Traction Elevator modernization – Chicago, IL

This is a very exciting elevator modernization for Colley Elevator.   The building is located in Chicago’s famous Gold Coast and is an old mansion that was converted into condominiums in the 1970’s.  The elevator was originally installed in 1929 and had been modernized in the 1970’s by one of our retired partners when he worked at Gallaher & Speck.  The elevator worked well for its age but had to be modernized again to comply with the Chicago FEO Phase II mandate.  

Existing elevator & project scope – The existing elevator was originally manufactured by Haughton Elevator and Machine Company in 1929.  The car had manual doors during the original installation.  Sometime in the past it was modernized to have automatic doors.  In the 1970’s the elevator had a new CJ Anderson Elevator controller in.  The original machine was still there and is still there, works great, decent condition for the age.  We installed new controller, new motor, new door equipment, new fixtures, new counterweights, rope gripper, brake, governor and electrical on this elevator.  The machine would have been replaced but the location in the building would have been difficult to get a new machine in and the machine has been maintained well and still operates well.

New equipment providers

Controllers – Smartrise Engineering

Motors – Imperial

Door equipment - GAL

Fixtures – Innovation Industries

Traction safety & Misc equipment – Hollister Whitney

Flexible motor coupler - EMR

Traction elevator controller & machine room – The machine room is lined with lead and the old controller is in the middle of the room.  We removed the old controller and put the new controller on the far wall to give some room for the mechanics to work. One of the complaints was that the elevator was too noisy.  I met with the person complaining and it so happened his bedroom was on the same wall as the controller and he heard the contactors engaging.  The new Smartrise C4 should eliminate this issue.

[Old machine room]

[Old controller]

[Old controller moved out]

[New Smartrise C4 controller moved in]

  

Elevator machines– This is a very old Haughton machine that had its original brake.  We opted to keep the machine, replace the motor and brake.  Over the years the building has undergone several construction projects which would have made installation of a new machine nearly impossible without ripping out walls in residents units.  The project team did an incredible job with making the new equipment work with the existing machine space.

  

[Old Machine]

[Waiting for motor & brake - Lots of field modification]

[New motor, rope gripper, brake]

 Elevator fixtures – We installed new ADA compliant Innovation fixtures. Nothing splashy or fancy, just looks good and works good.

[1970 hall button]

[New ADA 2020 hall button]

Car top – This car top was small, it was a challenge to put all of our new equipment on it.  I believe the project team had chisel the dinosaur bones off the car top.  New look, great look!

[Old car top]

[New car top]

Counter weights – We removed the existing sash weight counterweights for new Hollister Whitney counterweights.

[Old sashweights]

[New cables & counterweights]

Door equipment – We put all new GAL equipment on the elevator doors which was a challenge due to the center opening 2 speed small doors.  Take a look at the first picture and how small the doors are.

[Tiny 2 speed center opening doors]

[Old hatch doors]

[Freshened up hatch doors]

Take away –The field team who did the installation moved mountains on this one! This was a total team effort on Colley’s part, we had 15 people from the company who worked on the project from the first phone call to the final inspection.  We had some great support from EMR on the motor coupler fitting the 1929 machine and 2020 motor correctly.

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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.

Covid – 19 – Hope, Support, Prevail from an Elevator Contractor

Colley Elevator has been through World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam, 9/11 and everything in between today and 1908.  We will move past the Covid-19. We should be following CDC suggestions and doing everything we can to keep everyone safe.  I do not want to underscore health and safety with this post because those are paramount.   This posts intention is to encourage thinking past the virus and to do what we can do to make things better.  

Support the medical community – If any construction firms have N95 masks, donate them.  Today all of our masks went to Loyola’s emergency room doctors & nurses.  Healthcare workers need them more than we do.  If you have them sitting on your shelf, road boxes or hiding in a closet, get them to the right people.   

Support your local businesses - The impact of this virus will be devastating to many business and individuals.  At Colley Elevator we are buying lunch for all employees left working in the office from a different restaurant.  Our dining rooms in Illinois got shut down on Monday.  We want to support our food service in our community to do what we can.  What can you be doing to help?  Bosses and Managers open up your wallets.  Food service has been there for us every day since you started working, now it’s time we are there for them.

