Circular No. 12/2021/TT-BLDTBXH Issuing the technical safety elevator inspection procedure under the management authority of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs

PROCEDURE

TECHNICAL SAFETY INSPECTION OF ELEVATORS WITHIN THE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTRY OF LABOR, INVALIDS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS CODE: QTKD: 02-2021/BLDTBXH

(Attached to Circular No. 12/2021/TT-BLDTBXH dated September 30, 2021 of the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs)

^{_______________}

 

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. This technical safety inspection procedure applies to initial, periodic, and extraordinary inspections of passenger or passenger and goods elevators operated by friction drive, forced drive, or hydraulic drive serving predetermined floors, with cabins designed to carry passengers or passengers and goods suspended by cables, chains, or lifted by cylinders - pistons and moving between guide rails inclined at an angle not exceeding 15° as specified in QCVN 02:2019/BLDTBXH National Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety for Elevators (hereinafter referred to as QCVN 02:2019) issued together with Circular No. 42/2019/TT-BLDTBXH dated December 30, 2019 of the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and QCVN 32:2018/BLDTBXH National Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety for Household Elevators (hereinafter referred to as QCVN 32:2018) issued together with Circular No. 15/2018/TT-BLDTBXH dated October 12, 2018 of the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

For elevators installed in buildings where documentation proves that design approval and construction permits were obtained before the effective date of QCVN 02:2019 or elevators installed in existing buildings where structural limitations prevent compliance with some of the above standards, the inspection organization shall base its assessment of the elevator's technical safety status on the corresponding criteria stipulated in National Standard TCVN 6396-21:2020 (EN 81-21:2018).

2. This procedure does not apply to the following types of elevators:

a) Those with drive systems other than those mentioned in Clause 1 of Article 1 of this Procedure;

b) With rated speed ≤0.15 m/s;

c) Hydraulic elevators with rated speed exceeding 1 m/s or hydraulic elevators with pressure relief valve settings exceeding 50 MPa;

d) Elevators installed for the purpose of carrying goods;

đ) Hoisting equipment of bucket type, stage lifts, mine lifts, stage lifts, automatic bucket hoists, skip hoists, crane hoists, and winches for construction sites of buildings and public buildings, winches on ships, offshore drilling or drilling platforms, construction and maintenance equipment, or wind turbine lifts.

Article 2. Applicability

1. Organizations engaged in technical safety inspection activities (hereinafter referred to as inspection organizations).

2. Technical safety inspection personnel.

3. Organizations and individuals managing, using, and owning elevators (hereinafter referred to as facilities).

4. State management agencies and organizations and individuals related to the matter.

Article 3. Referenced Documents

1. National Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety for Elevators with number QCVN 02:2019/BLĐTBXH issued together with Circular No. 42/2019/TT-BLĐTBXH dated December 30, 2019 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (hereinafter referred to as QCVN 02:2019/BLĐTBXH).

2. National Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety for Household Elevators with number QCVN 32:2018/BLĐTBXH issued together with Circular No. 15/2018/TT-BLĐTBXH dated October 12, 2018 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (hereinafter referred to as QCVN 32:2018/BLĐTBXH).

3. National Standard TCVN 6396-20:2017 (EN 81-20:2014) Safety requirements for construction and installation of elevators - Passenger and goods elevators Part 20: Passenger elevators and passenger and goods elevators published pursuant to Decision No. 3945/QĐ-BKHCN dated December 29, 2017 of the Ministry of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as TCVN 6396-20:2017).

4. National Standard TCVN 6396-50:2017 (EN 81-50:2014) Safety requirements for construction and installation of elevators - Passenger and goods elevators Part 50: Design, calculation, inspection, and testing requirements for elevator components published pursuant to Decision No. 3945/QĐ-BKHCN dated December 9, 2017 of the Ministry of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as TCVN 6396-50:2017).

5. National Standard TCVN 6396-21:2020 (EN 81-21:2018) Safety requirements for construction and installation of elevators - Passenger and goods elevators - Part 21: New passenger elevators, new passenger and goods elevators in buildings in use published pursuant to Decision No. 3215/QĐ-BKHCN dated November 19, 2020 of the Ministry of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as TCVN 6396-21:2020).

6. National Standard TCVN 9358:2012 Installation of grounding systems for industrial facilities - General requirements published in 2012 by the Ministry of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as TCVN 9358:2012).

7. National Standard TCVN 7550:2005 (ISO 4344:2004) Steel wire ropes for elevators - Minimum requirements published pursuant to Decision No. 2732/QĐ-BKHCN dated December 9, 2008 of the Ministry of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as TCVN 7550:2005).

