Retractable ladders – State of Illinois Pit Ladder Mandate

We are on the downward slope of the pit ladder mandates by the State of Illinois.  We have touched on pit ladders quite a bit on the blog but we will talk about retractable pit ladders.  Many pit environments require a retractable pit ladder, it is my opinion that you should do everything you can to not put a retractable pit ladder in.  I say this because I have asked quite a few elevator professionals if they will ever use a retractable pit ladder to access the pit.  The only answer I get is “no”.  But in some environments we cannot get away from using a retractable pit ladder because there are significant clearance issues to put a rigid ladder in.

I have found 3 sources of retractable pit ladders, each have their strengths and weaknesses.  One is robust but sticks out 3 plus inches off the wall. One is low profile but not as sturdy as the other two.  The 3^rd ladder is somewhere in between.  So there is always the question of which retractable pit ladder is the best to use in each environment.  

We just installed a Wurtec retractable pit ladder in at a location that had clearance restrictions.

I understand the code and concerns about elevator pit ladders. At times I believe we put in devices that will not assist the elevator professional but will comply with the code.  I think there could be a better way.  We have applied for variances on pit ladders and all of the inspection firms and municipalities have been reasonable with the requests.  If you haven’t done your elevator pit ladder yet and your vendor is recommending a retractable pit ladder, talk to them about other options.  There is a place for these devices but if you can avoid putting in devices that may never get used that would be my suggestion.  A retractable pit ladder is also significantly more expensive which is a secondary concern because safety does not have a cost associated to it.  If building owners, elevator contractors, inspectors and municipalities work together we can install the safest and most appropriate device for each elevator pit.

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.

National Association of Elevator Contractors [NAEC] Spring Conference

Last weekend/week was the NAEC spring conference is Savannah Georgia.  The NAEC is the largest association in North American of contractors, suppliers, consultants and other professionals.   Any time I go to a convention or conference I get charged up and overwhelmed because there is so much any company should be doing to improve their practices.  We all have lots of work to do and these events remind us that we need to get to work on improving our practices and the safety of everyone in the elevator industry.

Friday April 8^th to Tuesday April 12^th was packed full of seminars, round tables and discussions on the elevator industry.  There was a few receptions along the way as well.

High lights:

The contractor session started off the educational program with talking about MRL’s and California taking the lead by giving very strict guide lines on acceptable equipment.  Most MRL’s are not allowed to be installed in California right now.  There is one OEM that has equipment that meets the Californian requirements.  The MCP was also discussed in the session which it appears that everyone is not on the same page on what the MCP is supposed to be.

Draka gave a presentation on fiber optic cables and how to splice them in connectors to work with CAT 5/CAT 6 cables.  An elevator guy even got to try to do this, if you are going to do this, you will need glasses, these cables are very small and glass.

There was an “open mic” session where a bunch of us got together and talked about different items in the elevator industry a big item is the 3 by 5 rule for residential elevators as well as general liability and what correct maintenance is.  I enjoyed this session as it was a good mix of consultants, contractors and res lift companies.  It was good to get other peoples perspectives.

There was a great presentation on ASME A17.4 – Guide for emergency personnel by a elevator consultant/expert witness.  This document should be in all machine rooms and Fireman should assist in the elevator portion of any extraction.  We all know this does not occur.  Elevator personnel should not help the fireman remove people only in spotting the elevator and opening the doors.  This was a great presentation.  

EECO valve gave a presentation on adjusting their valve

Round tables – There were eight all together I went to the OSHA orientation session, six deadly safety points, and employment insurance update.

Lots of good information presented at this conference.  I met elevator contractors, suppliers and AHJs at the event.  It is good to be able to talk to fellow contractors and AHJ’s to see what they are doing and perhaps get some good information to bring home to your company. 

Next NAEC event is their United Convention in Montreal Canada where Americans and Canadians will share the stage and best practices and equipment September 7^th – September 16^th.

For more information go to NAEC.org

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 – Elevator Fireman’s Service Phase II

There has been discussion about what the mandate will be for Elevator Fireman’s Service Phase II on 1/1/17.  Please find some baseline information that is being worked on at the City of Chicago level.  This is not 100% yet but will be the framework for the required updates.  Please note that this is only for buildings with Fireman’s Service Phase II, if the building does not have Phase II these requirements will not apply.  This is only for buildings in the City of Chicago.

Here are a list of items that may be the template

1.    A permit will be required to complete the work that will be required.

2.    This work can be completed without updating to a later code

3.    Automatic recall of elevators is not required

4.    When the Phase II switch is turned to the OFF position and the door open button is released, the doors will close and the elevator will revert to Phase I operation and will return to the designated level.

5.    The elevator shall have a Firefighters’ Jewel in the car station.  The jewel does not have to be a Fire Hat if it was not required at the time of the installation.

6.    The elevator shall have an audible signal in the car station for Firefighters Emergency Operation.

7.    The elevator shall have a Car Call Cancel push button in the car station.

8.    Elevators at the designated level not on Phase II Operation shall return to group operation when the Phase I switch is turned OFF.

9.    Elevators not at a designated level when the Phase I switch is turned OFF shall return to the designated level before they can return to group operation.

10. The keying may remain. FEO-K1 key switches are not required

11. The Elevator Control Panel/Lobby Panel may remain.  There is no requirement to provide or updated existing panels.

12. Composite jewel/pushbutton is not permitted.  A separate jewel and a separate Car Call Cancel pushbutton shall be provided.

This panel has a jewel[top right], key switch[top center], call cancel[top left]

More information to come on the PHASE II requirements for Fire Fighters Service.  This is a work in process but Buildings in the City of Chicago should be reviewing possible plans of actions as the time line is still 1/1/17.  Many buildings can do software changes, many buildings can do add on panels, some buildings may need to replace elevator controllers.

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 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.