What is a 2-sense emergency call?
A 2-sense emergency call means that a person trapped in an elevator can communicate with the emergency call center not only via a voice connection (i.e. with the sense of hearing), but can also make an emergency call via another sense (visual perception).
How exactly does the 2-senses emergency call work?
In an emergency, trapped persons press an alarm button as usual. The emergency call is forwarded to the emergency call center. In the control center, authorized personnel answer the emergency call with a voice connection. If the emergency call center receives no response from the elevator, the emergency call center starts a visual communication with the elevator, comparable to a chat function. The person locked in can respond to the authorized personnel either by pressing the existing buttons in the car control panel (simple, rather inflexible systems) or via a touchscreen (advanced, much more flexible systems).
What are the applicable European standards for elevator emergency calls?
The DIN EN 81-28 standard describes the remote emergency call for passenger and goods elevators. The technology described therein is intended to enable people trapped in an elevator to make an emergency call. The regulations include specifications for pushbuttons and voice communication, signage and transmission of information. Optionally, an elevator can be equipped in accordance with DIN EN 81-70 ‘Accessibility of elevators for persons including persons with disabilities’. Here, for example, specific requirements are placed on volume, contrast, tactility and character size for emergency calls.
Why are the current DIN EN standards not sufficient?
The current regulations focus on people without physical disabilities and people with visual impairments. However, neither standard takes into account people who cannot hear or speak, or who do not understand the language of signage and the emergency center.
What does the VDI 4705 guideline say?
The VDI 4705 guideline regulates the organizational and technical handling of emergency calls from passengers trapped in elevators. The aim of the directive is to ensure that trapped persons can make themselves known. VDI 4705 is aimed at employers and operators, building owners, architects, specialist planners, testing organizations, installation and maintenance companies, as well as emergency services. It applies to the consideration and evaluation of emergency call management for new and existing elevators. This guideline is currently being revised due to legal, normative and technical changes.
In summary, VDI 4705 stipulates that the operator of an elevator system must ensure that emergency calls from an elevator are responded to within a reasonable time and that appropriate rescue measures are carried out. He must determine a suitable implementation for each individual case from many technical and organizational solutions. The selected emergency call management system must be documented and regularly reviewed.
In accordance with VDI 4705, it should be noted that elevators are also used by people who cannot operate the emergency call button or are not familiar with its operation, such as children, people with physical disabilities (e.g. mobility, visual, auditory) and people without the necessary language skills. If the use of the elevator by persons who cannot operate the emergency call device cannot be ruled out, measures (e.g. load weighing system, optical systems, operational monitoring systems) must be implemented to prevent persons from being locked in unnoticed.
What has changed with the American guideline ASME A17.1-2019?
With ASME A17.1-2019, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in North America has for the first time created a standard that also takes into account those passenger groups whose hearing or speech is impaired. In future, it must be possible to make an emergency call via another channel in addition to the voice channel, namely non-verbally. For this purpose, the emergency call system must also be equipped with a system that enables a text-based chat function between the trapped passenger and authorized personnel in the emergency call center. In addition, cameras are required to allow authorized personnel to look into the cabin in the event of an emergency.
Will the 2-sense emergency call remain an American phenomenon?
It is very likely that the 2-Sense emergency call will become the global standard. In some cases, elements of ASME A17.1-2019 have already been included in tenders for European construction projects. Some standards committees are already discussing the implementation of the 2-sense emergency call in national regulations and the VDI 4705 guideline requires an emergency call solution that can be operated by all persons. Elevator manufacturers and operators are therefore well advised to consider solutions that go beyond the current requirements of DIN EN 81-28.
Displays: Possible applications beyond accessibility
In the event of an emergency, displays with two-senses communication meet the requirements of the new standards: They provide the text-based communication channel (in various languages) with the emergency call center. Communication can take place via the touch function of the display or via the buttons on the car control panel. It is also possible to connect a camera to the display in the event of an emergency.
But display systems can also offer other benefits for operators of public buildings: In normal elevator operation, for example, they can be used to display news, information, tenant directories and site plans, as well as current dates and multimedia data.
flexyPage®: tried-and-tested display system with two-sense emergency call
The flexyPage Smart Display System with integrated two-sense emergency call is a tried-and-tested, ready-to-install solution that meets the (future) requirements of European, German and North American accessibility standards. The displays can be retrofitted in elevators and emergency call points of any brand and type and are compatible with all commercially available emergency call devices.
The display solution expands existing voice emergency call systems with the text-based chat function including translation function and optional video connection in the cabin. People can communicate with the emergency call center in different languages using the touch function or buttons. The flexyPage Messenger is used in the emergency call center, which expands the existing systems for managing emergency calls.
flexyPage displays are available in various designs and sizes from 7 inches to 46 inches. They are highly resistant to vandalism. In normal operation, they can display a wide range of elevator signals, multimedia data and information. Detailed information on the barrier-free two-sense emergency call can be found on the product website: flexypage.de/en/flexypage-messenger
flexyPage®
Smart Multimedia Displays
- Suitable for buildings and elevators
- 7-65 inch with/without touch & special formats
- Easy to install & retrofit
- No external controller required
- Compatible with all common systems
- High-quality workmanship
- Energy-saving mobile processor & LED backlights that can be switched off
- Customizable to your corporate design
ELFINVISION
Smart Sensor Technology
- Self-sufficient system without cloud connection
- Open interface to control & higher-level systems
- GDPR-compliant
- Detects movements, people and objects
- Reliable in changing light conditions
- Works in tight spaces
- Works from different angles
- Detects reflections
Do you need specific information?
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Your contact person
for safety & emergency in the elevator
Jörg Hellmich
Managing Director
ELFIN Technology