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Special Section: Focus on FixturesCHOOSING A FIXTURE SUPPLIERby Steve RobbinsHave you ever wondered how oneshould best go about choosing an elevatorfixture supplier? This question isperhaps more relevant in our presenteconomic climate than ever. With theincrease of manufacturers and availableoptions, how does one choose theright supplier? Is finding the lowestproduct price quote enough or is theremore to consider?There are three main criteria whenchoosing a fixture company. First, makesure the quality of this supplier’s productsmatch or exceed the needs ofyour applications. Second, one shouldmake sure the fixture order process iseasy, quick and accurate. Third, askyourself if the supplier’s customer serviceleft you feeling like you’ve genuinelybeen served?So, does the quality of your fixturesupplier’s products match or exceedthe needs of your applications? Forexample, if the vandal-resistant fixturesyou bought for a particular location arerepeatedly being vandalized and theswitches destroyed, are they really vandalresistant? Can the buttons behyperextended past the faceplate’s rearsurface plane enough to damage theswitch components? If the design is nota true positive stop, (prohibiting thistype of over travel), they are not vandalresistant.When these buttons are damaged,service calls have to be made and all ofthe attendant costs and hassles of replacementincrease. The bottom line(the initial price paid for the fixtures)has just increased by the amount spentrepairing them. This is one examplethat shows how matching quality to applicationbuilds value into products paysdividends throughout the lifespan of theproduct. A good fixture companyshould walk you through the process ofmatching its products to your specificneeds. This provides you with the bestlongterm investment for your dollar.Next, will the fixture order processbe easy, quick and accurate? We live invery busy times. This is often felt byelevator professionals. Your suppliershould be able to provide all of theindustry-standard fixtures within a convenientordering and delivery process.In addition, and this is crucial for themodernization industry, engineering,drafting, pricing and manufacturing ofcustomer fixtures should also be availablewithin short lead times.However, velocity doesn’t tell thecomplete story. There also must be ahigh level of confidence that when anorder is placed, the supplier is going tofollow through by delivering exactlywhat you ordered within the timeframeit promised. This all should happenwithout the need for call backs. Salesprofessionals spend enough time callingback their own customers. Theyshouldn’t be expected to check up ontheir vendors as well. Wherever thebuyer’s time is streamlined money issaved and inconvenience is minimized;therefore, leading to an enhancedinvestment.Finally, does the supplier’s customerservice leave you feeling like you’vegenuinely been served? This serviceshould help you think through issues inorder to avoid problems downstreamin the installation process. In otherwords, does your supplier view itself insome sense as a partner with you? Isyour success in this industry its goal,too? Is it just trying to make a sale or toprovide you with the best long-termvalue possible? Customer serviceshould simply be that, serving you, thecustomer, at every stage of the fixturepurchasing process. Your fixture companyshould be building a mutually beneficial,long-term relationship with you fromday one. Don’t settle for less.These are important questions andissues for the any buyer to consider.They are especially important due tothe challenges currently facing the elevatorindustry.PTL Equipment has served the elevatorindustry since the early 1970s.Bob Coronato, PTL’s founder, wasasked by a friend to design an elevatorcall button that could stand the rigorsof day-to-day use in the New YorkHousing Authority. As a result, he createda positive-stop design. This themeof customer-driven development hasbeen a distinctive trait at PTL since thebeginning.Steve Robbins is the sales and customermanager at PTL equipment.July 2010 | ELEVATOR WORLD | 87

I N N O V A T I O NCommitted to Quality.Since our beginningin 1972, InnovationIndustries has designedand manufactured elevatorcomponents of the highestquality, as indicated byour ISO 9001 certification,with the shortest lead timesin the industry…stock orcustom products. Stateof the art manufacturingequipment and processes,combined with our staffof skilled professionals,time and to your exactingrequirements. Plus, we areable to produce fixtureprototypes rapidly andaccurately for the mostdemanding customers. Thiscommitment to quality isthe benchmark for everyproduct we have madeover the past 37 years.Available in an almostendless variety of shapesand sizes, metal finishes,engraving, push button andLanterns and PositionIndicators meet or exceedstandard and specialbuilding compliance codes.ensure all our signalillumination options, ourInnovation is our name andfixtures are delivered onHall Stations, Car Stations,you can expect to see it inevery product we make.Today and tomorrow.

