City of Chicago Existing Elevators Fire Fighters’ Emergency operation extension

Please find the document indicating that the existing Fire Fighters’ Emergency operation phase II operation mandate has been pushed back 2 years from 1/1/15 to 1/1/17. 

·        The mandate is only for elevator that have Fire Fighters’ Emergency operation phase II. 

·         The mandate does not apply to you if you only have Fire Fighters’ Emergency operation phase I

·         The mandate does not apply to you if you do not have Fire Fighters’ Emergency operation

·         This is only applicable if you have a building in the City of Chicago

Do you have elevator Fireman's service?

• Elevator phase I is a red key switch in the hall way at the main landing[new mandate has nothing to do with phase I] - It should be in the left hand to corner of the door frame when in the hall way facing the elevator.
• Elevator phase II is a key switch in the elevator's car operating panel inside the elevator

I am in process of getting more information on exactly what operation is required as there are some questions on what exactly the requirements are as the City of Chicago code uses the National code with specific modifications.

What this means for buildings with existing phase II operation that does not comply to the mandated requirements is that they will need to

·         Modify their elevator with software, adding relays, fixtures etc

·         Add a modification panel

·         Replace the elevator controller & fixtures

[http://www.electrodyn.com/ - Electrodyn provides Firemans' Service add on panels for all types of control systems]

[This is an Electrodyn Firemans' service add on panel on two existing Westinghouse Elevator Controllers]

Some buildings will have no cost or a minimal cost and some buildings will have a significant cost to bring their elevator up to the mandated standard by 1/1/17.

If you have a building and are curious to see if you comply or require modifications contact your elevator maintenance company.  We can let you know what the next steps to take are and give you our recommendations.

If you have an questions or would like information from Colley Elevator you can go to www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.