State of Illinois Fire Marshal Elevator Safety Review Board Meeting 11/7/24

This was an important meeting of the Elevator Safety Review Board.  There is a lot of discussion about the upcoming adoption of A17.1 2022 and the ramifications it will have for our industry and building owners.  We previously reviewed some of the upcoming code change requirements on A17.1 2022 code update blog.

New Chair – Juan Gonzalez – Governor appointment – Congratulations!

Between January 24’ to October 24’

            489 Permits

            657 Licenses

            417 New units registered

            9,783 Total certificates issued

 The biggest item on the table was door lock monitoring.  In A17.1 2022 the new code requires all elevators to have this feature.  This means that if your elevator does not have door lock monitoring, you will be required to. 

It was suggested to give buildings a compliance date of 3 years after adoption of the A17.1 code.  It is for all elevators, no grandfather.  Newer elevators already comply.  It was noted that door lock monitoring is critical to prevent injuries and fatalities.

There was a question that if a device and/or add on panel was installed to get the older elevators to comply with door lock monitoring, would it require the building to bring the rest of the elevator up to the current code requirements in A17.1 2022.  The answer by the Board's elevator expert, Dick Gregory, was no.

The board motioned and approved a 3 year grace period after adoption of the new code.

It was discussed that the changes reviewed at the meeting may require a different vote on an updated version of the safety rules.  The next meeting on March 6^th, 2025 will again discuss the new code and the changes to the rules for final adoption at the Board level.  After adoption at the Board level, it would go to Springfield for the final part of the code adoption process.

The Relay Robotics application discussion was pushed to the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned

What is door lock monitoring? Door lock monitoring is a safety system that monitors the position of the doors and status of the door contact circuit.  Very simply, this does not allow the door locks to be jumped out or to malfunction and allow the elevator to run with doors in the open position.

This can be a very expensive proposition for buildings with an elevator control system that is older than 20 years old.  If your elevator control system is older than 20 years old you may need to modernize the elevator control system or add door lock monitoring provisions.

When will the new code be in place? Good question, with the new changes to the wording in the safety rules it will require an additional vote in March’s meeting and then the Springfield process starts.  If I where to guess sometime mid to late 2025.  That is only a guess. 

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.

Traction Elevator Modernization – Palatine, IL

 

We got a call from the property manager who manages the tallest building in Palatine. He was ready to consider modernizing their elevators and since we had worked with this property management firm at other locations, it was great to be considered.  We were also very excited to get this opportunity to improve the building's vertical transportation performance and reliability.  

After a thoughtful bid process, we where awarded the contract.  The building was built in the 1960s/early 1970s and had already been modernized once with MCE controls 24 years ago.  The MCE controls where at their end of life and had reliability issues as well as obsolescence issues with their motion control device.  The building had many issues with the existing equipment, half from being at the end of  its life cycle and the other half suffering from a deferred maintenance program. 

Existing elevator & project scope – We replaced the elevator controller, machines, governors, fixtures and door operators. 

New equipment providers

Controllers – Motion Control Engineering

Machines – Hollister Whitney

Door operators – GAL w/Westinghouse door equipment

Fixtures – Innovation Industries

Roller guides - ELSCO

Visual communication - Rath w/Towne answering service

Cables - CED Efengee 

Elevator controller – The existing controller was a Motion Control Engineering controller with motor generators.  We installed Motion Control Engineering's elevator controls with a KEB F5 motor drive.

 

[Existing MCE traction controller]

 

[New MCE traction controller]

Elevator fixtures – The existing hall fixtures were a mix between the older Westinghouse and newer[20+ years] Adam's car fixtures.  

 

[Existing Adams Elevator car station]

 

[New Innovation Industries car station]

Elevator traction machine – We removed the existing Westinghouse Elevator machines and installed new Hollister Whitney traction elevator machines and Rope Grippers.

 

[Existing worn Westinghouse machines & generators]

 

[Beautiful new machine room layout]

[New Hollister Whitney GT machines]

Machine room[see above] – The machine room and the overall elevator system had been neglected and had a lot of deferred maintenance.

