Remote Monitoring Of Elevators And Escalators: …

1 1 The possibility of Remote Monitoring of Elevators hasrecently become a reality for many manufacturers ofelevators. The primary drawback has been that thismonitoring has been designed primarily for newlymanufactured equipment only. Reliable and affordablemonitoring for multiple manufacturers and vintages is notwide spread. Escalator Monitoring is virtually unheard transit properties have many types of elevatorsand escalators . Some authorities have difficulty determiningif their equipment is even running or not! Relying oncomplaints from the public or a station manager can be afrustrating and cumbersome method of managing elevatorsand escalators whether you outsource your maintenance orperform it in Elevators and escalators in the transitindustry is becoming more visible to the public eye, andrarely in a positive one at that. Liability, station access andsystem availability are key issues for any transit manager towrestle with on a daily basis.

2 Understanding this issue,Gannett Fleming has designed a patent pending solution toaddress not only the Remote Monitoring of new and existingelevators and escalators , but how to manage that informationas designing this process, we determined several keymanagement issues to resolve:KEY ALARM of service notification: Internal to managementand external to a long was the unit out of service? was the mechanic or contractor notified? was it returned to service? was the fault that shut the unit down? was happening to the unit when the faultoccurred? do I keep reliable records of this information?Obtaining this information is critical in managing anelevator/escalator department. It is also good informationfor many other types of equipment as well. This paper willdeal with other disciplines later. While this information isvaluable, it is only part of the business process to managethe information and issues related to keeping the departmentup and running to peak MAINTENANCE ISSUESP reventive maintenance is difficult at best in the transitindustry.

3 Taking an escalator out of service during rush houris a major undertaking that is avoided or delayed as much aspossible. Overtime is often avoided where possible andplanned repairs and maintenance tasks are often , preventive maintenance can rarely bedeferred successfully. Managing this aspect of elevatorsand escalators poses certain the preventive maintenance program designedappropriate for my transit facility? the preventive maintenance up to date? can I verify that the preventive maintenanceis being performed? can I manage my third party contractor smaintenance and inspection efforts? can I manage my own maintenance andtesting efforts? my records up to date? my records complete and accurate? my records being completed in a timely manner?Another series of questions that must be addressed isrelated to ensuring that the information you gather is asaccurate as possible. There are questions relating to howthis information is gathered that are important to can I reduce human error or mischief in theentering of vital information?

4 Can I reduce subjectivity in the preventivemaintenance records and priorities? can I improve on the performancerequirements of the elevator and escalatorpreventive maintenance? I have enough accurate information tounderstand the true availability of the equipment? Remote Monitoring Of Elevators And Escalators: Remote Monitoring Of Elevators And Escalators: Remote Monitoring Of Elevators And Escalators: Remote Monitoring Of Elevators And Escalators: Remote Monitoring Of Elevators And Escalators: Managing The Alarms And The MaintenanceManaging The Alarms And The MaintenanceManaging The Alarms And The MaintenanceManaging The Alarms And The MaintenanceManaging The Alarms And The MaintenanceTrack 5 - Technical ForumsVertical Transit - Going UpPatrick J. WelchGannett Fleming, Hill, can I respond to the press and uppermanagement when questioned on a specificincident or trend?These are questions and issues that apply to anyoperation dealing with mechanical equipment.

5 We haverecognized these issues and designed a solution thatprovides a real tool, in real time that offers a real ENGINEERED SOLUTIONThe strategy is to provide information to the managerand the mechanic that is reliable, accurate and easy to first two properties to benefit from this solution areSEPTA and PATCO. Both authorities are replacing asignificant number of escalators . As part of that procurement,the VT-MMS (Vertical Transportation MaintenanceManagement System) has been designed to incorporate asmuch standard equipment as equipment controllers are Allen Bradley SLC 5/03 PLC controls. A key advantage to this selection is that all ofthe escalator suppliers could supply their standard escalatorwith this PLC. The Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) and softwarepackages selected are supplied by Rockwell Automation,Inc. Rockwell Automation owns Allen Bradley, making thedata flow as simple as possible with all of the connectionsare from the same is important to note that Rockwell Automation willsell their products to the contractors.

