconnection of the elevator. They are often interested in technical issues,” says Ivo Snore, Head of Elevator Works Department and Engineer of SIA “Pilsētas lifti”.
Although the new requirements are justified by security considerations, residents of houses are in no hurry to implement them, because besides the lack of two-way means of communication for many elevators, especially old ones, the range of problems is much wider. The service life of these elevators is rapidly approaching the end, they need a complete modernization or replacement.
“Almost all elevators need to be upgraded. This is a comprehensive solution, you can’t just upgrade relays and contactors, you need a complete modernization of the elevator,” says I. Snore
“Civinity Mājas” encourages both management companies and residents to be active and take care of the installation of two-way communication facilities in a timely manner.