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.