thyssenkrupp launches first elevator system in the U.S. to help people safely evacuate tall buildings during emergencies

• 181 Fremont, one of the tallest buildings in San Francisco, will feature 14 elevators equipped with Occupant Evacuation Operation (OEO) functionality, which allows elevators to operate during an emergency to evacuate occupants
• OEO enabled elevators provide the most efficient and quickest evacuation during emergencies by combining the use of stairwells and elevators while better accommodating age-, health- or mobility-restricted individuals
• OEO protocols were developed as a result of a directive by Congress post 9/11 to the National Institute of Standards and Technology to evaluate building evacuations

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (September 12, 2017) – thyssenkrupp Elevator has taken elevator safety to the next level with the installation of the first Occupant Evacuation Operation (OEO) enabled elevators in a U.S. high-rise building. Fourteen of the 17 elevators installed at 181 Fremont in San Francisco boast OEO capability, which means the elevators are designed to operate during emergencies to evacuate occupants. The 800-foot-high office and residential building will include office space, luxury condos as well as retail space.

“The number of high-rise buildings has tripled since 2000 as more and more people gravitate toward living or working in cities,” says Rich Hussey, CEO of thyssenkrupp Elevator’s Americas Business Unit. “The implementation of OEO enabled elevators in U.S. high-rise buildings is a critically important step toward ensuring people’s safety in the event of an emergency, and it’s only the beginning. In the near future, hopefully many of the high-rise buildings being designed in major markets will incorporate OEO functionality for their elevators.”

OEO enabled elevators are designed to provide the most efficient and quickest evacuation during emergencies by combining the use of stairwells and elevators. OEOs also provide greater peace of mind by reducing the panic and confusion commonly associated with a building evacuation, while also better accommodating those challenged by age, health or restricted mobility. Another benefit of OEO systems is revenue-based; by eliminating a third egress stairwell there is more usable/rentable space available.

The elevators are built with safeguards that protect against water, heat and smoke from getting into the elevator lobby or hoistway. In the event of a power outage, these elevators can run on backup power. When there is an emergency, the building alarm systems activate OEO enabled elevators and provide audible instructions to floor occupants. The elevators then prioritize evacuation by specific zones; in a total building evacuation, floors furthest from the discharge level have priority. Each elevator car visually and audibly communicates with passengers on how to proceed via a Variable Message System (VMS) while hall station screens communicate elevator service status for those in the hallway. 

The creation and implementation of OEO systems are directly tied to research conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at the direction of Congress following the events of 9/11 that examined building evacuation processes. Ultimately, those findings resulted in changes to the nation’s building codes, as well as fire alarm codes.

For more information on OEO elevators or how thyssenkrupp is transforming urban mobility, go to www.thyssenkruppelevator.com.

Dennis Van Milligen
Communications Specialist
thyssenkrupp Elevator
Phone: +1 312 525 3190
Email: dennis.vanmilligen@thyssenkrupp.com
Website: www.thyssenkruppelevator.com

thyssenkrupp Elevator

thyssenkrupp Elevator brings together the Group’s global activities in passenger transportation systems. With sales of 7.5 billion euros in fiscal 2015/2016 and customers in 150 countries, thyssenkrupp Elevator built its position as one of the world’s leading elevator companies from scratch in a mere 40 years’ time applying thyssenkrupp unique engineering capabilities. With more than 50,000 highly skilled employees, the company offers smart and innovative products and services designed to meet customers’ individual requirements. The portfolio includes passenger and freight elevators, escalators and moving walks, passenger boarding bridges, stair and platform lifts as well as tailored service solutions for all products. Over 900 locations around the world provide an extensive sales and service network to guarantee closeness to customers. For more information about thyssenkrupp Elevator, visit www.thyssenkruppelevator.com.

thyssenkrupp

thyssenkrupp is a diversified industrial group with traditional strengths in materials and a growing share of capital goods and services businesses. Around 156,000 employees in nearly 80 countries work with passion and technological expertise to develop high-quality products and intelligent industrial processes and services for sustainable progress. Their skills and commitment are the basis of our success. In fiscal year 2015/2016 thyssenkrupp generated sales of around €39 billion.

In North America, thyssenkrupp oversees about 40 companies in the United States, Canada and México. In fiscal year 2014/2015, thyssenkrupp generated sales of €9.8 billion euro approximately ($10.65 billion) in the region, accounting for almost 23% of the Group’s total sales. For more information about thyssenkrupp in North America, visit www.thyssenkrupp-north-america.com.

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