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As vertical urbanization gains momentum, elevators are increasingly becoming common in most cities. Today, more than 1,000,000 elevators have been installed in the US. About 325 million riders use these elevators daily. With the increased elevator demand, there is a need for construction industry players to enhance elevator installation safety for the workers who make them possible. To help your organization enhance protection and minimize risk for technicians, we'll give you the most important information you need to know about a possible solution for your next project: elevator installation false cars.
What Are Elevator Installation False Cars?
No, elevator installation false cars are not fake elevators. Instead, they are temporary platforms used during elevator installation or repairs. The false cars substitute the actual elevator car, providing a stable and movable work platform for installers and maintenance technicians. They enhance job efficiency while ensuring elevator installation safety compliance.
While false cars aren't your only options, you may want to know why contractors and high-rise building owners prefer them over conventional alternatives. But before examining the benefits of using false cars during elevator installation, let's explore other options and talk about why they may or may not work.
Alternatives to False Cars Platform Lifts
Conventional platform lifts include:
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Scaffolding— a temporary metallic or wooden structure that supports the work crew and materials during elevator installation.
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Hydraulic or Pneumatic Work Platforms. The hydraulic or pneumatic work platforms use compressed air or a motor and gear system to lift and lower work platforms. Elevator installers can use this work platform to access different areas of the shaft.
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Rope Descent Systems (RDS). An RDS is a non-motorized fall protection safety harness that uses gravity to allow access to different areas of the elevator shaft or elevator pit. You can opt for a partial or full-body harness, depending on the height of the elevator pit or other considerations.
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Cranes and Hoists. Installation workers can also use cranes and hoists to access the elevator shaft during maintenance.
Alternatives to elevator installation false cars may work in some situations, but they may not match their safety and efficiency. Here are some specific reasons why the false cars have revolutionized elevator installation.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Platform Lift for Elevator Installation
Choosing the best platform lift for elevator installation can be hectic, especially if you do not know what different projects need. However, you use these factors as your guide.
Safety
The platform lift of choice should provide a safe working environment for your installation crew. Moreover, the platform should comply with elevator installation safety regulations as defined by OSHA or state building codes. In most cases, safety regulations for elevator installation adhere to OSHA's definition of confined spaces.
OSHA defines a confined space as one which:
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Has limited entry and exit openings
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It is designed for continuous human occupancy
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Is large enough for a worker to enter and conduct work
OSHA classifies elevator pits as confined spaces. If the elevator pit contains one or more hazards, it is reclassified as permit-confined space. Elevator installation platforms should protect the crew from such hazards without compromising efficiency.
Mobility and Stability
The crew moves from one position to another during the installation process. The selected platform should allow vertical and horizontal movement of the crew. In addition, it should offer personnel and material stability to reduce the risk of accidents.
Why Use False Cars for Elevator Installations?
False cars have become a top choice for elevator installers due to the following reasons.
Safety Compliance
False cars provide a safe and stable platform for the crew to work within the elevator shaft. They reduce the risk of falls and other accidents, ensuring that workers can install components securely and efficiently. Moreover, false cars are enclosed platforms, meaning they provide a canopy that protects workers against injuries from falling objects. False cars are also elevator installation safety-compliant.
Enhanced Efficiency
Using a false car allows for a quicker and more systematic installation process. Your installation crew can easily move up and down the shaft to install guide rails, wiring, and other components, without waiting for the actual elevator car.
Ease of Access
False cars provide access to all levels of the elevator shaft, which is particularly useful for installing components that span multiple floors, such as guide rails and wiring systems.
Components that Make a False Car Ideal for Elevator Installation
Stable Platform
The platform is the main surface where workers stand. It must be sturdy and capable of supporting the weight of multiple technicians and their equipment. False cars are known for their stable platforms, which gives the crew the confidence required for optimal concentration.
Guide Rails
Guide rails ensure the false car moves smoothly up and down the elevator shaft. They are installed early in the process and guide both the false car and the actual elevator car.
Safety Equipment
Safety equipment in a false car includes guardrails, a quality fall protection safety harness for each team member, and other safety gear to protect workers from falls and other hazards. The safety equipment in the false cars ensures compliance with OSHA, state building codes, and other regulations. However, it is always advisable to confirm local safety regulations and guidelines to ensure compliance.
Hoisting vs Pushing Mechanism
False cars will often use a system of ropes, pulleys, or a temporary motorized hoist that pulls the car up and down the shaft.
Conversely, some companies have opted for a hoist that is mounted under the floor of the false car, effectively pushing it up the shaft. This configuration can save space on the deck and provide a safer area for the worker.
The choice between the two is often determined by the installer.
Consider False Cars for Your Next Elevator Installation
Almost every high-rise building requires an elevator. With increased demand for elevator installation, you need a platform lift that complies with OSHA and other safety regulations. Moreover, you require a platform lift that works well in confined spaces, while keeping your crew safe from accidents. That's why we recommend false cars in elevator installation.
Although their name suggests otherwise, false cars are a game changer in elevator installation. When combined with a fall protection safety harness solution, they can grant your workers mobility, overhead canopy cover, and minimized risk from potential fall hazards. Contact Tractel today to learn more about the advantages of using false cars in elevator installation.