Missing the Mark
In The New York Times op-ed, The American Elevator Explains Why Housing Costs Have Skyrocketed, Stephen Jacob Smith addresses the factors that he believes are limiting housing developments while contributing to rising housing costs, as described in his 113-page report he promotes throughout the opinion piece. Mr. Smith has done his research, something that no doubt served him well as a real estate journalist and as co-founder of Quantierra, a real estate tech startup that uses data to invest and broker sales.
His latest venture is the Center for Building in North America that “conducts research on building codes and advocates for reform in North America.” And while he suggests that North America adopt European standards to solve the issue of “high elevators costs and low elevator availability,” the solution is far more complicated.
European or international building codes are primarily performance based. Put simply, once a company performs a risk assessment, prepares documentation on how the product meets the requirements, and has the process validated, it can sell the same product in any area that accepts those European or international codes. By comparison, ASME A17.1/CSA B44 code is much more prescriptive, meaning that it requires specific values for sizes, capacities, clearances, etc. These values can change as the code is updated, meaning products may have to be changed to comply with the latest requirements.
The other variable that impacts the design and installation of products is local adoption. Not only does it depend on which edition of the code is adopted, but also any deviations from the jurisdiction. If the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) adopts an earlier edition, companies may be required to seek variances every time they install a newer product in that jurisdiction, which can costly and time consuming. Engineering specific designs for an AHJ results in increased costs as there is no one-size-fits-all approach that will work in the same manner in North America that it apparently does in Europe, per Mr. Smith.
The National Elevator Industry, Inc., and its member companies have been driving building code change in North America for many decades. Safety codes in North America are updated on a three-year basis through a consensus-based process involving numerous stakeholders rather than special interest groups as Mr. Smith alluded to in his op-ed. These standards go through a continuous improvement cycle based on technical innovation and lessons learned in the field and, as a result, we have seen significant reductions in accidents involving the riding public and the industry workforce over the last three decades.
Our work around building safety codes is making a big difference.
However, implementation of those codes remains the real issue as it happens as a state level, and states often adopt different versions of the model code – and then deviate from it. Inconsistent standards require highly customized solutions as manufacturers are being forced respond to unique regulations, which adds costs and reduces choice. It is one of the largest industry challenges as it relates to meeting customer needs, and those needs include accessibility.
Developing a well-trained workforce is also more complex than Mr. Smith understands. The elevator industry is building a pipeline for the next generation of skilled trade school students and experienced labor from other trades, including through organizations like SkillsUSA, to raise awareness about the opportunities in the industry’s well-trained workforce. The industry apprenticeship program has made a big difference too, although more classroom and on-the-job training is necessary due to the complexity of building transportation equipment.
Are there issues that need to be fixed? Absolutely. But the blame shouldn’t be placed on the elevator industry and the building codes being constantly updated here in North America. Our companies aren’t the problem – they are constantly putting the safety of the riding public first, which is why elevators and escalators remain the safest form of transportation in the world. Our codes aren’t the problem – the model code in North America exists to address some of the issues cited by Mr. Smith. The issue remains deviation and lack of adoption of the model code as it is intended by local jurisdictions, and this is an issue NEII has devoted countless hours and resources toward fixing.
The elevator industry is thriving with a fresh and diverse workforce joining this critically important trade. Modern technological advancements have expanded elevator capabilities and possibilities, and are enabling architects, developers, and building owners to dream bigger and build higher. And for the smaller buildings like the five-story building in Brooklyn that Mr. Smith calls home, the one with a single staircase and no elevator, the model code can help – if regulators stay current with evolving standards.
About NEII
NEII is the premier trade association representing the global leaders in the building transportation industry. Its members install, maintain, and/or manufacture elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other building transportation products. NEII‘s membership includes the six major international companies – Fujitec America, Inc., KONE, Inc., Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc., Otis Elevator Company, Schindler Elevator Corporation, TK Elevator and several other companies across the country. Collectively, the NEII members represent approximately eighty-five percent of the total hours worked within the elevator and escalator industry, employ more than 25,000 people in the U.S. and indirectly support hundreds of thousands of American jobs in affiliate industries.
For more information about NEII, please visit www.neii.org.
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