Michael Vallone, C.E.I. Elevator & Escalator Expert

Elevator Equipment Experience:

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 elevators. Traction hoist and governor cables. Holed and holess 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.

Escalator Equipment Experience:

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.

Professional Experience

Provide 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, modernization, maintenance, repair, inspection, failure analysis and causation, standards, codes and regulations.

Worked as a new construction mechanic installing various versions of MRL elevators. This included installation and startup. Responsibilities included training a helper to have the knowledge and skill to become a mechanic, ensuring a quality install of all equipment, and ensuring the job came in on time and within budget.

Responsible for the set up and scheduling of all NI jobs in the IUEC Local 25 territory including all of Colorado and half of Wyoming. Oversaw the completion of hydraulic, MRL, and freight elevators including completion of all contractual obligations. Trained all crews in company safety policies and procedures including onsite safety audits.

Operations Manager 2014-2015

Managed the maintenance supervisors in the Chicago South office. Worked closely with sales and branch manager to survey and bid new acquisitions. Scheduled test and repair crews to ensure all testing was up to date and repairs were completed in a timely manner. Helped maintenance supervisors solve problems that were escalated by maintenance mechanics and customers.

Maintenance Supervisor 2013-2014

Responsible for supervision and support of maintenance and service mechanics in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Responsibilities included surveying and estimating for new unit acquisition, making sure all contract work was fulfilled and that all open order work was completed in a timely manner, helping maintenance mechanics find and order parts needed to complete maintenance tasks, training all field employees in the company safety policies and procedures, and entering all field employees time and expenses.

Developed and grew mechanic knowledge through ongoing education and sourcing of documentation as needed.

Field Mechanic 2000-2013

Began trade as a helper in April of 2000 for IUEC Local 2 in Chicago. Became a mechanic and adjuster in charge of installation, startup, and adjusting after successfully completing the National Elevator Industry Education Program in August 2004. Transitioned from new installation to maintenance in 2009. Learned multiple types and manufacturers equipment during this time while managing a maintenance route. Worked on and led a test crew that performed Cat I and Cat V testing on multiple types of elevators and escalators.

Professional Credentials

• Certified Elevator Inspector, - ASME A17.1 Q.E.I.-1 – C-5044, 2013
• Certified Mechanic, National Elevator Industry Educational Program, 2004 (No exp. date)

Professional Memberships

• National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities
• International Union of Elevator Constructors (2000-2013, 2017-2019)

Education

B.S., Finance, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, 2010

Continuing Education

NAESA International 2021 Code Update Webinar

• The Latest Edition, what is in it for us?
• 2020 Elevator Industry Field Employee Safety Handbook
• ASME A17.5-2019 Elevator and Escalator Electrical Equipment
• NFPA 70-2020 National Electric Code
• ASME A17.1-2019 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators Code Update

NAESA International 2021 Wisconsin Elevator Symposium

• A17.1 2019 Highlights
• Alternative Testing, Reading the Reports and Other Concerns
• State of Wisconsin Updates
• Need to Know about Two Way Communication in ASME Elevator Safety Code Updates
• ASME A17.1-2016 8.6; 8.6.1-8.6.7 Maintenance and testing documentation requirements
• ANSI A117.1 to LULA and Residential
• Inspection, Testing and Code Requirements for MRLs
• Elevator Safety, Inspection Techniques and Observing Deficiencies during Inspections
• Rack and Pinion Hoists and Elevators

NAESA International 2020 Code Update Seminar

• QEI-1 Standard for the Qualification of Elevator Inspectors 2018 Code Update
• ASME A17.6 Standard for Elevator Suspension, Compensation, and Governor Systems 2017 Code Update
• ASME A17.3 Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators 2017 Code Update
• NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2019 Code Update
• NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling 2019 Code Update
• ASME A17.2 Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks 2017 Code Update
• International Building Code 2018 Update
• ASME A17.1-8.7 Alterations 2010-2016
• ASME A17.2 2017 Hydraulic Inspection and Tests
• Safety, 102 “How are we doing”

