Load Testing Equipment β Frequently Asked Questions
What load test is required under EN 81-20 before an elevator is commissioned?
EN 81-20 Β§8.15 requires a static and dynamic load test at rated load. The dynamic test verifies that the elevator travels with rated load in the car, stops correctly at each floor, and that all safety devices (overload protection, buffer engagement, safety gear operation) function correctly. EN 81-20 also requires a 125% overload static test to verify that the car remains stationary and the drive system holds the excess load without movement. Test results must be recorded and retained as part of the technical file.
What is a water-ballast test weight system and what are its advantages?
A water-ballast system consists of stackable tanks or flexible bladders that are filled on-site from a water supply, calibrated to exact load increments using a load cell, and drained after testing. The empty containers are light and easy to transport to upper floors via the elevator car itself (making multiple trips with empty containers then filling on the target floor), eliminating the need for cranes or stair-climbing with heavy iron weights. This makes water-ballast systems significantly more practical for high-rise applications and is why they are the preferred choice for testing organisations in the industry.
How often must elevators undergo load testing after commissioning?
After initial commissioning, periodic inspection intervals vary by market. In Turkey, AsansΓΆr Δ°Εletme ve BakΔ±m YΓΆnetmeliΔi (Elevator Operation and Maintenance Regulation) requires annual inspection by a notified inspection body, which includes a load test. EN 81-20 and TS EN 13015 together require that periodic inspections confirm rated load capacity. After significant modernisation (machine or controller replacement), a full recommissioning load test is mandatory before returning the lift to service.
What calibration requirements apply to load cells used in elevator testing?
Load cells used for type-approval or statutory inspection purposes must be calibrated to a recognised national or international standard, with calibration certificates traceable to SI units. In Turkey, calibration by a TΓRKAK-accredited laboratory is required for statutory purposes. Calibration certificates should state the uncertainty of measurement and the date of next required calibration, and should be retained alongside the elevator technical file.