A17.1 2019 Visual Text Communication – Rath Communications/Janus

 

This is our second feature pertaining to the 17.1 2019 requirement for visual and text capabilities.  Thank you to our friends at Rath for working with us to get the word out about their product.  It is here, lets learn about it and get it installed and working!

Please explain how your visual communication system works and how it complies with the 2019 A17.1 code.

Our fully compliant SmartView product is a camera and text display all-in-one. The camera allows emergency personnel to view the entire floor of the cab and communicate with trapped elevator     passengers with "Yes" or "No" questions to be answered through "Yes/No" buttons. This combination of text and visual communication ensures emergency personnel can communicate with     passengers in whatever way is needed. Concurrently, Rath-Janus is developing its Monitoring Service to provide emergency call handling for 24/7 assistance.

How long has the product been on the market?

The original SmartView product was launched in May of 2020, and thousands of units have already been installed. Not content to stop at phase one, we've surveyed the market, collected customer     feedback and injected those insights into the second iteration of SmartView which is poised for release in Summer 2023.

What fixture companies use your product?

There are many fixture manufacturers and major OEMs who count themselves as SmartView users including Innovation Industries, PTL Equipment, ERM/Dupar, MAD Elevator, Monitor Elevator,     Canton Elevator, Schumacher, Schindler, Otis, ThyssenKrupp, and Kone.

Do you have a stand alone product that can be purchase direct to comply with A17.1 2019?

Our SmartView product can be retrofitted into COPs to comply with the A17.1 2019 two-way video requirement. All that is needed is a single twisted pair wire from the traveling cables to connect the     car phone to the machine room unit.

How does an emergency communication operator communicate with the person in the elevator?

 Our SmartView product features a phone, camera, and text display. If installers choose to connect the SmartView system to its phone, emergency personnel can communicate with the elevator via     voice just like they would with a traditional emergency telephone. Emergency personnel can also communicate with passengers via text and video through our website portal adding the visual     communication required by code. Cellular data and voice gateways are also available for use and support other Rath-Janus products supporting a flexible offering.

How does your product differ from other competitors who have similar product offerings?

We pride ourselves on knowing our customers, and our SmartView product is tailored to installer needs. SmartView is an all-in-one solution that simplifies installation with an average install time of     less than 20 minutes. Our product is supportive of unique customer specifications, agnostic to whichever phone or COP that is needed. Lastly, we provide a full solution inclusive of hardware and     portal accessibility. The customer pays for the system and, through our online portal, is able to view their elevator when needed.

Do you offer a cellular option for the end user?

Cellular data and voice gateways are also available for use and support other Rath-Janus products supporting a flexible offering.

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

IUEC Safety Stand Down - 4/28/23

Lets take a few moments this week to think more about safety.  Call your coworkers, call your industry friends, meet someone for lunch.   Most of us have had close calls, know of people who have been seriously injured or died.  Take a few moments, focus, think about complacency and how to avoid it.   Our goal is all elevator constructors walk out of our careers healthy and accident free.   We all have a responsibility here.

We got into the industry for a better life, not a shorter one.  Work safe!

Celebrate National Library Week – April 23rd – April 29th 2023

 

As the preferred maintenance provider for several municipalities, educational institutions, libraries, and park districts, we know our work has a positive impact on helping their facilities run smoothly.

In an effort to highlight the importance of the work they do, we’re planning to celebrate our library customers during National Library Week. As an integral component of our communities, libraries provide access to information and education regardless of socioeconomic status. Many are also a library of things as they’ve expanded to loan useful items such as museum passes, games, musical instruments and tools.  

 

The managing partner of Colley Elevator is at his local library once a week filling up his kids' book bags and making sure they get to the 1,000 books before kindergarten goal.  Libraries are more than books and information, they provide services like proctoring tests for certifications.  The company has used the local library to recertify for transferring elevator inspector licenses from ANSI to ASME.  Get to know your library and what they offer!

