In a series of events this past Fall, D&D Elevator of Elmsford, NY opened its new Elevator Learning Center at 200 Corporate Boulevard in Yonkers, NY, just a few minutes north of New York City. In addition to classroom space, the 2,500-square-foot facility includes workshop areas where actual, real-life elevator mechanical equipment – donated by various companies throughout the elevator industry – is set up for use in hands-on training sessions.

Property owners and managers daily are faced with an ever-changing array of issues and challenges on which to remain current. Given this reality – plus the ongoing issues of “time to focus” and managing budgets and expenses – it is easy to slip into a pattern of avoiding matters that should or must be addressed for reasons of safety and code compliance. Ignoring these issues can lead to significant future costs in money and time, and, in a worst-case scenario, tragedy. This is especially true when it comes to preparing one’s elevators for emergencies, and we focus here on three specific categories: Emergency Phones, Emergency Lighting and Firefighter Services Operation, which is required by A.17.1 2000 Code & NYC DOB Code Appendix K.

Property owners and managers should be aware that there are requirements that must be adhered to, for reasons of safety and code compliance.

According to Bob Schaeffer, CEO and President of Elmsford NY-based D&D Elevator Maintenance, the solution is “training, training, training,” and D&D has a plan underway to help.

Time flies and a significant percentage of elevators in the field today are aging to the point of obsolescence, with many systems and components in need of upgrade. While property managers and building owners may recognize the need to rethink their elevator equipment, budget and timing may be factors for some in implementing a full modernization all at once. At the least, consideration should be given to certain components of the elevator system, installed 20 to 30 years ago, which have outlived their useful life, or which have been rendered obsolete by technology advancements and updated code requirements.

The New York City Department of Buildings has announced that, by January 1, 2020, all automatic passenger, service and freight elevators must provide a system to monitor and prevent automatic operation with faulty door contact circuits.