To promote, foster and advance in every lawful manner, the common interest and goals of those engaged in the vertical transportation industry, also known as the Industry; to encourage, increase and advance fellowship, cooperation and mutual interest among manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, consultants, inspectors, public employees and field personnel engaged in the industry; to inform those in the vertical transportation industry and the general public on the safety and operation of all vertical transportation; to organize, hold and conduct meetings, discussions, lectures, seminars and forums on issues affecting the vertical transportation industry; to acquire, assemble, preserve and distribute educational and informational literature in connection with improving safety and the overall operation of vertical transportation systems; to maintain, develop, improve and enhance the standards, practices, and ethics of those engaged in the Industry; to aid, assist, cooperate and otherwise engage in concerted action with private and governmental agencies, organizations and institutions on all issues involving the common interests and goals of those engaged in the vertical transportation industry.

ECNY 7th ANNUAL FAMILY PICNIC DAY
8/14/2010 -

ECNY Christmas Party

On December 3, 2009 the ECNY held its annual Christmas Party at Bruno's on The Boulevard. The membership agreed to the present Officers remaining for another term as well as the existing Board of Directors with the exception of Tom Markunas whose term has expired and has been replaced by Brad Hunt from the Peelle Co.

Awards were given to the four scholarship winners and the Prestigious Francis B. Riley Presidents Award was presented to Mr.. Doug Gilman, Secretary of the ECNY.

A special award was given to Mr.. Harry Vyas, Director of Elevators, NYC Buildings Department for his dedicated service to the ECNY in promoting Elevator and Escalator Safety.

The evening was well attended and was concluded with the distribution of the free raffle prizes. A good time was had by all.

This years Scholarship winners !

Ms. Nicole Bielawski, Old Westbury, New York /  Pinceton University / ECNY Affiliation: Slawek Bielawski / Individual Member - Baltic Elevator Co.  

 Ms. Michelle Kuchinskas, Farmingdale, New York / DeSales University / ECNY Affiliation:  Corporate Member / Thyssen Krupp Elevator Co  

Ms. Cortney Mulligan, Mt. Sinai, New York / The College of New Jersey / ECNY Affiliation: Bonnie Mulligan /  Corporate Member / The Peelle Company  

Ms. Linnea Spampinato, Great Neck, New York / University of Buffalo / ECNY Affiliation: Philip Spampinato / Individual Member Unitech

RECENT NYC DOB POWERPOINT

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/ECNY_Seminar.pdf

Click this link to view the recent Powerpoint Presentation given by the NYC DOB at the last ECNY Meeting

Questions and Answers

                       ECNY – CODE / INSPECTION SEMINAR – October 21, 2009

QUESTIONS

Answers are in Red

1. The NYC DOB accepted QEI Certification for 2009 Witness Inspections, as long as the QEI Inspector was performing work for an approved Elevator Inspection Agency.

a.       Will the QEI licensed Inspectors be accepted in 2010?  Under what conditions?

b.       The rest of the country accepts QEI certification.  Why doesn’t NYC accept it on a permanent basis?

1a. as long as they Pass NYC license Exam by July 1^st, 2010. After passing NYC license              exam candidate will work under QEI until background check completed or up to June 30, 2011, whichever comes first?

       1b. NYC has its own Codes and Standards

2. Earlier in the year, it was stated (and also written) that mandated periodic and 5-year testing on Elevators, Escalators and Sidewalk Freight Elevators only, would need to be witnessed by an Independent 3^rd party "Witnesser;" now we are being told that "Commercial Wheelchair Lifts" must also be witnessed by a 3^rd party Inspector.  Is this true?

      2    YES

3. If an elevator is being modernized during the time a periodic test is being performed, how is this elevator to be filed?  "Unsatisfactory" or "Satisfactory" with a notation that it is currently being modernized?  Since we are in the last quarter of the year, some of these elevators being modernized will not be completed in time for a 2009 mandated inspection to be performed and filed.

     3    File ELV-3 forms with unsatisfactory condition with  permit # stating, work in progress and projected completion date.  

4. On a large project, with multiple units, at what point does the "45-day" filing period begin?  For example, if a project has 60-elevators and takes 1-month to complete, do we have 45-days from the LAST unit completed?

