Firefighters Emergency Operation - Existing Elevators - City of Chicago

On Thursday we had a presentation on the City of Chicago upcoming code changes at the Chicago Elevator Association meeting by the Chicago Elevator Code Chairman Joe Donnelly.  Since 2006 there have been some changes being made to Elevator Fireman’s Service.  Since 2006 it has been pushed back and back and back.  The document dated November 2^nd, 2016 indicates that all elevators with Phase II operation must comply with the following as of 1/1/17.  So buildings have 60 days to get this one.  It is safe to say this will not be completed in 60 days.  AIC buildings will be cited initially because they need to get inspected once a year and there will be a lag time for the City of Chicago Inspectors to get to the remainder of the buildings. 

Only effects buildings with Phase II – If the elevator does not have phase II it does not apply.  This also means if there is no fireman’s service on the elevator it does not apply.

Onus may be on inspectors – While buildings hire contractors to inform them and complete the work the major burden may be on the inspectors to flag the buildings that need to have this completed.  There will be a document that needs to be signed off on for each building by an inspector.  To be safe, if you are a building owner go through this check list with your elevator maintenance contractor.

1.    A permit is required to complete any modification required by Section 18-30-320

2.    Work required to comply with Section 18-30-320 may be completed without updating other features of the existing elevator to a later code. [This means that you don’t necessarily have to put rope grippers on or change the entire control system]

3.    Automatic recall of the elevators is not required.

4.    When the Phase II switch is turned to the OFF position and the door open button is released, the doors will close and the elevator will revert to Phase I Operation and will return to the designated level.  This must occur with the doors fully open and may occur with the doors partially closed.

5.    The elevator shall have an illuminated visual signal in the car station for Firefighters’ Emergency Operation.  The illuminated visual signal is not required to depict a fire hat if that was not required at the time of original installation.

6.    The elevator shall have an audible signal in the car station for Firefighter’s Emergency service operation

7.    The elevator shall have a “Car Call Cancel” push button in the car station

8.    Elevators at the designated level not on Phase II Operation shall return to group operation when Phase I switch is turned OFF

9.    Elevators not at the designated level when the Phase I switch is turned OFF shall return to the designated level before they can return to group operation

10. Existing keying may remain.  FEO-K1 key switches are not required.

11. There is no requirement to provide an elevator control panel[lobby panel] or update an existing elevator control panel[lobby panel].

12. The illuminated visual signal must be separate from the “Car Call Cancel” pushbutton for all newly-permitted work, however a composite visual signal/pushbutton which was previously installed pursuant to a valid permit and is clearly labeled “car Call Cancel” may remain and satisfies Section 18-30-320.

Other mandates coming – Emergency bells on all elevators, machine room fire key boxes, MCP’s and maintenance records requirements.  This should be mid year 2017.

New code may be coming – A17.1 2016 may be the next code adopted shortly

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