6 This is intended tokeep the bid list open and provide competitive pricingthroughout the process. Allen Bradley PLC s are not arequirement, and DeviceNET compatible PLC will work aslong as the data tables are provided as is an industry standard communicationprotocol adopted by more than 120 different manufacturersof PLC devices. This protocol was selected for the VT-MMSto facilitate the potential to add other types of devices to thesame maintenance management Monitoring system is a patent pending businesssolution called the VT-MMS. It has been designed Elevators , escalators and other PLCcontrolled devices to one RTU per station viaEthernet (fiber Ethernet preferred) within the RTU includes a PC which is a seat for theCMMS (Computerized Maintenance Mgt. System)and buffers a web (or other devices if desired) will have astreaming video web cam that can be viewedremotely. When a fault occurs, the web camcaptures a two minute loop around the fault anduploads it to a central server.

7 The web cam is lockedat the server so no local mischief can turn off thesoftware or RTU is typically connected via a fiber Ethernetto the authority HQ. A dial up system is possible,but information data flow is limited or RTU s all work remotely on a server which holdsalarm software which can view real time data onany escalator or device. This real time data includes;handrail speed, step speed, current draw on themotor, motor temperature, KWhours used, directionof travel, total run time, run time by direction, runtime since last fault and video of the escalator atthat alarm software automatically pages, phones,faxes or email up to eight people when a fault alarm then automatically writes a correctivework order on the CMMS database the mechanic arrives at the station, he checksin for the work order at the RTU PC, performs thework and closes the work order out the mechanic needs help in fixing the escalator orneeds a part, the PC in the RTU is linked to the unitspecific O&M manuals, spare parts (with diagramsand photos if available), trouble shooting guidesetc.

8 10. When returned to service, the alarm softwareautomatically sends a signal to the CMMS that theunit is back in service. This is to offset anymanipulations at the job site regarding how muchtime was spent on the Many, Many reports are available in the CMMS tohelp manage internal mechanics or third partycontractors. Sample reports include MTBF for thesystem, line, station, equipment/device, bymechanic or selected component (chain, handrails,PLC controlled EscalatorPLC controlled EscalatorAny Relay controllerMicro PLCorBlock I/ORTUWEB CAMPLC controlled EscalatorPLC controlled El ev atorAny Relay controllerMicro PLCorBlock I/ORTUWEB CAMPLC controlledCompressorethernet wiring in stationhard wiring in stationDiagram 5 - Technical ForumsVertical Transit - Going Up3etc.. ), Manpower reports, spare parts usage andseveral custom reporting options are PROJECTST here are two transit systems installing this equipmentat the time of this publication.

9 This table illustrates the scopeand extent of those adequate process to streamline and process theinformation. A thoughtful re engineering of your work flowprocess is essential to gain all the benefits of automatingyour maintenance management to consider re engineering the preventive maintenance tasks up to date? is a mechanic dispatched for a shut downescalator? are spare parts ordered? are code required tests scheduled? are planned repairs scheduled? does management communicate to the fieldemployees? is the information collected, and how is itreviewed? are the custom reports designed?EXPANDED CAPABILITYOnce installed, this system is capable of other tasksthat can streamline and improve operations:Automatic payroll entries and time card functionsThe RTU is where the work orders are opened and thenclosed out. A time stamp is entered on all work orders andaccess to other open work orders is possible at the stationRTU.

10 Predictive maintenanceThere are a number of reliable engineering companiesthat have large databases of machine noise, temperatureand vibration information that can be designed to triggerpredictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance can savecostly problems from occurring by alerting management whena problem is about to happen instead of alerting managementthat it failed. It is important to note that this software is notavailable for Elevators and escalators , but it is for a widevariety of other mechanical equipment typically installed intransit access for third party contractors to CMMS andalarmsOutside contractors can be given the ability to accessthe RTU remotely to view operations and alarms. The CMMS system can have work orders updated, reviewed and closedout remotely as well. Planned VT-MMS Installations SEPTA: Details Cecil B. Moore (1) Snyder Avenue (2) December, 2001 EARLY 2002 Retrofit first 9 escalators in replacement program December, 2001 Escalator Modernization Program 15 escalators , 3 new stations New escalators 2 new stations Retrofit recent OEM escalator controllers 3 escalators , 2 new RTU s Future expansion: Market Street Elevated Franklin Transportation Center Elevators Fire Alarms Compressors Chillers Scavenger tanks 5 RTU s, 10 escalators , 10 Elevators 1 RTU, 5 escalators No new RTU, software or server is required to add this other equipment when installed in a station with an existing VT-MMS RTU.