During the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) Convention held in New Orleans in September, Amsterdam-based Liftinstituut, an AECO, presented ACLA USA Inc., the US sales company of ACLA-WERKE GmbH, Cologne, Germany, with a certificate of conformance for ACLA AUTAN-polyurethane buffers.  On behalf of  ACLA-WERKE GmbH ACLA USA Inc. located in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, ACLA USA Inc. received the original certificate for the buffers from Liftinstituut in March 2011. This latest awarding from Liftinstituut’s international account manager, Dennis Lindeboom, and senior specialist, Robert Kaspersma, to ACLA USA Inc. president, Andy McIntyre, and office manager, Brigitte Ross, certifies a revision to the buffers.

 Photo: (l to r) Dennis Lindeboom, Robert Kaspersma, Brigitte Ross and Andy McIntyre  

Gustav Wolf Seil- und Drahtwerke GmbH & Co. KG of Guetersloh, Germany and ThyssenKrupp Elevator Manufacturing, Inc. of Memphis, TN are pleased to announce the successful certification of suspension and governor ropes under the ASME A17.7-2007/CSA B44.7-07, Performance-Based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.

The certification will apply to suspension and governor steel wire ropes for use on two gearless systems (one with machine room and one without) sold in North America. The AECO (Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certification Organization) on the project was Liftinstituut of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The awarding of this certification was considered a milestone by ThyssenKrupp in order to prove to code authorities, consultants and customers that the use of steel wire rope diameters less than 3/8" (9.5 mm) on the two systems is acceptable based on performance-based safety risk assessment procedures and rigorous testing. In the words of Patrick Bass, Executive VP of R&D at ThyssenKrupp, "in close cooperation with Gustav Wolf the certification was achieved on schedule and we are confident that the marketplace will welcome this achievement."

Left to Right; Bob Preston of ThyssenKrupp, Reinhard Baenisch and Richard Lindemeyer of Gustav Wolf, Patrick Bass of ThyssenKrupp, Robert Kaspersma and Dennis Lindeboom of Liftinstituut

The Peelle Company announced that it has received approval for a light curtain arrangement to comply with changes in the ASME A17.1a-2008/CSA B44a-08 Elevator Code for Elevators and Escalators that overcomes issues associated with increased car enclosure set-back caused by the car enclosure side light curtain.

A common method to comply with the new freight door detection requirements in ASME A17.1a-2008/CSA B44a-08 is to place light curtains on either side of the vertical slide-up to open the car gate. Placing the light curtain on the face of the car enclosure walls inside the car gate exposes it to damage. One arrangement places the light curtain in the space between the car gate rail and front edge of the car enclosure. This arrangement protects the light curtain from damage. However, it also requires that the front edge of the car enclosure be set back more then the longstanding standard of 4 1/2" for single section and 6 1/2" for double section car gates.

Peelle, applying the process outlined in ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7 Performance-based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, has developed and received approval for a light curtain arrangement that offers equivalent safety but is located in the gate rail itself. Locating the car enclosure side light curtain in the gate rail keeps the light curtain protected against damage without requiring an increase in the car enclosure set-back.

Liftinstituut's Robert Kaspersma and Dennis Lindeboom present the Light Curtain certificate at the Peelle Booth during the NAEC Trade Show. 

From: Liftinstituut Magazine International, edition May 2010

New certification process removes barriers to global collaboration

Liftinstituut certified the Schindler 3300 NA according to the new performance-based safety code ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7. In a rapidly growing global economy, for Schindler, the timing of the A17.7/B44.7 could not have come at a better time. We asked David Risch, product manager Americas at Schindler Switzerland, for his opinion about this new standard and certification process.

The certification of the Schindler 3300 NA entailed the complete installation and parts as alternative suspension means, evacuation system, electrical lifting system brake and short toe guard. Risch was kind enough to answer our questions about the certification process and the cooperation with Liftinstituut.

What is the importance of ‘performance-based safety' for Schindler?

