City of Chicago Firefighters Emergency Operation elevator mandate

City of Chicago Firefighters Emergency Operation elevator mandate

The City of Chicago is 15 months in on the Firefighters Emergency Operation elevator mandate.  The mandate has requirements only for elevators with existing phase II.  There is a lot of activity in addressing this issue within the building’s that are getting inspected.

First let us review the criteria

·         Building must be in the City of Chicago

·         Elevator must have existing FEO phase II controls

·         Elevators must comply with the following

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.

Where are the most common problems? – Most of the issues we have seen with newer

elevators is #4 on the list.  We se some without call cancel buttons or flashing hat

frequently as well.

[This car station is missing the visual car station items]

What are my options if I have phase II and do not comply?

1.    Modify the existing control system to make it comply.  There are auxiliary panel companies like Electrodyne that sell an auxiliary panel to make your elevator system comply. 

Positives

·         Lower cost option

·         Do not have to bring rest of the elevator system up to the current code

Negative

·         You are working with a system that may have been modified in the past that the wiring isn’t exactly as the drawings indicate

·         If installing on an existing elevator your money is going to a short-term solution

2.    Replace the elevator control system

Positives

·         A capital improvement that will benefit the building for many years

·         This will be a 100% solution to the current issue

Negative

·         Will require the building to bring remainder of the elevator system up to current code i.e. smoke detectors, flow switches, rope grippers, electrical upgrades, etc

·         Typically, is a more expensive proposition

For more information on Electrodyne’s fire panels go to - https://www.electrodyn.com/

As always feel free to contact us at www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.