8. National Standard TCVN 6904:2001 Elevators - Test methods - Safety requirements for construction and installation published pursuant to Decision No. 2376/QĐ-BKHCN dated October 24, 2008 of the Ministry of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as TCVN 6904:2001).

9. National Standard TCVN 6905:2001 Hydraulic elevators - Test methods for safety requirements for construction and installation published pursuant to Decision No. 2376/QĐ-BKHCN dated October 24, 2008 of the Ministry of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as TCVN 6905:2001).

In case the national technical regulations and national standards cited in this inspection procedure are supplemented, amended, or replaced, they shall be applied according to the latest document.

Article 4. Terms and Definitions

This procedure uses the terms and definitions in the referenced documents above, and some terms and definitions in this procedure are understood as follows:

1. Elevator is a lifting device serving predetermined floors, with a cabin of appropriate size and structure to carry people and goods, moving along vertical or inclined guide rails not exceeding 15° from the vertical direction.

2. Initial technical safety inspection is an activity to assess the technical safety condition of the elevator according to national technical regulations and safety technical standards after installation but before putting it into use.

3. Periodic technical safety inspection is an activity to assess the technical safety condition of the elevator according to national technical regulations and safety technical standards when the previous inspection period has expired.

4. Unusual technical safety inspection is an activity to assess the technical safety condition of the elevator according to national technical regulations and safety technical standards when:

a) After repair, upgrade, or major renovation affecting the technical safety condition of the elevator. The following issues are considered major repairs:

- Repairs that change from the manufacturer's design related to:

+ Rated speed;

+ Rated load;

+ Cabin size;

+ Travel distance.

- Changing or replacing:

+ Locking device type (replacing a locking device with the same type does not constitute a significant change);

+ Control system;

+ Elevator drive cable;

+ Guide rail;

+ Door type (or adding one or more cabin doors or floor doors);

+ Drive machine or drive sheave;

+ Overspeed governor;

+ Shock absorber;

+ Safety brake;

+ Device preventing unintended cabin movement;

+ Braking device;

+ Jack, Cylinder-piston;

+ Pressure relief valve;

+ Cut-off valve;

+ Relief valve/check valve;

+ Mechanical device to prevent cabin movement;

+ Mechanical device to stop the cabin;

+ Working platform;

+ Mechanical device to block the cabin or mobile stops;

+ Equipment for emergency operation and rescue.

Note: Any items or equipment changed or replaced must have equivalent characteristics and technical specifications to the original design of the elevator manufacturer.

b) When requested by the facility or competent authority.

Article 5. Equipment and tools for inspection

1. Equipment and tools for inspection must be inspected and calibrated according to regulations. Equipment and tools for inspection include:

a) Speed meter (speed measuring device)

b) Distance measuring equipment

c) Tools for geometric size inspection

d) Temperature measuring equipment

đ) Light intensity measuring equipment

e) Insulation resistance measuring equipment

g) Ground resistance measuring equipment

h) Multimeter

i) Clamp ammeter

k) Leveling instrument (if necessary)

2. The accuracy of measuring instruments allowed for performing measurements with the following permissible deviations, except where specific requirements are different:

a) ± 1 % for mass, force, distance, speed

b) ± 2 % for acceleration, deceleration

c) ± 5 % for voltage, current

d) ± 5 % for temperature

đ) ± 2.5 % for flow rate

e) ± 1 % for pressure P ≤ 200 kPa

g) ± 5 % for pressure P > 200 kPa

3. Equipment and tools used for technical safety inspection of elevators must comply with legal provisions on measurement.

Article 6. Inspection Conditions

When conducting inspections, the following conditions must be ensured:

1. The elevator must be in a state ready for inspection

2. The technical documentation of the elevator must be complete

3. Environmental and weather factors must not affect the inspection results

4. Safety and hygiene conditions for operating the elevator must be met

Article 7. Preparation for Inspection

1. The inspection organization and the entity requesting inspection shall coordinate: Agree on the inspection plan, prepare conditions for inspection, and appoint personnel to participate and witness the inspection

2. The entity requesting inspection: Prepare documentation, history records, and related materials concerning the elevator as specified in Clause 1 of Article 8 of this procedure

3. The inspection organization and the entity requesting inspection shall coordinate: Agree on measures to ensure safety; Equip sufficient personal protective equipment to ensure safety during the inspection process

Article 8. Inspection Steps

When conducting technical safety inspection of elevators, inspectors must sequentially perform the following inspection steps, the next step can only be carried out when the previous step meets the requirements. The inspection steps include:

