January 2013
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ELEVATOR WORLD
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of which would have needed to have been shut down, de-
molished and rebuilt to accommodate the truss removal
and replacement process. In addition, the size of the exist-
ing escalator wellways may have required increases in
some locations, which would also have added structural
modification costs.
Another concern of the customer’s was that of the level
of disruption to business activities should a complete re-
placement occur. It was critical for the facility to remain in
complete operation. A replacement would have created sig-
nificant traffic-flow problems, unacceptable noise levels and
construction debris, as well as consumed a large amount of
floor space, which would have been needed to provide pro-
tective barricades and hoisting needs.
After reviewing the site, KONE outlined the advantages of
its EcoMod™ solution and the installation process. The so-
lution met the needs and was approved for the project. The
modules and equipment were brought through the existing
doors without causing any damage in the building’s curtain
wall.
All 12 escalators were modernized in three phases and
simplified the building’s traffic flow, because it enabled side-
by-side units to be modernized at separate times. Businesses
located under the escalators continued to operate through-
out the installation, and all existing cladding and structural
conditions remained intact, leaving minimal debris.
c
Credits
Owner:
Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority
Management company:
SMG
Elevator consultant:
National Elevator Consultants, Inc.
Installer:
KONE (Detroit project team)
Escalator trusses
