Inside The Lab That Tests Elevator Free-Falls

TL;DR

A look inside the underground Coney elevator testing facility in Finland where they test elevators for endurance, safety, and efficiency.

Transcript

oh my God that is terrifying I'm in freezing Finland to check out this little building here now I know what you're thinking and don't worry we haven't run out of great projects to talk about and started really scraping the Barrel in there is the only place on Earth that does freefall drop tests on skyscraper elevators inside there's a shaft deep en... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛗 The Coney elevator testing facility in Finland is crucial for ensuring the safety, endurance, and efficiency of elevators in skyscrapers worldwide.
• 🏗️ Elevators, along with advances in steel and concrete construction, have made tall buildings and urban density possible, contributing to the growth of financial centers.
• 👻 Ultra Rope, a carbon fiber cable, offers energy-saving benefits and allows for the construction of taller and more sustainable skyscrapers.
• 😮 The facility conducts full-scale high-rise emergency brake tests, providing valuable insights into elevator safety.
• ✊ Elevators are powered by large hoisting machines that can lift them up to the top of the tallest buildings in the world.
• 🏆 The testing facility in Finland is located in an underground limestone mine, providing a unique environment for conducting elevator tests.
• 🏢 Elevators are used in various structures, including airports, train stations, hotels, and office buildings.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is the Coney elevator testing facility located in Finland?

The facility is located in Finland because it was more cost-effective to repurpose an existing hole in an underground limestone mine than to build a separate test tower.

Q: What kind of tests are conducted in the Coney elevator testing facility?

The facility conducts tests on elevators for endurance, comfort, aerodynamics, speed, energy use, and safety. They also perform full-scale high-rise emergency brake tests.

Q: How are elevators stopped in case of an emergency?

Elevators are equipped with overspeed governors and safety gear devices. The overspeed governor activates the emergency brake system if the elevator starts moving much faster than normal. Safety gear devices fitted with special wedges bring the elevator to a halt at a controlled speed.

Q: What is Ultra Rope, and how does it benefit elevators?

Ultra Rope is a new type of cable made from carbon fiber. It is seven times lighter than steel, more durable, and enables elevators to travel longer distances, allowing for the construction of taller skyscrapers.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Coney's high-rise laboratory in Finland is the only place on Earth that does freefall drop tests on skyscraper elevators, ensuring their safety.

• The facility has 11 test shafts, including the deepest in the world, and tests elevators for endurance, comfort, aerodynamics, speed, energy use, and safety.

• Elevators are critical to enabling skyscrapers to function, and the facility plays a vital role in making our world's tallest and most iconic buildings viable.