zrformance-Based Code New Technology and the Performance Based Code — Part IV The Role of the AECO by Louis Bialy and Davis L. Turner Lous wat dre, | Wrote Coaes San thes for Ots Comoro. Hes repsered pros: tena ene By at moe tan 1 yas of petnca hn dt, Serdlopment a feng of nde protic and 20 par of egernca fh Sees eee nearing. lung? years ie oe Srsanards sche Blan soe enter OF several SO working soups Balser and Share any ASME AI? Comte, «Naa Elrond conn de NAESA imeraonberd of decors Davis L. Tuer is an lectrical engineer and a 46-year pls veeran of the levator indusey. He is a member of che ASME Bonrd of Safey Codes and Standards, AIT Seandards Committee and Mechani- «al Design Committee and the International Stan ards Commitee, and an Ah chan eth Ector nd Mov i Com mee Tver ben the Adon) Bodo 4 —_NAESA Incr! dt member fhe Oy of to Anger oud of Eames fr Best Cowen Insurance Coverag ! NE CuR LCs 7 ieee elit) (ola) In previous articles in this series the performance based code (PBC), which provides a structured process for the introduction of new tech- nology products, was described. The new terminology and acronyms used in the PBC were summarized, and the role of and implications for the authorities having jurisdiction (AH)s) and the inspecto were elaborated, This article focuses on the vital role of the accredited elevator/escalator certification organization (AECO) in the validation precess for the safety of new technology products. ASME A17.7/CSA BA4.7, the PBC, in essence, requires that applicable global essential safety requirements (GESRs) listed in the code are se- lected and satisfied. This is done by using a risk-assessment process, Which is also described in the PBC ‘The risk assessment is typically car- ried out by the applicant, usually the manufacturer of the elevator. The risk assessment is required to be conducted by a balanced team of ex perts with an appropriate knowledge base and experience relevant to the Ai net Piha te eae eo ng occ) See E anes design being evaluated. The proces requires the identification of haz~ ardous situations and the mitigation of risks associated with the equip ment under study by following a formal, established and proven tech- nique referenced in the PBC. ‘On completion of the risk assess- ment, the applicant is required to produce a code-compliance document (CCD), which contains the tisk assess- ment, as well as design and testing information. The CCD will also con- tain all procedures and information necessary for the safe operation, test- ing, inspection and maintenance of the elevator design over its life cycle. The role of the AECO is to review all of the material submitted by the applicant in the CCD and verify that the A17.7/B44.7 requirements have been followed. This will include a comprehensive review of the range and application of the equipment, and the design details of the safety- related items. The AECO will review the selection of applicable GESRs to ensure that this is accurate and complete, The AECO will conduct eee eres Sete oets 106 | Www.ELEVaTOR-WORLD.COM | July 2010Performance-Basec comprehensive review of the risk assessment to ensure that the process has been thoroughly executed, the risk identification and mitigation process is complete, safety parameters applied where appropriate and residual risks addressed. The review process will typically be a repetitive proce- dure involving continuous dialogue between the appli- cant and the AECO until the AECO is satisfied that all safety-related issues pertaining to the equipment being assessed have been fully addressed. When all of the ap- plicable criteria specified in A17.7/844.7 have been veri- AAKAR Peers Oras Ett Motor for Gearless Elevator Systems 1.3 KW- 35 kW / 90 Nm - 1100 Nm 320 kg - 2000 kg / 0,63 - 2,50 m/sn Ars] Sie (orm Feast oy TTA OTs ermaertonnt is Sanne Oana RCE FOR ELEVATORS STUN 18 (a3 SE a ePEL ) ay eee ae fn 108 | www.tLevator-WoRLD.com | July 2010 fied, and the information provided in the CCD is fully scrutinized, the AECO will certify the equipment and pro: vide a certificate confirming the compliance of the equip. ment with the PBC. This is the certificate of conformance (COO referred to in eattier articles of this series. Subsequent to the cettification, the AECOs will provide an auditing function to ensure that certified equipment is being manufac~ tured and installed to the requirements defined in the CCD, ‘AECOS will be highly competent, credible, not-for-profit organizations that specialize in the certification of equip- ment for safety. They will have access to experience in elevators, and comprehensive knowl- edge in A17.1/B44, A17.7/B44.7, GESRS and risk assessment To ensure a high level of compe: tence of the AECOs, they are required to be accredited to A17.7.1/B44.7.1, a stringent accreditation process based upon’ International Organization for Standardization Guide 65, the “gold standard” in international accredita tion documents. A17.7.1/B44.7.1 is a document that accompanies the PBC. Accreditation of the AECOs will be by the American National Standards In- stitution (ANSI) or by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), the highest authorities in each country for na- tional standards. In March 2009, ANSI awarded accreditation to three organizations as AECOs: Underwriters Laboratories, TOV SOD, and Liftinstituut Holdings, By. TUV SOD also received accredita- tion as an AECO from SCC Due to the high bar set for the AECOs by the rigorous accreditation process and standards, it is antici pated that there will only be a few AECOs that emerge in North America. As indicated by those organizations that have received the accreditation, they will be highly credible, well” respected organizations in which the AHlJs and the public can vest their full confidence. In our next article, we will discuss the inspection and testing of new technology equipment and expand on the contents of the code-compliance document, which will contain the in spection, testing and maintenance requirements for the equipment certified by the AECO. ®