Elevator overspeed incidents are among the elevator malfunctions that appear in our forensic casework. The sudden and unexpected acceleration of an elevator beyond the accepted contract speed,…
Dennis is an elevator and escalator expert with more than 35 years of industry experience. His casework includes matters related to the design and construction, modernization, maintenance and service of elevators and escalators, including associated service contracts.
Dennis has worked for both large and small elevator companies and performed his work internationally. As a Maintenance Supervisor with multiple major service providers, Dennis was responsible for projects in public and private office buildings, apartment residences, hospitals, colleges, and secured government facilities. At the KONE Corporation, Dennis was a Regional Project Manager for modernization, concerned with updating outdated elevator systems to increase safety, save power, and improve overall service. Some of Dennis' more notable projects include quality control and quality assurance of elevators and escalators at One World Trade Center. Dennis has also conducted elevator assessments for the New York City Housing Authority.
Dennis is a Certified Elevator Inspector and is also a Certified Mechanic by the National Elevator Industry Educational Program. He has completed various training programs through OSHA and ASME and is a member of the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities as well as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Equipment Experience Elevators:
Relay logic, solid state, SCR DC and VVVF AC drive controller systems. Geared, gearless, MRL and PM/AC traction hoist machines; High, Mid, and Low rise passenger and freight applications. Traction hoist and governor cables. Hydraulic elevator passenger and freight applications. Hydraulic pump, tank, and valve units. Hydraulic jacks, cylinders operation and protection. Freight and passenger elevator door operating systems; cab and hoistway including door detection devices and gate reversal edges. Metal tape, reflective sensor, and magnetic vane hoistway leveling systems. Chain and cable driven electro mechanical table selector and leveling systems. Car sling, platform, and cab construction; standard, corner post and cantilever applications. Governors, Type A, B and C safeties and activation. Hall and cab signal fixture installation and operation. Car and hoistway door equipment including door panels, door gibs, operators and door detection devices; Leveling devices including metal tape, reflective sensor, magnetic vane hoistway leveling systems and door zone sensors; Controller systems including relay logic, solid state and computerized microprocessor based logic systems; Hoist machines and machine brakes including overspeed protection and unintended motion devices; Governors and governor activating devices; Hydraulic pumps, valves, jack assemblies and pressure piping; Cab interior wall panels and drop ceilings. Emergency Operation and Signaling Devices. Firefighters Emergency Operation. Emergency or Standby Power systems; transfer and operation. Code required inspections and testing.
Elevator:
Mis-leveling, re-leveling, sudden stops, over speeding, safety activation, erratic door operation, door contact, entrapments, controller faults, machine/equipment failure, improper maintenance, elevator installation and maintenance worker injuries.
Equipment Experience Escalators:
Solid state and VVVF AC drive controllers. Remote and in truss machine rooms. Single and modular multi drive motor applications. Single and multi brake applications. Drive assemblies. Steps, tracks and step chains. Comb plates and floor plates. Hand rails and hand rail drives. Safety devices, safety switches; location and application. Balustrades, skirts and decking. Steps, step treads, step risers and demarcation lighting; Comb plates, comb impact switches; Hand rails, hand rail speed switch and broken handrail switch; Anti-slide devices; Floor surfaces; Signage, Sleep mode operation. Code required inspections and testing.
Escalator:
Sudden stops, clothing entrapments, loose equipment injuries, skirt obstruction, comb plate injuries, direction reversal, over-speed condition, emergency brake application, falls, escalator installation and maintenance worker injuries.
Code and Safety references:
ASME A17.1 Code for Elevators and Escalators; ASME A17.3 Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Elevators; ANSI A17.2 Guide for Inspection of Elevators and Escalators; ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities; ASME A18.1 Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts; National Elevator Industry Field Employee Safety Handbook; OSHA; National Electrical Code; AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) local codes.
Associate
2013 to presentProvide technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony toward the resolution of commercial and personal injury litigation involving elevators, escalators, moving walkways and related transportation equipment. Investigations include equipment design, modernization, maintenance, repair, inspection, failure analysis and causation, interpretation and application of contracts, contracting procedures, standards, codes and regulations.
Project Manager
2008 to 2012Responsible for developing standards for elevator and escalator designs, providing solutions for upgrading existing installations, conducting in-depth safety inspections to meet Code and special requirements, and instructing clients and designers with the compliance of official codes. Also performed construction, investigative, and acceptance inspections.
Summary of Projects:
1 World Trade Center, New York, NY, Port Authority of New York / New Jersey (PANYNJ)
(2010-2012) Provided daily on site quality control and quality assurances services throughout the installation of 70 elevators and 11 escalators to ensure conformance with plans, specifications and contractor’s approved submittals and shop drawings. Provided instruction to PANYNJ for resolution of equipment installation problems. Witnessed as QEI Certified Elevator Inspector onsite tests as performed by the elevator contractor in accordance with the requirements of ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, and supplements based upon the New York City Building Code RS-18 and Chapter 30.
