KONE firmly believes in providing sustainable and energy efficient solutions

Globally, we have 15 elevator models with A class ISO 25745 highest energy efficiency rating, four escalators and auto walks with the best A+++ classification, says Amit Gossain, Managing Director, KONE Elevator India.

What kind of elevators and escalators are desired for metro and railway projects?
Well designed and manufactured escalators are a must for today’s highly demanding public areas. They are key to ensuring the smooth, efficient and safe flow of people travelling within a building’s environment. For railways and metro stations, as well as airports and other mass transit centers, high reliability, durability and long equipment lifetime are key requirements. It is critical to deploy vertical transportation in these sections which provides utmost safety, designed specifically to meet the heavy usage demands to infrastructure environments worldwide.

KONE prides itself on delivering the ‘low risk’ option to customers in such high traffic people flow. We offer ‘peace of mind’ in terms of product design, customer support and project management, combined with the highest levels of efficiency and safety during the installation phase.

Keeping in view that these products are utilised by a large number of commuters, what kind of safety features should they ideally possess?
As cities are re-opening with Covid still around us, the experience of using residential buildings and public premises such as metro stations, shopping malls and offices will change. Considering physical distancing measures as well as the need for people to be able to move around in shared spaces safely, KONE’s technical know-how and innovation came together to create solutions that can be used to encourage physical distancing while enabling a safe and convenient return to public settings.

KONE health and well-being solutions- such as physical distancing elevator floor stickers and elevator full load limit adjustment, KONE Handrail Sanitizer aim at reducing the risk of contact with surfaces in shared spaces, encourage physical distancing and enable a safe and convenient return to public settings.

Such public utility products are also expected to be energy efficient, how can that be achieved?
KONE firmly believes in providing sustainable and energy efficient solutions. In our industry too, these topics are at the forefront of our customers’ agendas. For KONE, it continues to be an area where we consistently spearhead development in our industry. We were the only elevator and escalator company on CDP’s prestigious A List for Climate Change, for our actions in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate risks and contributing towards a low-carbon economy.

Globally, we have 15 elevator models with A class ISO 25745 highest energy efficiency rating, four escalators and auto walks with the best A+++ classification. Our current machine-room-less volume elevator, KONE MonoSpace 500, is up to 90 per cent more energy-efficient than our elevators from the ‘90s. Stand-by speed operation reduces the escalator speed when no passengers are travelling, thus further reducing energy consumption and increasing equipment lifetime. Various LED lighting solutions allows an energy saving of up to 80 per cent compared to conventional lighting. Regenerative solutions recover energy created when the escalator is used and feed it back into the system.

What kind of maintenance is required for maximum uptime of these products given the fact that they are utilised very frequently on a daily basis?
Whatever brand or type of equipment you have, with KONE you can count on maintenance expertise that will keep it running smoothly and safely for its entire lifespan – and a customer experience that is second to none.

Our flexible KONE Care maintenance offering is tailored to customers’ needs and makes sure the equipment performs reliably and safely, while also extending its lifespan. With KONE 24/7 Connected Services, we can better predict the need for maintenance. The elevator and escalator will be more reliable and safer, repairs will be done faster and all communication will be transparent.

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