Elevator Technician

I knew that I wanted to work outside, and do something with my hands. But with this apprenticeship, the hands-on work and classroom training are perfectly suited to the novice. The timing was perfect for me actually. I got out of the Army in August 2013, and a few weeks later there was an interview at the union, which hadn’t happened for a long time.

Your home elevator or wheelchair lift is an investment. In order to keep your equipment reliable and running as intended, we recommend you schedule an annual service visit. Annual service visits can prevent down time and accessibility issues. Most manufacturer warranties require an annual service by a licensed elevator mechanic.

This drive system utilizes an overhead machine drive that connects a stack of counterweights to the sling and cab assembly by way of 2 #60 roller chains.

The gate is a door that attaches to the outer edge of the elevator or dumbwaiter car. It prevents objects inside the car from coming into contact with objects outside of the car during travel. Gate styles include: accordion for elevators and bi-part and roll top gates for dumbwaiters.

Located near the controller in the machine room, the service disconnect is the main power switch to the elevator.

This drive system utilizes wire ropes that wind onto a rotating drum.

Testing an elevator that has been newly installed would require, an extreme amount of testing. We want to make sure that the job we have completed is to code, and is safe and reliable, without any faults what so ever.

I work in new installation, so I work four days, 10 hours a day. So for me, having a three-day weekend every weekend is awesome. And if you do get overtime, it ends up being double-time, and well worth working on the weekend. Each union can cover a lot of territory, so you may spend months out of town, four days a week, and home for a three-day weekend. This can be hard for some people, depending on your situation. While you are an apprentice for the first 5 years, you get 3 weeks of paid vacation per year. After you make mechanic, you get 1 month of paid vacation per year.

Automatic Gate Operator is an electromechanical device that opens and closes the car gate automatically.

Often referred to as EMI, is an electromechanical safety lock that prevents the hoistway door (hall door) from opening if the elevator is not at that landing.

Muntz is the name given to the bronze tone finish on the hall stations and car operating panel.

Is the total amount of weight that can be added to the elevator. For safety purposes, never exceed the elevator car’s weight capacity.

Respect to elevators managment position.

Most people don’t think elevators are built by specially trained mechanics. And as long as they are working, they don’t give an elevator much thought. But like any machine, it needs to be built and maintained over the life of the equipment, like a car would.

Mechanical locking device located on the door at each floor level. Uses an arm to positively lock and open the door.

The Car Operating Panel (C.O.P.) is the control panel inside the elevator that houses the floor buttons, the light switch, the alarm button, the emergency stop switch and optional key lock.

Transforming an empty, hollow hoistway to a working elevator in a matter of weeks. Pay is also really good, even when you are just starting out. And the benefits are top notch. They contribute to an annuity, for every hour you work, and it adds up quick. And it is one of the few remaining jobs that still has a pension when you are done. The union is full of a bunch of hard-working blue collar guys, and most are always willing to help you out either at work, or in your personal life.

There are two types of elevators: traction and hydraulic. Traction is more for taller buildings, over six floors or so. Ropes, traction electric motors, and counter-weights move the elevator up and down. Hydraulic elevators are for buildings that are up to five floors or so, due to the limited distance the jacks can reach. Hydraulic fluid goes through a submersible motor, and either pumps fluid into the jacks raising the elevator, or drains it into the tank lowering it. Complex electrical systems control the elevator, from the push buttons in the lobby, inside the car, fire safety, telecommunications, and so on. Of course this is a brief general description!

The elevator car transports passengers from one floor to another. These come pre-finished or can be left unfinished to accept your design.

This drive system utilizes a hydraulic jack and a wire rope to raise and lower the passenger car.