To assess whether an elevator is truly good and safe, one can rely on the following 20 core criteria, each linked to a positive action in design, installation, and operation: 1–5: Basic safety and braking systems

 1. Standard-compliant safety braking system: A good elevator must have a mechanical brake and a safety brake that operate independently, capable of safely stopping the cabin when the cable slips, breaks, or the speed exceeds the limit. The braking mechanism must be designed according to EN 81 or equivalent TCVN standards, with regular inspections and clear load test records.

 2. Reliable overspeed control: The governor (overspeed control device) must promptly detect when the elevator cabin is exceeding its rated speed, activating the safety brake to keep the cabin on the guide rails. A good elevator always has calibrated speed sensors, inspection seals, and a transparent maintenance history.

 3. Lifting cables and pulleys must meet standards: Steel cables must have a high safety factor, calculated based on load, lifting height, and frequency of use. Friction pulleys must have standard grooves to ensure grip and prevent slippage. Cable replacement must follow the manufacturer's recommendations, with a completion report and load test after replacement. 

 4. Shaft bottom damping system: The cabin and counterweight should be equipped with spring or hydraulic dampers to absorb energy when the cabin hits the bottom of the shaft in an emergency. A good elevator always has a damping travel calculated to match the speed and travel distance. 

 5. Interlocking landing doors and cabin doors: Landing doors must have electromechanical interlocking mechanisms, allowing them to open only when the cabin stops at the correct floor and receives a command. Cabin doors must have an anti-jamming mechanism, ensuring they cannot be manually opened when the cabin is not in a safe position. The interlocking system is the first line of defense against elevator shaft falls. 6–10: Control, electrical, and rescue systems 

6. Intelligent control cabinet with multi-layer protection: The controller must have layers of protection such as overcurrent, overvoltage, phase loss, phase reversal, and motor overheating protection. Good elevators use variable frequency drives (VVVF) to control speed, ensuring smooth starting and stopping, reducing shock, extending mechanical lifespan, and saving energy. 

 7. Safe electrical system and proper grounding: The entire electrical system must have a clear diagram, correct conductor cross-section, protective conduits, circuit breakers, and residual current devices (ELCB/RCD). The grounding system must meet the specified resistance, ensuring safety against electric shock for users and maintenance technicians. 

 8. Backup power and automatic rescue: A good elevator needs an automatic rescue system (ARD) or UPS, which helps bring the cabin to the nearest floor and open the doors safely in the event of a power outage. For critical buildings, a backup generator should be in place to ensure the elevator continues to operate in emergency situations such as fires or widespread power outages. 

 9. Internal communication and alarm system: The cabin must have an alarm button, a bell, and ideally an intercom or telephone connected to security or a control center. In case of an incident, those inside can immediately contact security, reducing panic and assisting in timely rescue efforts.

 10. Emergency cabin lighting: In the event of a power outage, the emergency lighting system must automatically switch on and maintain sufficient illumination for a minimum period as per standards. This not only helps users remain calmer but also assists rescue personnel in observing and performing safe operations. 11–15: Design, user experience, and energy efficiency 

11. Optimal cabin design for traffic flow and safety: Cabin dimensions must be appropriate for its function (passenger transport, cargo transport, hospital bed), ensuring sufficient turning space for wheelchairs and stretchers according to accessibility standards. Handrails, mirrors, and cladding materials must be non-slip, fire-resistant, easy to clean, and have minimal sharp edges to prevent injury.

12. User-friendly and easy-to-understand control panel: Buttons should have clear symbols, good responsiveness, Braille for the visually impaired, status indicator lights, and floor displays using numbers and arrows. A good elevator always prioritizes user experience, minimizing errors during operation, especially in emergency situations. 

13. Smooth operation, low vibration and noise: The guide rails, sliders, dampers, and soundproofing of the machine room must be designed and installed precisely to reduce vibration and noise. Noise levels in the cabin and at the landing doors must be within acceptable limits, not causing discomfort to residents, especially on floors near the machine room.

14. Energy saving and environmentally friendly: Good elevators use high-efficiency motors, inverters, LED lighting, automatic shutdown when not in use, and, where possible, apply regenerative drive technology to return electricity to the grid. This helps reduce operating costs and indirect emissions. 

