Elevator doors are one of the most important parts of any elevator, opening and closing with each stop on a floor to allow passengers to enter and exit. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the installation steps carefully to prevent potential hazards and future financial damages. In this article, we discuss the general steps of installing elevator doors and related considerations.
Elevator doors operate with the assistance of an electric motor connected to the elevator's computer. Cabin doors are made up of two panels that lock together when the doors open and separate when the doors close. When the cabin arrives at a floor, the computer commands the doors to open, and they close before the cabin starts moving again. Many elevators have a motion sensor system, also known as an elevator photocell, to prevent the doors from closing if an obstruction is detected between them. Cabin doors have a clutch mechanism that unlocks the external doors of each floor. This means that the external doors only open when the cabin is positioned at the desired floor.
Several main steps must be followed for the complete installation of elevator doors to ensure their proper and safe operation. In the following article, we provide a general overview of the stages required for elevator installation.
General Steps for Elevator Installation:
1. Site Assessment
2. Examination and Design of Elevator Doors
3. Installation of Elevator Doors
4. Installation of Elevator Cabin Doors
Before commencing elevator installation, elevator engineers must visit the installation site to ensure compliance of dimensions and other conditions with building standards and regulations. During this visit, the installation expert must ensure the compatibility of installation conditions with the elevator. These conditions include having elevator installation permits and the compatibility of electrical facilities for door placement and installation. Additionally, before starting installation, it must be ensured that all necessary facilities and conditions are available on-site. For instance, the installation expert should:
- Inspect elevator shaft conditions, including cleanliness and dimensions.
- Ensure that all shaft entrances are equipped with door protection devices provided by the elevator manufacturer to prevent personnel falls.
- Verify the presence of equipment such as elevator shaft liners, door sensors, and ventilation ducts to prevent delays in door installation stages. Additionally, ensure the availability of three-phase electrical facilities for cabin and door installation.
- Having a clean and dry storage space on the ground floor near the shaft with easy access is essential.
Based on the technical information gathered from this site visit, the design phase can proceed to the next stage.
In this stage, elevator engineers plan the primary design for elevator door installation based on customer needs, elevator capacity, building conditions, usage type, and other technical details. The information obtained from the previous stage greatly assists in elevator door design. The elevator door design should ensure functionality, safety, and longevity. Some of the issues addressed in this stage include:
1. Type of elevator door: Factors such as elevator usage type, building structure, and internal factors influence the selection of door type. Accordion doors, telescopic doors (single-side opening), and central doors (mid-opening) are among the most common types of doors used today.
2. Door size: The size of the elevator door depends on factors such as building structure, elevator usage type, elevator capacity, and elevator shaft size. Therefore, based on these factors, standard door sizes are available.
3. Door operation type: Elevator doors are categorized into manual, automatic, and semi-automatic operation based on their functionality.
4. Safety features of the door: The most important safety features of the door include door sensors, door locks, and emergency stop buttons.
Once the pre-installation conditions have been assessed and the type of elevator door design has been determined by the relevant expert, we proceed to the installation stage of the elevator door.
To install elevator doors, the foundation and basic groundwork must first be completed. The implementation of the foundation in the elevator includes the presence of guiding rails and other components connected to the door, which enables precise adjustment of functionality.
1. Initially, the components and parts of the shaft, where the cabin is placed, need to be provided. These include elevator doors, door frames, and cabin operation panels.
2. In the next stage, the elevator doors are placed inside the shaft, and then the necessary electrical equipment and wiring are installed, including the motor, control equipment, and safety devices.
3. Subsequently, we move on to the testing and pre-installation inspection stage. At this stage, the installation of the elevator door is completed, and necessary checks and initial performance tests must be conducted to ensure proper and safe operation.
4. Note that depending on the building conditions and specific requirements, the installation process may vary.
Proper installation of elevator cabin doors significantly affects the reliable and safe operation of the elevator. Elevator cabin doors usually come equipped with door guide rails, door motors, movable arms, door suspension panels, etc., before being released to the market. Therefore, after installing the door opening mechanism and complementary components, the elevator cabin can be installed.
Firstly, it is necessary to determine the height of the cabin door guide rail and simultaneously ensure the alignment and bracket adjustment of the door so that the front part of the cabin guide rail fits into the inner edge of the cabin door slot in a vertical position. Then, the operator in the cabin must adjust the elevator car door vertically. This is done by suspending a plumb bob or hanging the frame and guide rail on both ends of the suspension panel to make it vertical, then tightening the connection screw after adjusting.
Proper installation of elevator doors is crucial for ensuring passenger safety and the longevity of the elevator. If the elevator doors are not installed correctly and safely, they can cause numerous problems in residential and commercial environments. In addition to proper installation, regular maintenance and repair of the elevator doors are also important to ensure not only the proper functioning of the doors but also to improve their lifespan.
Elevator door installation is a specialized activity and must be entrusted to a knowledgeable individual or company. Owjlift Company, while providing a complete elevator package, also specializes in elevator installation and maintenance services. In recent years, it has become one of the best elevator companies in Mashhad, having successfully completed projects in neighboring countries such as Oman and Iraq in the field of elevator installation and consultancy for electric stairs.
Why is elevator door service and maintenance important?
With regular maintenance of the elevator door, it is possible to ensure the improvement of the service life of the elevator doors while maintaining the door performance.
What are considered in the design and review phase of the elevator door?
At this stage, factors such as the type of elevator door, door size, door function type and door safety features are examined.
In the stage of evaluating the installation site, what items are generally examined?
Before starting to install the elevator door, the elevator engineers must visit the door installation site and make sure that the sizes and other conditions comply with the building standards and rules.