1. Step 1: Inspect documentation and elevator history

a) Elevator history: Evaluate according to Points 3.1.1 and 3.4.2 QCVN 02:2019

b) Certificate of conformity: Evaluate according to Point 3.1.2 QCVN 02:2019 (for initial inspection cases)

c) Inspection certificate, inspection report already issued (not checked for initial inspection cases)

d) Maintenance records: Evaluate according to Points 3.5.1, 3.5.2.5 and 3.5.3.3 QCVN 02:2019

đ) Maintenance, repair, replacement records (if any): Evaluate according to Point 3.5.2.5 QCVN 02:2019

e) Design and construction completion documents for elevator shaft (for installation and initial inspection cases): Evaluate the contents of the documents according to Clauses 2.1.1.11, 2.1.1.12, 2.1.1.13, 2.1.1.14, 2.1.1.15 and 2.1.1.16 QCVN 02:2019

2. Step 2: Technical external inspection

a) Check the completeness and consistency of the elevator, evaluate according to Point 3.2 TCVN 6904:2001 for electric elevators or Clause 3.2 TCVN 6905:2001 for hydraulic elevators; accuracy between manufacturer and installer documentation and actual conditions (regarding technical parameters, specifications, brand)

b) Check the accuracy between manufacturer and installer documentation and actual conditions (regarding technical parameters, specifications, brand)

c) Check defects and deformations of parts and assemblies (if any)

d) Inspect and examine the technical condition of parts and assemblies

đ) Check the arrangement of electrical panels, switches in the machine room; electrical wiring from main panel to control cabinet, from control cabinet to machine parts, travel limit devices

e) Check counterweight frame, installation of counterweight plates in the frame, securing of plates in the frame

g) Check sheaves, counterweight cable tension control:

+ Condition of counterweight support bearing

+ Sheave protection

+ Cable slack control device

h) Check drive sheaves, cable direction, protective shielding

i) Check cable end fixings both at car and counterweight sides

k) Overall environmental and operational conditions check of the elevator

Evaluation: The inspection result meets requirements when the elevator has all required components installed according to the manufacturer's design, without detected damage, defects, or abnormal conditions and complies with the requirements of this clause

3. Step 3: Inspect and assess the technical condition of elevator parts

The inspector must fully inspect and assess the technical condition of the elevator according to the following contents:

a) Shaft inspection

- Check equipment required in the shaft: Evaluate according to Point 2.1.1.6 QCVN 02:2019

- Check other equipment installed in the shaft: Evaluate according to Point 2.1.1.2 QCVN 02:2019

- Check pit environment: Pit cleanliness, water seepage, lighting: Evaluate according to Point 2.1.1.16 QCVN 02:2019

- Check shaft enclosure: Evaluate according to Points 2.1.1.11, 2.1.4.6, 2.1.4.7 and 2.1.4.8 QCVN 02:2019

- Check rescue doors, inspection doors: Evaluate according to Point 2.1.3 QCVN 02:2019

- Horizontal distance between the inner surface of the shaft wall and the threshold, door frame or outer edge of sliding door: Evaluate according to Points 2.1.4.7, 2.2.10, 2.2.11 and 2.2.12 QCVN 02:2019

- Check floor door control equipment: technical condition, mechanical and electrical interlocking: Evaluate according to Points 2.2.8 and 2.2.19.3 QCVN 02:2019

- Shaft lighting: Evaluate according to Point 2.1.1.5 QCVN 02:2019

- Shaft ventilation: Evaluate according to Point 2.1.1.4 QCVN 02:2019

- Clear opening dimensions of floor doors: Evaluate according to Points 2.2.5 and 2.2.6 QCVN 02:2019

- Refuge space at top of shaft: Evaluate according to Points 2.1.4.10 and 2.1.4.12 QCVN 02:2019. For residential elevators, evaluate according to Point 3.3.1 QCVN 32:2018

- Evacuation space in the hoistway: Evaluate according to Points 2.1.4.11 and 2.1.4.12 QCVN 02:2019. For residential elevators, evaluate according to Point 3.3.2 QCVN 32:2018.

- Hoistway entrance: Evaluate according to Point 2.1.2 QCVN 02:2019.

- Shock absorber inspection: Evaluate according to Point 2.7 QCVN 02:2019.

b) Machine room and equipment inside the machine room (not applicable for elevators without a machine room).

- Inspection of the machine room and equipment within the machine room: Evaluate according to Point 2.1.1.2 QCVN 02:2019.

- Inspection of the machine room entrance, railings, and stairs within the machine room: Evaluate according to Point 2.1.2.4 QCVN 02:2019.

