Elevator safety - A guide to building transportation safety

Safe Steps: A Guide To Building Transportation Safety

Every year, elevators, escalators and moving walks safely transport over 100 billion passengers in North America. Excluding automobiles, that is more than the total of riders of all other forms of transportation combined.

Compared to the number of daily passenger rides, elevator and escalator injuries are so rare that safety is often taken for granted, but elevators, escalators and moving walks are complex machines and occasionally injuries do occur, usually as a result of unsafe riding practices.

According to industry experts, elevators and escalators are the safest form of transportation in the world. Many accidents can be prevented simply by being aware of your surroundings and by following simple safety rules.

Elevator Safety

When waiting for elevators:

• Know your destination.
• Push the elevator call button once for the direction you want to go in.
• Look and listen for the signal announcing the car's arrival.
• Be aware of health conditions that could contribute to falls or accidents.
• Stand clear of the elevator doors and stand aside for exiting passengers.
• If the arriving car is full, wait for the next car.
• Don't attempt to maneuver in or stop closing doors, wait for the next car.
• In the event of a fire or other situations that could lead to a disruption in electrical services, do not take the elevator.

When boarding and riding elevators:

• Watch your step - the elevator car may not be perfectly level with the landing.
• Stand clear of the doors - keep clothes and carry-ons away from the opening.
• Hold children and pets firmly.
• Leashed pets should be on same side of door as the passenger so door does not close on extended leash.
• Passengers nearest to the doors should move first when the car arrives.
• Push and hold the DOOR OPEN button if doors need to be held open, or ask someone to push the button for you.
• Never try to stop a closing door, wait for the next car.
• Once on board, quickly press the button for your floor and move to the back of the car to make room for other passengers.
• If unsteady on your feet, hold the handrail, if available, and stand near the elevator wall.
• Pay attention to the floor indicators.
• If the doors do not open when the elevator stops, push the DOOR OPEN button.

When exiting elevators:

• Exit immediately at your floor. Do not wait for others behind you.
• Do not push the people in front of you when exiting.
• Watch your step - the elevator car may not be perfectly level with the floor.

In the event of an elevator emergency:

• If the elevator should ever stop between floors, do not panic. There is plenty of air in the elevator.
• Never climb out of a stalled elevator.
• Use the ALARM button, the telephone or the intercom to call for assistance.
• Above all, wait for qualified help to arrive and never try to leave an elevator that has not made a normal stop.
• Emergency lighting will come on in the event of a power failure.

If you have any questions or would like information from Colley Elevator you can go to www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.

Elevator cylinder/jack replacement – City of Chicago

We have been completing quite a few cylinder replacements in the City of Chicago due to the City of Chicago single bottom bulk head cylinder replacement mandate which indicated that all single bottom bulks should be removed by 1/1/13.  There are many building owners who have not completed the work.

If you are a building owner and have a building with an elevator older than 1975 you should see if you can get the original file on the elevator cylinder to see if it has a single bottom bulk head of a double bottom bulk head.  The “rule of thumb” is that all elevators should have double bottom bulk heads if the elevator was installed prior to 1972.

There are alternatives to replacing the cylinder which would be to install a safety device.  There are two options that I am aware of which is the Adams Life Jacket[www.adamselevator.com], and installing safeties on the elevator system.

Here are a few progress pictures from a 2 elevator project we just completed.  This was a 60' travel building and was a significant challenge to remove and replace.

[Elevator #1 prior to removal]

[Cylinder being removed with jacks - Elevator #2]

[Completed cylinder - Elevator #2]

This project was located right by Lake Michigan and we encountered water as well as one of the cylinder holes was only cased 24' which required a well driller as the hole collapsed.  The other elevator which was only 8' away had casing go down all the way and did not require a well driller.  When you are making your decision on a company to replace your elevator cylinder make sure they are equipped to take on a worse case scenario and have people with experience replacing cylinders.  Cylinder replacements can go well above the quoted price and you should be aware of the potentials before working with a company.  Not all elevator companies are equipped to completed these projects.

If you have any questions or would like information from Colley Elevator you can go to www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.

City of Chicago permitted elevator work

We recently worked at a new facility that we installed 2 elevators in the City of Chicago at a home improvement store and they had a dock lift installed.  The company who installed the dock lift did not pull a permit, nor would they have known how to pull a permit because they were from Wisconsin and may not get permits for their installations.   In the City of Chicago the dock lifts are under the Elevator Departments jurisdiction.  We will be working with the installation company on getting them permits and completing the inspection with the City of Chicago.

