Vertical Transportation Excellence Momentum Newsletter

If this newsletter is not displaying properly click here to read it online.

2006.2

Sean T. Steiner, Q.E.I.
Manager, Tech Center

Sean T. Steiner, Q.E.I., was recently named Manager for VTX’s Technical Design Center. Based in the Philadelphia office, Steiner will be responsible for managing the design efforts, including drawings and calculations for elevator and escalator projects.

“We have seen tremendous growth and development in Sean that continues to be reflected by the positive comments received from our clients he supports,” said Patrick Welch, President of VTX. “Sean has been a valuable asset to our organization providing consistent, thorough, and complete designs”.

Sean has significant experience in design, modernization, maintenance, and project management for new and existing vertical transportation equipment. He develops standards for elevator and escalator designs, provides solutions for upgrading existing installations, conducts in-depth safety inspections to verify conformance with codes and special requirements, and assists clients and designers with the interpretation of official codes.

We sincerely hope that you find this information helpful in your day-to-day activities. Feel to email Sean directly at ssteiner@vtexcellence.com

__________

Time and Schedule is Expensive in Elevator & Escalator Projects!

Most vertical transportation projects have a built in period of time for engineering and design for contractors to produce shop drawings for approval. In many pre-engineered applications, this is a minimal time frame with little impact on the fabrication and construction schedule.

However, in modernizations and custom new construction projects, special engineering, shop drawing, and the subsequent approval process can take months!

For these types of projects VTX has come up with a unique design solution that designs can accurately depict the actual conditions.

Smart Design

~Eliminating the typical six to eight week review period for elevator contractor shop drawings.~

VTX has the ability to develop the initial design drawings (i.e. contract drawings) to be used as shop drawings. In turn, the contractor can submit the contract drawings to the sub contractors directly for fabrication and eliminating the typical 6-8 week review period for elevator contractor shop drawings.

This increased effort in planning and design assures the Owner that the specialized products will be built as they desire with no confusion, cost cutting, or setbacks. The Owner’s approval of a particular layout, cab, or fixture, eliminates the shop drawing approval process, allowing the successful contractor to take the bid drawings directly to fabrication without delay or additional approvals.

An Even Playing Field

This approach also levels the bidding field to more completely assure the Owner that the bidders are pricing the project on the same product(s). The Contractor also benefits because the risk of manufacturing and design of these components is reduced from their interpretation of bid drawings and specifications to the designer. The contractor can take these bid drawings immediately after the Notice To Proceed (NTP) with confidence to manufacturing, knowing that the drawings meet the job requirements completely.

Of course, this means that the initial survey and design must be accurate and detailed. When a decision to modernize an elevator system is made, a detailed survey of the equipment and specific local conditions should be performed. VTX’s approach relies heavily on an accurate survey of the existing elevator system which will serve as the backbone to an effective design.

When specific notes and sketches are developed in the field, along with an extensive equipment evaluation, the design process can be effectively implemented. VTX has found that when an accurate up front survey is performed, the traditional bid drawing package can be developed into a fabrication drawing package. The details developed based on these survey’s leaves no unreasonable doubt as to what is to be replaced and what is to be rehabilitated.

In new construction applications, many custom installations may exist that require close coordination with other architectural and engineering disciplines. This same approach of developing vertical transportation bid drawings as complete fabrication drawings can save time, money, and confusion for all parties.

Time for a Change?

The next time you contemplate a fast track, time sensitive vertical transportation project, you may want to consider a change from the traditional bid drawing - NTP - Engineering - Shop drawing - Approval - Resubmit process to VTX’s Smart Design: Bid-NTP-Fabricate. See figure presented below.

Our focus is simple, to deliver a smooth flow in the shop drawing process. Our process is a clear and precise design solution that can eliminate up to eight weeks from the typical shop drawing process. This process consolidates steps of traditional shop drawing, creating a more efficient use of time, and providing a solid design solution.

Smart Design

__________

At VTX, our momentum is taking us to new heights. Our group of industry professionals specializes in the design, modernization, maintenance, and inspection of elevators, escalators, moving walks, and technology consulting. We serve the educational, healthcare, commercial, and transportation markets including aviation, nationwide. We recognize that each project requires a detailed, integrated process that is customized to meet the owner’s needs. Our designers, industry experts, and analysts have one focus: to help our clients achieve their goals through practical design and program management.

This column is intended to discuss new or existing rules and interpretations that may affect the operations or planning of your vertical transportation systems. The rules within the A17.1 Code are intended to be clear and unambiguous, but there are sometimes unintended consequences to the rules that leave the reader confused as to the intention of the Code.

In past Code Corner columns, we have addressed a variety of issues of concern to our clients. For this issue, there are no “hot topics” related to the ASME A17.1 Code that have been published or decided on by the A17.1 Standards Committee. ASME has strict rules on publication of sub-committee work prior to final approval, so we cannot discuss proposed rule changes or interpretations until they are voted on and approved by the Standards Committee.

We can, however, share some recently approved interpretations with our readers that may be of interest and use in your facility.

Escalator Safety Zone: The Code is clear that each landing of the escalator must have a “safety zone” of twice the width of the handrails plus eight inches, outward from the end of the newel. Inquiry 00-08 concerned an enclosed head house or exit doors within that safety zone. If the exit doors have a panic bar that could not be locked, would they be permitted within that safety zone? A17.1 states, “If the doors can be closed while the escalator is operating and the open passage is less than the width between the centerlines of the handrails plus 8 inches .”