 

Colley Elevator currently takes care of over 40 libraries in the Chicagoland area on an ongoing basis and is doing upcoming construction/modernization projects at a few new ones.

From April 24th to April 28^th, we will select two winners each day to receive a YETI Daytrip® lunch bag.  If you are a library in our maintenance portfolio, be on the lookout, you may win!  If you are not in our portfolio and want to be entered, sign up for our mailing list and we will get your email for the drawing. From Colley to our libraries; thank you for servicing our communities and thank you for letting Colley be part of your everyday!

Support your library systems, show up, use their resources, vote yes for referendums and bond issue for improvements!

 

To see a really cool library elevator renovation we recently completed go to the link for the Forest Park Library elevator modernization project we completed at the end of 2022.  We had a great building owner and a great construction manager, SMC!

 

https://colleyelevator.blogspot.com/2022/11/hydraulic-elevator-modernization-forest.html

 

To learn more about this year’s National Library Week, visit https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek

 

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

A17.1 2019 Visual Text Communication - Wurtec

 

Tell us about your company.  Where are you from? How long has it been around? What do you do, other products you may provide besides visual text communications, etc.?

Founded in 1985, Wurtec has built a reputation as the elevator industry’s destination for innovative solutions. We design, manufacture, and distribute products that empower elevator professionals work more safely, quickly, and efficiently. Our products include tools for elevator installation, repair, and modernization; safety gear; test & measuring equipment; elevator components; communication solutions; and more. We also design and manufacture residential and commercial elevator systems. You can check out our website to explore our complete product catalog.

We have our corporate headquarters in Toledo, Ohio and branches in NYC, Miami, Dallas, Vegas, Vancouver, and Toronto.

Please explain how your visual communication system works and how it complies with the 2019 A17.1 code.

The WUR-COMMultimedia Communicator from Wurtec meets the requirements of ASME A17.1-2019/CSA

B44:19, Section 2.27.1.1 and ICC IBC-2018, Section 3001.2, specifically providing:

• Two-way audio communications between passengers and designated personnel

• Text display for hearing- and speech-impaired passengers

• Standardized messages from emergency responders

• Video monitoring of inside the elevator cab, including the cab floor

A single-board computer running specialized software processes communications and conveys them to

designated stations or devices via an Internet or LAN connection.

How long has the product been on the market?

The WUR-COM has been on the market for about two years.

What fixture companies use your product?

Innovation Industries and PTL Equipment.

Do you have a standalone product that can be purchase direct to comply with A17.1 2019?

Wurtec offers a complete package for a compliant ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44:19 and ICC IBC-2018. WUR-COM Watch video monitoring services and WUR-LINK cellular may also be purchased for a turn-key solution for hardware, connectivity, and monitoring.

How does an emergency communication operator communicate with the person in the elevator?

The operator may communicate with the occupant in the elevator through a standard phone call or through the WUR-COM website to access all three elements: audio, video, and text. This allows the operator to answer the phone and use the additional video and texting system as needed still traditionally. 

You can see a demonstration of the WUR-COM’s functionality in this video.

How does your product differ from other competitors who have similar product offerings?

Our competitors’ products commonly use a 2019-compliant system that adds the video and text capability to an existing elevator phone. The building will be required to maintain two communication mediums, increasing cost, complexity, and points of failure in the system. The WUR-COM provides an all-in-one solution for simplicity and dependability.

Do you offer a cellular option for the end user?

Yes, Wurtec offers a scalable cellular solution for the WUR-COM system.

Is there anything else you would like to plug or bring up?

Check out the Sentinel – Wurtec’s hydraulic elevator controller.

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

State of Illinois Fire Marshall to extend FAID requirement on hydraulic elevators to 12/31/24

 

During the March 9^th, 2023 State of Illinois Elevator Safety Review Board meeting held at 5860 w 111^th Street – Chicago Ridge, IL the board extended the FAID[Fire alarm initiating device] requirement from being completed 12/31/23 to 12/31/24 on hydraulic elevators.

