USA

Elevator fleet

In the United States, there are about 1.2 million elevators and 36,000 escalators for a population of 333 million, while in neighboring Canada with a population of 39 million, there are about 100,000 elevators and 9,000 escalators. There are 19,000 companies operating in the US elevator market, and the number of people employed in the industry is 107,000.

The companies with the largest market share in the field of elevator installation and maintenance in the US and Canada are expectedly global brands: KONE, OTIS, Schindler and TK Elevator.

Urbanization of cities is growing at a steady pace - in 2020, North America accounted for 14% of the tallest building structures in the world. In addition, the installation of elevators in private homes is gaining popularity in the US.

Legislation

In North America, the combined elevator and escalator safety code is A17.1/CSA B44. In the United States, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) develops the ASME A17 elevator standard, while in Canada, the CAN/CSA B44 standard is managed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). In Canada, B44 was based on A17 for a long time, but was not identical to it until the codes were harmonized in 2000, and elevator manufacturers doing business in both countries were finally able to produce to the same guiding standard.

The first edition of A17 was published in 1921. As elevator technology and housing developments evolved, the need arose for revisions to the code: at first, the code was released every five years, but now it is reduced to three years. The A17 Code is divided into nine parts, each of which addresses requirements for the design, installation, and maintenance of various types of elevator equipment. To develop each revision of the A17 Code, ASME recruits volunteer experts from across the elevator industry. These experts are members of 28 working groups that report to the ASME Standards Committee. The elevator industry requirements described in the code are developed and maintained by representatives from a variety of disciplines, including equipment owners, manufacturers, installers, component suppliers, government agencies, insurers, and inspectors—a diversity of stakeholders that ensures a balance of interests is maintained.

The Standards Committee meets three times a year in January, May, and September, along with working group meetings, many of which also meet in person and online throughout the year. Anyone can apply to participate in the development of a new version of the code, but only official committee members and their alternates have the right to vote on decisions. The new code becomes effective six months after the publication date, and ASME issues written responses to inquiries regarding interpretation of technical aspects of the code. The 23rd edition of the consolidated code will be released in 2022.

Each state in the United States and province in Canada has its own elevator legislation, which is based on one of the editions of the code (the latest is A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19). There are areas where the latest edition of the code is automatically adopted by local legislation, but in most cases, the current state or provincial code is several editions behind. In addition, each state and province, through its own legislature, adopts its own codes for elevator equipment and maintenance. For this reason, it is important for elevator industry personnel to know which edition of the code and which codes apply in a particular state or province.

Elevator technology is constantly evolving, but building architects in North America are still limited in their ability to incorporate the latest elevator technology. As an example, ASME only approved machine room-less elevators in 2007 (even though they had been commercially available since the late 1990s).

Efforts are currently underway to “converge” the European standards EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 with ASME A17.1/CSA B44 in order to remove barriers to trade in elevator equipment by creating a global prescriptive standard that would be equivalent worldwide.

Elevator Associations

There are many different associations involved in the elevator industry in North America. We will briefly list the main ones here, and then look at some of them in more detail.

Labor organizations: Elevator Industry Workplace Safety Fund EIWPF (www.elevatorinfo.org), North American Builders Union NABTU (www.nabtu.org), International Elevator Electromechanical Union IUEC (www.iuec.org).

Associations of elevator manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors: National Elevator Industry NEII (www.nationalelevatorindustry.org), Canadian Elevator Contractors Association CECA (www.ceca-acea.org).

Educational associations: Elevator and Escalator Safety Foundation EESF (www.eesf.org), National Association of Elevator Contractors NAEC (www.naec.org).

Other associations: International Association of Elevator Consultants IAEC (www.iaec.org), National Elevator Safety Association NAESAI (www.naesai.org).

Historic Elevators

One of the oldest elevators in North America is located inside… the Potbelly Diner, located at 637 Washington Indiana Ave NW. This elevator was manufactured and installed in the 1870s by the Bates Hoist Machine Company. The elevator is enclosed in plexiglass and is rather nondescript. Although the elevator mechanism is still intact, the elevator has been out of service for many years. Before the diner, the property housed a furniture store, whose owner used the elevator to offer rides to his customers. The elevator is designated a National Historic Landmark, which protects it from being dismantled by the building’s owner or tenants.

Another old, but still operational elevator can be found in the City Hall of New Bedford, Massachusetts. It was installed in 1906 and has been in continuous operation ever since. In fact, the elevator has become something of an attraction for the curious public. The elevator is still operated by attendants and provides rides to both children and adults. In recent years, the elevator has suffered from mechanical and electrical problems, causing passengers to become stuck. Upgrading the elevator will cost nearly $450,000, sparking public debate about whether it should continue to operate. Two more old elevators can be found at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. The electric elevators were installed in 1889 by the Otis Elevator Company. They are still used to serve disabled travelers, taking them to the second floor of the luxurious mansion.

