Comb Impact Vertical lift
| Author | Post |
|---|---|
| Robert L Krieger Jr | It seems that recently the clean down of escalators is not including the cleaning and adjusting of the comb impact vertical lift safety devices. More recently in Southern California, this is becoming an issue that is stopping in the inspections while that task is being done in order to get the escalator to pass. Do we have any contacts at the major service providers to send a message that cleaning the upper and lower pits is not the same thing as a clean down? Will litigation be required to get this done? What are the options when the customer has paid to have it done and it was not? |
| Posted Jun 9, 2023 | |
| Michael A Chavez | Well, I tried to answer you, but the "system timed out". Oh well, they probably would have censored my answer anyway. |
| Posted Jun 9, 2023 | |
| Michael A Chavez |
Robert, I wrote a polite and politically correct answer for you, but it seems in their zeal to protect “server time”, the administrators cut the time to respond a little short in my humble opinion. 15 minutes ought to be enough time. Anyway, here is what I said, as best I can recall, maybe with a little added: This is nothing new. I experienced a similar situation when I was an AHJ, a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. It seems that common sense, and prudent stewardship of resources would lead the companies to perform PM, cleaning and exercising on safety devices a week or two, or even a month prior to testing, so that everything goes smoothly and stuff doesn’t get torn up. Of course, on escalators and moving walks, one has to partially disassemble the units to get at most of the safety devices, so again, common sense, and prudent stewardship of resources, should lead them to perform this function when doing the major clean down of the equipment, as a coincident labor function. But here we are at another issue, what is a clean down? What is included in the maintenance agreement? What is the client paying for? Unfortunately, I believe that a lot of the companies are providing what I call an “Ala Carte” maintenance program. They exclude major cleaning of escalators and moving walks, they exclude testing, they have hold harmless provisions in their contracts to mitigate their responsibility when equipment is damaged during testing, they exclude providing technicians for assisting in the inspection of equipment. Some companies exclude major components, which were previously included by most companies in a “full maintenance” program, such as hoistropes, car safeties, etc. Most tests are conducted by the same company that provides maintenance, but, the code does not require it. In fact, some AHJs allow the inspection companies to have a testing team, which consists of a technician to perform the test, and another person to witness the tests. They are usually paid by the job, not the hour. In such a scenario, I don’t think they would break down the unit and clean and adjust the safety devices. They expect the maintenance company to have already done that. I’m pretty sure the owners usually do too. One could certainly debate the propriety of the same entity performing tests and witnessing those same tests, but if it isn’t the same person, most AHJs allow it. The code requires cleaning periodically, as necessary, it does not prescribe the periodicity of actual cleaning, nor does it specify what “clean” means. The code does not require the cleaning, exercise and adjustment of safety devices prior to testing. In fact, it prohibits such activity prior to testing side step skirts, but I don’t think the code writers intended it to prevent PM. They were trying to keep companies from skewing test results, by cleaning and spraying skirts with low friction lubricant just prior to skirt tests. In a perfect world, everything would be seamless, everyone would have a plan and schedule, the technicians would perform PMs on time, the repair crews would clean elevators and escalators as frequently as the code writers intended, and adjust all safety devices periodically, so when tested they function as designed and required, and everyone does their job, the company makes a fair profit, the owner gets their equipment well maintained for a fair price. and the public is assured they can safely and efficiently get from Point A to Point B.. However, the pressure on everyone to minimize labor, achieve profit targets, and move on to the next project, keeping their competitors at bay, is too great to ignore and set aside, for most folks. It’s brave new world. It’s all about the money. |
| Posted Jun 9, 2023 | |
| James L Borwey | Robert. Michael Chavez has very eloquently, although somewhat cynically answered your question from an AHJ point of view. I will of course draw your attention to ASME A17.1 requirement 8.6.1.13 Cleaning. The other thing I will remind you of is that in Southern California you have to use Title 8. I am not as well versed in the California Code as I once was. However, you may wish to discuss the issue with the Senior Engineer of the State Elevator Inspection unit for further clarification and advice on required maintenance. |
| Posted Jun 9, 2023 |