Elevator Store Opens

Canada

Top Floor Elevator Store, a Wurtec company, has opened in Toronto. Serving the Canadian vertical-transportation market, the company provides products to purchase or rent. Top Floor Elevator Store is a distributor of Wurtec products, including rail installation and alignment tools, emergency communication products, top-of-car handrails with Canadian-specific code requirements, false cars, and a variety of modernization and service tools. In addi-tion, it is a distributor of Brugg Wire Rope products and James Monroe Wire and Cable Corp. products. The com-pany endeavors to provide customers with quick turn-around, competitive pricing, local support, fewer hassles when clearing products through customs, cut-to-length service with short lead times and an expanded range of elevator products.

“The River” to Include Tower in Calgary

In September, the Ledcor Group was primed to embark on a significant residential property in Calgary through its subsidiary Ledcor Properties. Dubbed “The River,” the de-velopment is to be built along the Elbow River at the end of 26th Avenue Southwest to the east of the 4th Street bridge. Ledcor purchased the land in 2006 and has been working with the Calgary office of Dialog to build 27 units in a 15-story tower and 38 luxury residential suites in 11 River Homes. The tower has a north/south base with a stone and composite wood exterior and angled upper floors of glass and steel. Within, secure elevators travel from the garage to the top.

The River Homes are three-story townhouses, each with a minimum 2,800 sq. ft. of living space and an elevator to travel between their underground garages and rooftop patios. Ledcor Properties is involved in the development and investment of real estate in Canada and the U.S., in-cluding the 62-story Shangri-La Hotel in Vancouver and Honua Kai Resort on Maui. In Calgary, it has constructed the Bow Tower and CrossIron Mills shopping center.

Fenix Energy Geoexchange Retrofits

Geocon Energy Solutions Ltd., based in Vancouver, has signaled the official launch of its renewable-energy company by announcing its new name, Fe-nix Energy. Its founders set out to break down the barriers of geoexchange installations by leveraging their collective mechanical engi-neering, sustainable design, energy and construction expertise. The result makes Fe-nix one of the first firms in the world able to retrofit a high rise with geoexchange within the footprint of the building. Geoexchange, also known as geothermal heating and cooling, is a clean, sustainable heating and cooling solution. Fe-nix methodology now makes geoexchange more accessible to large commercial buildings located in dense urban environments.

Aging buildings consume nearly 40% of the world’s energy and account for 50% of all greenhouse gases. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has called geoex-change the “most energy efficient, environmentally clean and cost-effective space-conditioning system available.” Older buildings aren’t the only structures to benefit from the geoexchange system. Buildings under construction can implement the Fe-nix system with no impact to most project construction, resulting in time and cost savings. Fe-nix currently has several geoexchange projects underway, including the Surrey Civic Center in British Colombia.

China

Edunburgh Launches New Service

Shanghai Edunburgh Elevator Co., Ltd. recently held its first fellowship party with elevator users. The goal of the fellowship party is to popularize elevator operation rules and breakdown procedures, while raising aware-ness among government leaders, property-management companies and publications. A recent study revealed that only 30% of passengers know how to correctly use an elevator and what to do in the event of a breakdown. The fellowship party was created to serve as a platform be-tween manufacturers and users, educating them on safety, and how to recognize elevator faults and respond during a breakdown. Edunburgh Elevator plans to expand the fellowship party nationwide.

Steel Company Restructures To Manufacture Elevators

In July, it was reported that shareholders of Guangzhou Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. of Guangzhou approved a restructur-ing plan to transform the company from a steel maker to an elevator manufacturer. According to the plan, Guangzhou will strip off all steel assets and accept an injection of elevator assets from Guangri Group, parent company of the restructured group, Guangzhou Guangri Elevator Industry. Guangri Elevator reported its current explorations into the LED business and its investment in Hitachi Elevator. In addition, Guangri Elevator expects a 26.68%increase in net profit in 2011.

Performance Ratings For Escalator Contractors

The Finance Standard reported in August that the first performance rating of escalator contractors was to be published in September. The publication will follow the June 2009 launch of a demerit points system for elevator contractors. A spokesman for the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department said that the ratings are a result of evaluations conducted between June and August. They are to be updated every three months. The director of the department, Stephen Chan Hung-cheung, said the system is intended to help the public and property-management companies choose their preferred contractors. Warning letters will be issued to those who accumulate 12 or more penalty points within a year. A disciplinary board will conduct inquiries on any contractor receiving three warning letters.