Hydraulic elevators – Hydraulic elevators with fire fighters automatic recall will need to be tested and witnessed by an elevator inspection and be fully functional by 12/31/24.  The FAID testing will be required every 5 years.

Traction elevators - Traction elevators will still be required to have their FAID done during their next CAT 5 test after 1/1/24.  If you can get the FAID done sooner on the traction elevators that is a good thing as well.  The FAID testing will be required every 5 years.

City of Chicago – The City of Chicago elevators are exempt from this requirement.  This requirement is only for non-City of Chicago elevators.

Take away - Building owners should still be trying to get their testing done as quickly as possible because we have run into many elevators that the recall function does not work, most of the issues is on the fire alarm company, sometimes it is a quick fix, sometimes it take a while.  The sooner we know the issues, the sooner we can work towards resolution and come into compliance with the FAID requirement! 

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

State of Illinois Fire Marshall to Remove Temporary Acceptance from Elevator New Construction & Elevator Modernization

During the March 9^th, 2023 State of Illinois Elevator Safety Review Board meeting, held at 5860 w 111^th Street – Chicago Ridge, IL, the board addressed the commonly used “temporary acceptance” with a proposed amendment dated 3/9/23 Title 41 part 1000.  It was common that an elevator could get a “conditional” or “temporary” acceptance for 30 days while a non-compliant conveyance completed their punch list items.  Typically this would enable the elevator to be put in service after a modernization or construction project and allow the public to use the elevator.

Open territory change – Removing temporary certificate of operation 

“Temporary Certificate of Operation” means a certificate issued by OSFM Local Administrator that permits the temporary use of a non-compliant conveyance by the general public for a limited time of 30 days while minor repairs are being completed, or for construction or demolition to provide transportation for construction personnel, tools, and materials only. [225 ILCS 312/15]”

Local rule change – Striking temporary operation inspections 

B) Provide for inspection of elevators, including temporary operation inspections which assess a conveyance’s readiness for use in performing tasks for construction or demolition purposes only, such as providing transportation for construction personnel, tools and material, in accordance with ASME A17.1, Section 5.10;

Typically we have good building owners that address all deficiencies in a timely manner and have their conveyances re-inspected and passed with a code compliant elevator system.  This amendment is for the companies and building owners who do not address the deficiencies in a timely manner.  It appears the spirit of the amendment is to close up the loose ends and have each elevator 100% compliant prior to being put back into service.

Our challenges as contractors is to educate and encourage our building owners/property managers to understand their responsibilities during new construction and elevator modernization and have everything completed.  In most instances our elevator work can be completed and work well but we still need electrician work, smoke detector/fire company work, technology[phone line and CAT 5/signal for visual communication] as well as other trades such as plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, etc.  Each elevator is different, requirements are a little bit different, and requires different items.  There will be more hustle during projects prior to having them turned over that will require a team effort between the elevator contractor, building owner, property manager, construction manager and all parties to the project.

Unintended consequences – Some of the unintended consequences to the new amendment will be elevators will stay shut down even after the elevator contractor is completed because of “work by others” that still needs to be completed.  The elevator remaining off will inhibit building accessibility in some events. We may see some of our elevator constructors staying home because planned projects are waiting on “work by others” before they can start the 2^nd car in a group.  An unintended consequence may also be the cost of multiple inspections that include our work by other partners such as fire companies, and building generator companies. 

The spirit of the amendment is a good thing, a suggestion at the board meeting is to outline minor and major deficiencies i.e.  You can let a building get acceptance for 30 days with minor deficiencies and not let a building get acceptance with major deficiencies.  Examples below

            Examples of major deficiencies

                        No phone line

                        No visual/text feature

                        No automatic fireman’s recall

                        Safety string not functioning correctly

            Examples of minor deficiencies

                        No machine room vent

                        Missing dust cover

                        Missing certificate frame

                        Missing Braille

Some items that may need to be clarified so everyone is on the same page; 

Does automatic recall need to be tested each time a car in a group is being inspected?  Typically this was done during the final inspection of the final car.

