An earthquake, even a light one, can distort or break the precisely aligned components of an elevator system. Possible damage due to a seismic event includes derailed counterweights (which could collide with the cabs), damaged or unseated wire rope and broken or damaged rails or guide rollers. Even a small tremor could bend a rail bracket that could cause eventual failure of the rail months later.
An intelligent seismic detection system can help passengers by quickly getting the elevator to the nearest stop and prompting the passengers to exit the cab.
Seismic countermeasures are fully addressed in ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. Following are common ways of detecting and dealing with seismic events and maintaining A17 Code compliance.
What is a seismic event?
A seismic event (or earthquake) happens when a break or slip occurs between the tectonic plates that make up the earth’s crust. The force of an earthquake is carried out from the event in waves, just like the ripples in a pond caused by a tossed pebble. Soil compresses, expands and moves up and down just like a water wave.
An earthquake travels as waves through the earth’s crust. The primary, or P, wave is a shallow, fast-moving wave. Both solid and liquid materials in the Earth’s interior can transmit P waves. It is almost always followed by a secondary, or S, wave which is slower, deeper and more destructive. S waves travel only through solid material within the Earth and do the heavy damage associated with earthquakes. Since P waves travel twice as fast as S waves, the time between their arrivals will increase as they travel from the epicenter of the quake.
How can an earthquake damage an elevator?
The damage caused by even a strong local earthquake is often not visible. Problems arise from the operation of the elevator AFTER the damage has been done. One major concern is counterweight derailment. A stationary derailed counterweight is a problem; a moving derailed counterweight can be deadly if it swings into the hoistway and strikes the cab. At the very least, a derailed counterweight has large inertial forces that could damage the rails, brackets or guidance assemblies if it moves.
Unseated wire ropes are another concern. It is certainly a problem if the quake unseats ropes that aren’t in motion, but if the motor continues to turn, significant damage could result to the elevator system.
How can I tell if I need seismic detection equipment?
The United States Geologic Survey has divided the US into Seismic Zones with ratings of 1 (very little chance of earthquakes) to 4 (high probability of earthquakes - see map above). These zones govern building standards for federal projects (such as Veteran’s Administration hospitals). Obviously, the San Andreas Fault area of California is rated 4, but so is the Mississippi Valley between Tennessee/Arkansas and the area around Charleston, South Carolina.
Electronic seismic detectors for elevators sense and measure acceleration on three axis. If this motion, measured in Gs, exceeds a programmed limit, the detector signals the elevator controller to stop the cab at the nearest floor.
How do seismic counter-measure devices operate?
Modern elevator systems have a couple of ways to determine if they have sustained damage due to an earthquake. The ‘Ring On A String’ counterweight displacement hardware is a simple way to detect counterweight derailment. Two steel cables run parallel to the counterweight guide rails and pass through a pair of eyebolts located on the counterweight. If an eyebolt contacts a cable (which indicates counterweight displacement), an electrical circuit is completed which tells the controller to stop and redirect the car immediately.
A more exact way to determine if and when an elevator should be shut down is an electronic seismic detector that senses and measures acceleration on all three axis. If this motion, measured in Gs, exceeds a programmed limit, the detector signals the elevator controller to stop the cab at the nearest floor to permit a speedy exit by the passengers.
A fully featured sensor (like the Draka Event Monitoring Device [EMD] shown above) detects both P and S waves and will act accordingly. When the sensor detects a P wave of sufficient amplitude, it will send a signal to the elevator to stop at the nearest floor and allow the passengers to exit the cab before the more damaging S waves arrive. The elevator will remain out of commission until it is repaired and reset by a qualified technician. As an added bonus, the EMD will also record the date, time, duration, and peak acceleration in each axis for a seismic event that it detects, which can aid engineers in determining the extent of any damage.
What can be done to protect against seismic damage?
There are preemptive measures that can be taken to minimize the potential damage of an earthquake. For instance: the counterweight is potentially the most dangerous component in an elevator system and the most likely to be adversely affected by earthquakes. Everything must be done to contain its mass. Use box brackets to reinforce the counterweight rails so as to keep the counterweight from swinging free.
The importance of a seismic detection system in high-risk regions cannot be understated. A modern electronic seismic detector is highly recommended for the capabilities it offers for detecting and measuring an earthquake. For Zone 2 applications, use of seismic-rated rail brackets or a Ring On A String detector is necessary (the ring system is much less expensive). For Zone 3 and higher, a Ring On A String is required and an EMD sensor or a similar device is recommended. In all cases, what is required to meet all local and national codes must be done.
Images courtesy of Draka Elevator
Sterrett Lloyd
Sterrett Lloyd, Draka Elevator Products, Inc., a business unit of the Prysmian Group. Mr. Lloyd currently holds the position of president, where he directs the company’s worldwide operations. He began his lifetime of industry service as an elevator contractor and is the third generation of his family to work in the industry. Sterrett Lloyd joined Draka Elevator in 2001 as Vice President of Sales, and progressed to Chief Operating Officer, and then to his current position of President in 2011.