Chan also noted that his department will consider sus-pending licenses and assessing fines and/or imprisonment if contractors are found to be negligent. Each contractor starts off with 100 points. Penalties (the maximum of which is 15 points) will be deducted if an escalator cannot be stopped because of brake, auxiliary brake or chain safety device faults. The new guidelines were enacted in part to reduce the number of escalator accidents; 1,400 were reported in 2010.

Symax Lift Purchase Order

In August, Symax Lift (Holding) Co., Ltd. received an elevator purchase order for a residential property in Qufu, Shangdong Province. Delivery commenced in September and was expected to be completed in October. This is the second elevator order Symax has received for real-estate developments in Qufu. The first order delivery was com-pleted in May.

Germany

Can In Automation At Interlift 2012

At Interlift 2012, CAN in Automation (CiA) will exhibit its CANopen Lift Demonstrator at its booth in hall 5/119.

It is comprised of three independent lift-control systems using CANopen lift network technology. The CANopen lift application profile is downloadable from the CiA website (www.can-cia.org). The program allows manufacturers to choose devices from different suppliers and make them interoperable. The CANopen lift profile is an open communication technology, which provides a plug-and-play functionality between devices and easy adaptation of application-specific requirements.

Thyssenkrupp Quarter Honored

In September, ThyssenKrupp Quarter, the company’s Essen headquarters, was named a Selected Landmark 2011 in the country’s nationwide innovation competition 365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas. The Quarter consists of transparent and homogenous architecture, with an open design meant to promote dialogue and knowledge sharing. Resource conservation and energy efficiency were key factors in the design and construction of the head-quarters, with primary energy demand for the ensemble of buildings being 20-30% lower than statutory require-ments. ThyssenKrupp Quarter is one of 365 prize winners honored each year under the Germany – Land of Ideas initiative, organized in cooperation with Deutsche Bank under the patronage of President Christian Wulff.

Otis In Vodafone Headquarters

In August, Otis won a contract to supply and install 39 elevators, including 29 energy-efficient Gen2® elevators, for the new corporate headquarters of Vodafone D2 GmbH in Düsseldorf. Otis was selected by building developer Objekt Düsseldorf VCD-Realisierungs-GmbH & Co. KG for its energy-saving products and technologies. Objekt Düsseldorf is developing, planning and building a 100,000-m2 facility that would deliver environmental effi-ciency with a 20-year lifespan. The company and its partners will pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental De-sign® (LEED) certification for the Vodafone campus.

A total of four buildings on the Düsseldorf site will be equipped with elevator systems from Otis, including the building that is set to become one of the city’s tallest at 75 m. The Gen2 elevators will feature ReGen™ drives that reduce energy consumption by up to 75% compared to that of conventional systems with non-regenerative drives. The elevators will also utilize Otis’ patented, polyurethane-coated steel belts that make the Gen2 machine 70%smaller than comparable machines. Aside from energy efficiency, a more compact machine can free valuable building space and reduce operating costs.

Vodafone’s headquarters will include elevator technolo-gies such as Otis’ Compass™ destination-management and EMS Panorama™ systems. With the Compass system, passengers can enter their destination floor to travel a fast, direct route with less crowding than in conventional systems. Otis’ EMS Panorama system enables building staff to monitor, control, report on and manage a full range of operational-critical elevator functions from any com-puter with an Internet connection.

India

Under-Construction Buildings Sealed

In a crackdown against unauthorized buildings, Chennai Corp. sealed nearly seven buildings in the commercial districts of Mannady and Sowcarpet on September 7. Ac-cording to officials, the under-construction buildings violated development regulations of the 1971 Town and Country Planning Act. Most of the builders in violation received plan permits last year and continued to construct more floors than sanctioned. Norms such as front set-back and side setback were not followed, while parking areas were not seen as a necessity. Notices were sent to the builders in August and the drive to seal the buildings came after adequate time was given for the builders to correct the violations. Chennai Corp. was to continue the operation on September 8 and is planning a similar cam-paign in the neighboring Pulianthope zone.