"As one of the major global players in our industry Schindler has been working in the forefront for many years with major organizations around the world to create the highest safety standards for users while allowing innovation in design for new levels of efficiency, performance, and value for our customers. Our active participation on international standards organizations is only a sample of our commitment to these efforts. The ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7 code is the product of years of international collaboration to come up with a performance-based model code that would fit the regulatory landscape of North America. Our North American Code expert and A17 member Vincent Robibero worked closely with our members on ISO, CEN and other organizations to define the Global Essential Safety Requirements. The GESR is the cornerstone of safety performance criteria in both the European Lift Directive and A17.1/B44 standard. With the introduction of`A17.7/B44.7 Schindler Elevator Corporation now has the opportunity to extend to North American markets our innovative products and economies of scale already enjoyed in other parts of the world.''

"The Schindler 3300 was a perfect candidate for this certification.

The product offers many innovative features that provide a new level of value for our customers and that we were certain would be well received in North America. However, not all of these features are addressed by the prescriptive code.

Schindler Elevator Corporation developed the Schindler 3300 product for the North American market based on other Schindler platforms already widely operational outside the US. For example the 3300 features an automatic evacuation operation that will allow passengers trapped in cars during a power outage to safely evacuate to the nearest landing. Because this feature is not fully described for traction elevators in the North American prescriptive A17.1/B44 code our North American product line management, Aldo Braccetti and Jeff Davis, would have had to wait years for code development before they could reference where in the safety standard this operation is addressed. With the A17.7/B44.7 certification of the 3300. Mr. Davis can now refer to certification under a North American safety standard that has taken off in recognition and adoption in jurisdictions across the continent.''

Why did you choose Liftinstituut as a partner?

"Schindler has its main R&D center in Switzerland but also has technical operations on all major continents including North America. It was important for us to work with a partner that would be in close proximity to our central R&D, but also to have the language and technical appreciation for codes and standards in North America. We recognized that Liftinstituut has been a Notified Body focused on our industry for over 75 years. With this kind of experience and having received the coveted ANSI accreditation to certify elevator and escalator designs to A17.7/B44.7 we were confident Liftinstituut would be the right choice for us.''

How did you experience the complete certification process? What was positive? Any disappointments? What were the highlights?

"Liftinstituut lived up to its reputation of working with clients to understand the requirements for certification throughout the development process and helped us find solutions necessary to achieve it for the 3300. We also quickly came to realize that we had to live up to the challenges of meeting all the rigors of an A17.7/B44.7 certification under careful scrutiny of Liftinstituut. In retrospect we would have had it no other way. The end result is a product in which we have the utmost confidence. It meets all criteria for certification and is a major step toward achieving approval by the North American authorities. In the process Liftinstituut also helped our technical departments understand commonalities and differences between North American and European standards, an advantage only an organization with broad experience in both fields can offer. This helped us stay on track building code-conforming innovative solutions. Taken all together we found working toward certification with Liftinstituut to be a very efficient process with very positive results ''

What specifically would you like to say to the readers of this magazine about this subject (certification according to ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7)?

"In a rapidly growing global economy where innovation knows no borders the timing of the A17.7/B44.7 could not have come at a better time. North America has always made major contributions to the innovations in our products and services. This standard and certification process removes a significant technical barrier to global collaboration by our technical talent around the world. We look forward to what this will bring today for the introduction of the 3300 in North America and what it will mean for innovation in our new products and services tomorrow. The certification process by Liftinstituut was both cordial and professional; we had very open discussions and there was a good balance between enforcement and discussion.''

From:NEII NOW National Elevator Industry, Inc.
Spring 2010 Issue No. 7, Vol. 1

The publication of the ASME A17.7-2007/CSAB44.7-07 Performance Based Safety Code (PBC)for Elevators and Escalators in March 2007 marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the elevator industry in North America. The PBC provides a structured process for allowing innovation while assuring safety and thus maintaining the vitality of the elevator industry. One of the major strengths of the PBC is the certification of products by Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certification Organizations (AECO’s). Three prominent organizations, Liftinstituut, TÜV SÜD America and Underwriters Laboratories have been accredited and are committed to the cause of innovation with safety. These organizations have authored articles for publication in NEII NOW describing their backgrounds and the services they
provide.

