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.