If a building has a generator that runs the elevators, does the generator need to be tested each time a new elevator is being turned over?  Typically a full generator test was done with the final inspection of the final car. 

Take away to building owners/elevator contractors – If you are having elevators inspected you will need to do a better job buttoning up your projects, it may not business as usual.  Talk to your elevator inspector and get their input on how are they going to inspect the elevator so you understand their expectations.  In Illinois we have a few different elevator inspection firms we have 2 classifications of jurisdiction “Open” and “Local” and each of their philosophies are going to be different.  The biggest item is to get your "Work by Others" items done as quickly as you can and coordinate with your elevator contractor to make sure you get your elevator back to service as quickly as possible. 

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.

Hydraulic Elevator Modernization – Northbrook, IL

 

We recently completed a 3 car elevator modernization for the Village of Northbrook at one of their facilities.  They had aging Westinghouse hydraulic elevators that needed some upgrades to provide the building safe and reliable service for the next 20-30+ years.   We worked with general contractors FH Paschen on completing the project for the Village.  At the same time we were also completing a modernization of the Glen Ellyn Village Hall.

Existing elevator & project scope – We replaced the elevator controller, fixtures, door operators w/associated door equipment and hydraulic power unit.

New equipment providers

Controllers – Smartrise Engineering

Door operators – GAL MOVFR w/new Adams/Westinghouse door equipment

Fixtures – Innovation Industries

Visual text equipment - Rath

Phone monitoring system - Kings III

Power unit – MEI w/Maxton valves

Elevator controller – The existing elevator had Westinghouse relay logic elevator controllers which were very popular in the Chicago market.  Great when they are working, but when they begin to have issues there are a lot of failure points which is the nature of a relay logic control system with so many contact points and wires.  We installed 3 new Smartrise Engineering hydraulic elevator controllers.

[Old Westinghouse Elevator relay logic controller]

[New Smartrise Engineering Hydraulic elevator controller] 

Elevator door operators – We replaced the original Westinghouse door equipment that had the 3 micro switches on the open and close.  We put a new GAL MOVFR door operator on and replaced the Westinghouse hatch equipment with new equipment.  

 

[Old Westinghouse Elevator Linear door operator]

[New GAL MOVFR door operator]

Elevator fixtures – We installed Innovation Industries hall and car fixtures to replace the original Westinghouse fixtures.   Notice the visual display on the new car station.

[Old Westinghouse Elevator car station]

[New Innovation Industries elevator car station]

[Old main landing hall station]

[New Innovation Industries main landing hall station]

A17.1 2019 visual text requirement – Above we have the new camera and text feature that is required in the elevator. The requirement is mainly for the hearing impaired as well as anyone who cannot speak. We now can see in the elevator if someone is on the floor and in need of assistance in an emergency. Kings III is our monitoring service on this one. Tested, confirmed, working great!

[New A17.1 2019 camera on top visual text screen on bottom - Rath]

[New A17.1 2019 display screen active]

Hydraulic power unit – We removed the Westinghouse dry power unit with a new MEI submersible power unit with a Maxton UC4 valve.

[Old Westinghouse Elevator dry hydraulic power unit pump and motor]

[Old Westinghouse Elevator dry hydraulic power unit Maxton Valve]

[New MEI Hydraulic power unit with Maxton UC4 valve]

Take away – We encourage building owners take a proactive approach to equipment replacement.  When equipment gets 20-30 years old and a building’s expectations are that the elevators are to run reliably, it is a good idea to start getting an idea when your equipment should be replaced and develop a plan.

Team work– The sales person and the project team who finishes typically get the glory on a project.  In between the initial contract sale and the final acceptance are many other people who work on the project to make it successful.  From the truck driver to the engineer to the billing department to the assist when needed, 14 Colley Elevator employees where involved in the project and we had tremendous team work on it.  Thank you everyone without you we would not have had such a successful delivery!  Let’s not forget our great material supplier participation!

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

Also check us out on Instagram @Colleyelevator see what we have been up to.