Standard Fixtures.One-of-a-kindCustom Fixtures.New Installations.Modernizations. Unlimited Choices.Unmatched Quality. Choices. Quality.Solutions.ELEVATOR FIXTURES & PUSH BUTTONS I N N O V A T I O N© 2010 INNOVATION INDUSTRIES, INC.

Special Section: Focus on Fixtureswww.madfixtures.com1-866-967-8500info@madfixtures.comTOUCH TO GO ELEVATOR TOUCHSCREENSUsing vibrant, large, color touch screens linked to a custom control system, the interactive elevatordisplay replaces and breaks the limitations of traditional elevator buttons, creating a flexible, dynamicexperience that enhances the usability of the elevator and prestige of the property.Icons, maps and logos aid passengers to correctly select their destination. The flexible graphics canbe used to build and reinforce property and tenant branding. Use of familiar icons, large virtual buttonareas and high contrast print makes the system more informative and intuitive than traditional buttonsfor greater accessibility and ease of use.Our non-proprietary interface connects the system to your elevators in the same way as conventionalbuttons. Whether you are installing a new elevator or modernizing an existing one, no wiringchanges are needed.Redefine the elevator experience with a Touch To Go Touchscreen.For more information, contactDraka Elevator Products at 877-372-5237 (877-DRAKA EP) orgo to www.draka-ep.com.Formula Systems North America Inc.,2351 E Devon Avenue, Elk GroveVillage, Illinois 60007 www.formula-systems.com Tel: 1 847 350 0655,Fax: 1 847 350 0670i2Sysytems LEDs FOR ELEVATOR CABS AND ESCALATORSDraka now offers i2System’s LED elevator lighting systems that have considerable economic andoperating advantages over conventional incandescent, halogen and fluorescent lamps.For instance, these Aperion 1161 fully-dimmable round recessed lights offer fast snap-in mounting, awire harness that plugs directly into the lightweight power supply and an integrated dimming module/battery backup. They are available in a variety of finishes and light colors.Also available are S-Line and V-Line linear lights in lengths up to 4 ft • 1220 mm, and escalatordemarcation lights.i2Systems’ LED fixtures last up to 50,000 hours of operation (over 20 times longer than halogenbulbs). That means you will have relamped your halogen fixtures 20 times over the life of a single LEDfixture. They also offer significantly reduced heat and weight compared to traditional lighting technol -ogies. When you combine the low operating and replacement costs, payback on your investment inLEDs can be in two years - or even less, depending on what type of lamps you are replacing.FORMULA SYSTEMS FOR ELEVATOR DOOR PROTECTIONFormula Systems’ Infra-red (IR) safety edge model FCU47 ‘Safescreen’ is the advanced version ofits North American design which features 47 diagonal infra-red (IR) beams in an aluminum housing1.18"x0.8"x7’ (30x20x2136mm). The FCU47 is capable of wiring directly into suitable door controllers,or the Formula Systems’ FPS270.The ‘Safescreen’ FCU47 is backward compatible with any of Formula Systems' power supplies, allowingcompanies to upgrade old technology at a fraction of the price of a new system.Formula Systems’ brings together the best in engineering and technology for elevator safety edgesand door protection devices that are quick and easy to fit in new or existing elevator sites.There are controller-less versions designed for quick and trouble-free fitting, and these provide extensivecost savings in materials, installation and, with the reduced component count, feature superiorreliability.In addition, Formula Systems' development of the Safezone 3D version has provided the marketwith a superior, low cost door and passenger protection solution.90 | WWW.ELEVATOR-WORLD.COM | July 2010

