ELEVATOR WORLD NEWS

Jim Turner hasbeen named project manager, Elevator Consulting Group, for Lerch Bates, Inc.'sGreat Lakes Region. Focusing on Chicago, Turner will perform due diligence andprovide vertical-transportation consulting for new-installation, maintenanceand modernization projects. Turner has more than 22 years of experience, mostrecently serving as national project developer at KJWW Engineering Consultants.He spent his entire elevator/escalator career with Montgomery Elevator Co.(later KONE). As KONE's vice president of Modernization, he oversaw new productrollout, sales, engineering and installation.

Schindler hasannounced the launch of its 6400 NA model in the U.S. The modernization packageis specifically designed to enable mid-rise buildings to upgrade their existingelevators. Focusing on reliability, efficiency and sustainability with minimaldowntime and shortened lead times, the package features an integrated family ofproducts to streamline the modernization process. Components such as SchindlerMiconic TX controllers, optional PORT technology, the FMM 200 modular gearlessmachine, Power Factor 1 regenerative drives, Suspension Traction Media, Varidor50A door operators and Remote Monitoring are included.

Intended toaddress increasing demand from the disabled and elderly for more usefulvertical lifting platforms and promote barrier-free access in Hong Kong, theCode of Practice on the Design and Construction of Lifts and Escalators (2012Edition) has been modified. In it, the limit of travel height of the poweredvertical lifting platforms has been extended from 4 to 7 m. This height is theequivalent to two upper-floor stops. Additionally, cross-references forbarrier-free access have been updated in the code to align with thedevelopment.