No means of passenger transportation today carry more people than the elevators and escalators. Meanwhile, intense focus on safety has ensured that such lifting devices have the lowest frequency of accidents.
Standards Norway has now published NS 3810:2011 Periodic safety inspection of lifts, lifting platforms, escalators and moving walks.
High safety standards
Security precautions is an ongoing process. With the rapid progress we see in the use of lifting appliances - not least in connection with new demands for access and evacuation of buildings, it is necessary to maintain a high level of safety.
The regulations
The National Office of Building Technology and Administration (BE) has in its regulations TEK10 Chapter 16 a requirement that all lifting equipment for transportation of people and goods must have a security check every two years - ie a Periodic Safety Inspection.
On behalf of BE Standards Norway has together with experts in the standardization committee SN / K 037 for lifting appliances now released this new standard - NS 3810:2011 Periodic safety inspection of lifts, lifting platforms, escalators and moving walks.
The standard is unique because:
- Norway is the only country that has such a standard
- Defining a minimum scope of what should be included in such an inspection requires active involvement from the building authorities. Here Norway is in a unique position.
The world's most important means of transportation
People do not think about the fact that escalators and moving walks are the largest electric machines that surround us in everyday life. They are used by millions of people worldwide every day, and carry more people than any other means of transport. They are found in airports, shopping malls, railway stations, in the block where you live and at your work.
NS 3810:2011 was published on 1 October. The other Nordic countries have already become interested in the standard, and we may soon find that others are inspired by this Norwegian standard.
A useful tool for owners and regulators
In addition to defining a minimum scope of what should be checked, the standard is also a useful tool for owners of lifting devices. The owner’s obligations in the operation and maintenance of these installations are extensive. With this standard, authorities in municipalities across the country have a roadmap for their work as well.
Meets the requirements of the Regulations
The periodic safety inspection is, as mentioned above, specified in the technical regulations of BE (TEK 10) Chapter 16. Safety inspection on lifts, escalators and moving walks shall verify that the intended level of safety is met. When used correctly, NS 3810:2011 ensures that the requirements in the regulations are met.
National installation registry of lifting devices
The standard also specifies requirements for documentation from periodic safety inspections. All reports must be registered in a national installation register of lifting devices. This register is currently under development by BE, and keep Norway in the top league when it comes to the safety of lifting appliances. Our neighbouring countries have for example not currently a good overview of their lifting equipment - where they are located, or whether they have been subject to safety inspection.
Product informasjon on NS 3810 Periodic safety inspection on lifts, lifting platforms, escalators and moving walks. The standard is published in Norwegian only.