BCA proposes list of upgrades to improve lift safety
The BCA has published a list of upgrades to further improve the safety and performance of existing elevators. (Photo: HDB)
Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has published a list of recommended upgrades for existing elevators, to further improve their safety and performance as part of its ongoing review of lift regulations.
“Existing lifts, when properly used, maintained and inspected, will continue to be safe for operation. However, technological advancements may mean that some lifts are not equipped with the latest features. In this regard, there is scope to modernise such lifts and to bring them on par with newer lifts,” the agency said.
The proposed list includes the installation of the Ascending Car Over Speed Protection (ACOP) to stop the lift car, or at least reduce its speed if necessary.
Another recommended device is the Unintended Car Movement Protection (UCMP), which detects and prevents unintended elevator movement away from the landing, if the elevator door is not in the locked position and the lift car door is still open.
There should also be an interlocking switch for every lift door panel to ensure that the lift will stop moving immediately and remain in position if the elevator door is still open.
The BCA is also urging building owners to install an electrical safety device that can stop the elevator from moving if there is a slackening of the governor rope, which pulls and supports the lift car.
Another suggested feature is the Car Apron, which will prevent people at the lift landing from falling into the lift shaft if the elevator doors are opened when the lift stops above the intended entryway.
Aside from the battery-operated Automatic Rescue Device (ARD), which will bring the lift to the nearest landing and open both the lift landing and car doors in the event of a power failure, the agency is also calling for the installation of telephone, intercom system or other communication devices inside the lift cars for use in case of emergencies.
“The BCA will be issuing an advisory to lift owners and the industry and we encourage all lift owners to consider lift modernisation to further improve the standard of existing lifts in Singapore,” said its Chief Executive Dr John Keung.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
