Category Archives for "2007"

New Web Site Explains, Promotes Adoption of Joint U.S./Canadian Performance Based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators

Vital Addition to Existing U.S., Canadian Elevator Safety Code Expedites Use of New Elevator Technologies by Providing an Objective, Standardized Process to Assure Safety

SALEM, N.Y. – (Sept 13, 2007) — The National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII) today announced a new Web site – www.pbc-elevators.com – dedicated to the promotion and adoption of Performance Based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, ASME A17.7/ CSA B44.7 (PBC) throughout the U.S. and Canada. Developed jointly by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the PBC provides a more efficient, standardized method for specifying safety requirements for new elevator technologies. The PBC is considered an important addition to the 2007 version of the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators – ASME A17.1/CSA B44 – which serves as the basis for the design, construction, installation, operation, testing, inspection, maintenance, alteration, and repair of elevators and escalators in the U.S. and Canada.

“As states, provinces and local governments in Canada and the U.S. work toward adoption of the PBC as part of the adoption of the latest Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, we believe the new Web site will help interested parties understand the economic, technological, business, consumer and governmental benefits,” said Edward Donoghue, Administrator of NEII. “Without PBC, the prescriptive nature of the existing Elevator Safety Code will continue to make it difficult for architects and builders to specify and install advanced elevators that are safer, faster, quieter, more efficient and more accessible.”

The need for PBC arises from the prescriptive language in ASME A17.1/CSA B44, which addresses technology that has already been introduced without providing a uniform, structured approach for introducing and approving new technology. This has led to a hodgepodge of different processes in jurisdictions throughout Canada and the U.S., including some localities that do not have procedures to allow for the use of new elevator technologies.

One result of regulatory design limitations is that North America is far behind Europe, Asia and other regions that are readily incorporating advanced elevator designs and technologies to keep pace with advanced buildings that are taller, more efficient, sustainable and more resistant to natural forces, such as hurricanes and earthquakes. In fact, the European Union’s Lifts Directive 95/16/EC, adopted in 1995, was studied closely by ASME and CSA as they drafted the PBC. Like the Lifts Directive, the PBC incorporates conformity assessment procedures covering the design, manufacture, assembly, installation, inspection and testing of elevators safety components, including review and certification by Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certifying Organizations (AECOs).

The Web site can be accessed directly at www.pbc-elevators.com or through the NEII Web site at www.neii.org/pbcmain.html and explains in detail the need for ASME A17.7/ CSA B44.7 as a Code companion to the 2007 version of ASME A17.1/CSA B44. Major portals on the Web site include FAQs, Press Room, Benefits, Why PBC, About the PBC, and links to supporting organizations, including: ASME, CSA, NEII, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA), the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) and the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International (NAESAI). There is also a link for visitors who want to read the proposed PBC itself and a section that will track jurisdictions as they adopt the PBC standard.

“The demand for elevators that are faster, quieter, more efficient, and more accessible must be met with new designs and cutting-edge technology,” said Donoghue. “With more than 100,000 new elevators or major retrofits in the U.S. and Canada every year, it is important that jurisdictions adopt the PBC’s uniform method for addressing the safety of new technology. The PBC will allow the United States and Canada to keep up with emerging elevator technology while maintaining or exceeding the safety and performance requirements in the current code.”

About NEII
The National Elevator Industry, Inc., is a national trade association representing the interests of corporations, firms or companies that, as part of their regular business, provide or perform any of the following: manufacture (including parts or components used by others in the manufacture, repair or maintenance), install, repair and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walks and related equipment. Trust membership is available to those corporations, firms, or companies who, as part of their regular business, employ members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) and contribute to the benefit trusts (Trusts) established by agreements between the IUEC and NEII. NEII strives to become the leader in promoting safe building transportation, as well as working with local government agencies to encourage the adoption and enforcement of the latest codes and standards.

NEII Announces New Codes and Safety Consultant

SALEM, N.Y. – (Aug 6, 2007) — The National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII) today announced its new codes and safety consultant. Effective January 1, 2008, Brian D. Black, president of BDBlack Codes, Inc., will assume this new role. In his new position with NEII, Black will report directly to the NEII Board of Directors. Concurrently, existing codes and safety consultant, Edward A. Donoghue, will retire from this position, although, he remains administrator and spokesperson for the organization.

“Brian’s diverse background in building codes makes him an ideal addition to the NEII team,” says Scott Stadelman, president, NEII Board of Directors, and president, North American Operations, Schindler Elevator Corporation. “With his knowledge of building codes and standards, I am confident that he will add tremendous value to NEII, helping to further our mission to advance codes and safety issues, and enhance our working relationships with local code authorities. We all look forward to Brian’s contributions.”

Black comes to NEII with an extensive background in codes and standards, as well as a broad range of elevator experience. As president of BDBlack Codes, Inc., Black has more than 30 years of experience providing consultation, training and code analysis in the field of accessibility for people with disabilities. Among his many achievements, he has assisted in the development of a national Fair Housing Training Program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the International Code Council (ICC), and served as chairperson of the American National Standard A117 Task Group on Technical Requirements for Dwelling Units.

