TIL a 20 year old elevator can still pass code if you swap just the controller board

I was working on a Otis from 2004 in Denver last week and the building owner wanted to modernize the whole cab. Turns out the state inspector said the old mechanicals were fine and we only needed to swap the controller board to meet current code. Has anyone else found that older elevators can skate by with just a brain transplant instead of a full gut?

3 comments

3 Comments

walker.julia3d ago

Ha! I can barely get my toaster to work so this is way above my pay grade.

ray_sullivan3d ago

But seriously though, what is it about tech that makes you say "nope I'm out" the fastest? Is it the jargon or the setup process that kills it for you?

phoenixk643d ago

Yeah that tracks with what I've seen. Usually the mechanical parts like rails and cables last way longer than the electronics, so a board swap is all you really need to get the safety systems up to date. Just make sure the old motor and brake are in good shape before you call it done.