No end to the new standards …

In the last issue, LIFTjournal presented the new draft standards in the EN 81 series. Further important changes have occurred in the regulatory framework: five standards have now been revised and published.

By Jan König

DIN EN 81-21 published: new passenger and goods passenger lifts in existing buildings

EN 81-21:2022 was published by CEN in May 2022. It was implemented nationally in Germany as DIN EN 81-21:2022 with the August 2022 issue. The standard is to be harmonised under the EU Lift Directive 2014/33/EU.

Relevance

The standard lays down safety rules for new passenger and passenger goods lifts, which are permanently installed in existing buildings, where in some cases, due to structural limitations, various requirements of EN 81-20:2020 cannot be met. The document is to be used in combination with EN 81-20:2020. It addresses the following technical requirements:
• existing perforate lift well walls;
• reduction in the available well leading to reduced distance between car, counterweight or balancing weight;
• counterweight or balancing weight in a separate existing well;
• reduced building dimensions and clearances leading to:
• reduction in available room for headroom and pit;
• reduced car roof balustrade dimensions;
• reduced sill apron oder skirt?;
• reduced height of machine and/or pulley rooms;
• reduction in height of landing doors.

Changes

Only a few changes were made compared to DIN EN 81-21:2018-07. They do not involve technology, but are rather of an editorial nature. This includes the fact that all standards referred to are now dated and subsection 6.3 was deleted. In addition, Annexes B and ZA were amended.

Additional links:
• Table of contents DIN EN 81-21:2022
• DIN EN 81-21:2022 at Beuth

DIN EN 81-28 published: remote alarm for passenger and goods lifts

EN 81-28:2022 was published by CEN in June 2022. It was implemented nationally in Germany as DIN EN 81-28:2022 with the August 2022 issue. The standard is to be harmonised under the EU Lift Directive 2014/33/EU.

Relevance

The standard describes technical requirements for remote alarm systems of passenger and goods lifts, as described in the EN 81 series. These include:
• activation of the alarm,
• transmission of the alarm,
• information on use and maintenance,
• tests of the lift to verify the effectiveness of the requirements of this document before the lift is used.

In addition, the standard deals with the risk that users are entrapped in the car and well, taking into account incorrect application/misuse by users. The following subjects are not dealt with by the standard:
• failure of the communication network (see Annex A), including the signal strength of the mobile communications networks or comparable network;
• failure of the power supply in a geographical area and potential consequences.

Changes

Compared to DIN EN 81-28:2018-07 all standards referred to have been updated and Annex ZA adjusted.

Additional links:
• Table of contents DIN EN 81-28:2022
• DIN EN 81-28:2022 at Beuth

DIN EN 81-58 published: landing doors resistance test

EN 81-58:2022 was published by CEN in May 2022. It was implemented nationally in Germany as DIN EN 81-58:2022 with the August 2022 issue. The standard is to be harmonised under the EU Lift Directive 2014/33/EU.

Relevance

The standard specifies the requirements for the fire resistance of landing doors. They are intended to form a barrier against the spread of fire from the lift well side and via the well shaft into the building. The requirements for fire resistance are expressed with the terms room closure (E), heat insulation (EI) and radiation (EW).

They ap

ply to landing doors that are permanently installed in the well openings of the stops and serve as access to the car.

Moreover, the procedure for testing and classifying the fire resistance of landing doors is specified. The test procedure applies to test ovens in which the door is arranged vertically. The test procedure specifies the measurement of the room closure and if necessary, the measurement of radiation and heat insulation. The standard does not cover any further technical requirements, which extend beyond the defined limits of fire resistance. The document does not cover any hazards arising from the emission of gases.

Changes

Compared to DIN EN 81-58:The following changes were made compared to 2018-05:
• the structure of the standard was revised;
• the wording o

f 6.12 a) and 6.12 b) and of the associated Annex D and Annex E was clarified;

• hazards due to the emission of gases were excluded from the scope;
• the normative references were updated;
• the Annex ZA was amended;

Additional links:
• Table of contents DIN EN 81-58:2022
• DIN EN 81-58:2022 at Beuth

DIN EN 81-71 published: protective measures against wanton destruction

EN 81-71:20 22 was published by CEN in May 2022. It was implemented nationally in Germany as DIN EN 81-71:2022 with the August 2022 issue. The standard is to be harmonised under the EU Lift Directive 2014/33/EU.

Photo: © photo 5000/AdobeStock

Relevance

The standard specifies safety rules for new passenger and goods lifts, which are permanently installed in existing buildings. It partially supplements structural demands that could not be considered by EN 81-20:2020. It deals with the different degrees of expected vandalism to which lifts are exposed. The standard supplements the requirements of EN 81-20:2020 in order to minimise the effects of vandalism.

Changes

Compared to DIN EN 81-71:2018-07, the references to category 0 were removed, the normative references updated and Annex ZA amended.

Additional links:
• Table of contents DIN EN 81-71:2022
• DIN EN 81-71:2022 at Beuth

DIN EN 81-77 published: lifts subject to seismic conditions

EN 81-77:2022 was published by CEN in May 2022. It was implemented nationally in Germany as DIN EN 81-77:2022 with the August 2022 issue. The standard is to be harmonised under the EU Lift Directive 2014/33/EU.

Relevance

The standard specifies additional special precautions and safety rules for passenger and goods lifts during use, maintenance, inspection and emergency operation. It applies to lifts permanently installed in buildings and intended to withstand seismic events according to EN 1998-1:2004 (Eurocode 8). The goal of this document is:
• to reduce the loss of human life and the scale of injuries;
• to prevent people being entrapped in the lift;
• preventing damage;
• preventing environmental problems from leaking oil;
• reducing the number of out of order lifts. This document does not introduce any additional special determinations and safety rules according to Annex A if ad ≤ 1 m/s2.

The standard does not deal with any risks associated with seismic events, such as fire, flooding or explosions.

Changes

Compared to DIN EN 81-77:2019-01, the normative references were updated and visual display of the seismic mode amended; the table 4 and references to ISO 7465:2007 were removed and Annex ZA amended.

Additional links:
• Table of contents DIN EN 81-77:2022
• DIN EN 81-77:2022 at Beuth

The author is the proprietor of the engineering firm Ing4Lifts (VDI).

More information: Technical Committee CEN/TC 10 “Lifts, escalators and moving walks”
Harmonised standards under the Lift Directive (as of 2022-07)