Lift certificate errors cause confusion

Author: Nick Alexander

On multiple occasions over the past few months, a number of elevators throughout the College have malfunctioned, trapping unsuspecting students within. In mid-November, students found themselves imprisoned several times in the cable elevators of McCardell Bicentennial Hall when both elevator controllers experienced intermittent failures. In January, Eri Nosaka '08 was held captive for 25 minutes when Hepburn's elevator obstinately refused to open its metal jaws.

The unusual frequency of such unfortunate occurrences in recent months has sparked questions concerning the regularity of elevator maintenance on campus. These questions became more serious when it was discovered that several of the College's 47 elevators lack up-to-date inspection certificates.

But George McPhail, engineering and energy manager at the College, said that Vermont inspection crews had simply written the wrong date on many of the certificates. According to McPhail, the dates printed on the certificates indicate when the elevators were last inspected, not when the certificates will expire. McPhail said that the dates will be corrected during the next annual inspection.

McPhail also said the College is doing everything in its power to regularly inspect and maintain the quality of its elevators. Long before legislation was passed in the state of Vermont requiring the annual inspection of all elevators by a third party, the College enlisted the services of the Bay State Elevator Company, based in Agawam, Mass.

McPhail stressed the reliability of the Bay State Elevator Company, explaining that elevator inspection is a well-regulated industry.

"The mechanics of all elevator inspection companies belong to one union that guarantees the same quality of service from all its workers," he said.

Regarding elevator maintenance procedure, McPhail said that mechanics from Bay State conduct quarterly elevator inspections in all College dormitories. Other elevators, such as those in Bicentennial Hall, are subject to monthly inspections. In addition, the College spends approximately $100 per elevator per year to satisfy the Vermont state law calling for annual inspections by a third party.