 15. Integration with building systems: The elevator control system should be able to connect with the BMS (Building Management System), fire alarm system, and access control system. In the event of a fire, the elevator must automatically switch to fire-fighting mode, return the cabin to the designated emergency exit floor, and cease service to hazardous floors. 16–20: Installation, inspection, maintenance, and risk management 

16. Standardized and certified installation process: The installation unit must have a certificate of competence, and the technicians must be properly trained and strictly adhere to the technical drawings and manufacturer's instructions. Each item, such as rail installation, cabin alignment, landing door installation, and electrical connection, requires an internal acceptance report before handover. 

 17. Periodic safety inspections by an accredited organization: Good elevators are always initially and periodically inspected by a state-designated inspection organization. Inspection records, inspection stamps, and technical recommendations must be stored and clearly displayed in the machine room or technical area, making it easy for the investor and residents to monitor. 

 18. Proactive maintenance with complete logs: Maintenance is not just about "fixing when it breaks" but must be preventative maintenance, scheduled monthly, quarterly, and annually. Each maintenance visit should be meticulously documented: items inspected, replacement parts, measured parameters, and technical recommendations. Maintenance logs are an important basis for assessing the elevator's health and planning upgrades. 

 19. User and Management Training: A good elevator system should come with clear user manuals and training for building management on basic troubleshooting, rescue procedures, and contacting maintenance services. Residents should be educated not to jam doors, overload elevators, tamper with buttons, or open floor doors without authorization, thus contributing to reducing accident risks. 

 20. Risk Management and Long-Term Upgrade Planning: Investors and management need to develop a plan for periodic risk assessment, considering equipment lifespan, frequency of incidents, and the level of compliance with new standards. When elevators are old, a phased upgrade (modernization) plan is needed, such as replacing the control panel, inverter, landing doors, or replacing the entire elevator if it no longer meets current safety requirements. Professional Perspective on “A Good Elevator” in Practical Operation: From a professional perspective, an elevator is only truly considered good when the entire value chain, from design, manufacturing, installation, inspection, operation, to maintenance, is quality-controlled. The 20 safety criteria mentioned above do not exist independently but are linked together as a system: if one link is overlooked, the risk of accidents will increase exponentially. In reality, many incidents do not stem from initial design flaws but rather from neglected maintenance, failure to adhere to load limits, or unauthorized tampering with safety systems. Therefore, when selecting and evaluating a "good elevator," priority should be given to factors such as: a reputable manufacturer, transparent technical documentation, certified installation and maintenance companies, clear inspection procedures, and a safety culture established for both operators and users.

Good elevator

Criteria for identifying a good elevator in a modern building.

A good elevator is not simply a device for vertical movement, but a complex technical system combining mechanics, electricity, electronics, automation, and fire safety. When evaluating quality, factors such as safety, reliability, operational efficiency, user experience, energy efficiency, and suitability for the building's practical use must be considered simultaneously. Incorrect selection can lead to high operating costs, frequent breakdowns, business disruptions, and serious safety risks.

In the context of rapid urbanization, high-rise buildings, apartments, hotels, shopping malls, and factories all require elevator systems that operate reliably 24/7. A standard system must meet national regulations such as QCVN 26:2018/BGTVT, TCVN 6395, TCVN 6396, while also being compatible with international standards EN81 and ISO 25745 on energy efficiency. Investors, contractors, and consultants need to coordinate closely to select the appropriate configuration, load capacity, speed, number of elevators, and control solutions to suit the actual user traffic.

The structure and core technology that make up a good elevator.

For a thorough assessment, it's necessary to analyze each key component that makes up a high-quality elevator . Each part has its own technical standards, directly affecting durability, smoothness, and safety. Synchronization between mechanical, electrical, and control components is crucial, as even a weak link can degrade the entire system's performance.

Tractors, hoisting cables, and guide rails.

The traction machine is the "heart" of the elevator. A good elevator typically uses a gearless traction machine with a permanent magnet synchronous motor, allowing for smooth operation, energy efficiency, and significantly reduced noise compared to traditional geared traction machines. The hoisting cables must meet standards for diameter, number of strands, tensile strength, and bending fatigue resistance, and are regularly inspected using specialized equipment. Hot-rolled steel guide rails are precisely installed, straight, and flat, and laser-aligned to ensure stable cabin movement, minimizing vibration and unusual noises during operation.

The quality of installation of the traction unit and guide rails directly determines the system's lifespan. Even a small error in rail alignment can cause pulley wear, slipper wear, increased load on the motor, and reduced smoothness during cabin acceleration or deceleration. Therefore, reputable contractors always apply a multi-step inspection process, including measuring the verticality and parallelism of the rails, checking cable tension, and balancing the cabin load before official operation.

