STATE OF MONTANA

ISES Corporation was retained by the State of Montana to perform an Elevator Condition Analysis (ECA) on the vertical transportation units in Helena, MT. The work consisted of inspecting 31 elevators, 6 wheelchair lifts, and 3 dumbwaiters. A formal report was delivered detailing the evaluation of the maintenance work performed by the Elevator Contractor, deficiencies in the elevator equipment, and elevator units that would need modernization work in the next ten years.

The ECA report allowed the client to better understand the needs of their vertical transportation system. Owner issues that dealt with safety were listed in detail. Some of the prominent issues that were observed consisted of the replacement of mechanical door reversal devices with light screens, the installation of emergency phones in wheelchair lifts, and the placement of door restrictors on all car doors.

The report also addressed the contract obligations of the Contractor. Car leveling problems were noted in one facility, while various elevators had cleaning or rust issues that needed to be addressed in the pits, car tops, and hoistways. Another problem identified on one unit was that the hoistway ropes had stretched and needed to be shortened. Other maintenance issues that were the responsibility of the Contractor were noted and brought to their attention.

The last area of the ECA detailed elevator modernization with projected costs to perform the work over the next ten years. The elevators were listed by priority as to the useful life remaining in their operation. The State of Montana was then able to use the report to receive funding for some of the elevator modernization work with hopes of obtaining the remaining funds in the future.

Upon completion of the ECA, the State of Montana contracted ISES to write a formal bid specification to modernize several elevator units. The bid went through two processes before being accepted. Additional work will be required by ISES to do follow up inspections on the modernization work.