John W. Koshak

John W. Koshak is head and founder of Elevator Safety Solutions, Inc., and a member of Elevator World, Inc.’s Board of Directors and Technical Advisory Group. He is also current president of the International Association of Elevator Consultants. Directly prior to reactivating his company in September 2008, Koshak served as director of Codes and Standards for North America for thyssenkrupp Elevator. He was formerly in research at thyssenkrupp Research, Innovation and Design. Koshak got his start in the industry in 1980 at Westinghouse Elevator Co. and has worked for Dover Elevator, Amtech Elevator and Adams Elevator Equipment Co., where he was vice president of Technical Support. He was a National Elevator Industry Educational Program instructor from 1982 to 1991, designed the LifeJacket hydraulic-elevator safety and holds several patents for elevator-component designs. Koshak is a member of the ASME A17 Standards Committee and a past chairman of the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation.

Traction for Field Personnel, Part One

Unintended loss of traction, resulting from component deterioration, for example, is very hazardous and can allow an elevator to move uncontrolled. Four factors determine and control traction: The traction ratio...

Maintenance Control Program Changes

Learn about the MCP and updates made to it since 2010. In the world of elevators, manufacturers design newer components to require less maintenance. Replacing an older elevator controller, full...

Elevator Door Force

Maladjustment of elevator door controllers can cause injury to persons if impacted by a closing door with a high speed. Persons can also be entrapped or crushed by a door...

Wind Turbine Elevator Committee Meeting

Progress made on new global standard at Elevator World. photos by Lee Freeland The ASME A17 Wind Turbine Elevator (WTE) Committee met at the Mobile, Alabama, headquarters of Elevator World,...

Elevator Hoistway Doors

Failures of door guiding means and door safety retainers on horizontally sliding doors can cause catastrophic injury to someone falling through a hoistway door into the hoistway when the elevator...

AECO Certification as Applied to a Wind-Turbine Tower Elevator

A real-world example of the process, methodology and ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7: Performance-Based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators’ ability to ensure superior safety Much has been written about ASME A17.7/CSA...

Wind Turbine Tower Elevators, Part II

A continued discussion on the codification processes of wind turbine tower elevators in North America At the 2008 American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Health and Safety Workshop in Denver, OSHA...

Wind Turbine Tower Elevators, Part I

Confusion over wind turbine tower conveyance code jurisdiction is explored in this first article in a series on the topic. The elevators currently installed in wind turbine towers do not...

The winning team from Linden Lodge School; image courtesy of Otis

South London Students Awarded STEM Grant in Otis Program

STATION IN SOUTH INDIA WITH VT INAUGURATED

Railway Station in South India with VT Inaugurated

STANNAH TO MANAGE RAILWAY STATION ACCESSIBILITY UPGRADE

Stannah to Manage Railway Station Accessibility Upgrade

ASCENT ELEVATORS ACQUIRES SELECT CENTURY ELEVATOR ASSETS

Ascent Elevators Acquires Select Century Elevator Assets

image courtesy of CMRL

Fujitec India Awarded CMRL Escalator Contract