Previously, Black served as the director, building codes and standards, for the United Spinal Association, formerly the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association. He was also appointed to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines Advisory Committee by the U.S. Access Board and was honored with a National Performance Review Award by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Additionally, Black chaired the American National Standard A117 Task Group to harmonize the national accessibility standard with federal guidelines, served as chairman of ASME A17.1 Limited-Use/Limited Application Committee and was a member of the International Standards Organization (ISO) TC/178 Working Group on accessible elevator controls.

Black has been published in several trade magazines, including Elevator World, Building Standards and Building Safety Journal, and testified on congressional committees on issues of codes and standards. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1981 from Michigan State University, and resides in Perry, NY.

“I look forward to working with NEII officers and members to further the advancement of industry codes and standards,” says Black. “I’ve worked with NEII in the past on various industry issues, and it is an honor to now join the organization as its codes and safety consultant. I look forward to working closely with Ed, too, to transition responsibilities over the course of the next six months.”

About NEII
The National Elevator Industry, Inc. is a national trade association representing the interests of corporations, firms or companies that, as part of their regular business, provide or perform any of the following: manufacture (including parts or components used by others in the manufacture, repair or maintenance), install, repair and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walks and related equipment. Trust membership is available to those corporations, firms, or companies who, as part of their regular business, employ members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) and contribute to the benefit trusts (Trusts) established by agreements between the IUEC and NEII. NEII strives to become the leader in promoting safe building transportation, as well as working with local government agencies to encourage the adoption and enforcement of the latest codes and standards

NEII Announces New 2007 Board of Directors

SALEM, N.Y. – (March 29, 2007) — The National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII) announced the election of its new Board of Directors, including officers and Trust Committee members. These elections were effective March 28, 2007, with the commencement of NEII’s annual meeting held in Orlando, Florida.

Board of Directors/Officers
The NEII Board of Directors is responsible for managing and directing the affairs of the association as it pertains to its mission statement. The newly elected Board of Directors and officers include:

    • Scott Stadelman, President
    • – Stadelman currently holds the position of president, North American Operations, Schindler Elevator Corporation, and is responsible for the production facilities, field operations and product companies of Schindler in the United States and Canada.

 

    • Vic Harada, Vice President
    • – Harada is responsible for all Fujitec America operations. He has been on the NEII Board of Directors for two years and was recently elected as Officer this year.

 

    • Jack Hoare, Treasurer
    • – Hoare serves as Region Financial Manager, Schindler Elevator Corporation, where he is responsible for budget and financial analysis. Hoare has more than 18 years of elevator industry experience. He is a new NEII member.

 

    • Edward Donoghue, Secretary
    • – Donoghue is the spokesperson and administrator for NEII, as well as the industry’s preeminent authority on codes and safety.

 

    • Todd Bluedorn, Otis Elevator Company
    • – Bluedorn was appointed president of North and South America Area (NSAA) for Otis in 2004. He joined the NEII Board in 2005.

 

    • Michael Corbo, Mitsubishi Elevator
    • – Corbo is general manager/senior vice president of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics, USA’s elevator and escalator division. Corbo has more than 20 years of industry experience and has been involved with NEII for 5 years. He is the association’s past Board president. Corbo has been named 2007 campaign chairman for the Elevator & Escalator Safety Foundation.

 

    • Barry Pletch, ThyssenKrupp Elevator Company
    • – Pletch serves as Chief Executive Officer of ThyssenKrupp Elevator’s Americas Business Unit, where he is responsible for all business operations in North and South America.

 

    • Vance Tang, KONE, Inc.
    • – Tang is the North American Area Director for KONE Corporation and President and CEO for KONE Inc, a U.S. subsidiary of the global vertical transportation company. His responsibility is for the elevator and escalator business as well as the door service business being developed in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

 

Trust Committee
The Trust Committee is solely responsible for administering the rights and obligations of NEII with regards to the NEII Benefits and Educational Trusts. The newly-elected Trust Committee includes:

    • Bruce Brenizer, Mitsubishi Elevator
    • – Brenizer serves as senior vice president of human resources, Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics U.S.A., Inc.

 

    • Timothy Grace, Schindler Elevator Corporation
    • – Grace is a member of the Schindler Management Committee and is responsible for human resources initiatives across the United States and Canada.

 

    • Charles Moore, KONE, Inc.
    • – Moore holds the position of senior vice president of human resources, KONE, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of KONE Corporation.

 

    • Daniel Sessa, Otis Elevator Company
    • – Sessa serves as vice president of human resources, North and South America Area (NSAA).

 

“The diverse experiences of the board members and trust committee add to NEII’s ongoing success,” says Scott Stadelman, president, NEII Board of Directors. “With the combined knowledge of so many industry veterans grouped together, I’m confident that the newly-elected board will continue to expand upon NEII’s progress, providing even greater value to the industry in the areas of codes and safety advancement and education.”

About NEII
The National Elevator Industry, Inc. is a national trade association representing the interests of corporations, firms or companies that, as part of their regular business, provide or perform any of the following: manufacture (including parts or components used by others in the manufacture, repair or maintenance), install, repair and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walks and related equipment. Trust membership is available to those corporations, firms, or companies who, as part of their regular business, employ members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) and contribute to the benefit trusts (Trusts) established by agreements between the IUEC and NEII. NEII strives to become the leader in promoting safe building transportation, as well as working with local government agencies to encourage the adoption and enforcement of the latest codes and standards.