CHENNAI: Elevators that would hit the Indian market from Dec this year will have a new safety feature. The elevator car will get locked only after doors are closed akin to the doors of metro train compartments that shut and lock automatically. It is aimed at preventing the movement of elevator cars with open doors and avoiding accidents in lifts in the country, which is the second-largest market for elevators after China.

The elevators will be equipped with speed governors. The Ascending Car Overspeed Protection (a safety system) will stop the upward overspeed in the event of control failure. These are part of the new lift code mandated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that all elevator manufacturers in the country must comply by Dec 22, 2025. The move will enhance the safety of elevators in states, where lift laws were absent. Currently, 17 states have an act and rules for installation and operation of elevators and escalators. The new IS 17900 Part 1 & 2 standards at par with the European standards (EN 81-20/50) will bring the Indian vertical transportation industry in line with the international benchmark norms. The key enhancements include introducing stringent requirements for structural integrity, door systems, emergency communication, and inclusive design. It mandates the use of advanced protective technologies such as light curtains and fail-safe door locking mechanisms, while also requiring elevators to be equipped with two-way communication systems that remain operational during power outages and fire safety and evacuation procedures. Moreover, the new standards also address the safety of elevator technicians, who are engaged in maintenance.