I wanted to put this up as a reference for everyone if they couldn't find it on the City of Chicago website.

It reminded me that some companies do not get permits for work in the City of Chicago for items they should or apply for permits for work that they do not need permits for.  In the suburbs the inspection firms require permits for some items that are not on the City of Chicago’s list and do not require permits for some other items that are on their list.  

In the City of Chicago there will be some Fireman’s Service requirements occurring shortly that as contractors need to be conscience of getting permits for.

If there are any questions about if you should pull a permit or not, ask, it is always better to have a permit than not have one. 

If you have any questions or would like information from Colley Elevator you can go to www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.

Elevator modernization – What you do not see – Chicago Area

During elevator modernizations you see the elevator fixtures have been replaced, maybe the cab interior but that is about it.  We just completed a modernization of an older Dover Elevator in Winnetka, IL and have some before and after pictures of some of the items that the typical building user/owner does not see.

Elevator machine room

This is in the elevator machine room and is a Dover Elevator from the Mid 1970's.  The control system is mounted on the elevator and the pump and motor and underneath the oil reservoir.

This is the new machine room with a Smartrise Control system and Minnesota Elevator hydraulic power unit.  Look at how much more room you have in the elevator room!

Elevator controller

This is the inside of the Dover Elevator control system which has relays and logic boards to perform the elevator tasks.

This is a picture of what the insides of the new control system looks like.  This is not the controller at the building because I didn't take a picture of the inside of the controller. But it is the same control system, Smartrise Engineering. There is one board on the elevator controller versus the previous system which had 7 boards and 16 relays.  My opinion is if you have more components on an elevator controller you have a larger potential for component failure and elevator shut downs.

Elevator power unit

This is a picture of the hydraulic system below the elevator controller.  You see a motor, pump and valve.  There is a trip pan underneath the unit to collect oil when it leaks.

The new hydraulic power unit has the valve pump and motor in the tank so no more leaking on the floor.

Elevator door operator

This was the elevator car top and door operator with a Dover door operator

We removed the existing Dover door operator and put a more flexible closed loop GAL MOVFR II door operator.

Elevator modernization is expensive and we do not see much of the product that is installed as non elevator people.  This shows you the difference between the old system and the new system that you do not typically get to see as a building owner/management. The modernization team did a great job on the modernization now the elevator runs smoother, quieter and more reliable.  This elevator system should be servicing the building for the next 25-30 years.

If you have any questions or would like information from Colley Elevator you can go to www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.

Elevator hydraulic unit – HOT FLUID sensor 2010 elevator code 3.26.6.5

HOT FLUID/OIL sensor & shut down is an item that has been missed by some elevator personnel for new hydraulic elevator installations or modernization that is in the 2010 and 2013 elevator code.  This can be missed in engineering and ordering or it can be missed when installing the equipment due to the newer requirement and not being familiar with the new rule.  As inspectors we should be testing this feature as well during take ins.

3.26.6.5 states

In the pump motor controller for electro hydraulic elevators, when the occurrence of a single ground or the failure of any single magnetically operated switch, contactors, or relay; or any single solid state device; or software-system failure causes the liquid in the hydraulic driving machine to rise in temperature above its maximum operating temperature, the following shall occur:

a.    Power shall be removed from the hydraulic driving-machine motor

b.    The hydraulic driving-machine motor shall not be permitted to restart

c.    When the doors are closed, the car shall automatically be brought to the lowest landing and then operate in conformance to 3.26.9.2 and 3.26.9.3.

City of Chicago – The City of Chicago is on the 2007 elevator code right now so this requirement is not applicable

Everywhere else in the State of Illinois – This has been required since the adoption of the 2010 code which was some time ago. The State of Illinois is on the 2013 code currently.

Reason for the requirement – It is to prevent the elevator from running while the oil is thin which will result in level issues and cause a potential trip and fall issue.  

What temperature should HOT FLUID be set at? You should look at the hydraulic fluid MSDS and find the correct temperature.   Many people use 135 degrees as a good starting point.  If you use an organic fluid it may be lower or higher, do research for whatever hydraulic fluid you are using so you can set the temperature properly.

If you have any questions or would like information from Colley Elevator you can go to www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.

Finding the right elevator maintenance contractor & modernization planning – Chicago

I was at a Condo building on Friday to visit with a Condominium who had a ESCO Elevator from 1968.  The building had been having some issues with the elevator not opening the doors at the floor during the first few runs in the day. The information I got when I met with the building was sparse but they told me what the person who was fixing the elevator was doing to remedy the calls, something didn’t line up.  One of the issues was by the time the elevator technician got to the building the elevator was working properly. So I asked more questions.

