DECOSAN's "Earthquake Elevator" Symposium
The "Earthquake Elevator Seminar," organized by Decosan Elevator to reduce earthquake risks and raise awareness, was held with high participation.
The seminar was attended by Dr. İsmail Musab Gülaçar, Deputy General Manager of Industry at the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Turkey; Mehmet Kaya, President of Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry; İlhami Çakmak, Diyarbakır AFAD Provincial Director; Cem Bozdağ, Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Elevator Industrialists Federation (TASFED); as well as industry representatives and numerous guests.
In his opening speech, Decosan Elevator Chairman of the Board Abdurrahim Acıbuca said, “Welcome to Diyarbakır, the city of civilizations. With its heritage sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Diyarbakır is regarded as one of the most important cities not only in Turkey but also worldwide.” He then introduced Decosan Elevator and its history in the industry.
Acıbuca stated: “In 2000, we began our operations in the elevator industry as a culmination of years of education and professional experience. Over the past years, we have developed our corporate identity, strengthened our structure through ISO 9001 certification and restructuring efforts, and advanced under the name 'Yükselen Umut Asansör.' Today, we continue to serve the industry under the 'Decosan Elevator' brand.
Mission of Providing Safe and Quality Solutions
Our goal is to offer safe, high-quality, and innovative elevator products by adhering to all required standards and utilizing the latest technologies. Based in Diyarbakır, our company is expanding its network within the country and neighboring regions, aiming for global-scale production.
With our experienced management team and technical staff, we professionally manage our projects from start to finish. At every critical stage, including traffic analysis, sizing, and cost analysis, we guide our clients and provide aesthetic and functional solutions through our design and project services.
Quality Standards and TSE-Certified Assurance
Reflecting our commitment to quality, we hold TSE Service Competence and ISO 9001:2008 certifications, proving our emphasis on quality throughout every stage of our production processes.
Our elevator products are supported not only at the point of sale but also with after-sales services. This approach ensures customer satisfaction and the sustained reliability of our solutions.
Investing in the Future with Technological Innovations
Keeping up with the rapid advancement of technology, we closely follow trends such as smart elevator systems and digitalization. By integrating these innovations into our production and services, we strengthen our position in the industry.
Social Responsibility: Earthquake Elevator Training Seminar
For us, safety is a priority not only in our products but also in our social responsibility projects. In this context, we are proud to have organized the “Earthquake Elevator Training Seminar,” aiming to reduce earthquake risks and raise public awareness. We believe this seminar represents a significant step for both the industry and public awareness.
Seismic Zone Solution
In earthquake-prone countries, it is not enough for buildings to be earthquakeresistant; elevators must also be designed to withstand earthquakes. Our Seismic Zone elevator solution, produced in compliance with TS EN 81/77 standards, is resistant to potential seismic activities. This solution ensures that elevators can reach the nearest floor without damage during an earthquake, allowing passengers to evacuate safely. By enhancing the durability of elevator components such as cabins, counterweights, and rails, we reduce the risks of falling, breaking, or derailing.
The fine line between life and death lies in our earthquake-resistant Seismic Zone elevator solution.
As Decosan Elevator, we aim to offer comfort and safety at all times, not only during earthquakes but also through our other products. With modern and stylish designs, we equip living spaces with confidence.
A Forward-Looking Vision
In the future, we aim to continue progressing in the industry by offering solutions that exceed our customers' expectations. Through innovative projects, smart technologies, and safe solutions, we will continue to make a difference in the sector.
Customer satisfaction is our greatest source of motivation on this long journey. Thank you for supporting our 'Decosan Elevator' brand, crowned with quality and reliability.
Let us not forget: When one thing changes, everything changes.”
Following the opening and protocol speeches, the event continued with a presentation by Serdar Tavaslıoğlu. The presentation covered topics such as measures to mitigate earthquake risks and enhancing safety in elevator systems.
Participants emphasized that the training seminar contributes significantly to earthquake safety efforts in the country, underlining the importance of such events.