Control, sensor and safety systems

The control system is the "brain" of the elevator. A good elevator uses a microprocessor or industrial PLC controller, capable of fast processing and supporting multiple operating modes such as: group control, intelligent floor calling (destination control), fire priority, VIP priority, energy saving mode, and self-diagnosis of faults. Door sensors, overload sensors, speed sensors, limit switches, overspeed governors, and safety brakes must meet standards, be installed correctly, and be inspected regularly.

A list of essential safety features required in a good elevator includes: a safety brake system that activates when the cabin overspeeds, a combined mechanical and electrical overspeed control system , upper and lower limit switches , a multi-point infrared curtain door anti-jamming device , an automatic rescue system (ARD) that brings the cabin to the nearest floor in case of power failure, and a door interlocking system that ensures the landing doors only open when the cabin stops in the correct position. The presence and stable operation of these features are mandatory criteria when evaluating whether an elevator meets safety standards.

Operational performance, energy efficiency, and user experience.

A good elevator is not only durable and safe but also must operate efficiently, optimize energy costs, and provide a comfortable user experience. In office buildings and shopping malls, waiting times and the experience of using the elevator directly affect the satisfaction of tenants and customers. Therefore, intelligent control solutions that optimize traffic flow and reduce energy consumption are increasingly prioritized in the design and selection of equipment.

Energy saving and inverter technology

Modern elevator motors are mostly controlled by variable frequency drives (VVVF) , allowing for smooth speed adjustment, reduced starting current, minimized mechanical shock, and significant energy savings compared to direct control. Some high-end systems incorporate energy regeneration , recovering braking energy when the cabin descends with a load or ascends without a load, and feeding it back into the building's power grid. Additionally, features such as dimming cabin lights and ventilation fans when the elevator is in standby mode, combined with presence sensors, significantly reduce annual operating costs.

To optimize performance, it's necessary to accurately calculate the load capacity, speed, and number of elevators based on peak-hour traffic. Installing elevators that are too small or too few will cause overload and increase waiting times, while installing too many or too large elevators will waste investment costs and energy. Specialized traffic simulation software is often used by consulting firms to recommend optimal configurations for each type of building, from apartments and offices to hospitals and hotels.

A smooth, aesthetically pleasing, and customizable experience.

User experience is an increasingly important factor when evaluating a good elevator . The cabin must move smoothly, accelerating and decelerating seamlessly, without any jerking sensation when starting or stopping at a floor. Vibration and noise levels in the cabin and machine room must be kept below acceptable limits, especially in high-end buildings. The door control system must open and close smoothly at a reasonable speed, and be able to automatically adjust the closing force when encountering obstacles to avoid endangering users.

Aesthetically, elevator cabins can be customized with various materials such as mirror-finish stainless steel, brushed stainless steel, tempered glass, wood veneer, and artificial stone, combined with LED lighting, handrails, control panels, and modern display screens. A good elevator allows for flexible customization to synchronize with the building's architectural style, from classic and neoclassical to minimalist modern. The floor call panel can integrate an LCD screen , a card reader system , or a PIN code for access control, enhancing building security.

Choosing, installing, and maintaining a good elevator for long-term use.

To ensure a reliable elevator throughout the building's lifespan, investors need not only to choose the right brand and configuration but also to pay close attention to the design, installation, and maintenance providers. Elevators are specialized equipment requiring close coordination between architecture, structure, electrical, fire safety, and interior finishing. Any errors in the design of the elevator shaft, machine room, load-bearing beams, or power supply can lead to significant repair costs later on.

When selecting a supplier, prioritize those with: valid elevator operating licenses , a team of well-trained engineers and technicians, a stock of genuine spare parts , and a clear schedule of regular maintenance . The contract should specify the warranty period, maintenance frequency, response time in case of incidents, and responsibility for periodic safety inspections by relevant authorities. Using substandard or counterfeit parts can invalidate inspections and increase the risk of accidents.

During operation, building owners need to establish safe elevator usage procedures and train building management staff to recognize abnormal signs such as strange noises, strong vibrations, unstable door opening and closing, and control panel error messages. Upon detecting any abnormalities, they must immediately contact the maintenance unit and absolutely not attempt to tamper with the electrical panel, control unit, or braking mechanism. Strict adherence to maintenance schedules, inspections, and proper usage are prerequisites for the elevator to operate stably, safely, and durably over time.