- Inspection of the installation positions of machinery units, electrical cabinets, and measurement of safe distances between them and building structures within the machine room: Evaluate according to Point 2.9 QCVN 02:2019.

- Inspection of the environment within the machine room (temperature, lighting, ventilation): The temperature inside the machine room must be maintained between +5 °C and +40 °C. For ventilation and lighting, evaluate according to Points 2.1.1.4 and 2.1.1.16 QCVN 02.2019.

- Inspection of the machine room entry door (door leaf - lock): Evaluate according to Points 2.1.3.2.1 and 2.1.3.3 QCVN 02:2019.

- Lighting in the machine room: Evaluate according to Points 2.1.1.5.4 and 2.1.2.2 QCVN 02:2019.

c) Car and equipment inside the car

- Clear opening size of the car door: Evaluate according to Points 2.2.5 and 2.2.6 QCVN 02:2019.

- Clear height inside the car: Evaluate according to Point 2.3.1 QCVN 02:2019.

- Rated load and maximum car area: Evaluate according to Points 2.3.2 and 2.3.3 QCVN 02:2019.

- User guide and emergency handling instructions: Evaluate according to Point 2.3.5.4 QCVN 02:2019.

- Contact number for responsible person: Evaluate according to Point 2.3.5.5 QCVN 02:2019.

- Emergency communication system.

- Inspection of the escape hatch on top of the car: Evaluate according to Point 2.3.10 QCVN 02:2019.

- Inspection of the horizontal safety distance between the car and counterweight, including protruding parts of both components, which must not be less than 0.05 m.

- Inspection of the electrical safety control device for door opening and closing: Evaluate according to Points 2.2.17; 2.2.18; 2.2.19; 2.2.20; 2.2.24; 2.2.27 and 2.2.28 QCVN 02:2019.

- Inspection of the gap between the two car doors and the gap between the door leaf and the car frame: Evaluate according to Point 5.3.1.4 TCVN 6396-20:2017.

- Inspection of the technical condition and operation of the anti-trap device: Evaluate according to Points 2.2.17; 2.2.18; 2.2.19 and 2.2.20 QCVN 02:2019.

- Inspection of the horizontal safety distance between the car sill and floor sill (this value shall not exceed 35 mm).

- Overload warning device: Evaluate according to Point 2.10.6.1 QCVN 02:2019.

- Floor stop indication, floor stop accuracy: Evaluate according to Points 2.3.4.4.1, 2.10.3 and 2.10.4 QCVN 02:2019.

- Door lock: Evaluate according to Point 2.2.14 QCVN 02:2019.

- Car lighting: Evaluate according to Points 2.2.21 and 2.3.14 QCVN 02:2019.

- Ventilation: Evaluate according to Point 2.3.13 QCVN 02:2019.

d) Equipment to prevent car overspeed

- Overspeed governor:

+ On the overspeed governor, all parameters must be fully marked: Operating speed corresponding to the design speed of the elevator, year of manufacture, and manufacturer.

+ On the overspeed governor, the direction of rotation must be marked corresponding to the direction of operation of the safety brake.

+ Inspect the operational status of the overspeed governor.

+ For newly inspected elevators, the overspeed governor control part must still have the manufacturer's seal. When the elevator is put into service, if adjustments are required, they must be fully recorded in the maintenance logbook, and the adjuster must sign and clearly state their name, taking responsibility for the adjustment work.

+ The safety electrical contact of the overspeed governor must remain closed during normal operation; when the contact opens, the elevator must stop.

- Safety brake: Evaluate according to Points 2.5.4, 2.5.5, 2.5.6, 2.5.7, 2.5.8, 2.5.9 and 2.5.10 QCVN 02:2019.

- Steel rope:

+ Evaluate according to Point 2.5.11 QCVN 02:2019.

+ For ropes that do not meet requirements, they must be evaluated and removed based on the provisions in Appendix E TCVN 7550:2005.

đ) Counterweight and balancing mass, suspension structure, compensation structure, and related protective devices.

- Suspension equipment for the car, counterweight, or balancing mass: Evaluate according to Points 2.4.2 and 2.4.4 QCVN 02:2019.

- Drive sheave, directional sheave: Evaluate according to Points 2.4.3, 2.4.13 and 2.4.15 QCVN 02:2019.

e) Drive machinery and associated equipment

- Drive machinery and drive method: Evaluate according to Point 2.8.11 QCVN 02:2019 for electric elevators or Point 2.8.15 QCVN 02:2019 for hydraulic elevators.

