Since our first energy measurement of lifts in 2009, the norms have continued to develop. Along with the VDI 4707-1 guideline, there is now ISO 25745 that describes the norms for escalators and moving walks. In part 1 of the ‘ISO 25745 under the microscope’ series, we shall examine: How is the standard designed? Why doesn’t this norm form the basis for type certification? And does the norm take sustainability aspects into consideration?
Along with the VDI 4707-1 guideline, there is now ISO 25745 that describes the norms for energy measurements of lifts, escalators and moving walks. In part 2 of the ‘ISO 25745 under the microscope’ series, we shall examine: How does Liftinstituut apply this norm to energy measurements? And why does the first measurement not always produce the desired result?
Liftinstituut has a lot of experience with measuring the energy use and producing energy labels in conformance with EN-ISO 25745. The measurements according to the new standard offer more opportunities for building owners, building managers and manufacturers of lifts, escalators and moving walks. A building scores additional BREEAM points when it has an EPC certificate. And with an energy measurement, the manufacturer can directly demonstrate the energy-saving effect of the investments in modernisation.
At airports, train and metro stations, escalators form the important lifeline in vertical transport flows. Most station or airport managers would prefer to avoid an escalator that stops running during rush hour. That is why they prefer to invest in a solid escalator with a long service life. Escalator manufacturers respond to this with so-called ‘heavy duty escalators’ in their product portfolio. “However, not all heavy duty escalators are the same”, escalator expert Azaad Santoe of Liftinstituut says.
The technological developments and innovations within the world of lift systems and lift components follow each other in quick succession. So how does a government deal with the growing number of products that deviate from the standard? How do you offer more technological and innovation freedom while ensuring national lift safety? An increasing number of governments contacts Liftinstituut with these types of questions. “We help them draw up or adjust the inspection regime and implement the legislation to ensure any deviations from the standard are implemented safely.”
In the lift industry, functional safety is more than ever a hot topic. During our four free webinars on this theme, we have noticed that it is an important issue in the branch. No fewer than 400 interested persons signed up for them. Did you miss the webinars? You can watch them all for free.
"With the designation ‘energy efficient lift’, the lift manufacturer indicates that it has done everything possible to minimize energy consumption. However, how energy efficient the lift really is depends on the location and other factors.” The person speaking is Hessel Kramer, product specialist Certification at Liftinstituut. Every year he performs dozens of energy performance measurements on site.
The European Lifts Directive is clear: safety components and new technologies that deviate from the standard must in any case be certified by a Notified Body. Third party certification, however, is not always mandatory for other systems and installations developed and marketed by manufacturers within the standard. According to Liftinstituut managing director John van Vliet, it is precisely those products that should also be reviewed by an external certifying body. According to him, the knife cuts both ways.
A lot is happening with standards, both nationally and internationally. Liftinstituut is represented in various standards committees, so we hear about the latest developments in an early stage. What is going on with global standards? And when will these replace European standards? Let us fill you in.
BST has merged with Monarch, Inovance’s elevator business unit, to form an elevator business platform in China that is a leading hub of manufacturing and innovative R&D.
A new elevator inspection organization entered de Finnish market on October 4th, 2019. On this date, Liftinstituut Nordic will begin offering elevator inspections according to local and EU laws and regulations. The office in Helsinki will be under Finnish management and will be part of the international Liftinstituut network. Ever since 1933, inspectors and certifying experts from this organization have worked tirelessly every day to ensure that everyone in the world can use elevators safely with complete peace of mind.
In Europe and in many other countries outside Europe the EN 81-20 standard is applicable. Many existing standards related to EN 81-20 still refer to the EN 81-1 and the EN 81-2. Those existing standards must be aligned with the new EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 and also need the Annex ZA update. Part of that job is ready. Six aligned standards are published today.
The first revision of the EN 81-20 will be the incorporation of a new Annex ZA. This is in the final stages of preparation for publication. Annex ZA will be reviewed further, along with comments from three countries regarding Annex ZA at the next full revision of EN 81-20.
On December 6 2018, Amsterdam-based Liftinstituut hosted a delegation of the Chinese test laboratory Shenzhen Institute of Special Equipment Inspection and Test. Liftinstituut has a cooperation agreement with SISE.
On November 7, more than 400 Dutch building owners, advisers, health care professionals, and firefighters came together at the National Congress organized by Liftinstituut to discuss the use of elevators in a fire. One of the conclusions was: "The statement ‘in case of fire, do not use the elevator’ merits reconsideration."
Many types of products may only be marketed within the European Economic Area (EEA) if they are provided with a CE mark. What are the consequences of Brexit for manufacturers of CE marked products?
Today EN 81-20 / EN 81-50 is used more and more which leads to questions and interpretation requests. As it is not possible to update the standard at short notice but useful to have these interpretations available, working group 1 (CEN TC10 WG1) formulated answers in a Q&A document.
The EU guidelines for implementation of directives based on the New Approach and the Global Approach (the ‘Blue Guide’) were updated in 2016. The update covers new developments and aims to ensure the broadest possible understanding about implementation of the New Legislative Framework (NLF) for marketing products.
Elevators that comply with NEN-EN 81-70 guarantee accessibility for everyone. Also for people with disabilities. The standard determines the cabin dimensions and interior accessories that facilitate access for people with disabilities. Now that there is a compromise on the contrast indications on the operating panel, publication is expected in the spring of 2018.
‘At no time or place in the world has an elevator industry event ever been entirely focused on Elevator Safety with people from all aspects of the industry coming together for a sole safety goal, to save lives!’ Liftinstituut presented its ‘Integral Safety Vision’.