High rise requirement – After 75' of rise, we needed to put an elevator lobby panel and visual communication panel in the lobby of the building. 

[Innovation panel & Rath visual panel]

Door operators– The existing door operators were replaced 10 years ago but where in very poor condition for their age. The project team gave the car top a big upgrade and a great look. 

[Worn car top and door operator]

[Fresh new car top and GAL MOVFR operator]

Take away – This was the building’s second elevator modernization; both were with MCE control systems.  Our reality is that obsolescence creeps up on buildings with 20+ year old equipment and there needs to be choices made.  It's not IF we need to modernize but WHEN we need to modernize and how much hardship the building will go through before.  A big thing for buildings is to plan your major capital expenses, one of which is elevator modernization.  Ask your elevator company today!

Team work– The sales person and the project team who finishes typically gets 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, 16 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!  Thanks for your hustle and help!  While things are evolving in the elevator world, it is great to work with some legends in the elevator business.

Finishing touches – The project team did a great job on the finishing touches to this project.  Machine room painted, car tops cleaned and elevator pits painted.  Love seeing this!

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.

Hey Illinois! Here Comes Your New Elevator Code A17.1 2022

 

In Illinois we will soon have a new elevator code! Maybe next month? Maybe in 9 months? It all depends how quickly it moves through the rule making process of adoption in Springfield. We recently had our continuing education class for the new CODE and below are some of the highlights. The biggest item is the requirement for door lock monitoring on all elevators (that is 8.6.4.24). This requirement will most likely have some additional fleshing out and a time line given as it is a big one.

As always, if you are planning on modernizing, I would take the plunge now and get your permit with a stamped A17.1 2019 code year. The costs for your modernization will go up with the new code.

Other highlights include:

Hoistway lighting - 2.1.1.7

Lighting in the entire hoistway shall be 5ftc.

Light switches shall be at the top of the hoistway and pit access.

Shall automatically light when:

a. Access switch is set to ENABLE.

b. Car top switch is set to INSPECTION.

c. FEO phase I is activated.

Controller shall have signals to automatically turn on(building system) hoistway lighting.

Light switches cannot turn off lights when they are automatically turned on.

Lighting shall be on emergency power.

Pit access - 2.2.4

Ladder shall be 16” wide. Removed option for reduction to 9”.

Ladder rungs (cleats or steps) shall be provided for the full height and should have 4 ½” of handle clearance not provided.

Detection of a person on the ladder is required. This can be weight (20#) motion, guard removal or other means.

Flood detection means - 2.2.9

Flood detection shall be provided between 6” and 12” above finished floor (AFF) when the elevator can travel below the flood elevation for the property (per the building code).

Flood detection operation shall be per 2.27.13.

Equipment in hoistways, machinery spaces, machine rooms, control spaces, and control rooms - 2.8.1 

Added that non-elevator equipment may be permitted in these areas if it is permitted in the elevator hoistway.

Emergency responder radio coverage (ERRC) equipment inside hoistways - 2.8.7

New requirement permitting ERRC equipment, involving radiating coaxial cables and antennas, to be in elevator areas.

Location of equipment shall be acceptable to the elevator contractor.

All servicing shall be done from outside the hoistway(or through access panels).

 

Executable software 2.26.1.7.1

Added the following to the list of what is included in executable software:

Test enable operation

Group 1 operating modes

Restricted opening of car doors

Passenger overload in the down direction

Any (code required) manual reset

Function, device or means

Remote interaction operation - 2.26.13

Remove interaction operation is permitted.

A sign shall be provided on controller.

Actions are limited to call and features(elevator shall be on automatic operation).

Actions are prohibited(cannot enable, disable, override, reset or otherwise interfere with non-automatic operations).

 

Emergency communications - 2.27.1.1.4

Added that the visual/text communication means(on site for elevators with more than 60’ of rise) shall be in the fire command center (FCC).

Added when an FCC is not provided, the visual/text communication means shall be behind a locked (group 3) cover and the location shall be approved by the Fire Department.

