Dallas (Not the TV show) elevator dangers cited

[TexasStooge]

Licensing agency lists violations at 8 facilities; official defends safety

By EMILY RAMSHAW / The Dallas Morning News

Elevators in eight city facilities – including two Dallas museums and City Hall – may pose an "imminent and significant danger to the public" because of safety violations dating back three years, a state licensing agency said.

In a letter sent to the city attorney Thursday by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, city officials were told the state's chief elevator inspector will come to Dallas next week to examine nearly 45 city-operated elevators. The inspector could issue an emergency order to lock out the equipment if it is deemed unsafe.

But Interim City Manager Mary Suhm said Dallas' elevators are entirely safe. She said that the city inspects its elevators and escalators annually and that the problems identified are routine maintenance issues.

"If the elevators posed a problem, we wouldn't be allowing the public to use them," she said.

But Ms. Suhm noted that the city has struggled with elevator upkeep, a result of an overburdened repair company.

"We need to get rid of the contractor, and we're in the process of doing that," she said.

Patrick Shaughnessy, spokesman for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, said inspectors were concerned about damaged cables on some elevators and nonfunctioning safety equipment on others.

He said safeguards to keep elevator doors from closing on passengers were also in need of repair, as were some power connections.

"We've gotten reports for three years that continue to show the same violations," he said. "We want to take a closer look to determine to what extent the equipment is damaged."

The city is required to have inspectors examine its elevators and submit inspection reports to the state.

Zaida B. Hagar, assistant director of business development and procurement services for the city and a certified elevator inspector, said the violations are routine maintenance problems and don't put citizens at risk.

She said the root of the problem is that KONE, one of the city's contracted elevator repair companies, hasn't been doing its job. And she said the city is looking for a new contractor.

"This is an industry-wide problem – there are a ton of elevators out there, and only a handful of mechanics," Ms. Hagar said. "The responsibility is with the service contractor. We're unhappy with KONE, and they know that."

Officials with KONE, an elevator service company that operates in more than 40 countries, could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

Steve Park, director of equipment and building services for the city, said the state's elevator inspector came to Dallas last year with similar concerns. The city was expecting the problems to be cleared up by now, he said, but the contractor hasn't come through.

"We don't want to make light of this because they're all serious issues," he said. "The fact that we're rebidding shows we're concerned about this."

If the chief inspector determines the problems are severe, the equipment would be taken out of service, Mr. Shaughnessy said. And he said the city would be given time to correct the problem.

"At this point, we're just concerned about safety," he said.