ENSURING EARTHQUAKE SAFETY IN SEISMICALLY ACTIVE REGIONS
In a country like Turkey, which lies in an earthquake-prone zone surrounded by active fault lines, ensuring the earthquake safety of buildings is of critical importance. The "Seismic Zone Elevator Training," conducted in Diyarbakır by Serdar Tavaslıoğlu and aimed at industry professionals, highlights this pressing issue. While Turkey’s regulations regarding the earthquake resilience of buildings have become more comprehensive since 2007, the need for specific measures to ensure the safe functioning of elevators during earthquakes has also come to the forefront.
The training addressed global standards and assessments aimed at mitigating seismic risks and preventing potential elevator accidents during earthquakes. Drawing from accident reports prepared following earthquakes in California and Seattle, the need for similar studies in Turkey was emphasized. Particular attention was given to the safety of elevators in high-rise buildings and enhancing their resilience to potential seismic events. The training concluded by stressing the importance of designing elevators to meet seismic standards, implementing these standards in practice, and introducing more comprehensive legal regulations.
Earthquake and Elevator Safety in Turkey
Turkey, as a country with active fault lines, occupies a risky position in terms of earthquakes. Although regulations on building safety focus on earthquake resistance, one of the key points emphasized during the training was the necessity of treating elevators—an essential shared facility in buildings—with equal priority.
The training in Diyarbakır aimed to bring necessary precautions and technical regulations for the safe operation of elevators during earthquakes into focus. Evaluations based on damage to elevators and accident rates following major earthquakes in Turkey were discussed to identify steps for creating safer systems.
Seismic Safety and Elevator Categories
The earthquake safety of elevators is determined based on the seismic characteristics of their locations. Within this framework, the training covered the classification of elevators according to seismic zone categories under the TS EN 81-77 standard, along with the specific precautions required for each category. The parameter known as design acceleration, or "ad," was classified according to values set for each seismic zone category. For example, regions with an ad value below 1 m/s² do not require special precautions for elevators. However, as this value increases, corrective interventions to enhance the seismic resilience of elevators are necessary. Elevators in regions with an ad value exceeding 4 m/s² require significant seismic measures.
Measures for Elevator Shafts and Machine Rooms
A fundamental aspect of elevator safety in seismic regions is the structural resilience of elevator shafts and machine rooms. During the training, the importance of measures to prevent obstructions in elevator shafts was discussed. Recommendations included the use of protective wire reinforcements along protrusions or potential snag points in the shafts. It was emphasized that machine rooms and elevator sheave areas should be housed within the same concrete block structure, as placement in separate reinforced concrete sections could pose safety risks.
Elevator cabins, counterweights, and balance weights must also be equipped with structures to prevent displacement during earthquakes. The inclusion of emergency guides and the mandatory implementation
Strengthening Guide Rail Systems
In seismic regions, elevator rail systems must also exhibit robust structural integrity. The training highlighted the need for rail calculations to comply with seismic zone calculations under the TS EN 81-77 standard. Strengthening guide rail systems through double-layer consoles was among the recommendations. The proper placement of rail connection components and shaft mounting profiles to ensure durability during seismic events was also discussed.
In seismic regions, elevator rail systems must also exhibit robust structural integrity. The training highlighted the need for rail calculations to comply with seismic zone calculations under the TS EN 81-77 standard. Strengthening guide rail systems through double-layer consoles was among the recommendations. The proper placement of rail connection components and shaft mounting profiles to ensure durability during seismic events was also discussed.
Steps Toward Elevator Safety in Turkey
The training in Diyarbakır served as a guide for industry professionals on the precautions needed to ensure the safe operation of elevators in earthquake-prone regions across Turkey. Considering Turkey’s position on an active seismic belt, the training highlighted the need to treat elevators with the same level of care as buildings when it comes to earthquake safety. Key recommendations included the widespread adoption of standards such as TS EN 81-77, TS EN 81-20, and TS EN 81-50 in the elevator industry and the mandatory implementation of designs that comply with these standards.
In countries like Turkey, where the risk of earthquakes is high, ensuring that elevators meet seismic safety measures is critical for the overall safety of the population.