Phase I emergency recall operation by fire alarm initiating devices.

Added that the height of the keyed switch shall be between 36” and 66”.

 

Firefighters emergency operation or occupant evacuation operation (OEO) inspection - 2.27.6

Added test enable to the list of operations that alert personnel of Phase I activation.

Add that all three operations shall alert personnel of floor detection means of activation.

Note: Personnel still have control of elevator.

 

Plunger stops - 3.18.4.1

Added that there is not a requirement to run the elevator onto the stop ring.

 

Replacement of driving machine or controller – 8.6.3.17

New rule which requires that a controller being replaced would be an alteration unless it was being replaced due to damage/loss and then can be replaced with the original model from the OEM or an equivalent model.

The controller replaced for damage/loss is permitted to conform to the original code data plate (installed or altered) insert remainder.

 

System to monitor and prevent automatic operation of the elevator with fault door circuits – 8.6.19.21

Added rule that door monitoring, when provided, shall be tested.

A written procedure shall be included in the on-site documentation. 

 

System to monitor and prevent automatic operation of passenger and freight elevators with faulty door contact circuits - 8.6.4.24

New rule that all automatic passenger and freight elevators (new equipment) shall have door monitoring - 2.26.5

We will be covering this more in the next few months/years as we see full adoption and how some of the items will be addressed.

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.

NAEC 75th Elevator Convention - Atlantic City, NJ

 

I had the opportunity to attend the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC’s) 75th annual convention September 23rd to 26th. It was great to get back and see some old friends, meet new friends, sit through education, be involved with talking points and walk around and visit about 300 different vendors. With Illinois adopting the 2022 code, it was of particular interest to know what is on the horizon and how our vendors can support us. 

75th Anniversary & United show - This was a big show for many reasons; because it was held on the East Coast, it was the NAEC’s 75th Anniversary & a United show. When we have the show on the East Coast we see a ton of field personnel come in for a day to visit. The NAEC celebrated its 75th Anniversary so it was a special year for us. Also, every few years we have a “United” show which includes NAEC, CECA (Canadian Elevator Contractors Association), Elevator U (a group focused on colleges and universities)  & IAEC (International Association of Elevator Consultants).

 
What did I get out of it? On a regular basis I’m asked what do I get out of going to the convention or other NAEC events. I had a list of items from our office to look into since you can talk face to face with industry suppliers. Meeting people face to face is different than trading emails or even phone calls. Challenges that occur over the year can be discussed and resolved in a matter of minutes. The networking is wonderful, seeing friendly faces and talking to people that you email on a regular basis cannot be beat. What I get the most out of is seeing my peers from independent contractors and seeing what is going on in their area and what they are doing and what challenges they are facing. 

*I did not attend the real day one which was a great education day and some great parties! 

Day 1 – Wednesday – The convention doors opened and it was huge this year! Some of my highlights are as follows: Seeing World Electronics Dover DMC repair parts and talking about the obsolescence on many other platforms[some they address some they do not]. I took a look at a pretty solid pressure sensitive pit ladder from S2 Source since it will be required with the 2022 code. Saw a pretty rad car from Webb Electronics who have a pretty detailed communications solution. Talked with the Victaulic people about their products. 

I also said hi to our friends at Adams Elevator Inc and got a run down about their door lock monitoring solutions, also required by the 2022 code, which they have refined after the challenges of New York City's adoption of this code. Very impressed with the engineer who designed this. I went to the Hyperion booth and had some good discussions with one of our long time material providers, then did a racing simulation where I got last place. I spent some time with Alpha Elevator and bumped into some old friends from Capital Elevator out of Sacramento. I saw our friends at Formula Systems and the door operator we helped install and actually made it work! 

We won an Ellie for Best Contractor - North. Thanks Elevator World for letting us participate. Kings III took the cake at the award ceremony with their matching jump suits. I went over to Smartrise Inc to see what was new with their controllers. Saw some of our oldest friends from Motion Control Engineering (MCE) and saw their destination dispatch and solution to Kone's MRL. At night we went out to some great parties from Alpha Elevator and CED Electronics [thanks for letting us crash your parties].

