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.