elevators & escalators engr. dideolu falobi, fnse,miod 2013
THE PROVISION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORS IN NIGERIA BY DIDEOLU FALOBI, FNSE, MIoD.
In line with my belief that we must continue to add to the body of knowledge in the Engineering Industry, I hereby put at public disposal, my thoughts on the provision, operation and maintenance of Elevators and Escalators in Nigeria. I hope the contents will add to each of the readers’ understanding of Elevators and Escalators. I also hope my experience as the Assistant Manager and head of Lift Department of H.F. Schroeder (WA) Limited in the late 80s and as Managing Director of one of the best(I am being modest) Elevator companies in Nigeria since 2005 will suffice as perquisite qualifications for my submissions.
A. PREAMBLE
“Wikipedia”, the internet encyclopaedia describes Transportation as the movement of people, cattle, animals, and goods from one location to the other. A further analysis of this definition will take us to the direction and orientation of such movement. Thus, the concept of horizontal, vertical, diagonal and even random movement or multidirectional movement of goods and people become relevant.
A further look at Transportation will look at the mode of transportation and the medium and/or environment in which transportation takes place becomes relevant. Therefore, we have different modes of transportation such as air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline, space and shafts. Furthermore, means of transportation is defined as the equipment used in transporting people, animal and goods from one point to the other. In this category, we have the following: Horses, Camels, Automobiles, Bicycles, Trains, Trucks, People, Ship, Aircrafts, Elevators, Escalators and Cranes just to mention a few.
It is an understatement to say that Transport is essential to economic growth, prosperity, convenience and civilisation.
B. ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORS
Definitions
Elevator is a platform or enclosure raised and lowered in a shaft to transport people, animals and goods. The movement can be vertical as in the regular elevators or diagonal as in inclined elevators. On the other hand, the Escalator is a conveyor type transport device that moves people. It is a moving staircase with steps that move up or down using a conveyor belt and tracks keeping each step horizontal for the passenger. The movement of escalators can be either diagonal or horizontal. The horizontal version is however better known as auto-walk.
History of Elevators
Primitive elevators were in use as early as in the 3rd century BC operated by human, animal and water wheel power. In 1743, a counterweighted man-powered personal elevator was built for King Luis XV of France connecting his apartment with that of his mistress, Madams De Chateanroux whose quarter was one floor above the King’s. Several other elevators were in use subsequently mainly for conveying materials in factories, mines and warehouses with significant developments recorded in 1823, 1835, and 1846.
However, it was in 1853 that the American inventor, Elisha Otis(I really wish it had been an Elisha KONE) demonstrated a freight car equipped with a safety device to prevent falling in case a supporting cable breaks. This development gave birth to the modern elevator and made the building of skyscrapers a practical reality. Thus, even though Elisha Otis did not invent the elevator, he invented the brakes and safety devices that made elevators safe for use. In 1887, a black inventor, Alexander Miles patented the electric elevator.
History of Escalators
It was in 1859 that the first patent relating to Escalators was granted to a Massachusetts man for a steam driver unit. While the first recorded functional elevator was inspired by Romance, the escalator was inspired by Amusement. In 1895 Jesse Reno, who can be regarded as one of the inventors of the escalator which he called “Inclined Elevator”, invented a moving stairway that elevated passengers on a conveyor belt at 25 degree angle. The Escalator as we know it was later redesigned by Charles Seaberger in 1897 and he was the first to call it Escalator from the words “scala” which is Latin for steps and the word “Elevator” which has already been invented.
Notwithstanding, my preference for KONE elevators represented in Nigeria by Kresta Laurel Limited, I must mention here that the Otis Elevator company which was founded by Elisha Otis in 1857 played very significant roles in the development of Elevators and Escalators.
C. ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORS IN NIGERIA
In Nigeria, Elevators and Escalators were first introduced by the Otis Elevator company represented by CFAO Plc in late forties. Following very quickly was EXPRESS elevators of UK which was brought in first by the Leventis Group and which went through various representatives such as Lifts Nigerian Limited, H.F. Schroeder (W.A) Ltd, Elektrint and Elevator Technology Limited before its demise due to its acquisition (EXPRESS Lifts) by another competitor. The UTC Plc sponsored Schindler Elevators appeared on the Nigerian scene in the 60s while KONE Elevator of Finland was introduced to Nigeria by BAFANI Limited in the 70s. Kresta Laurel Limited, which started operations in 1990 revolutionised the involvement of Nigerians in the Elevator Industry through the quality of its services.
Today, the major elevator manufacturers still operating in Nigeria are KONE, OTIS, SCHINDLER, Mitsubishi and Thyssen Krupp. New brands from Asia, Spain, Italy and Eastern Europe are also available in Nigeria. Kresta Laurel Limited is the sole authorised distributor of KONE Elevators in Nigeria.
This paper will look at Elevators and Escalators in Nigeria under the following subtitles: legal, design considerations, and opportunities for investment for the Nigerian Engineers.
D. LEGAL
Prior to 1998, the BS5655 was the acceptable standard for lifts to be imported into Nigeria. Major designs from 1945 to 1998, which were of course influenced by British trained Architects and Engineers then predominant in the Engineering practice in Nigeria, used the BS5655 as design standard.
However, in 1998, the British and European lift standards were harmonised into the EN-81. Even EN-81 continues to be revised but remains the internationally acceptable standard which covers all the various aspects of lift design, construction and operation.
In Nigeria, apart from the requirement that any building that is more than four stops should have an elevator installed therein, legal requirements are minimal and if available at all, rarely enforced. Consequently, all sorts of elevators which do not conform to acceptable European/British/American standards are imported into Nigeria on daily basis. There is an urgent need for this to be reviewed and the Nigerian Engineers can take the lead by ensuring that proper standards are put in place, covered by an act of parliament on issues pertaining to the standards of equipment, components, safety and operation of Elevators and Escalators. Such should include but are not limited to the following:
v Design and Verification of Lifts Elevators and Escalators
v Type Approval of Elevators and Escalators
v Inspections and Audits of Elevators and Escalators
v Testing of Elevators and Escalators
v Elevators and Escalators in Operation Inspection and Tests
v Insurance
v Safety Standards
In Kresta Laurel, our KONE Elevators are manufactured to EN-81 standards while we install, operate and maintain our equipment in line with European Standards. We will be willing to support the society in the drawing up of needed legislations that will ensure that elevators and escalators imported into Nigeria meet the highest standards possible.
Apart from new legislations on the quality of Elevators to be imported into the country, there are gaps in the existing legislation in respect of the provision that any building that has more than 4 floors should have elevators. Rather, this should be reviewed to define requirements that are building specific. For example, it is my proposal that:
a). All hospitals that are on more than 1 floor should have an hospital elevator, 24 hours standby generator and uninterruptible power supply protection for all theatres, elevators and laboratories within the hospital.
b). All Public buildings that are more than one level should have provision for moving people from one level to the other. This will provide for the needs of the aged and the physically handicapped.
c). All Private buildings that have more than four stops/floors where elevator shafts have been provided but are not installed should be closed down until the elevators are installed.
Thus, there are several considerations that should be looked at in respect of elevators which should be building specific and should take care especially, of the aged and the physically handicapped.
E. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
In provisioning for elevators, the following design considerations are essential for the building:
Types of Elevators
There are various ways to specify elevators. These are:-
a). USE -Goods, Passengers, Hospital, Stairlifts, Service, Dumbwaiters, Scenic Lifts and Semi-Scenic Lifts.
b). MACHINE-Electric Traction or Hydraulic.
c). LOCATION OF MACHINE – Machine room less and or Machine room Elevators.
d). TYPES OF CONTROLS – Automatic push button control (APBC), - Simplex collective, duplex, triplex and so on and the destination control system which is the ultimate control system that guarantees maximum utilization of a bank of elevators.
e). DRIVE – single speed, two-speed and variable speed drives.
f). SPEED – speed vary based on the number of floors, type of elevator and result of traffic Analysis. The KONE 330m Tytri test shaft is the only elevator test facility in the world where an elevator running at 17m/s (61km/hr, 38m/hr) can be tested. Thus, a clear understanding of the above are required for an elevator designer to competently specify an elevator.
