About
[I911.com] is designed to assist inspectors in their daily activities. The site includes
Inspector911.com is the creation of Michael O’Brian and is one of the first online communities designed for inspectors of all types. The code enforcement community is a complex arena and there are challenges faced by inspectors every day.
Inspector911.com is the place where you can get up to date news stories, ask questions, lend your expertise, or stay on top of the inspection world.
Inspector’s Report
Our Inspector’s report is our newsletter which is distributed via email. The report is sent out 2-3 times a week and provides the most recent content and special news items. Sign up today and make sure you are the first to hear about news and the other great information on the site.
- View Archives (Remember links were current with the newsletter was published)
- Sign up Today!
Code Talk
Is our podcast which discusses major happenings across the inspector community. Full of interviews, testimony, and training, Code Talk can be downloaded through your favorite program (such as Itunes) or listen online.
Thank-you
Inspector911 is full of great tips and tricks thanks to all of you who have added to this community. A big thanks to all of you who tune in and lend your expertise or ask questions. Together we can be the first line of public defenders and continue to protect people in the built environment.
Legal Notice
Remember that the views and opinions found here on Inspector911.com are that our opinions. Although many of our items are based on language from codes and standards, the views found here should not replace your code enforcement methods to be in accordance with the appropriate adopted code.
,
,
,
,
,
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
A Possible Electrical Shock hazard
When responding to Elevator Emergencies?
By Nick Markowitz Jr.
Fire Investigator / Electrical Contractor
Recently I was subcontracting for a friend who runs a medium sized electrical contracting
Business and he needed my expertise with handling the fire alarm system and more importantly the wiring to interface the sprinkler and elevator systems to the fire system.
Which also included the Shunt Trip Breaker Elevator Codes call for and in my opinion is a danger in it self which I have written about previously. It was while I was helping his guys wire in the electrical circuits in the bottom of the elevator pit that I discovered a new and dangerous matter which could seriously injure or kill any one responding to an elevator emergency including the Firefighters, Medics or elevator Mechanics possibly even the riders in the car as well.
I have notified the Pa. Dept of Labors Elevator Division to the problem which is the use of Non UL or other agency listed Sump Alarms which are put in the bottom of elevator shaft sumps to warn when the water level in the pit is getting too high becuse the sump pump has failed to operate.
These non listed alarms allow 120 volts AC to travel down a wire into the sump float which when tilted by the water sends the 120 VAC back up into the alarm unit and sound a local sounder.
This design would never be allowed by UL or any other agency as the sump alarm should be utilized using a Class 2- 24or less volts ac/dc circuit going to the sensor.
And while the pump in the pit is 120 VAC it is specifically built to UL listed water tight requirements is grounded and are protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter receptacle .The non listed units are not.
Many are not even grounded for safety yet Elevator inspectors have been passing these units with out realizing the danger they are causing becuse a wire could deteriorate or be damaged or otherwise loose its insulation and make contact with the metal in the bottom of the shaft and send 120 Vac into all the nearby metal or the wire could be bumped into
And make contact with the person in the shaft pit area.
Hopefully Harrisburg will do the right thing and see to it that in its next yearly round of inspections this problem is rectified and units are replaced with proper UL class 2 systems.
Before some one is hurt.
And while there at it ,they should repeal the code section which requires sprinkler heads
And shunt trip breakers on elevators before some one gets trapped in a smoke filled car electrocuted or killed as well.