{"id":9746,"date":"2025-04-04T14:14:37","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T13:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.avire-global.com\/en-uk\/articles\/?p=9746"},"modified":"2025-04-09T13:59:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T12:59:54","slug":"four-way-emergency-communication-lift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.avire-global.com\/en-uk\/articles\/four-way-emergency-communication-lift\/","title":{"rendered":"Enhancing Lift Worker Safety with Four-Way Emergency Communication"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As lift technology evolves, so must the safety standards that protect the people working on and around them. The latest draft of EN 81-28, the European standard for lift emergency communications, introduces an important development: four-way communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this update does not mandate retrofitting for older lifts, it’s a future-focused enhancement that offers significant benefits, particularly when upgrading or refreshing existing lift communication systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Four-Way Emergency Communication?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Four-way<\/figure>
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<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, emergency lift phones have been designed to connect passengers with rescue services. However, the new standard highlights the importance of worker safety, extending communication coverage to key areas involved in maintenance and inspection:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Lift car<\/strong> (existing two-way point)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Top of car (TOC)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Lift pit<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Machine room<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    These four locations are now considered critical touchpoints for emergency communication, helping to ensure the safety of engineers, technicians, and contractors working in or around the lift.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    A Small Upgrade, A Big Impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    As John Jackson<\/strong>, Country Sales Manager UK, explains, incorporating four-way communication into a system refresh is both cost-effective and impactful. The hardware cost difference versus a standard two-way digital system is typically less than 30%<\/strong>, making it a smart investment for building owners and facility managers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cThe goal of four-way communications is to protect people working on the lift \u2013 during commissioning and maintenance \u2013 rather than just focusing on passenger safety,\u201d says John.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Key Benefits of Four-Way Communication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Implementing four-way emergency communication delivers tangible benefits to multiple stakeholders. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n