F O U N D A T I O N S

Hi there. El here. Not that I’m complaining, but it took ages for you people to decide I could go to the spa. In case you don’t believe me, here’s the process. Thanks for deciding my aches and pains deserved some TLC.

Why are we engaged in an elevator project at this time and not continuing with fixes and maintenance?

Hello again. El here.

This is kinda embarrassing, but gotta come clean. My latest check-up in June 2022 showed me in failing health. My doctor from Elevator Consulting Services went as far as to say I was obsolete.

Can you imagine?

But thank goodness, there's a solution. Modernization! Below, learn my statistics.

I can't wait until January 8th to get back in tip-top shape.

You're 33-year up-and-down companion.

El

Why are we currently engaged in an elevator project and not continuing with fixes and maintenance?

As elevators age, parts become obsolete (i.e., no longer manufactured) and either difficult to find in the marketplace or unavailable. Although it may be possible to find replacement parts, as the techs were finding QAOV the pump motor, this may only sometimes be the case.

As Otis Elevators suggests, “It is not recommended to wait until a modernization is imminent. Recall that elevators have a lifespan that generally ranges between 15 and 20 years. After this time, the equipment will most certainly require modernization. If an upgrade is not planned and carried out on time, the elevator is at greater risk of shutting down, leading to extended downtime of the equipment.

An unplanned modernization process can be long and expensive since it includes troubleshooting the equipment, acquiring the spare parts needed for the modernization, and the time it takes for installation. The downtime created by this process can be highly inconvenient for residents and tenants, especially those with reduced mobility” (OTIS Elevator Blog).

Based on the Elevator Modernization Report (Elevator Consulting Services, Inc., June 14, 2022), “The equipment is the original Dover solid-state logic controlled hydraulic passenger elevator and has had virtually no components upgraded since that time” (p. 3). At the time of the report, ESC was told, “…there is an approximate 1-year supply of replacement parts…and an approximate 2-3 years of supply remaining” (p. 3).

Another key finding: “While the elevator does comply with the code that was in effect at the time of installation, it does not comply with the 2019 ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevator and Escalators currently in effect in the City of Seattle” (p. 3). ECS suggests a comprehensive upgrade to bring us to code, including “Fire/Life Safety equipment, HVAC, lighting, and electrical components” (p. 3).

ECS’s audit looked at eight categories and classified them as follows:

Critical Conditions: Preventative Maintenance and Age
Moderate Conditions: Code Compliance, Performance and Operation, Environmental Conditions, and Energy Efficiency
Acceptable Conditions: Frequency of Use and Design and Installation

Our elevator’s profile score was 28: “Equipment is nearing end of expected life. Potential failure of major components. Proper maintenance is becoming difficult and parts of becoming obsolete. Potential safety and code issues. Begin planning for modernization” (p. 10). Suggested time frame to replace was 2-5 years.

In summary, the ECS study suggested that, given the age and condition of our elevator, we schedule a planned modernization and avoid the challenges faced when an elevator's life is extended to such a degree that a breakdown is imminent. On August 10, 2022, the HOA President signed a contract with ECS, moving QAOV toward a modernization plan.