Passion Elevator

NYC DOB RELEASES COMPREHENSIVE VT REPORT

Multiple outlets, including Curbed New York, are reporting on the New York City (NYC) Department of Buildings' (DOB) first-ever elevator report, a comprehensive compilation of statistics and other facts about the city's 84,000 vertical-transportation (VT) devices. The report, presented in a series of interactive maps, gives facts and figures on important topics, such as the type and number of elevators in each community district, and even the number of devices in each building. Need to know about violations? There's a map showing complaints across the city. Are you a history buff? Another map takes readers on a journey through NYC's elevator past. There's also a look at some of the newest technology. The report covers all passenger and freight elevators, as well as escalators, dumbwaiters and wheelchair lifts, under the DOB's jurisdiction.

SAVARIA ACQUIRES COLORADO-BASED H.E.S.

Accessibility lift manufacturer Savaria Corp. has acquired H.E.S. Elevator Services, Inc., of Denver in a CAD1.4-million (US$1.1-million) purchase, the company announced on April 12. Laval, Canada-based Savaria designs, manufactures, distributes and installs accessibility equipment, including stairlifts, vertical and inclined wheelchair lifts, home and commercial elevators and ceiling lifts. H.E.S., which sells, installs and services a range of elevator equipment in Colorado, has been a Savaria dealer for five years.

NORTH KOREAN TOWER TO FEATURE SECURE-ACCESS ELEVATORS

A sign in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, touts the coming development of high-rise, high-tech apartments that include card-access, high-speed elevators, NKNews.org reports. The sign, with a rendering of a sleek-looking tower that appears to be about 30 stories tall, says the building will feature 180-m2 units and will be built to the "highest-quality" construction standards. Observers said the elevator technology likely came from China, noting that the card-access security feature is new for buildings in North Korea. The sign also says that solar energy will be utilized in the building. The location is in the central sector of Pyongyang, an area popular among government officials.

GIRL RESCUED AFTER FALL INTO SHAFT LEAVES HER HEAD STUCK

A six-year-old girl in Xinxiang, China, was rescued after she fell into an elevator shaft and her head became stuck in a gap between two walls, the Daily Mail reports. According to reports, the girl stepped into the shaft during a power outage on April 10. She was able to grab onto a handle inside the shaft, but her head became stuck in the gap, and her feet were dangling about 33 ft. above ground. Eleven firefighters worked for 40 min. to rescue the girl. One rescuer on a ladder reached her from below, while another descended from above and, using hydraulic pliers, was able to free her head. The source said she was not injured.