      4   No, as per code section 28-304.6.5, Filing has to be done within 45 calendar days from the date of the inspection/Test  

5. For 2010 Mandated Inspections/Testing, will the inspection on a specific unit have to be performed within 12-months of the 2009 inspection, or just by the end of the year?

5         As per code section 28-304.6.1,   they shall be made between January 01 to December 31 of each year. A violation can be issued during inspection if cat 1 test tag expired.  

6. What has been happening in cases where an Unsatisfactory Cat-1 has been filed, but the Owner refuses to perform necessary repair work, and therefore the Contractor has NOT been able to file an ELV-29 form?

a.       Has NYC been issuing ECB violations ? Yes, if condition exist during DOB inspection.

b.       Has NYC been issuing fines/penalties? Yes, Penalties/ Fines rule in process of approval. However old fee structure for not filing report as per subchapter 18 27- 1000 is still in effect.

c.       Has a penalty amount been established yet? Same as above.

7. Are the following "retroactive" requirements on all existing installations:

a.       Counterweight Runby Signs?

b.       Maintenance Control Plans?

c.       Elevator Cab City ID #’s / Designation?

      7a required for device installed and Modernized under ASME A 17.1 1996-97.

      7b Yes

      7c No.

8. Five (5) Year (Cat-5) Testing:  There have been some "misunderstandings" with scheduling of 5-year tests.  Here are a few questions pertaining to 5-year tests:

a.       If a multiple elevator project is scheduled for 5-days of testing (i.e. 10 cars, 2-per day, Monday to Friday) and the testing goes faster than anticipated, will NYC accept the filing showing the 10-cars being completed in fewer days, or will it be rejected?

b.       If the same multiple elevator project takes longer (due to various reasons), and requires additional days to complete, will NYC accept the filing?

c.       We understand that a 5-year test cannot be filed as "Unsatisfactory" and therefore, if problems are encountered, repairs must be made immediately and re-testing occurs until the car "passes".  In these cases, should the filing state the "Original" scheduled test date, or the "New" date (i.e. date the elevator actually passed 5-year test); and does NYC have to be notified of the date of "re-test" if there was no cease-use issued?

       8a. Yes, (Needs to submit notification form amended at least 24 hours in advance.)

        8b.same as answer stated for question 8a.

       8c If 5 year test failed and reschedule, needs to submit new notification at least 24 hours in advance and 10 days notification period requirement will be waived.

9. Category 1 Testing:  If an Elevator Cat-1 is being performed, and the test is completed with the exception of 1 (or more) items which causes a "Cease-Use" to be issued (i.e. governor would not hold):

a.       The Performing Inspection Agency, as a licensed NYC Inspection Agency and Elevator Contractor, makes the necessary repairs, tests the governor and insures that it is working properly; they call NYC to lift the Cease-use, and file an ELV-29 Certification of Affirmation.  Does the Witnesser have to re-inspect this work, if the licensed performing agency is already certifying this?

b.       If the answer is Yes, please explain why we need two licensed parties (Performing Inspector and Witnessing Inspector) certify that this work was completed?  The Witnessing Inspector has already filed the ELV-3 form listing the Cease-use.

      9a. Yes, as per code 28-304.6.3 and 28-304.6.6 all unsafe or hazardous items must be notified to the department within 24 hours and shall be corrected immediately. Elv -3 reports shall not be consist of any unsafe or hazardous item(s) as an unsatisfactory condition. All hazardous items (s) shall be corrected before filing Elv-3 report to the department.         

      9b Performing agency can allowed putting elevator back to service after necessary inspection and testing to provide service to the riders. After completion of work performing agency must contact area chief to lift the cease use order before resorinf elevator service. Witnessing company needs to file ELV-3 form so they need to perform inspection to confirm that conditions are corrected       

10. If the fire alarm system is not being changed (does not exist) during an elevator modernization do we have to bring the building up to current code.  Smoke head at each vestibule, in motor room, and in top of shaft.  Also, does this apply to Emergency Power.

      10 It shall be incompliance with the requirement in the Section 8.7 (Alteration) of ASME A17.1, 2003 and NYC Building code.

Thanks.

Harry Vyas.