Say thank you to the grocery store workers/gas station attendants and anyone who is generally underpaid to deal with us freaking out – These people have been putting up with us walking into stores with gas masks on trying to buy 1,200 rolls of toilet paper and 40 gallons of milk.  Register attendants and stocking clerks do not get paid well and they are one of the people that are most at risk with the volume of people going in and out of the building.  Tell them “thank you” that they came to work, they are on front line of this invisible war when most of us were sent home to work.

Stay cool – We will get through this.  We are getting good direction from our State leaders.  Listen. Stay in. Essential workers, be as safe as you can.  A suggestion to everyone; take a walk, play a board game, watch a movie, call that friend who you have been too busy to talk to for the last 2 years, check in on friends and loved ones and say hi to your neighbor from across the street.  Today life may be more complicated but it is still a beautiful thing. 

Elevator industry workers stay together – I have been on the phone with other company leaders and will make you the same offer.  If you need anything in these difficult times, reach out to me.  I will do my best to help.  Let’s keep our elevators running and let’s stay safe.

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.

End of Life/Obsolete elevator equipment – US Elevator Ascension 1000/2000

This is the 3^rd in our series of end of life/obsolete elevator control systems.  We still have a few of these in the Chicago market.  The marketing of US Ascension elevator controllers and branding was pretty slick for an elevator controller.  Unfortunately the marketing of the product, does not make it a good product.  Many of these elevators are being replaced because of their reliability. They have some typical ghosts hiding in the closet, if you know where to look you can resolve them relatively quickly.  The question always is, how long and how often do you want to deal with the inherent headaches with this specific elevator system if you depend on your elevator?

What’s the story?  Thyssen Krupp bought US Elevator and then bought Dover Elevator.  Thyssen went on to use something closer to Dover’s control platform and the US platform was scrapped.  US Elevator’s Ascension series was never very popular with the field technician.  For years there have been some very talented Thyssen field techs that have kept these elevators running.  The very talented Thyssen techs that are familiar with this platform are retiring making them few and far between.  Domain knowledge is dwindling.

Who this impacts – If you have an Ascension branded US Elevator or any US Elevator for that matter you need to begin thinking about equipment replacement. Yes, Ascension brand elevator controllers are not that old and should last longer.  It is our recommendation you need to get this scheduled to be replaced.  This elevator controller is currently considered obsolete.

Are parts still available? – There are a few outlets that sell parts or repair the boards on the US Ascension line of elevators.  If you are having boards repaired you need to understand this is not a perfect science, it is more like going to the casino.  We have some great repair shops we can send parts to, but at times, results can vary.  We used to be able to lean on some of these repair shops for hints on field repairs, but that domain knowledge is also retiring.

Trip counter Ascension 2000 – On the Ascension 2000 controllers there may be a trip counter that requires a manual reset.  This is a built in feature to require a maintenance program and monthly visits.  There was a chip set you can buy for this to remove the counter, I don’t know if they are available anymore. 

Take away – If you have any the Ascension 1000/2000 or US Elevator you should have a plan with your elevator company to replace this.  If you cannot afford to replace the elevator controller you should have an understanding of what parts are available, what the building’s expectations should be and what level of talent on this specific control system your elevator maintenance contractor has. Everyone is not good at everything. 

Hey! Sign up for our mailing list!  Next newsletter will be out shortly and you will get one about once a month.

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.

Elevator Contractors of America – ECA – Annual meeting – Orlando, FL

The ECA is a group of independent elevator contractors that have gotten together to work with the IUEC in having a better work arrangement and relationship.  Once a year we get together for our annual meeting to go over internal business, education and hear about the IUEC’s state of affairs and different programs.  This year we had the meeting in Orlando Florida. 

The ECA is a great organization that we are proud to be part of, we have over 52 different companies from coast to coast. ECA companies have a separate CBA then other IUEC member companies.  All IUEC mechanics and apprentices get the same pay rate in all agreements, the ECA agreement is tailored to the independent contractor and different needs we may have from Otis, Schindler, Thyssen, Kone, etc.

Monday started with a program on digital marketing.  We went in closed session and went through ECA’s internal business and state.  We then had a great presentation by our long time attorney/advisor for updates legal issues with the CBA and general best practices.

