Haryana government takes the lead in prioritizing its public’s safety by mandating ERD (Emergency Rescue Device) in lifts

The government of Haryana has exhibited foresight and demonstrated that it is the duty of every administration (state, centre) to adopt measures to safeguard the safety of the population.

In contrast to earlier eras, high-rise structures and the use of elevators are now commonplace in urban areas. But there are numerous unanswered questions regarding lift safety rules.

Except for Haryana, most state governments have so far responded mediocrely to the problem of lift passenger safety.

The government of Haryana has exhibited foresight and demonstrated that it is the duty of every administration (state, centre) to adopt measures to safeguard the safety of the population. It just updated the “Haryana Lifts and Escalators Act, 2008,” ahead of other states.

Since the Act has changed, owners of high-rise structures (those over 15 metres in height) are required to install Emergency Rescue Devices (ERD) in their elevators, preventing accidents brought on by passengers becoming stranded in elevators.

The change is made with the security of anyone trapped in the elevator after an unexpected power outage in mind. The lift abruptly stops operating when the grid power is lost, and all of the lights dim. This circumstance induces anxiety, bewilderment, and even emetophobia (fear of riding elevators). Other symptoms of extreme conditions include shortness of breath, dry mouth, wooziness, heart failure, and so forth.

What is Haryana Lifts and Escalators (Amendment) Act, 2020?

All high-rise building and commercial project owners were previously required to install ARDs (Automatic Rescue Devices) in their elevators.

After the lift stops, it takes at least 30 to 1 minute for ARD to start working. Passengers fear for their lives throughout this time. ARD moves the lift car to the closest floor and unlocks the doors for the exit rather than the location of the passengers.

Even with an ARD installed in the elevator system, passengers still had to deal with the jerks and terrible metal grinding noise.

The government of Haryana is the first in India to take action in response to these public safety concerns. The “Haryana Lifts and Escalators (Amendment) Act, 2020” amends the current Haryana Lifts and Escalators Act, 2008, changing its name.

The act’s amendment mandates that building owners include an ERD device into each of their structure’s escalators. In the state of Haryana, no elevator can run without utilising ERD technology.

What does this amendment mean for the general public?

Commercial facilities like hotels, malls, hospitals, etc. can improve the comfort of their customers by giving them a jerk-free operation by installing ERD devices in lifts.

ERD is a strong backup system that, in contrast to ARD, does not halt the lift in the event of a power outage. The lift’s power source—ERD or grid—is completely unknown to the occupants, who arrive at their destination without interruption or terrifying jerks.

A lift with an ERD integrated means a pregnant woman won’t be late for her doctor’s appointment, a child riding alone won’t scream for their life, a disabled person won’t feel helpless, or a businessperson won’t miss their crucial meeting or appointment.

At the occupants’ destination, the lifts stop and open their doors normally. Depending on the ERD placed in the lift system, backup can be provided for a minimum of fifteen minutes and a maximum of two days.

In the event of any accident that resulted in the lift passengers experiencing unnecessary suffering and harm, the old laws were unable to assign blame, determine who was to blame, or identify the offenders. The owners can now be held accountable for their ignorance by the elderly.