F. TRAFFIC FLOW ANALYSIS
Traffic Flow Analysis is a thorough assessment of the flow of passengers in a building. The KONE TrafCal traffic flow analysis and simulation tool provides a comprehensive assessment of the passenger flow together with an analysis of different situation such as on-peak, off-peak, e.t.c. This helps us to create the ideal solution for your requirement and ensure the best possible flow of people in the building. It is important that traffic analysis of buildings or any structure that will require elevators are done at the pre-contract stage in order to ensure that an appropriate and cost effective mix of elevator and escalator sizes, speeds and types are used for the project. I am pleased to give an advance notice that as part of our regular activities geared towards adding to the body of knowledge in the industry, we, Kresta Laurel Limited in association with KONE Elevators of Finland organised a training programme on Elevators and Traffic Flow Analysis in 2012
G. OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
In the design of Elevators and Escalators, due consideration must be made for the operating environment in specifying elevators and escalators. In Nigeria, the issues to note and provide for are as follows:
1). Humidity: The humidity in the southern part of Nigeria is high. Thus, condensation and rust are highly likely with attendant damage to electrical contractors. De-humidifiers are sometimes required in machine rooms.
2). Salty Air
In most of the Coastal cities in Nigeria, the salt content of the atmospheric air is high resulting in oxidation of metallic parts and corrosion. Consideration should be made in the specification of the interiors and enclosure types for the salt content of the environment.
3). Dust
Nigeria is an especially dusty environment and a combination of dust and high humidity are lethal for elevators. Dust proof enclosures may be required for the panels, while the painting of machine rooms and shafts are important as well as ensuring that access to the machine room are controlled and dust proof.
4). Temperature
High ambient temperatures above 27% are generally not tolerated by most Elevator components. Introduction of Air-conditioners in the machine room or in the shaft as well as all the elevator lobbies are essential and should be included in the overall design of the elevator system. Please note that elevator cars do not have air-conditioners as standard. Rather, they are equipped with extractor fans that suck in fresh air into the car from the elevator lobbies. Thus, a cool lobby is essential for cars to be cool and convenient for the users.
5). Power
In Nigeria, the quality of power supply is poor and as such, incidences of spikes, high voltage, low voltage, phase failure, earth faults, poor contacts, open circuits and short circuits are common. It is therefore imperative that the elevators, which today, are microprocessor-controlled, are fully protected from the vagaries of power supply if they are to remain useful during the designed shelf life. Our experience in Kresta Laurel Limited is that a combination of number of factors is required to protect the elevators and escalators. Those are:-
Ø Use of Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems (UPS)
Ø Proper Electrical design especially as it relates to earthing and power protection.
Ø Good electrical workmanship on the side of both the electrical contractors and the elevator installers.
Ø Regular assessment of the state of earthing of the building in line with IEE specifications of a yearly assessment.
Ø Regular check of all electrical contacts, power inputs to the elevator and differentials between earth point and the neutral during each maintenance and breakdown checks.
6). Regular Maintenance
A major consideration at the point of procurement of Elevators is the proven capability of the specified lift supplier’s ability to carry out maintenance and repairs. Availability of spare parts and the quality of the vendor/manufacturer relationship should also be ascertained before recommendations are made. Elevator Technology is “high tech” and should not be left in the hands of traders. The recent upsurge of direct importation of elevators without back-up does not augur well for the long-term ease of traffic flow in buildings where such elevators are installed.
7). Others
Provision should be made during the design stage for training of operators, maintenance schedules, and availability of spare parts within the owner’s premises as well as with the suppliers. Also, the selection of the elevator supplier should be done early enough to ensure that the elevator or/and Escalator perfectly fits the building.
H. NEW INNOVATIONS IN THE ELEVATOR INDUSTRY.