The Lifts and Escalators Ordinance requires the responsible persons (RPs) for lifts/escalators to keep a log-book to record the works details in relation to their lifts/escalators. Since 1987, the log-book has always been in paper format. With the rapid technological development in recent years, members of the public and the trade are getting more used to handling daily matters with digital tools. Meanwhile, digital technologies such as cloud and blockchain technologies are becoming more popular. To make good use of the digital technologies to benefit the public and the trade, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) rolled out the Digital Log-books System for Lifts and Escalators with blockchain technology to replace the log-books in paper format on 30 November 2022.
Through the mobile app of the Digital Log-books system, lift/escalator workers could upload the works details for lifts/escalators to the cloud system with ease. The EMSD, responsible persons ("RPs") and registered lift/escalator contractors ("RCs") could download and view the previous and latest works record of the lifts/escalators anytime and anywhere through the mobile app or web portal of the system. Blockchain technology would be applied for storage of the log-book records, rendering the records tamper-resistant and ensuring the authenticity of the log-book content.
The system could also carry out data analysis on collected information to help various stakeholders better understand the performance and condition of the lifts/escalators. It would facilitate joint monitoring, smart regulation and effective collaborations, thereby enhancing the efficiency of management of lifts/escalators and the reliability of lift/escalator services.
The Digital Log-books could help RPs follow up the works on lifts/escalators and analyze the condition of the lifts/escalators, enabling them to provide better facility management services.
The Digital Log-books could help RCs check the workers’ performance in carrying out lift/escalator works, understand the time required for repair and maintenance works, enabling them to further optimize the work schedule for better allocation of manpower and resources.
The Digital Log-books could help RWs obtain the necessary information for their works in real-time and submit works reports more efficiently.
The Digital Log-books could help EMSD find out the characteristics of different lifts/escalators for a better understanding of the situation of the trade and in turn formulate appropriate work guidelines and policies to facilitate trade development.
The system development work for the Digital Log-books commenced in mid-2021. At the early stage of development, the EMSD set up extensive consultation channels with the RPs and the trade to collect users’ requirements and feedbacks for enhancement of the system. Working groups with the Building Services Operation and Maintenance Executives Society (BSOMES), Housing Authority (HA), MTR Corporation (MTRC), the Lift and Escalator Contractors Association (LECA), the Registered Elevator & Escalator Contractors Association Ltd. (REECAL) and the Hong Kong General Union of Lift and Escalator Employees (HKGULEE) have been formed and multiple meetings with each of the working groups have been held. All working groups have expressed their support for the Digital Log-books system and have given very positive feedback on the system design.
To ensure the Digital Log-books system works well, before the system roll-out, the EMSD worked with the RPs and the trade to carry out system trial on over 3000 lifts and escalators, with the aim to continuously improve the system design. Trial participants were provided with user manuals, training programmes and hotline services for trouble-shooting and opinion collection.
The Digital Log-books system was officially launched on 30 November 2022, in a free-of-charge basis. The templates of the digital log-books have been specified to be the form suitable for recording information and particulars of lifts/escalators. Adoption of digital log-books for recording relevant information of a lift/escalator will be regarded as an alternative way for the RP to comply with the statutory requirements of keeping a log-book for the lift/escalator. Any RPs interested in adopting digital log-books can contact their appointed registered lift/escalator contractor to arrange for activation of the digital log-books designated for their lifts/escalators. The RP can then create an account for access to the information of lifts/escalators (i.e. basic particulars, information of lifts/escalators works, details of equipment breakdown, incidents, etc.) with their given location identities via a mobile device or computer ubiquitously.
Any RPs who are interested in adopting digital log-books can activate the digital log-books designated for their lifts/escalators through the following channels:
Office hour: Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm (Public Holiday not included)
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