- Braking system (technical condition of the brake, brake shoes, brake springs): Evaluate according to Point 2.8.3 QCVN 02:2019.

g) Control system, safety devices

- Electrical equipment inspection: Evaluate according to Point 2.9 QCVN 02:2019.

- Control system inspection and limit switches: Evaluate according to Point 2.10 QCVN 02:2019.

h) Guide rails: Evaluate according to Point 2.6 QCVN 02:2019.

i) Rescue system

- Manual rescue: Evaluate according to Point 2.11.1.1 QCVN 02:2019.

- Electric rescue: Evaluate according to Point 2.11.1.2 QCVN 02:2019.

- Rescue procedure: Evaluate according to Point 2.11.1.4 QCVN 02:2019.

k) Insulation resistance, earth resistance

- Insulation resistance: Evaluate according to Table 16 TCVN 6396-20:2017.

- Check the result of earth resistance measurement: ≤ 4Ω (according to TCVN 9358:2012).

4. Step 4: Elevator operation test

a) No-load test:

Operate the elevator, with the car going up and down three cycles, observe the operation of the components.

EVALUATION OF RESULTS: The results meet the requirements when the equipment operates according to its designed function, and no abnormal phenomena are detected.

b) Full-load dynamic test at 100% rated load:

Load the cabin evenly, operate the elevator at the rated speed, and check the following parameters:

c) Dynamic load test at 125% of the rated load:

Load 125% of the rated load evenly on the car floor at the top stop, run the elevator down and check:

d) Test the rescue system:

đ) Test the rescue alarm system:

e) Check the overload limit device: Evaluate according to Point 2.8.3.2.4 QCVN 02:2019.

g) Test the counterweight safety brake (if applicable): Method and evaluation according to Point 4.2.3.2 TCVN 6904:2001.

h) Test the shock absorber: Method and evaluation according to Point 4.2.5 TCVN 6904:2001.

i) Test pressure: Method and evaluation according to Point 4.2.8 TCVN 6905:2001 (applicable for hydraulic elevators).

k) Test special operating programs of the elevator (if applicable):

- Operation mode of the elevator in case of emergency: fire, earthquake;

- Priority running mode.

l) EVALUATION OF RESULTS: The inspection results meet the requirements when the elevator has all components installed according to design specifications, without any damage, defects, or abnormal phenomena, and satisfies the requirements set forth in this clause.

5. Step 5: Handle Inspection Results

a) Prepare the inspection report with complete contents according to the model prescribed in the Appendix attached to this procedure.

b) Approve the inspection report

The minimum participants required to approve the inspection report must include the following members:

- A representative of the facility or a person authorized by the facility;

- A person assigned to participate and witness the inspection;

- Inspector conducting the inspection.

When the report is approved, the inspector, witnesses of the inspection, representatives of the facility or persons authorized by the facility sign and affix their seals (if any) on the report. The inspection report shall be prepared in two (02) copies, each party responsible for retaining one (01) copy.

c) Summarize the inspection results in the elevator's history record (clearly state the inspector's name, date of inspection).

d) Enter the inspection results into the database to print the inspection label and Certificate of Inspection Results (if required).

đ) Affix the inspection label: When the elevator's inspection results meet the technical safety requirements, the inspector shall affix the inspection label to the equipment. The inspection label must be placed in a visible location.

e) Issue the Certificate of Inspection Results:

- When the elevator's inspection results meet the technical safety requirements, the inspection organization shall issue the Certificate of Inspection Results to the elevator within five working days from the date of approval of the inspection report at the facility.

- When the elevator's inspection results do not meet the requirements, only steps a and b of Clause 5 Article 8 of this Procedure shall be carried out, and only the inspection report shall be issued to the facility, clearly stating the reasons why the elevator does not meet the inspection requirements, recommending the facility to rectify the issues and the time frame for implementing such recommendations; simultaneously send the inspection report and notification to the local labor management authority where the elevator is installed and used.

Article 9. Period of Technical Safety Inspection

1. The periodic technical safety inspection period for elevators installed in residential buildings, offices, shopping centers, hospitals, hotels, production facilities, or public areas is two (02) years.

2. The periodic technical safety inspection period for elevators installed in other construction projects not mentioned in Clause 1 of this Article is three (03) years.

3. The periodic technical safety inspection period for elevators that have been in use for over fifteen (15) years is one (01) year.

4. Based on the condition of the equipment, the technical safety inspection periods specified in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of this Article may be shortened at the discretion of the inspector upon agreement with the owner or manager of the elevator. In cases where the inspection period is shortened, the inspector must clearly record the reasons for shortening in the inspection report.