The Union of Electricians

The International Union of Elevator Electricians IUEC (www.iuec.org) has been successfully operating in North America for over a hundred years. Since the end of the 19th century, there have been separate unions of elevator workers in American cities: in New York (1894), Chicago (1897), St. Louis (1898), Boston (1899), Philadelphia (1900), Pittsburgh (1901). However, at some point, elevator workers decided to unite to create an organization that would promote and protect the interests of elevator electricians from all over the United States. On July 15, 1901, eleven men from New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Boston, Philadelphia gathered in a hotel room in Pittsburgh, and as a result of their meeting, the Union of Elevator Electricians was registered just three days later.

At the annual convention in 1903, the union established its official journal. That same year, the editor-in-chief created a logo for the new magazine, featuring an elevator car in the center of a circle, which later became the logo of the IUEC organization and is still used today.

The union acquired its International status after it provided financial support to striking electrical workers in Canada in 1903. Over the course of its history, the union has withstood several takeover attempts by larger labor movements: the Mechanics' Association and the Electricians' Association. The Union's primary activity is active participation in resolving numerous labor disputes between its members and employers. Today, the International Union of Elevator Electrical Workers has approximately 30,000 members in the United States and Canada.

Strong working relationships with employers have allowed the union to negotiate reliable contracts with excellent wages and benefits for its members. IUEC leadership prides itself on its ability to resolve disagreements and conflicts quickly and respectfully so that union members can continue to do what they do best - use their skills to install and maintain elevators and escalators. Union membership gives electrical workers the right to vote, including participation in open elections for union leaders. Interestingly, membership fees are voluntary, but in the event of death, only relatives of active members can count on benefits from the IUEC. The IUEC consists of 141 "local" union cells: 129 are in the United States and 12 in Canada. Many cells have their own website, and some even have mobile applications.

Personnel

Every two years, the US Bureau of Employment Statistics (www.bls.gov) makes interesting information on various occupations publicly available. For example, we can find out that in 2020, there were 24,800 elevator electricians in the US, their average age was 42 years old, and their race was 73% white, 17% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 5% African American.

In North America, the demand for elevator electricians is closely linked to the construction of non-residential buildings such as office buildings and stores with elevators and escalators - this type of construction is expected to grow over the next decade. In addition, the need for regular maintenance, upgrades and repairs of elevator equipment; ensuring access for the disabled and the elderly will support the demand for representatives of this profession.

Elevators, escalators, and moving walks must operate year-round, so the employment of elevator electricians is much less affected by economic downturns and seasonality than other construction trades.

There are about 2,500 openings for elevator and escalator electricians in the United States each year due to workers moving to other positions, retiring, or dying. In Canada, electricians are in such high demand that the Canadian government has an immigration program for foreign workers in this profession that allows them to obtain a Canadian permanent residence visa and then receive a job offer.

Apprenticeships

A labour shortage is driving demand for quality training, which is driving the growth of training centres in the elevator industry.

Men and women (!) who want to become elevator electricians can apply for a registered apprenticeship through the National Elevator Education Program (NEIEP) (www.neiep.org) or the Canadian Elevator Education Program (CEIEP) (www.ceiep-program.com), both of which are training centres of the International Union of Elevator Electromechanics (IUEC).

A career in elevator installation and repair typically begins with a four-year apprenticeship programme sponsored by a union, industry association or individual contractor. Registered apprenticeships allow you to earn money while you learn, meaning apprentices receive a living wage, health insurance and retirement benefits. Apprentices work alongside highly trained mentors who train them to install or service elevators and escalators. In addition, apprentices also receive mandatory theoretical training, which helps them learn more about their trade.

As apprentices progress through their apprenticeship, they receive a salary increase. Apprentices do not accumulate huge amounts of student debt; instead, they are paid to work and learn.

The National Elevator Apprenticeship Program is a four-year program. During this period, apprentices work five days a week with a mentor and attend four hours of theoretical training one evening a week. Apprentices typically receive at least 144 hours of technical training and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training during each year of the program. During their training, apprentices learn about safety, how to read blueprints, mathematics, applied physics, elevator and escalator design, electrical engineering, and electronics.

The basic requirements for participating in the apprenticeship program are as follows: • Applicants must be at least 18 years old • Have a high school diploma • Be physically capable of performing heavy work • Pass basic math and reading tests • Pass a drug test

In addition, the educational program offers more than 40 continuing education courses for existing electricians to help them improve their skills. Continuous education is important for elevator installers and repairers to keep up with technological developments throughout their careers.

In Canada, each province has its own certification program and licensing requirements for electricians. Most U.S. states require electricians to be licensed.

Elevator electricians can earn the Certified Elevator Technician (CET) or Certified Residential Accessibility and Elevator Technician (CAT) certification through the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC). They can also be certified as Qualified Elevator Inspectors (QEI) through the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities (NAESAI).