Gurgaon To Get Fobs

The Hindustan Times reported in June that Gurgaon would soon have 13 foot-over-bridges (FOBs) located throughout the city. They will be equipped with automatic escalators. The bridges are expected to be very helpful for pedestrians. According to the engineer-in-chief for the Municipal Corp. of Gurgaon, the FOBs will be set up on the build, operate and transfer basis and successful bid-ders would have to maintain the escalators for a 20-year concessionary period.

Indian Market Expected to Double

United Technologies Corp. (UTC), parent company of Otis and Carrier and provider of business-management systems, expects the Indian market to at least double over the next four years, driven by an increase in urban-ization and infrastructure growth. In 2010, the company took in more than US$500 million in Indian sales and plans to increase revenue in the country to US$2.5 billion by 2015. UTC has had a presence in India for more than a century and established itself as a leader in the coun-try’s elevator market with Otis.

UTC plans to grow by serving as an integrated solu-tions provider with a varied portfolio – air conditioning, elevators, fire and security solutions, and building man-agement systems – and through building a strong opera-tions footprint in India. UTC is expanding the capacity of its factories over the next two years, with Otis doubling its capacity from around 5,000 units to 10,000 units, mak-ing it one of the largest elevator factories in the country. It also hopes to grow through aggressive mergers and ac-quisitions. UTC is looking at potential partners that might strengthen its position with important customer seg-ments or improve solution offerings to customers. Finally, the company is looking to build its talent through recruit-ment, retainment and training.

Russia

Metro Prohibits Wheelchairs

The St. Petersburg Times has reported that the metro management in St. Petersburg issued an order banning all wheelchair-bound people from using the metro because “its elevators are not equipped for wheelchairs and are therefore potentially dangerous.” However, according to a local disabled person, the metro is the only accessible means of transportation, as many buses are not equipped with accessibility ramps for wheelchairs. Currently, there are about 800,000 disabled people in St. Petersburg.

Deputy Governor Yury Molchanov reported that city hall officials have requested a new type of safety device for elevators, designed with wheelchair users in mind, to be developed and installed at local stations. As of June, a tender for the development was to be organized in the near future. Vladimir Lukin, Russia’s ombudsman, has called for the creation of a council to develop a series of measures to protect the transportation rights of disabled people.

Saudi Arabia

Fortune To Design Kingdom Tower Elevators

James Fortune, president of Denver-based Fortune Consultants Ltd., has been selected to design the eleva-tors for Jeddah’s Kingdom Tower (ELEVATOR WORLD, October 2011). He will collaborate with Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture on the project, which is poised to become the next world’s tallest building. Details about the tower’s elevators have not yet been released to the public. Fortune previously designed the elevators for Taipei 101, Crown Tower in Las Vegas and Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Sri Lanka

New Customs Headquarters

A new customs headquarters was set to open in Colombo Fort in October. The 52-m-tall building features 10 elevators and four escalators, a 25-m-tall communication tower at the top and an in-building water-recycling system, water from which will be used for hygienic and vehicle-cleaning purposes. A special lab was also included for shipment sample testing. The 400,000-sq.-ft. headquarters marks the first time that all customs services will be housed under one roof, which is expected to increase efficiency, reduce documentation time and cut costs.

United Arab Emirates

Infinity Tower In Dubai Marina

When completed, the Infinity Tower in Dubai Marina will be one of the world’s tallest twisted towers, at 73 sto-ries and 307 meters. The structure gradually twists 90°. Its rectangular floors surround an untwisted cylindrical shaft that contains the building’s lifts. It has been likened to an axle of a car. Its design also decreases the effects of wind.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the architects behind the Burj Khalifa, are designing Infinity Tower. Ross Wimer, a design partner with the company, explained:

“It is a piece of sculpture that is unusually large, and that is the effect that we were really after. . . a large piece of sculpture that had this dynamic form. . . . The real idea behind the twist had to do with the views, because the primary views down low in the building are toward the marina, but then the building twists as it goes up, so the main units are oriented towards the [Persian] Gulf, high up in the building.”

The tower’s design received several awards based on its renderings in 2007 and 2008, among them Best Inter-national High Rise Architecture in the International Prop-erty Awards. The necessary concrete has been poured, and, as of July, around three-fourths of the exterior wall had been completed. Though dormant for a time, con-struction resumed in July 2008, and completion is sched-uled for 2012.

