FG urged to fix power risks in elevators

Recent incidents of people getting trapped in elevators across major cities in Nigeria have sparked renewed concerns over safety standards in modern buildings, with experts pointing to poor power quality as a critical but often overlooked factor.

While many stakeholders attribute such occurrences to mechanical faults and inadequate maintenance, industry professionals argue that unstable electricity supply plays a significant role in the malfunctioning of modern elevator systems.

The Country Director of Zagus Power Systems Limited, Ken Ezeagu, noted that elevators today are heavily dependent on advanced electronics and control systems, which require stable and conditioned power to function optimally.

He said, “Elevators today are no longer purely mechanical systems. They rely heavily on advanced electronics, control systems, and variable speed drives, which require stable power to function properly.

 Even a brief disturbance in power supply can interfere with elevator operations, causing control systems to shut down unexpectedly or halt between floors, leaving occupants stranded,” Ezeagu explained.

Ezeagu warned that the implications of poor power quality extend beyond elevators, affecting multiple sectors that rely on consistent electricity for safe and efficient operations.

He said hospitals, broadcast stations, and data centres are particularly vulnerable, as an unstable power supply can damage equipment, interrupt services, and lead to financial losses.

“Across sectors such as healthcare, broadcasting, and data infrastructure, unstable power can interrupt operations, distort outputs, and damage sensitive equipment,” he added.

Ezeagu also dismissed the widespread belief that installing an uninterruptible power supply automatically guarantees protection, stressing that many conventional systems only provide backup power without addressing fluctuations in power quality.

He advocated the adoption of advanced solutions such as True Online (Double Conversion) UPS systems, which continuously regulate and condition incoming electricity to ensure stable output.

The power expert cautioned that opting for cheaper alternatives could expose facilities to greater risks, including equipment failure and safety hazards, especially in critical infrastructure like elevators.

He urged developers, facility managers, and business owners to prioritise power quality alongside availability, noting that increased awareness and investment in reliable solutions would help prevent avoidable incidents.

Ezeagu added that organisations must understand the difference between basic backup systems and advanced power conditioning technologies to ensure operational safety.

He stressed that Zagus Power Systems Limited remains committed to promoting the deployment of reliable systems such as advanced UPS technologies, voltage stabilisers, and energy storage solutions in critical environments.