Elevator modernization efforts are accelerating across the real estate industry. In just New York City there are 70,000 elevators across the five boroughs that are probably going to need an update soon. Building owners all over the country are already planning and budgeting for this transition.
Just a quick gander at Otis’s Feb 2024 investor day deck shows they’re seeing a huge modernization wave on the horizon. Sasha Jones's recent article over at Bisnow highlighted this growing trend, but we at Cohesion think there's a deeper conversation that needs to be had: The role of an Elevator Management System (EMS) in the overall efficiency and experience of your building.
Integration is the Key
Elevator systems must seamlessly work with other building systems to enhance safety, efficiency, and the overall user experience. Here are key examples:
1. Visitor Management (VM) System: If your VM system isn't integrated with your EMS, unauthorized individuals could access restricted areas, bypassing security measures. Integration ensures only authorized visitors can use the elevators to access specific floors and spaces.
2. Building Automation and Ventilation: With new ventilation requirements like those outlined in New York City's Local Law 97, even older buildings must now monitor and control real-time air quality. Live data from an integrated EMS can adjust ventilation systems based on occupancy and environmental data to maintain compliance and enhance tenant safety.
3. Touchless Controls for Health and Safety: As touchless controls become essential for health, the EMS must link to access control and permissions systems. This ensures that only authorized individuals can access specific floors, maintaining both hygiene and security.
More Than Just the Price Tag
While cost is always a factor, it shouldn't be the sole criterion. A vendor committed to interoperability will provide greater value in the long term as these technologies evolve. These costs can easily be north of $250,000 per elevator.
Enhancing the People Experience
An integrated EMS directly impacts people flow within your building, reducing wait times and improving navigation. These improvements foster a better human experience, driving higher satisfaction and retention. Wait times are a major source of frustration for tenants and employees, and with patience already decreased by digital distractions, elevators are a contributing factor in buildings that are often overlooked. The latest research suggests ways to reduce the stress of wait times. Displaying wait times and arriving cab number reduces uncertainty and sets expectations. Other improvements include sending out mass communications when an elevator is out of service and expected to resume. This goes beyond a handwritten "out of order" sign and can go a long way toward enhancing the people experience of a property.
Data-Driven Building Management
A modern EMS provides valuable data on elevator usage, maintenance needs, and people flow patterns. This data helps leaders make smarter management decisions, supports predictive maintenance, helps to optimize energy consumption, and reduces unexpected downtime. Current industry benchmarks indicate elevators could be upwards of 5-10% of a building's total energy usage – a critical factor to track.
Key data points include from EMS include
Elevator Usage Patterns: By monitoring peak usage times, traffic for specific floors, and overall occupancy trends, building managers can optimize elevator schedules, reduce wait times, and improve tenant experience.
- Maintenance Needs and Predictive Maintenance: Real-time data identifies early signs of wear, reducing downtime and repair costs and extending the lifespan of the elevator system.
- Energy Consumption Optimization: By tracking energy consumption, building managers can implement energy-saving strategies such as optimizing idle modes or using regenerative drives, leading to significant cost savings and reduced environmental impact.
- People Flow Patterns: Understanding how occupants move throughout the building informs decisions on layout, access control, and emergency planning. Identifying bottlenecks enhances people flow and safety, especially during peak periods.
- Operational Efficiency: Tracking the data on elevator operations highlights inefficiencies (overuse, lack of use, slower/faster cabs) and enables better resource allocation for cleaning, security, or operational adjustments to enhance building performance.
Safety, Compliance, and Future-Proofing:
As technology evolves, so do safety standards. Selecting a partner committed to ongoing updates and compliance is essential, ensuring your building stays ahead of regulations while ensuring occupant safety.
Recent changes in elevator standards and local laws, especially in cities like New York, have significantly impacted modernization requirements. Building owners must confirm their EMS partner understands these evolving standards and is prepared to meet them. Key legislation includes:
NYC Local Law 141 (2013): New York City mandates that all automatic passenger and freight elevators have door lock monitoring systems by January 1, 2020. Non-compliance risks both safety and significant penalties.
ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44:19: This updated standard introduces stricter requirements for elevator control systems across the U.S. and Canada. These include more robust safety circuit designs and protection against electromagnetic interference, which are critical in today's technology-rich environments.
NYC 2014 Building Code: New York City requires all new elevators to include a standardized fire service key for emergency operations. Ensuring this feature is integrated with your EMS is crucial for seamless emergency response.
NYC Local Law 33 (2007): In New York, elevators must also be equipped with systems that monitor and prevent automatic operation in the event of faulty door contact circuits. This measure enhances occupant safety and ensures regulatory compliance.
Future-Proofing through Technology Integration
It's crucial to select an EMS partner that can meet today's standards and integrate future technologies like IoT, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven building management. This prepares buildings for changing safety requirements and operational efficiencies.
Elevator modernization isn't just about upgrading equipment—it's about choosing a partner to elevate your building's performance and future-proof your investment. Don't let price be the only factor in your decision. Here are things to consider when choosing your elevator partner:
- Ensure that RFPs include interoperability language, allowing for system integrations with other systems. Do not choose an elevator partner who offers a closed system. This will cost more money in the long run and create vendor lock-in.
- Be thorough about design. Be sure your selection committee identifies the use cases that you want the elevator system to accomplish. Tie people flows to hardware and software flows to ensure you incorporate the growing importance of digital interaction.
How is your team preparing your buildings for the future of elevator systems? Contact us today to learn how Cohesion’s Smart Building Platform can enhance safety, efficiency, and the overall user experience.
