Fire Engineering Training Community
Elevator & Escalator Rescue
Contains important information for technical rescue members, training officers and fire company members alike. Learn the risks involved in elevator and escalator rescues and how to face them successfully.
Hydraulic Elevator room on roof!
We are fairly familiar with the elevators in our jurisdiction and today my Ladder company found something a little unusual.
All of the hydraulic elevator rooms I have ever seen have been either on the 1st floor near the shaft or in the basement near the shaft. This is also what I have been taught by tradesman and experienced firemen. Top floor or roof mounted elevator rooms have been for cable elevators. Today we found a roof mounted hydraulic passenger elevator control room on the roof of a 3 story commercial building when we could not locate the elevator room on the 1st floor or basement/parking garage.
This is also a rare manufacturer in this region. It is a "GMV" out of Italy. Ontario, Canada is the only North American importer for this elevator and equipment/parts. The manual hydraulic dump valve in the control room was unique as well and it included shutting off a ball valve after the dump valve had been activated to lower the elevator to the desired floor. I believe it's a hydraulic safety of some sort. I'm curious if anyone else has seen this type/manufacturer of elevators in their area before and any experiences with training or incidents involving them. It wasn't earth shattering that's for sure, just a little interesting.
FYI - This elevator was in the city of Mill Creek, within Snohomish County, Washington.
Leatherly,
Chad Berg
Ladder co. 72
Snohomish County, WA
All of the hydraulic elevator rooms I have ever seen have been either on the 1st floor near the shaft or in the basement near the shaft. This is also what I have been taught by tradesman and experienced firemen. Top floor or roof mounted elevator rooms have been for cable elevators. Today we found a roof mounted hydraulic passenger elevator control room on the roof of a 3 story commercial building when we could not locate the elevator room on the 1st floor or basement/parking garage.
This is also a rare manufacturer in this region. It is a "GMV" out of Italy. Ontario, Canada is the only North American importer for this elevator and equipment/parts. The manual hydraulic dump valve in the control room was unique as well and it included shutting off a ball valve after the dump valve had been activated to lower the elevator to the desired floor. I believe it's a hydraulic safety of some sort. I'm curious if anyone else has seen this type/manufacturer of elevators in their area before and any experiences with training or incidents involving them. It wasn't earth shattering that's for sure, just a little interesting.
FYI - This elevator was in the city of Mill Creek, within Snohomish County, Washington.
Leatherly,
Chad Berg
Ladder co. 72
Snohomish County, WA
Chad Berg
Thanks for the information and it's very informative. Have you heard of that elevator manufacture before?
Jan 11, 2009
John O'Donoghue
Jan 11, 2009
John O'Donoghue
GMV is a world-wide company, but they are not in the US yet. The Canadian company is probably doing their work here. As long as they meet the ASME A 17.1 Safety Code, and your local or state AHJ's approve it, there would be no problem. Speak with an elelvator person that you know, and they can fill you in. Stay safe. John
Jan 11, 2009