Special Section: Focus on FixturesPTL Equipment2394 West Currahee St.Toccoa, Georgia 305771-800-736-2120www.ptlequipment.comwww.madfixtures.com1-866-967-8500info@madfixtures.comESCALATOR SAFETY FIXTURES - ES SERIESEvery year thousands of people, many of them children, are sent to emergency rooms across theUnited States and throughout the world for injuries sustained in escalator related accidents. Since 1992PTL Equipment has been committed to designing and manufacturing the highest quality escalator safetystations available. It’s obvious that escalator stop and restart mechanisms are only as reliable as thehousings protecting them. That’s why every unit we produce is fully backed by our 40 year reputation fordurability and effective performance. PTL’s standard of product and service integrity is never compromised.Available in 304 Stainless Steel, 316 Stainless Steel or Naval Brass PTL escalator stations pass theday-to-day performance test in the world’s busiest venues. Durability, however, does not preclude aestheticappeal. These fixtures, though discreet, display a simple elegance. Operating internationally inmalls, airports, hotels, convention centers and mass transit hubs our positive stop design and tamperproof construction provide dependable, stylish service year in and year out.Ease of installation provides another attractive feature for escalator modernization projects. Simplesurvey and installation instructions guide mechanics through the retrofit process quickly and with ease.Give us a try on your next escalator project and let PTL introduce you to the “gold” standard of escalatoroperational excellence.RESIDENTIAL PACKAGESIn short order, MAD has established itself as an industry leader in the manufacture of purpose-builtand economical residential fixture packages. Through the use of technologically advanced products anddesigns MAD has set a new standard for the homelift market. Our residential packages are designedfor quick and easy installations. Fixtures come pre-wired to an interface board which is connected tothe controller using supplied plug-and-play cables. We program our controller to match your specificfunctionality. Coupled with our simple yet sophisticated Gilda style fixtures, we can design a flexible,modern-looking solution that can be mounted and wired in minutes. Imagine the advantage of havinglow-profile surface mounted fixtures that require no in-car enclosure ... just drill a hole for the wiringharness and mount the car station directly overtop. The Gilda car and hall stations measure a mere15/16" and depth, yet they are capable of accommodating not only pushbuttons, but also positionindicators, emergency light units, toggle switches and even keyed switches within this ultra-low profile.Find out why so many residential cab suppliers have switched to MAD!North America: Janus ElevatorProducts (+1 631 864 3699) AsiaPacific: TL Jones – New Zealand(+64 3 349 4456) UK/Europe:Memco Ltd (+44 1628 770 734)Website: www.tljones.com,Email: info@tljones.comCOMMANDER TM T2: FULLY INTEGRATED TOUCHCAR OPERATING PANEL FOR PREMIUM ELEVATORSNew from TL Jones Asia Pacific: the T2 touch car operating panel uses high quality graphics and interactivityto offer an enhanced journey experience for elevator passengers. Offering nearly infinitepossibilities for topical information at passenger’s fingertips, the COMMANDER TM T2 Touch OperatingPanel is fully customisable, and can provide news, building information and advertising content to visitors,which can be easily updated and controlled by the building manager. The T2 is compatible withmost types of multimedia formats for use as an eye catching communications platform. Utilize thescreen space for your own messages, or lease the space to third parties for advertising targeted theirown specific audiences. The T2 can be used as a standalone operating panel or can be matched withEVOLUTION TM LCD displays for twice the impact.92 | WWW.ELEVATOR-WORLD.COM | July 2010

DRAKACAM ELEVATOR SURVEILLANCE CAMERADrakaCam is a standalone surveillance camera with built-in digital image recording function formedium-term elevator surveillance applications. The DrakaCam system contains a surveillance camerawith on-board motion sensor, 9VDC power supply, remote control, 2GB memory card, card reader,back-up battery and charger, and PC configuration software (Windows 2000 [SP4], Windows XP[SP2], Windows Vista).The camera captures high-resolution color images when motion is detected and stores them ontoa removable memory card for easy viewing on a computer or PDA. The camera is wire-free – justinstall it and let it run in either ‘motion-activated’ or ‘time-lapse’ modes. The rugged lockable stainlesssteel case helps prevent vandalism.The camera can store up to 32,000 images and will optionally overwrite the oldest images whenthe memory card is full, for ‘set and forget’ operation. In this scenario, the memory card will holdaround 10 days of history at any given time.PTL NEMA ENCLOSURESEvery PTL NEMA enclosure is designed and manufactured to meet or exceed established standardsfor type 4, 4X and 12 ratings. Our NEMA type fixtures are constructed for operation in either indooror outdoor environments. By definition, they provide positive shielding from access to any potentiallyhazardous electrical components during live operation. In addition, equipment within the enclosure isprotected from the introduction of all solid foreign objects such as falling dirt and circulating dust, lint,fibers, etc….Beyond this our design insures the highest degree of protection from damage to the enclosedequipment by water penetration. This could be in the form of rain, sleet, snow, splashing water, andhose directed water. Our fixtures also provide added levels of protection against corrosion. Finally, inaccordance with NEMA standards our fixtures are guaranteed to be undamaged by ice forming on theenclosure.This line of fixtures provides the perfect answer for both industrial and weather exposure applications.Let our engineering team help you find the right fixtures for each and every project. Call PTLtoday and find the solutions you need!ENTRADA BRAILLEEntrada Braille manufactures die cast COP Braille designed for flush mounting as well as surfacemounting. For example, our model SS12 is meant for flush mounting in 12 gauge steel. You can relyon the studs always being in the same location. We provide every single architectural finish from satinstainless to Mirror Muntz. We provide Braille in different languages and ship around the world and havemany shapes and sizes to suit your needs.Entrada Braille also manufactures small to large nameplates as well as hoistway plates in all shapesand sizes and finishes. We are the only manufacturer that provides a Perma-Clear finish on our partswhich is one of the toughest coatings available in the metal industry. We are a family owned businesssince 1943. Catalogs available upon request.For more information, contactDraka Elevator Products at 877-372-5237 (877-DRAKA EP) orgo to www.draka-ep.com.PTL Equipment2394 West Currahee St.Toccoa, Georgia 305771-800-736-2120www.ptlequipment.comShonna JohnsonShonna@elevatorbraille.com1-800-949-1150July 2010 | ELEVATOR WORLD | 93

