Elevator safety issues during COVID-19

AVIRE LOOKS AT ELEVATOR SAFETY MEASURES DURING COVID-19

Global elevator safety and communications provider Avire is developing technologies aimed at improving passenger safety during COVID-19 and has provided social-distancing tips for property managers as buildings reopen. Observing that, in some cases, an elevator rated to carry 20 passengers will now only be able to carry two, the company stated that "understanding how many passengers are in a lift at any one time, and whether passengers are following social-distancing guidelines, will become crucial pieces of data to analyze the effectiveness of social-distancing policies." Tips for property managers include considering making elevators the "up" route and stairs the "down" route (for those who are physically able); splitting elevators into either "up" or "down" service; and using removable button covers, rather than cleaning products, which can short-circuit electronics.

TSSA ADDRESSES FOOT OPERATION, UV-C SANITIZATION

Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has released advisories on foot-operated elevator operating buttons and escalator handrail sterilization. The documents inform on TSSA’s perspective regarding these popular products responding to COVID-19 prevention and mitigation. The first includes a list of requirements for floor-mounted operating devices to be allowed, as they are not fully addressed in the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 code. The second identifies two styles of UV-C light handrail sanitizers, disallowing externally mounted designs but permitting internally mountable designs when they satisfy proper safety requirements and are submitted as noted.