Tuesday was the IUEC day and got to hear from many of the Internationals leadership.  We got updates from top to bottom on pension and health plan, safety, organizing, NEIEP and EIWPF.  We spent a lot of time discussing safety and hearing about the initiatives the IUEC is implementing.  The IUEC shared its leadership’s vision on relationships with companies and safety.  I was thoroughly impressed with the passion that is being put into some of the new programs the IUEC is working on.

I always take a lot away from these meetings.  We learn a lot during the sessions but it is the conversations we have during the reception, lunch, breaks, breakfast and in the hallways that I take away the most.  While we are in different geographic locations we have the same challenges and it is great to get a chance to talk about what is working for your company other companies across the country.  If you work for a company that is signatory and is not a member of the ECA, I would strongly encourage learning more about it and signing up, the cost is minimal and the benefit is huge.  Thank you to the ECA leadership for putting on another great event and thank you to our sponsors!

  

Hey! Sign up for our mailing list!  Next newsletter will be out in about 3 weeks and you will get one about once a month.

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.

End of Life/Obsolete elevator equipment – ERM Elevator Research Manufacturing & Oliver Williams

This is the 2^nd in our series of end of life/obsolete elevator control systems.  This one is a big one for Colley Elevator, we installed hundreds of these elevator controllers in the mid to late 1960’s and early to mid 1970’s.  Colley and ERM had a close relationship for many years and we still take care of many ERM/Oliver Williams elevator controllers.  For many years we have been letting the building owners know that they should consider replacement of these elevator controllers.

Who this impacts – This end of life/obsolete correspondence is for ERM/Oliver Williams controller owners that have controllers from the mid 1970’s and before.

ERM – 18300

ERM – 18400

ERM – 18500

+more

Mention of SSD1 Drives – We have had this letter since 2010 but we didn’t pay much attention to the mention of the World Electronics SSD1 drive that is found on Virginia Controls, US Elevators and other traction elevator controllers of this era.  Our interpretation is that the SSD1 Drive also called the GFC IIA drives are also at end of life and should be considered obsolete. We have had more than a few run ins with these drives and once they go, we have had a hard time resurrecting them to be safe and reliable service with a repair.  World Electronics does indicate on their website they repair the devices and supply new ones.

Take away – If you have any of these elevator controllers or drives you should be planning for a elevator modernization.  Talk to your elevator contractor about reliability, safety and repair concerns you have.   If you have a 1975 ERM controller, that controller is now 45 years old and you now have the end of life letter from the manufacturer.  Get prices and get the equipment replacement on the books.

Hey! Sign up for our mailing list!  Next newsletter will be out in about 3 weeks and you will get one about once a month.

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.

End of Life/Obsolete elevator equipment – Vertitron VH 40 & VH 80

From time to time we have elevator control systems that we used for a period of time in our geographic area that reach their end of life.  Colley Elevator in the 1980’s/90’s used Vertitron VH series controllers for some of our new installations and modernizations.  We have always kept a pretty solid stock of replacement parts and kept the main components when we modernize other elevators. We had an OT call on a VH 80 controller and ended up replacing the blue box and we started talking about “how long will these be able to be repaired”.  We contacted Vertitron and they sent over an end of life letter indicating 2005 was the finish line for these particular controllers.  We probably have 5 or 6 of these left in our portfolio but it is good to know that the end of the road was 15 years ago so we can let our customers know.

What does end of life mean? – This letter means if you have one of these controllers you need to start planing on replacing the elevator equipment.  If you cannot afford to replace or do not want to replace, make sure your elevator contractor has spare parts and can service your elevator so you don't have an elevator out of service for weeks or months waiting on a new controller.

Technology for the time – The technology for the time was pretty cool.  It was a controller that had earlier solid state technology and a 3 board system that was fairly versatile.   To my knowledge it was one of the first nonproprietary controllers that used a hand held device called “PET”.

Chicago FEO implications – If you have a Chicago FEO phase II violation and have a Vertitron VH series controller you should replace it as anyone saying they can make it work either are elevator wizards or do not know what they are doing.

Ongoing technical support – Minnesota Elevator has owned Vertitron for a number of years and they still sell new controllers.  The folks at Vertitron have always been wonderful about repairs and technical support.