Elevator Assessments, New York, NY, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
(2009- 2010) Project Manager responsible for team coordination for the assessment and performance evaluation of standard operating procedures for elevator services. The NYCHA system encompasses more than 3,300 elevators operating within 288 public residential facilities. Indepth evaluations of elevator design, procurement, construction and rehabilitation, acceptance, and maintenance operations and procedures were performed with results benchmarked to recognized industry standards, as well as standards of other comparable private and publicly funded housing and mass transportation systems. The mission of the study was to identify strengths and weaknesses of the current operational procedures and provide recommendations for improvement of overall performance where applicable.
Elevator & Escalator Maintenance Assessments, Washington, DC, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
(2010) Vertical Transportation Specialist responsible for performing on-site equipment maintenance assessments of 9 elevators and 30 escalators located at owner assigned sites within the WMATA system. Provided written report providing necessary documentation and photographs to support findings.
Elevator & Escalator Maintenance Assessments, Atlanta, GA, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
(2010) Vertical Transportation Specialist responsible for performing on-site equipment maintenance assessments of 149 elevators and 112 escalators located within the MARTA system. Verified system maintenance contractor performance of recommended repairs identified in written unit assessments provided by VTX to client as identified during field observations. Coordinated completion of deficiency repairs with maintenance service contractor.
Elevator Incident Investigation, Atlanta, GA, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
(2010) Vertical Transportation Specialist responsible for performing on-site and document investigations of an elevator incident and providing an opinion of possible contributing conditions. The work consisted of a facility and document investigation only.
Holiday Inn Express Elevator Modifications, Washington, DC, Springfield Hotel Associates, LLC
(2010) Vertical Transportation Specialist responsible for providing consulting support services related to an insurance claim and analysis for an elevator repair and modernization at a Holiday Inn Express.
2009 Dulles International Airport Escalator Inspections, Chantilly, VA, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
(2009) Vertical Transportation Specialist responsible for providing final acceptance testing and inspection services on 117 escalators located at Dulles International airport.
Mid-Atlantic Regional Modernization Operations
Project Manager
Responsible for directing projects and managing the operations of the Modernization Department. Duties included managing contractual requirements, for both government and private-sector clients, pertaining to the engineering and procurement of materials for proposed construction and modernization projects, including the determination, assignment and supervision of necessary labor. Provided managerial coordination with the appropriate government and private-sector contract representatives, as well as consultants, subcontractors, and second-tier subcontractors.
Construction/Modernization Manager
2003 to 2005Responsible for the daily operations of the Construction and Modernization Department. Duties included management of contractual requirements pertaining to the engineering and procurement of materials for proposed construction and modernization projects, including the determination, assignment and supervision of necessary labor. Provided managerial coordination with the appropriate government and private-sector contract representatives, as well as consultants, subcontractors, and second-tier subcontractors.
Maintenance Supervisor
2001 to 2002Responsible for the supervision and support of maintenance manpower for projects in Baltimore and Washington, DC. Duties involved managing maintenance contracts and customer relations with contract representatives for public and private office buildings, apartment residences, hospitals, colleges, and secured and non-secured government facilities. Also reviewed and processed employee time and service tickets for entry into the payroll accounting system.
Sales Manager
Project Manager
Responsible for reviewing government, private-sector, and consultant project specifications. Performed field surveys for and prepared bid packages for the acquisition of maintenance, service, construction, and modernization contracts. Duties involved managing contractual requirements pertaining to the engineering and procurement of materials for proposed construction and modernization projects. Provided managerial coordination with the appropriate government and private-sector contract representatives, as well as consultants, subcontractors, and second-tier subcontractors. Also coordinated submittals, schedules, and change orders with the appropriate contract representatives.
Consultant
Inspector
Responsible for performing field surveys, traffic analyses, and inspections of vertical transportation and material handling equipment at public and private medical facilities and hospitals on a local and national basis. Provided written documentation evaluating performance of vertical transportation and material handling equipment. Also analyzed existing maintenance contract provider performance and developed recommendations for the replacement and/or modernization of existing equipment.
Project Manager
1994 to 1995Responsible for performing project management of an interim contract with the U.S. Department of State to support overseas elevator operations in embassies and consulates worldwide.
Project Manager
Inspector
Technician
Responsible for performing inspections, maintenance, service, and limited modernizations on elevators located in U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. Also evaluated existing maintenance contract provider performance (where applicable) and developed recommendations for the replacement and modernization of existing equipment. Coordinated procurement and shipment of materials required for performance of work using secured State Department facilities and procedures. Performed work in 50 U.S. facilities located in 29 countries worldwide.
Field Mechanic
1989 to 1992Part of a service team responsible for tear-down and replacement of existing elevator and escalator equipment. Assigned to a maintenance route with the responsibility for troubleshooting and maintaining a variety of manufacturers' equipment throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Completed the National Elevator Industry Education Program in September 1990.
Apprentice
Temporary Mechanic
Worked on major modernization projects throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Began the National Elevator Industry Education Program in September 1986.
v. 03/30/22
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