“Ihor Tkachenko, CEO of the Euroformat Elevators group of companies The problem of elevators in Ukraine is becoming critical. What’s wrong? Jan 10, 13:21 NV Premium Share: There are questions that have taken a back seat with the start of a full scale invasion. But further ignoring them may result in the loss of comfort and security for millions of Ukrainians. The problem of worn-out elevators is just that. About 85% of city dwellers use elevators every day, making them the most popular type”, — write on: ua.news
There are issues that receded into the background with the onset of a full-scale invasion. But further ignoring them may result in the loss of comfort and security for millions of Ukrainians. The problem of worn-out elevators is just that.
About 85% of city dwellers use elevators every day, making them the most popular mode of transportation. However, the wear and tear of most of them creates risks. The safety and comfort of millions of citizens may be at a critical point, the exit from which will cost much more than gradual steps to solve the issue now. What can we do today to avoid disaster tomorrow?
“The “elevator” problem: what situation are we in now
Three quarters of Ukrainian elevators have served their maximum term of 25 years, and every fourth one has served for more than 40 years. According to statistics, the wear and tear of equipment has increased from 45% to a critical level since 2011. Old mechanisms fail more and more often, creating serious challenges for millions of citizens who use this mode of transport every day. Regular power outages only worsen the situation: elevators stop, passengers “get stuck,” and technical malfunctions become the norm.
Maintenance crews usually respond quickly to elevator shutdowns and trapped residents, so people are forced to spend no more than 30 minutes in a closed elevator. However, there are situations when waiting for help is delayed for more than an hour. Even if “liberation” does not take much time, such force majeure is unlikely to be part of anyone’s plans for the day. Trying to get out of the cockpit on your own is dangerous, so it’s best to avoid it.
In addition, most old lifts have poor lighting, noisy mechanisms, and no sound signals. There is no mention of taking into account the needs of groups with limited mobility, in particular people with disabilities, parents with children or the elderly, which is contrary to the values of the modern world.
In 2023, 60 Turkish companies brought elevators to Ukraine. Most of them do not have service centers or official representative offices in our country, so they cannot provide high-quality service and supply of spare parts. In case of breakdown, many imported lifts are idle for weeks due to lack of service centers and spare parts.
A reliable elevator is not a luxury, but a necessity that ensures the mobility, comfort and safety of millions of Ukrainians. A large-scale solution requires new priorities: modernization of the oldest lifts, introduction of backup power sources and development of local service networks.
Not even slowly: the pace of modernization of elevators