[Thank you sponsors]

[The gates open!]

[A few of World Boards]

[A17.1 2022 pit ladder option]

[Cool Car - Cool tech]]

[Everyone needs one of these]

[Cool solution by a lady engineer!  Very Impressed!]

[Steve Smartrise[Hyperion] smokes us]

[Our friends at Alpha]

[Our friends at Formula Systems]

[Kings III took the cake and an Ellie with their outfits]

[Diane from Midwest Elevator lost her marbles and tried to take our Ellie]

[Our friends at Smartrise Engineering]

[MCE's destination dispatch]

[Kone mono/eco MRL solution]

[MCE's traction controllers]

[CED's party overlooked the beach and wheel]

Day 2 – Thursday – I went to the awards breakfast, it was packed! Afterwards it was a day packed with elevator door operators. I saw a new Wurtec residential door operator, took a look at the Otis Glide A linear operator, revisited the new freight door operator interface from EMS, which was slick, looked at Columbia's take on a replacement of the GAL door operator with one by Fermator, took some pictures with our Dennis Finn and the Ellie, which was really the Imperial Electric Ellie (we had a prankster over at their booth the previous day), looked at Elevator Product Corp's (EPCO’s) answer to the TKE buttons that constantly break.

[Packed breakfast]

[Wurtec's residential door operator]

[What a power unit looks like inside]

[Otis Blackbelt and AT 400 solution Otis Glide A]

[EmS FRT doors new interface - Well done!]

[Columbia/Fermator answer to GAL]

[Columbia/Fermator answer to GAL]

[Picture with the wrong Ellie]

[EPCOs answer to proprietary buttons]

[Canton's submersible power unit]

Why you should go – If you're in the elevator industry, this is THE show to attend where you can meet the best in the business, exchange ideas, get challenged, and come back to your company with new ideas, see new products and be a better elevator person. Maybe you'll meet Elevator Pal Ed?

2025 Convention – Houston, TX

2026 Convention – Chicago, IL - Yes its coming to our home.

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.

Giant Passenger Elevator Construction – Traction - Canton Elevator

 

This summer, we had the opportunity to work with one of our great school customers to install a giant freight passenger traction elevator at their new building.  This was a specialty application that required a unique sized elevator.  Going through the process, it is always cool to see start to finish as the building starts going up and then progresses to completion.

Package provider – Canton Elevator

Controller – Motion Control Engineering

Machine – Hollister Whitney

Door operator – GAL

Doors – Columbia

Fixtures – Innovation Industries

2 years in the making – From the start of discussion to the end of the project was about 2 years.  We went through design, bidding, procurement and installation. Since this account is a long-time Colley maintenance customer, Alex in our office went through several iterations of concept before the design team even took the elevator out to bid.  

Though we were the incumbent, we took nothing for granted and still feel fortunate to be awarded the project. We started working with the GC Gilbane on the contract particulars and, once we ironed out the contract details, we were on to ordering the elevator through Canton Elevator. Canton also helped layout the elevator for the school's design team.  Once delivered, we started our elevator installation work onsite! 

 

[First time at the building to start measuring]

[Time progresses and more is being done]

[Exterior almost done]

[Finished exterior]

[1st floor during our first visit]

[First project meeting to discuss mobilization]

[Finished first floor]

[Hoistway after rough in]

[Finished product with large center parting 2 speed doors]

[When our project team walked in, it looked like this]

[When our project team walked out, it looked like this]

[Nice clean car top]

Challenges – Since this was a unique installation we had some challenges on the supplier side. Canton was always responsive and got us squared away quickly so we could keep moving. Big shout out to California Duane! Since this was a unique installation, we also had challenges with our design team. Thankfully everyone on the team was great to work with to get through each challenge as it came up.

Team work– From the truck driver to the engineers to the billing department to the assist when needed, 18 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[on time]!  Team work with our supplier, team work with our design team, team work with our GC/CM and team work with the school system.  Special commendation for the project team who did the time and heavy lifting, thanks guys!!!  You did great!

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.