They had been working with an independent company since 1968 which had been purchased by an intergalactic elevator company/OEM.  When the transition of the company integration took place they had the same maintenance technician that would come and talk with them before and after working on the elevator system. 

Recently they have a new technician who does not communicate with the building and they have on going issues, which means more call backs.  The person does not call before he gets there or let anyone know he is leaving. There are no maintenance records in the elevator room so the building has no idea what is going on. There is no communication so the building ends up leaving everyone at this intergalactic company many messages which may add to the confusion.

After asking a few more questions it seems that the person going to the building may not be familiar with the elevator equipment in their building and the elevator equipment is in need of replacement.  

We have discussed this topic in the past, it is very important for buildings to find a contractor that will meet their expectations.  If a building wants someone to the building once a month, find a contractor that will come once a month.  If a building wants to have maintenance records in the elevator machine room find a contractor that will provide records in the machine room.  Many companies have moved away from leaving any evidence they had been at the building, when they go to the building, what they did at the building.  The elevator code indicates that this information is required to be available to elevator personnel[elevator inspectors, mechanics & competitors] when they are in the elevator machine room. 

I recently audited four elevators for a larger organization and the maintenance service provider had been to the building for maintenance 2-4 times for the year.  The building was getting billed $20,000 to $30,000 a month for service calls.  Some buildings might be fine with this; the question is what is right for your building?  And what are you paying for?  And what do you want from your elevator maintenance company?  The building I assisted in the audit for was not very happy about only having 2-4 visits which they thought they were paying for monthly visits.  This particular building should have someone there twice a month because the building is rough on their elevators and the maintenance contractor can correct small issues before they become large issues.  The building will still get bills but with preventative maintenance we can help curb the large expenses.

Elevator modernization planning - Back to the Condo, we also spoke about the building replacing their elevator equipment.  Hiring a new company to take care of an older elevator may or may not resolve all of the issues but the reality is that the elevator equipment is almost 50 years old and the building should have a plan for replacement.  No one likes spending money but I got the building decision makers to understand that they need to address their elevator equipment and we will have a meeting very soon so I can show them what needs to be completed.  

Our trade is very important and can get expensive, we need to be able to communicate with decision makers and owners who may not fully understand elevators so they know what they are paying for and why they need to have elevator maintenance and plan for equipment replacement.  

  

Elevator radio show – www.elevatorradioshow.com

Chicago Elevator Association – Next meeting – 3/3/16 @ Tuscano’s – Schillder Park – Presenter – Vertitron Midwest

If you have any questions or would like information from Colley Elevator you can go to www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.

Elevator Full Door Protection & 3D

Many of the buildings we maintain have replaced their safe edge door protection with door scans but we still stumble across a few that have not.  If you still have a safe edge, get it replaced!

What is a elevator safe edge?  An elevator safe edge is a “boot” that is on the leading edge of the elevator car door that will come into contact with an object and retract when it hits someone or something.   This piece of technology and equipment worked very well for many years.  The issue with this device is that it physically needs to hit something before it retracts and over the years the adjustment on the microswitch which is the component that tells the elevator door to reopen may be worn out.   As elevator door operators get older we lose the ability to adjust door speed to be reliable and safe.

What is a door scan/full door protection unit?  A door scan/full door protection unit is a device that works just like your device that prevents the garage door from hitting your car when it is going out of a garage.  The elevator door protection unit has beams that go up and down the length of the elevator car door.  If the device detects and obstruction in the elevator car doors path it will reopen the door before hitting the person or object.

Why replace the safe edge?  One of the most common “accidents” or cause of injury in elevators is the door hitting people.  This device can be replaced for a reasonable cost and it will reduce the possibility from someone getting hit by the door.

How long does a full door scan last?  We have been installing door scans for quite some time, some last 5 years and some last 20 years depending on how much use the elevator gets and what kind of use the elevator gets.  I would ball park that the average door scan will work 10-15 years.  The door scans are electronic and do get hit and jarred during the use of the elevators.

How much does a door scan cost?  Call your elevator maintenance provider, a door scan should cost anywhere between $1,500.00 to $3,000.00 to install.  This device is well worth the investment.

3D door protection – There are newer 3D devices that can provide additional protection.  The devices are not perfect but they do have some really good benefits.  The 3D door protection device is great for any building with slower moving people or children.

If you have any questions or would like information from Colley Elevator you can go to www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.