NEII Insider March 2016 Issue
With safety as the top priority for NEII® and its member organizations, NEII's Insider newsletter covers the safety benefits of MRL technology. Schindler is a proud member of NEII, National Elevator Industries, Inc.
Safety in Machine Room-Less Elevators
MRLs are included in the latest Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, ASME A17.1/CSA B44, which is aligned with other national codes (IBC, CBC, NEC & CEC), meaning they are generally accepted as being a reasonable and safe option by industry experts. In other words, MRL elevators are as safe as non-MRL elevators. Advancements in overall elevator technology improve performance and reliability, and reduce the amount of routine maintenance required for continued upkeep.
“MRL is a well-proven technology. When it was introduced to the market, ASME developed an entire new set of rules for MRL products to ensure that these applications provided equivalent or greater safety than traditional machine room products,” notes Kevin Brinkman, NEII Codes & Safety Director.
MRL-specific rules were first published in ASME A17.1s-2005 and then incorporated into ASME A17.1-2007/CSA B44-07 and later editions. As part of this code, MRL designs must meet the same requirements for inspection, testing and performance as compared to non-MRL elevators.
“The adoption of the latest safety codes without modification, whether it’s an MRL or not, is the best way to reduce the risk of injury for both passengers and maintenance workers,” says Brinkman. “ASME A17.1/CSA B44 is developed through a consensus-building protocol, refined by hundreds of industry experts, which invites review and comment at all stages of the process. Needless to say, MRL has had to prove itself, and has done so.”
As the sales and implementation of MRLs have increased over the past decade and a half, the accident rates have decreased, clearly showing improved safety in the field overall. (see Figure 1).
As the sales and implementation of MRLs have increased over the past decade and a half, the accident rates have decreased, clearly showing improved safety in the field overall. (see Figure 1).
“Working in the elevator industry can certainly be dangerous,” says Corey Ward, Chair, NEII Field Employee Safety Committee. “Hazards in the field can often be mitigated or reduced with proper safety process, training and complying with established safe work practices, including the use of personal protection equipment.”
Training is crucial to safety. The industry offers a variety of training programs for elevator workers so they can keep up-to-date on the latest trends in technology and safety, especially MRL technology:
- National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) offers training on MRLs for elevator maintenance workers
- National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) provides MRL educational courses
- Manufacturers, including NEII member companies, offer intensive in-house training and safety protocol courses as a requirement
- National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International (NAESA) provides elevator educational seminars and workshops for manufacturers, which provide information on MRLs and other new technologies.
It is evident that MRLs offer equivalent or greater safety to non-MRL elevators. MRLs should certainly be considered during the planning phase of any elevator installation project.
For more information on NEII Insider and a series of articles on MRL technology, visit the NEII website.
Downloads
-
NEII Insider 03-23-16
NEII Insider March 2016 Issue featuring safety features/benefits of MRL elevators