Lift Entrapments in Singapore: Common Causes & How to Prevent Them
A lift entrapment occurs when individuals are trapped inside a lift due to mechanical failures, power outages, or when lift component malfunctions. This term is commonly used in lift breakdown and emergency response situations, when individuals are trapped inside the lift car and are likely to be anxious and distressed.
In this article, we'll cover the common causes of lift mantraps in Singapore and how they can be prevented.
Common Causes of Lift Entrapments in Singapore
Understanding the causes of lift entrapment is crucial for property managers and lift owners to maintain optimal lift performance and ensure occupant safety.
- Electrical Failures
Power surges, short circuits, or faulty wiring can disrupt the lift's control system, causing doors to jam or the lift to stop between floors. These issues may lead to extended lift breakdown periods and lift mantrap incidents, particularly if the building does not have a backup power system or the backup power system fails to take over.
- Lift Door Malfunctions
Issues such as doors becoming stuck or failing to open or close correctly can result in lift entrapment situations too. Malfunctioning or misaligned door locking mechanisms or door sensors can prevent lift doors from closing safely and securely, thereby increasing the risk of lift entrapments.
- Mechanical Component Failures
When lifts stop abruptly or fail to move, mechanical failures such as main motor failure, faulty brakes, or malfunctioning pulleys can be the cause. Likewise, inadequate lubrication or severely worn out mechanical components may result in friction and erratic movements, which increases the risk of a lift breakdown and lift entrapment.
- Software or Control System Issues
Software glitches or control system malfunctions can lead to lift entrapments as well. Outdated firmware, programming errors, or communication failures between the lift and building management systems may cause unexpected stoppages or erratic behaviour.
These issues can complicate lift breakdown resolution in Singapore, requiring specialised engineers to diagnose and rectify the problem.
- Lack of Preventive Lift Maintenance
In Singapore, lift owners are required to engage a BCA-approved lift contractor for regular lift maintenance.
Nonetheless, lift maintenance may not be sufficient to completely eradicate lift breakdowns and lift entrapments. This is especially true if:
The maintenance is only routine or reactive in nature
The lift in question is old (usually more than 15 years old) and has not undergone lift modernisation
There is no Maintenance Control Plan (MCP) that details regular condition assessments for safety-critical lift components
How to Prevent Lift Entrapment Issues in Singapore
Preventing lift entrapment issues in Singapore requires a proactive approach to lift maintenance and lift modernisation.
Regular Lift Maintenance
Regular lift maintenance is crucial for preventing lift breakdown and lift entrapment issues.
Home lifts, vertical platform lifts, and stairlifts should be serviced minimally once every 3 months, while all other lifts should be serviced at least once a month. Your lift maintenance company should be conducting checks on:
Lift door functionality
Lift safety systems & emergency devices
Mechanical parts & lubrication
Lift electrical system
Read more on what happens during a regular lift maintenance session.
Maintenance Control Plan (MCP)
The MCP was developed by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) in Singapore, and it's meant as a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing lift safety and reliability.
It takes a proactive approach to address the root causes of lift breakdowns and ensures adherence to the rigorous lift maintenance standards—we highly recommend you to work together with your lift maintenance company to develop a MCP tailored to your building's specific lift systems.
This plan should focus on:
Life Cycle Maintenance: Criteria and suggested schedules for the prompt replacement of lift components
A Two-Stage Approach: Ensure safety-critical lift parts are monitored and replaced before they lead to lift breakdowns and lift entrapments.
Condition assessment for old lifts (> 15 years old): Evaluation criteria to decide if lift modernisation is needed to comply with current safety standards and to address potential problems due to parts obsolescence.
Lift Modernisation for Old Lifts
For older lifts, modernisation is essential to improve overall performance and prevent lift entrapment issues.
Ageing lifts experience more frequent lift breakdowns due to the wear and tear of critical components over time. This problem is common among our lift modernisation clients before we embark on a lift modernisation solution for them.
Lifts in Singapore are also designed and installed according to the Singapore Standard, reviewed every five years to include technological and industry updates. The current standard is SS550: Code of Practice for Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of Electric Passenger and Goods Lifts, along with BCA-approved guidelines.
Older lifts which are more than 15 years old will likely lack features that adhere to the latest best practices, posing safety hazards for passengers. By modernising your lifts, you'll reduce the risk of both lift breakdowns and lift entrapment situations.
Work with a BCA-approved Lift Contractor to Prevent Lift Mantraps
Partnering with a BCA-approved lift contractor will help you reduce the risk of lift breakdowns and lift entrapment situations. At Hin Chong, our team is specialized in both lift maintenance and lift modernisation.
In the case of emergency lift breakdowns or lift mantrap situations, we offer 24/7 support and a 45 minute dispatch time. If your lift has been causing you a lot of frustration, feel free to get in touch for a free and objective lift assessment.