Special Section: Focus on FixturesTHE EVOLUTION OF THE ELEVATORFIXTURE: FROM STARTER TO SCREENSby Jonathan LathamThere was a day when you couldstep into an elevator and a polite youngperson (a starter) would ask you whichfloor to which you were going. He orshe would bring you up to speed onthe current events in the building andcould probably tell you who was onvacation that week. Today, not manyelevators have starters, and getting informationwhile in the elevator may notbe easy to do.Elevator fixtures have evolved sincethen, and the technology that is packedinto a single car panel can astound you.Most elevators in the past only had asegmented display and showed nothingmore than floor information. Today,times have changed, and displays areoften multimedia. One example of thistype of display is the Evolution S2 multimediascreen from Janus ElevatorProducts. The S2 can offer a host ofinformation, from elevator destinationcontent to the latest in news andweather. The S2 in a fixture panel takesyour car panel to the next level of distinction.An LCD screen will be the one itemin your elevator that will have peopletalking. The units come in 10.4-inch and15-inch sizes and are slim for mountingpurposes. Whether you are showcasingcorporate video, displaying tenant advertisingor promoting special events inyour building, the S2 provides sight andsound in your elevator. The S2 featuresfloor and travel information, floor directorymessages, MPEG 1 and MPEG 4playback, elevator status messages, dateand time, and can also show optionalinformation like stock-exchange indexand temperature readings. The S2 displaysare available in portrait- or landscape-viewconfiguration for ease of mounting.The mounting of these units has alsoevolved. In the past, when a hole in thefixture panel was needed, a punchmachine would punch a series of holesin the metal to accommodate the S2.Now, with the advent of lasers in allavenues of technology, the MonitorControl Fixture line by Janus goes fromInventor® drawings and programmingto laser machine to accomplish the task.Starters controlled where the elevatorwent and on which floor it stopped.Many suppliers of multimedia displayscontrol the information on the screensinstalled in elevators. The S2 buildingdisplay, along with its content-editingsoftware, helps control the content in theelevator. The Microsoft® Windows®basedsoftware allows flexibility inchanging the content on the screens.Information and content from the typeand location of the directional 3Darrows only require dragging and droppingthat information into the screen.Content such as floor directory and usermessages (including fonts and colors) canbe edited.For more information, contact Janustoll free: (800) 527-9156 or website:www.januselevator.com.Jonathan Latham is a product specialistfor Janus Elevator Products.Looking to make an impact at NAEC?We will be including a special section on the NAEC exposition inCincinnati with a full list of exhibitors in the September issue ofELEVATOR WORLD.Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available.Please contact us for more information atsales@elevator-world.com or 1-800-730-5093.94 | WWW.ELEVATOR-WORLD.COM | July 2010

Is this how you’re lighting your cabs? i2Systems offers LED lighting thatsignificantly lowers operating costswhen compared to traditional lights.Consider powercosts: LEDs use only25% of the powerof halogen lamps.They also producezero heat.Consider replacement costs: LEDshave a long service life of around50,000 hours. You will have used20 halogen lamps before you’ll haveto replace an i2Systems LED.Consider the environment: switchingto LEDs keeps those 20 halogenlamps from ending up in a landfill.i2Systems LEDs are available inthe easily-installed round Aperionseries (shown) and strip modules.Both styles are fully dimmable.Battery back-up power is available.i2Systems’ LEDs. A brighter,greener and most economical idea.www.draka-ep.com