16th Annual Wisconsin Elevator Symposium

Lake Geneva hosts another engaging two days for 260 inspectors and mechanics from all over the U.S. and Canada.

The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, played host to the Wisconsin Elevator Symposium again this year, on September 15-16. The symposium was preceded by NAESA’s third annual Golf Outing at Grand Geneva’s 18-hole course, The Brute, on September 14. Hosted by NAESA International, this 16th annual event (the 11th hosted by NAESA) offered a total of 1.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by NAESA, the Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) Training Fund and the State of Wisconsin. It was also approved by the National Association of Elevator Contractors for Certified Elevator Technician (CET®) and QEI. Minnesota, Washington and Virginia also offered CEUs, albeit fewer.

Day One

Following a continental breakfast and registration, NAESA Education Director Jack Day began the first day by explaining the importance of quality education to the industry and sharing some general housekeeping items. He thanked NAESA Assistant Executive Director and Certification Program Administrator Emerald Kuhns and Education Program Administrator Megan Fitzmaurice for their hard work in organizing the event and the sponsors for helping make it possible.

Dan Hereth, appointed secretary of the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services on August 22, welcomed attendees to Wisconsin and explained his new role. He championed the elevator industry, spoke about the growth in the state (which consists of US$80 million in new building and infrastructure), and challenged everyone to continue to keep safety first.

Brad Hunt from The Peelle Co. then presented on freight elevator door safety as it relates to the ASME A17.1/B44 code. Hunt visually presented the audience with a “walk through time” of Peelle door safety and how it has evolved. Highlights of the presentation included the different types of freight elevators, edges, object detection, general safety tips, caution/warning labels and recommended inspection and maintenance schedules.

The next presenter was Mapin Chhoun of Draka EHC. Chhoun provided an overview of the history of Draka EHC and described, in general terms, what a traveling cable is, the different conductor types, construction and components, and explained how ethernet and fiberoptic are different from standard data travel routes.

Bill MacLachlan of Hill Hiker then spoke on inclined elevators and showed a video and photos of projects that included challenges and unique installations. He stated that an inclined elevator is one that travels at an inclination of 70 degrees or less. As a member of the ASME Code Committee related to inclined elevators, MacLachlan went on to speak about the current 2016 code requirements and the changes that will take place once the upcoming 2022 code is published. Specific topics — such as larger floor space (4 ft x 4 ft), consistency of enclosure height, fixed landing doors and railing heights, allowing keyless security and wireless onboard communication — were discussed. 

Brian Rausch and Ed Sabo from the State of Wisconsin gave updates on code and important regulations and requirements to begin a job or project.

During a midmorning break, exhibits opened. Those with booths included Adams Elevator; ATIS Elevator Inspections; Elevator Systems, Inc. (ESI); Gorman Co., Inc.; Harris Cos.; Innovation Industries/Virginia Controls; International Association of Elevator Consultants (IAEC); MEI-Total Elevator Solutions; NAESA; Quality Elevator; SCS Elevator Products; Smart Elevator Tech; Vantage Elevator Solutions; and Vator Accessories. 

Brian Rausch and Ed Sabo from the State of Wisconsin were next up and gave updates on code and important regulations and requirements to begin a job or project. Rausch stated that Wisconsin has had an elevator code for 110 years this year. The latest edition was published in April 2021 and includes updates on decommissioning an elevator or other conveyances, among others. They went over frequently asked questions, plan reviews and important information on permits. 

Exhibits reopened during lunch, starting at 12:30 and wrapping up at 1:30. After lunch, Chhoun of Draka EHC gave a presentation on traveling cable for 0.1 CEUs, followed by Sam Krase of TK Elevator with an “Introduction to the iWalk and Unique Testing Procedures,” also for 0.1 CEU. 

Exhibits reopened during a midafternoon break, followed by Greg DeCola of Omega Industries with “Safety and the Elevator Inspector, Part 2” for 0.05 CEUs and Don Holloway and James Bowers of Kings III Emergency Communications with “Future Proofing Your Telephony: Cellular Explained” for 0.1 CEU. 

The presentations were followed by elections by NAESA’s Board of Directors. The board unanimously elected Christopher Dodds NAESA president at a meeting held shortly after the symposium. Joining him on the Executive Committee, members of which are elected every year, are Vice President Charlie Slater of Florida; Secretary Stephanie Coyne of Ontario, Canada; and Treasurer DeCola of New York. For the AHJ Position, those elected were David Harris and Nicholas Ortiz and, for the Professional Class, DeCola was nominated from the floor and approved. Those elected to the Board of Certification are Kevin Heling, Russell Larson and Cornelius Myers. Also, Chris Dodds was reelected to the Private classification. 

The evening reception featured a premium bar, assorted soft drinks and water, hamburger sliders, shrimp cocktail and caprese skewers. A silent auction to benefit the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF) featured items including a tabletop griddle, a Cuisinart^® popcorn maker, a Garmin^® watch and high-end bourbon whiskey. It raised US$2,318 for the EESF. 

Day Two

“You’re the best group I’ve ever had,” said Day to begin September 16, the shorter day of presentations, as he praised attendees’ attentiveness and engagement. He then introduced Lawrence Taylor, a QEI, Schindler codes and standards officer and former chief inspector for Texas (its longest-serving chief). As an audience member, Taylor spoke about the Schindler 3300 and 5500. Fellow audience members asked many questions of the charming Taylor, who, with other present Schindler experts and testing experts in the audience, covered the many peculiarities of popular elevator models. Everyone (even Taylor) left with a better understanding of the models, and Day remarked, “We’d like to convince the other companies to bring similar presentations.”

In “Braking System and Traction Limits,” the last speaker, Richard Hollowell of Otis, presented a background on the mathematics behind the use of ropes and their design for traction in acceleration/deceleration, braking and torque put into perspective with applicable codes.

The next Wisconsin Elevator Symposium is planned on September 21-22, 2023, with the golf outing on September 20, once more at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.