NAESA International 2019 Code Update Seminar

• QEI- 1 Standard for the Qualification of Elevator Inspectors 2018 Code Update
• ASME A17.6 Standard for Elevator Suspension, Compensation, and Governor Systems 2017 Code Update
• ASME A17.3 Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators 2017 Code Update
• NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2019 Code Update
• NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling 2019 Code Update
• ASME A17.2 Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks 2017 Code Updates
• International Building Code 2018 Update
• ASME A17.1- 8.7 Alterations 2010-2016
• ASME A17.2 2017 Hydraulic Inspection and Tests
• Safety, 102 “How are we doing”

NEIEP 2020 CE012.2 – 8-Hour Hoistway Maintenance

• Colorado State License renewal course
• Maintenance of elevators
• Includes all hoistway maintenance

NEIEP 2020 Colorado State Licensing - Escalator Handrails Course

• Colorado State License renewal course
• Maintenance of escalators
• Troubleshooting of escalators
• Replacement of escalator handrails

NEIEP 2019 Colorado 2018 Escalator Step Chain Licensing

• Colorado State License renewal course

NEIEP 2019 CE035_13H-2013 Code Course for Hydraulic Elevators

• Colorado State License renewal course
• Continuing education on all parts and functions of a hydraulic elevator
• Also completed in 2018

NAESA International 2019 Code Update Seminar

• Elevator Industry Field Employee Safety Handbook Chapter 18 – Job Hazzard Assessment
• ASME A17.1/CSA B44 2016 - Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
• ANSI A117.1 2009/2017 – Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
• ASME A17.1 – 8.7 – Alterations
• ASME A18.1 2017 – Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts

NAESA International 2018 Colorado Code Update Seminar

• ASME A17.1/CSA B44 2016 - Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
• Inspection Methods and Procedures
• Firefighters’ Emergency Operation 2.27.3 and FEO International Building Code
• How to Use A17.2

NAESA International 2017 NFPA 13 & 72 Relationship and A17.1/B44

• Types of inspections, resources required and the expectations from different perspectives
• Visited report writing, recognizing violations, and how to communicate citations as well as a focus on what to inspect

NAESA International 2017 Maintenance, Repair, Replacement and Testing

• Covered in detail, Section 8.6 of the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 2013 intended to establish a clear understanding of the makeup of the Maintenance Control Program
• Showed the history of the maintenance codes and elevators over time
• Established a correlation regarding the relationship to repair and replacement as well as testing
• Detail for electric, hydraulic elevators and escalators and in general for other types of equipment

NAESA International 2016 Maintenance, Repair, Replacement and Testing

• Section 8.6 of ASME A17.1/CSA B44 2013
• Establish a clear understanding of the makeup of the Maintenance Control Program
• Established a relationship to repair and replacement as well as testing for both electric and hydraulic elevators including other types of equipment

NAESA International 2016 A17.6 Suspension Means

• Covered application of ASME A17.6-2010
• Included history leading to development and publication of an independent suspension standard
• Detail of each of the three sections (steel wire rope, aramid fiber rope and non-circular elastomeric coated steel belts)
• Focus on replacement criteria

NAESA 2015 Central Region Spring Workshop

• 3300 MRL
• Thyssen Krupp MRL
• Wind Turbine Elevator
• AIC Program/State of IL
• Vertex MCP
• Avanti Wind Systems A 17.1 (5.11) WTE Code
• Alterations and A 17.3

NAESA 2014 Central Region Spring Workshop

• Performing the Step Skirt Index Test
• Application of 8.7 Passenger Elevator Hoistway Entrances
• Inspecting Wind Tower Elevators
• ASME A17.1-2013 Code Update

NEIEP 2012 Indiana State Licensing Course 2012

• Continuing education to renew State of Indiana License

v. 05/13/22