December 16, 2025 – As the longest running independent elevator company in the Chicagoland area, we are passionate about educating our customers and other stakeholders. Last week we trained members of the Northlake Fire Department on elevator emergency evacuation procedures per the A17.4 code of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
The training was scheduled as the result of an elevator entrapment in late October. Though the fire department was called to assist, they encountered a unique configuration of the elevator’s mainline disconnect. Rather than damage the equipment, they called our office to request help. This led to a discussion about scheduling a dedicated class for the department.
Len Giuliano, one of our company’s Qualified Elevator Inspectors (QEI certified), conducted training for members of the Northlake Fire Department over the course of two days. Each class of approximately 6 to 12 attendees consisted of a half-hour presentation at the fire house with a hands-on portion using the hydraulic elevator at the Northlake Public Library.
Aside from detailing proper procedure as per ASME A17.1/ CSA B44 section 8.6.11.5.4, attendees were taught how to override the elevator’s door restrictors. Doing so not only enables the rescue of passengers, but also minimizes potential damage to the elevator’s doors.
“When the local fire department responds to an elevator entrapment, there is the potential for extensive repairs to the equipment,” says Len Giuliano, “Our classes focus primarily on occupant safety with a secondary focus on protecting the building’s property.”
Earlier in the year, Giuliano provided a similar class for the Wheaton Fire Department at Wheaton College.
For more information, or to inquire about scheduling a class, contact our office.