This issue features the first in this series and is written by Liftinstituut. The Summer Issue will feature the second article, authored by Underwriter
Laboratories and the Fall Issue will feature the final installment by TÜV SÜD. AECO’s Committed to Innovation with Safety in North America Liftinstituut
In March 2009, Liftinstituut was appointed by ANSI as an Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certification Organization (AECO). Through this AECO program Liftinstituut evaluates and certifies elevator and escalator systems, subsystems components and functions. These products are evaluated against the guidelines of ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7, a standard that was developed jointly by ASME and CSA. This code guarantees performance-based safety. Any deviations from the prescriptive code ASME A17.1/CSA B44 are assessed by the applicant and this risk assessment will be reviewed by Liftinstituut. Once the product successfully passes the AECO evaluation process, Liftinstituut issues a Certificate of Conformance. Subsequent to the certification, Liftinstituut will provide an auditing function to ensure that a product once certified is manufactured and installed as approved and certified. “With the publication of the Performance Based Code (PBC) and the accreditation of three AECO’s, of which Liftinstituut is one, the next major step is the adoption of the PBC throughout North America and AHJ’s recognition of the AECO's in the US and Canada,“ said Dennis Lindeboom, international account manager with Liftinstituut. “The AECO’s can help these authorities in their decision-making process by using expertise and tools often unavailable to them. At the same time, the PBC enables manufacturers to reduce time to market with innovative and safe products.”
The AECO certificate clearly is evidence of safety conformity for manufacturers, building owners, inspectors and authorities. The PBC, in combination with an AECO, ensures that designs meet or (even) exceed current safety parameters and requirements. Lindeboom adds, “With over 75 years experience in elevator/escalator safety and more than 15 years in risk assessment (in Europe), we are fully dedicated to this branch of the industry and able to execute projects in a professional manner. Quite a few large as well as medium-sized US and Canadian companies have put their confidence in Liftinstituut and currently have their products evaluated by us. This certainly strengthens our belief that, in the end, the PBC will be widely used in North America.”

On September 27th  till 1st  of October  the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio is host of the annual NAEC convention and exposition.
The National Association of Elevator Contractors, celebrates its 60th anniversary with a convention and an exposition.

At the convention with education programs and workshops, several elevator celebrities will speak about the latest trends and about elevator safety. The exact program of the convention was not yet available when this issue was printed. But you can find more information on their website (www.naecconvention.com).

Members of the NAEC will expose their latest products and services.  
Because the new standard (A17.7/CSA B44.7) was introduced last year, new design will probably be exposed at this fair. Any way Liftinstituut as AECO for this new standard, will definitely  expose. Visit our booth (nr 439 Hall A-C) and our team will inform you about the principal of this new standard and take you through the procedures of product certification.

We hope to see you at the annual NAEC Convention and Exposition, fall this year.

On September 22, 2009, Liftinstituut was very proud to present its first

Certificate of Conformance to KONE North American Corporate

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) officially recognized Liftinstituut

as an Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certification Organization (AECO) last March.

With this appointment now the first Certificate was presented during the UNITED

convention in Orlando Florida to Mr. Andy Juhasz of Kone North America.  

When product design cannot meet the ASMEA17.1/CSAB44 then a risk assessment

can provide deviations that meet an equal safety level. Also called Performance

based safety. These deviations must be inspected by an AECO.

When an AECO certifies the system of subsystem, you can be assured full safety is

guaranteed. This is what was done for the wire ropes for traction elevator

applications of Kone North Amercia Corporate.

ANSI appoints Liftinstituut as Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certification Organization (AECO)

On March 12, 2009, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) officially recognized Liftinstituut as an Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certification Organization (AECO). This appointment means that one of Europe's leading certification organizations for elevators and escalators offers new opportunities in design, manufacturing, installation and modification (supply chain).

In March 2009, Liftinstituut was accredited by ANSI as a Certification Body. Liftinstituut is the first to be recognized under the AECO program, which operates according to requirements defined in the international standard ISO/IEC Guide 65, General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems, and in ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7, Performance based safety code for elevators and escalators.

We are very proud to be accredited by ANSI.  Michael Douqué CEO Liftinstituut opened a bottle of champagne to toast on this new status. “It’s good to be recognized all over the world as a reliable independent partner and expert for product certification” .  And he promised “We will show that ANSI took the right decision”. 

Liftinstituut is a very experienced certification body focused on elevators and escalators. The company is big in certifications according to performance based safety in Europe and Middle East. To expend their market opportunities Liftinstituut has been looking for accreditation possibilities in North America. In March 2009 Liftinstituut was accredited for their performance based safety for elevators and escalators under the Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certification Organizations (AECO) Program by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to evaluate and certify elevators and escalator systems, subsystems, components and functions against the guidelines of AME A17.7/CSA B44.7.