MESA Welcomes Speakers, Looks Toward Events

reported by Matthew Jackson

Twenty-two Massachusetts Elevator Safety Association (MESA) members met at Jake n Joes Sports Grille in Norwood, Massachusetts, on April 12, where they enjoyed good food and beverages and welcomed two guest speakers: Lt. Christopher Towksi of the City of Cambridge and Thomas McDermott, chief of elevator inspections for Massachusetts’ Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), Office of Public Safety and Inspections Elevator Division (OPSIED). Attendees received in-depth information about OPSIED’s updated policy on testing elevators’ in-car stop switch located on the car operating panel while an elevator is in Firefighter Emergency Operation (FEO) Phase II mode. OPSIED was informed by the Board of Elevator Regulations that the in-car stop switch interferes with power operation in two specific FEO situations, resulting in doors either staying open or closed. This, according to the DOL, violates code and presents “a significant safety issue for firefighters and the riding public.” The DOL has found both situations in elevators with controllers produced by various manufacturers. If either situation is found, DOL will not issue an operating certificate for the elevators. Units will not be shut down, but a Notice of Violation will be issued that requires owners and contractors to repair the issue within 90 days. MESA also looked toward upcoming fundraisers: The MESA Boat Cruise on July 17 and the Gold Outing on August 17. Both are fundraisers for the MESA scholarship, and registration is now open on the MESA website.