Hey! Sign up for our mailing list!  Next newsletter will be out in about 3 weeks and you will get one about once a month.

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.

History of Elevator Firefighters Emergency Operation

I have wanted to share this information for some time.  This is the history of Elevator Firefighters Emergency Operation.  It is interesting on how the elevator code requirements have changed over the years in reactions to different events.   The big event that escalated adoption and alternate floor recall was a fire at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada in 1980. 

Significance of MGM fire - The burning material created toxic fumes and smoke, which ascended throughout the hotel tower via vertical shafts (elevators and stairwells) and seismic joints and caused the majority of the deaths.  Firefighters reported having to crawl through the dark and over "mounds of stuff" trying to extinguish the fire, it was later determined that the "mounds" were deceased guests and staff near an elevator bank.  Proper evacuation of the hotel guests was hindered as there was no automatic means of returning elevators to the main floor during a fire, causing 10 deceased victims to be found in an elevator. Survivors recounted how some in the hotel had tied bedsheets together and hung them on balconies in an attempt to escape upper floor rooms and alert first responders.

*wikipedia.org

Definitions

Phase I – Phase I is the key switch that is in the main lobby/egress floor that can be operated by competent persons[elevator personnel, fire fighters trained in FEO and/or other people that have had the proper training as outlined in the elevator code.  This key switch will recall the elevators to the main egress.

Phase II – Phase II is the key switch that is in the elevator that allows competent persons to take control the elevator, typically fire fighters.

Automatic recall – Automatic recall is a trigger that will send the elevator down to a specified floor when a device is set off[smoke, flow switch or approved device].

Alternate landing – Alternate landing is the feature that allows the elevator to land at a non-fire floor; I.e. if the fire is at the main landing the elevator will go to the alternate landing[basement or 2^nd floor, whichever is better for building evacuation].  The elevator is hooked up to fire recall devices at each landing, machine room and at times inside the hoistway.

History

ASME 17.1-1973

Automatic Recall introduced in the Supplement.

Phase I – all elevators with 25 feet or more of travel.

Phase II – all elevators with 75 feet or more of travel.

ASME 17.1-1981

Phase II  - all elevators with 25 feet or more of travel.

Audible signals  -   Visible signals

Inspection audible

Machine Room and Main Floor Smokes Required

Alternate Floor Recall

Means of Car Call Cancel

ASME 17.1-1984

Phase II  -  Hold position added to switch.

Car Call Cancel pushbutton added.

ASME 17.1-1987

Firefighters’ Emergency Operation  required of all elevators with 25 feet or more of travel from the Designated landing.

ASME 17.1-1990

In-Car Firefighters’ Hat jewel.

Phase I instructions are specific at hallway key switch.

Phase II instructions are specific in-car.

 Phase I instructions

 Phase II instructions

ASME 17.1-1992

All elevators shall have Firefighters’ Emergency Operation no travel exceptions.

ASME 17.1-1996

“Power Operated” added to in-car instructions.

All elevators with 80 or more inches of travel shall have Firefighters’ Emergency Operation.

ASME 17.1-1998

Flashing Firefighters’ Indicator (FFI) with in-car instructions.

ASME 17.1-2000

Reset added to Phase I key switch.

ASME 17.1-2004

In-Car Firefighters’ Operating Panel added.

Power Monitor (Shunt Trip Monitor) added.

ASME 17.1-2005

“Power Operated” deleted from in-car instructions.

ASME 17.1-2007

Standardized key (FEO-K1) for all Firefighters’ Emergency Operation key switches.

Take away– As we review the evolution of FEO we see changes that are made to make the elevator system safer in the event of a fire.  There is a story and typically a fatality connected to each change in the elevator code.  While the chances of fatality/injury at a building you own, manage, work on, sell to, etc is very small we should all be educating our selves to make our buildings safer.  If you ever question the cost of safety, look in the mirror or think of your family and ask “how much is this life worth?”.

Credit – The MGM information is from wikipedia.org and the FEO history was taken from a document from Joseph Donnelly PE.

Hey! Sign up for our mailing list!  We should be getting a monthly email going out sometime in Q1 of next year.

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.