United Kingdom

Kone to Supply Heathrow Airport

KONE has been awarded a contract to supply 40 eleva-tors, 18 escalators and 12 moving walks for Heathrow Airport’s new Terminal 2 in the London borough of Hillingdon. The order includes 34 MonoSpace® elevators equipped with KONE’s EcoDisc® hoisting machines and regenerative drives; six Motala™ platform elevators, which will improve accessibility for people with impaired mobility; eight TravelMaster™ 110 light-duty escalators; and 10 TransitMaster™ 140 heavy-duty escalators. The new terminal is expected to open in 2014.

Cambridge Architectural Exhibits at SCIN

Maryland-based Cambridge Architectural, a provider of sustainable architectural mesh systems for both interior and exterior building applications, began showcasing some of its mesh products and systems at the Surface Covering Interiors (SCIN) showroom in Central London’s Area F1 on September 5. Cambridge architectural mesh systems broadly feature woven metal fabric to enhance lighting, texture and material beauty. They are often applied in elevators. SCIN is a U.K.-based sourcing and advisory company that uses institutions, publications, fellow material researchers, manufacturers’ websites, blogs, trade shows and events to source materials from around the world.

Chad Raymond, international sales manager for Cam-bridge Architectural, said of the exhibit:

“The SCIN showroom is a natural progression in growing our brand internationally. It will provide us with an avenue to show current installations and applications for our architectural mesh systems. The showroom gives us an environment where we can reach U.K. architects and designers.”

The show will continue until September 5, 2013. Its ad dress is Morelands, 5-23 Old Street, London EC1. For more information, visit website: www.scin.co.uk/showroom.php.

Designing High Rises: Lessons Of 9/11

Professor Ed Galea of the University of Greenwich, in collaboration with the universities of Ulster and Liver-pool, has led a three-and-a-half-year study into the evac-uation of the World Trade Center towers on 9/11. The project included in-depth interviews with 271 survivors about their experiences as they tried to evacuate the buildings. These personal stories allowed the researchers to obtain a comprehensive overview of how people acted and what factors influenced behavior during the event, which assisted in pinpointing key safety issues building designers should address.

Using their buildingExodus software, the team was able to analyze the evacuation dynamics on 9/11 and ex-plore what would have occurred had the building been fully populated. Using the software, the researchers de-veloped advanced human behavior models, which simu-late the choices people make in an evacuation situation. From this data, Galea concluded that for buildings above a critical population and height, stairs alone are insuffi-cient for the safe evacuation of the entire building popu-lation. Galea commented:

“Our studies suggest that buildings should utilize elevators and stairs, in combination. We know stairs alone are not sufficient for full building evacuations, and since 9/11, there has been a trend to use specially designed elevators. But elevators, even fire-safe elevators, raise the complex issue of human behavior, and we know from our studies that many people do not trust using them, or will simply not wait for them, in an emergency.”

Galea believes that all aspects, not only technical and mechanical issues, but also human behavior, should be considered when designing new buildings. He urges people to guard against complacency and for evacuation drills and training to be taken seriously, as successful evacuation depends on how quickly people respond. The researchers found that some people took minutes to decide to evacu-ate the towers, while others didn’t know where the stairs were located. The professor calls for better information systems in buildings with proper instructions in an emer-gency, rather than just a sounding alarm. The project’s ultimate goal is for the research to be an international resource helping to save lives and improve building design and evacuation procedures.

Bricknell Retires From Lerch Bates

Roy Bricknell retired from Lerch Bates U.K. as an execu-tive director in June. He began his career in 1960 with Otis in London. Over the years, he worked as sales director for Express Lifts, general manager for the Northern Region at Schindler and mechanical handling engineer for retailer Marks and Spencer before joining Lerch Bates in 1993 as project director. In 1999, he was promoted to managing director and, under his guidance, the business grew sub-stantially over the years. In 2006, Bricknell stepped down as managing director but continued to work as executive director until this year.

Zambia

Lusaka Residents Welcome Redevelopment

Many Lusaka residents are reportedly welcoming the redevelopment of the US$98-million Society House and Central Arcades in the Central Business District. The project is comprised of 6,000 m2 of office space, parking space, a shopping mall, and escalators, among other amenities. The design phase started in June, and completion is ex-pected in June 2014. According to Zambia Daily Mail, the Zambia National Building Society and the National Pension Scheme Authority will likely also incorporate the redevel-opment of the Chacha House into the project.